Big Chemistry: Kickstart your Startup

Develop your innovation into a promising startup

An innovative idea or promising technology is a great starting point, but on its own, it does not make a successful business. The key to growth lies not only in the innovation itself, but above all in validating at an early stage whether your solution addresses a genuine market need. Entrepreneurs who focus on customer validation early on make better strategic decisions, grow faster and increase their chances of successful partnerships and investment.

During the ‘Big Chemistry: Kickstart your Startup’ workshop, you will discover over the course of ten weeks how to turn your innovation in AI, data and robotics into a promising business model. You will explore the needs of potential customers, work towards problem-solution fit, refine your value proposition and take the first steps towards building a successful company. Together with other researchers and early-stage entrepreneurs, you will work on the key questions every startup needs to answer. You will learn not only from an experienced startup coach, but also from the experiences of other participants.

Explore the Big Chemistry Startup Program

The ‘Kickstart your Startup’ workshops are part of the Big Chemistry Startup Program. This program supports researchers and young startups developing or applying AI, data and robotics technologies to predict the behaviour of complex mixtures and design higher-performing formulations. Examples include solutions that automate experiments using robotics, or use AI to predict properties such as stability, odour, solubility or functionality. 

The program consists of two components:

• Researchers and (pre-)startups can take part in the Kickstart your Startup workshops to explore the commercial potential of their technology.
• Startups that are registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and are no more than five years old can also apply for funding of €125,000 to €200,000 to further develop their innovation.

You can participate in the workshop only or combine the workshop with a funding application. The insights gained during Kickstart your Startup also provide a strong foundation for a successful funding application.

Kickstart your Startup workshop

Over the course of five interactive workshops, you will work step by step towards a validated business idea. Together with an experienced coach and other early-stage entrepreneurs in the sector, you will explore the key questions every startup needs to answer.

Between sessions, you will complete assignments and speak with potential customers, allowing you to put what you have learned into practice straight away. This will help you understand the commercial potential of your technology and identify the next steps needed to grow your business.