About IXA

Innovation Exchange Amsterdam (IXA) helps drive the transition of academic and practice-based research and knowledge into ground-breaking innovations and applications that improve lives, transform industries, and create substantial societal and economic value.

It all started in 2014 when the University of Amsterdam (UvA), Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC joined forces and combined their so-called knowledge transfer offices (KTO) to form Innovation Exchange Amsterdam (IXA).

Our main focus

IXA is the expert interface between Amsterdam-based universities and parties interested in their research findings and knowledge. Being an interface, IXA deploys its expertise in two directions:

• Assisting Amsterdam researchers from all disciplines– including PhDs, postdocs, and teacher researchers, etc. – in generating societal and economic impact from their work.
  We also include master’s students in this category, who – as part of their studies – would like to learn more about valorisation, or how to develop an idea.
  Go to For researchers to find out more.

• Assisting external parties – e.g., companies including Research & Development staff, NGOs, non-profits, governments, healthcare and educational institutions, etc. – in navigating the academic landscape to find a solution or spot an opportunity.
  Go to For companies/non-profits to find out more.

In addition, IXA supports UvA, HvA, VU, Amsterdam UMC, AHK and KNAW management and teaching and supporting staff (HRM, legal, financial, administrative, secretarial and communication) seeking expertise or advice on research-based entrepreneurship, and research funding and grants.

Your first point of contact

At every campus location throughout Amsterdam, our business developers, legal advisors and grant advisors contribute to developing the Amsterdam innovation ecosystem by bringing people together. Meet the IXA Teams.

IXA offices are an integral part of the universities’ service infrastructure. Therefore, our services, facilities and expertise are free of charge.