Good news for Amsterdam AI innovations: Thematic Technology Transfer scheme continues
From academic knowledge to promising startup! The successful Thematic Technology Transfer (TTT) scheme is being continued. Since 2019, 200 startups supported by this scheme have raised more than €300 million. The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the coordinator of the national TTT-AI program within this scheme, in which VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC also participate. “We have a unique head start.”
Startups with global impact
TTT-AI focuses on projects that develop innovative AI, primarily for business applications. The innovation must lie in the AI itself, not in the hardware. On behalf of IXA-UvA, Peter Westerhuijs is program manager of the TTT-AI consortium: “Europe’s scientific excellence gives us a unique head start in AI. TTT-AI turns that strength into startups with global impact.”
The program supports researchers and teams in setting up an AI startup and attracting early-stage funding, including through the TTT-AI pre-seed investment fund managed by LUMO Labs. Startup teams also receive hands-on support in developing and validating their ideas and can take part in various workshops and networking events.
Interested or want to propose a case?
Researchers with an AI startup idea, or teams who would like to explore whether the program might be a good fit for them, can contact one of the TTT-AI business developers directly: Ties van Rappard (IXA-VU), Annemieke de Raad (IXA-UvA) or Ruben Boyd (IXA Amsterdam UMC).
The numbers behind the TTT success
Since 2019, 200 startups supported by the Thematic Technology Transfer (TTT) scheme have raised more than €300 million in additional funding – and that amount is still growing. Of these 200 startups, more than 70 have received extra funding from a TTT investment fund that invests in the high-risk early phase of new companies. This type of investment closes an important funding gap, giving promising startups the opportunity to get off to a flying start.
The TTT scheme is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.