Amsterdam Biotech Booster Secures €196.4 Million From the National Growth Fund

This funding will help continue the programme through 2032, supporting the development and market entry of biotech innovations.

Launched to help scientists and entrepreneurs bring their biotech research to market, Biotech Booster offers financial support, mentorship, and networking opportunities. It brings together public and private partners and works through five focus areas, including industrial biotech, agri-food biotech, and healthcare, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

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The new funding follows a positive review of the programme’s first phase, where it successfully helped move projects like biodegradable seed coatings, new medicines, and water purification using fungi closer to commercial use.

Originally part of a €246M allocation in 2022, this second tranche confirms full government support for the programme’s mission to make biotech research more useful to society.

In a statement translated from Dutch, Nettie Buitelaar, CEO of Biotech Booster, says, “We are extremely proud and happy with the award of this second tranche. This is not only a recognition of the hard work of all stakeholders and partners from the Dutch biotech sector, but also an important signal that the government endorses the strategic value of biotechnology for the Netherlands.”

“This boost enables us to strengthen the international position of our sector, together with our partners such as Oncode Accelerator, RegMed XB, NXTGEN Hightech, Hollandbio, DSM Firmenich and J&J. Investments such as these are essential to bring innovations to society faster, create new business and develop solutions for major challenges in the areas of health, food supply and sustainability.”

“We look forward to further developing the program in the coming years and supporting many more researchers and entrepreneurs in marketing their innovations,” adds Buitelaar.

The Biotech Booster programme was introduced in 2021 by a coalition of Dutch research institutions, Hollandbio, DSM Firmenich, and Johnson & Johnson, to improve how biotech knowledge is turned into real-world applications and businesses in the Netherlands.

While the country ranks high globally in biotech research and patents, turning that knowledge into commercial success has remained a challenge.

Minister Bruins, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, says, “Better care, a healthier living environment or smart innovations for a better climate. We have seen before that Biotech Booster really works. Biotechnological inventions can really improve daily life. Moreover, this type of research strengthens our science and economy. It cuts both ways. That is why I think it is really good that we can go full steam ahead with this money from the Growth Fund.”

With the confirmed funding, Biotech Booster is set to expand its impact. The programme supports biotech researchers and entrepreneurs in turning scientific discoveries into real-world applications by helping them develop strong business plans and overcome the critical early-stage gap often called the "valley of death."

This is done through a mix of mentorship, funding, and collaboration between research institutions, companies, and industry partners. The initiative brings academia and industry together early to ensure that innovative ideas are guided toward practical use.

So far, 71 projects have been supported—54 in 2024 and 17 in 2025. Preparations are already in progress for the 2026 round, which will welcome a new group of promising biotech researchers.

About Biotech Booster

Founded in 2022, Biotech Booster is a national program designed to help scientists and entrepreneurs turn biotech research into real-world solutions. It provides mentorship, funding and networking support to guide innovators from the idea stage to developing strong, investable business plans. By bridging the gap between research and market, Biotech Booster plays a key role in turning scientific discoveries into commercial success stories across sectors like health, agriculture and sustainability.