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Spin-offs

The Faculty of Science has already founded several spin-off companies, many of which were supported by the Amsterdam Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) and the Innovation Exchange Amsterdam (IXA). The latter has an office at our Faculty location on Amsterdam Science Park.

Researchers are assisted with office space and financial support in addition to embarking on partnerships with external investors and application-oriented partners in the business sector or social organisations. If desired, the spin-off company can be incorporated into UvA Holding BV.

  • CellaGenics: Biomedical applications

    CellaGenics develops biomedical applications based on fundamental research taking place in the research group led by Professor Arie Otte. For example therapeutic proteins, such as anti-bodies that counter certain types of cancer. Using techniques of molecular biology, genetics and cell biology, CellaGenics aims to improve production methods for such therapeutic proteins.

  • Confocal.nl: The Dutch microscopy company

    Confocal.nl aims to innovate the microscopy industry with plug-and-play feature microscopes including the re-scan invention. Their new RCM-microscope has an improved resolution and strongly improved sensitivity as compared to most confocal microscopes. It will be available as a highly affordable, customized device, which is ideal for labs with specific interests. Confocal.nl was founded by Dr. Erik Manders, leader of the research group Controlled light exposure microscopy, and Peter Drent.

  • InCatT: supramolecular catalysts

    InCatT produces and tests homogenic catalysts for clients in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and food and fragrances industry. InCatT’s technology is based on the concept of supramolecular catalysis that’s been developed and patented by the Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis research group, led by Joost Reek.

    Prof. dr. J.N.H. (Joost) Reek

    Faculty of Science

    Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences

  • Macrobian-Biotech

    Macrobian-Biotech was founded with the primary goal to perform pre-clinical research that leads to novel treatments for disorders that affect the midbrain dopamine system. It utilises state of the art technology at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs. The company's step-by-step mechanistic approach to unravelling molecular components of dopamine neurons has led to the identification of novel compounds that are able to modulate dopamine production specifically in midbrain dopamine neurons. 

    Macrobian-Biotech was founded in May 2017 by Dr Lars van der Heide and Prof. Marten Smidt of the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences.

    Dr. L.P. (Lars) van der Heide

    Faculty of Science

    Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences

    Prof. dr. M.P. (Marten) Smidt

    Faculty of Science

    Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences

  • Photanol: Biofuel

    Photanol is a spin-off company established in 2008 by UvA Holding in collaboration with the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences of the UvA’s Faculty of Science, the research group on Molecular Microbial Physiology and UvA professors Klaas Hellingwerf and Joost Teixeira de Mattos.

    Through the genetic adaptation of cyanobacteria, the patented Photanol process enhances the capacity of these bacteria to use sunlight to combine the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide with the capacity of various fermenting bacteria to synthesise products (e.g. acetic acid, lactate, ethanol and butanol), as well as organic acids and biofuels. The Photanol process draws exclusively on solar energy and CO2, produces no waste and is highly efficient.

    Prof. dr. K.J. (Klaas) Hellingwerf

    Faculty of Science

    Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences

  • Plantics: Bioplastics

    After the accidental discovery of a plant-based plastic, Professor Gadi Rothenberg en Dr Albert Alberts of the Heterogeneous Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry group (UvA-HIMS) founded Plantics. With this spin-off company they aim to further develop this plastic and market it for industrial use. Plantics is 100% degradable, making it much less taxing on the environment than conventional oil-based plastics which take several hundreds of years to dissolve.

    Prof. dr. G. (Gadi) Rothenberg

    Faculty of Science

    Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences

  • Scyfer: Deep learning technology

    Scyfer was founded by Dr Max Welling, Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Amsterdam. The company specialises in the development of high-quality machine learning and deep learning technology, and applications thereof in industry, media and healthcare. Scyfer has been acquired by Qualcomm.

    Prof. dr. M. (Max) Welling

    Faculty of Science

    Informatics Institute

  • Sightcorp: Face analysis and emotion recognition software

    Sightcorp specializes in the development of advanced computer vision, face analysis and emotion recognition technologies.  The technology is based on sophisticated computer vision algorithms and can for example be used in market research, traffic regulation and the creative industry. The company is co-founded by Dr. Roberto Valenti and Dr. Theo Gevers, professor of Computer Vision at the Informatics Institute. 

    Prof. dr. T. (Theo) Gevers

    Faculty of Science

    Informatics Institute

  • Spark904

    Spark904 is  a spin-off related to the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences of the UvA.  Spark904 offers access to specialised analytical and spectroscopic services. It will help to accelerate R&D activities conducted by research labs.