Limburg launches Brightlands Startup League: springboard for innovative startups
Now that spring has officially begun, start-ups have a new opportunity to hatch their innovative ideas in a safe, fertile environment. Today, the four Brightlands campuses, Maastricht University, LIOF and the Province of Limburg are jointly launching a new initiative for start-ups. Under the name Brightlands Startup League, start-ups will receive all the support they need to optimally grow and flourish in areas such as health, sustainability and digitisation. Interested parties can register for this initiative starting today via the website www.brightlandsstartupleague.com. The partners hope that this will enable even more innovations to find their way to market and grow into successful Limburg-based companies.
Strengthening Limburg's economy
The Province of Limburg is funding this new initiative. Deputy Stephan Satijn explains why: “Over the past ten years, Limburg has developed into a breeding ground for social innovations that make the world healthier, more sustainable and more digital. Many of these innovative ideas have already been brought to market at the Brightlands Campuses. This is partly thanks to the experts at the four Brightlands Campuses, LIOF and Maastricht University, who have been committed to helping start-up entrepreneurs for many years. In Limburg, we have a wealth of knowledge, expertise, facilities and a very broad network. What we were still missing was a kind of gateway. Because where do you start as the creator of an innovative idea? How do you find your way to the support you need? And to the right partners to work with? By combining the strengths of the Brightlands Campuses, LIOF and Maastricht University, we are giving the start-up climate in Limburg a boost. This leads to more collaboration between the campuses and more crossovers. In this way, we can increase Limburg's innovative power, develop smart solutions for major social challenges and further strengthen the economy.
How it works
Many ideas are born that make the world healthier, more sustainable and more digital. A potential 'gap in the market'. But unfortunately, the road to success is also full of potholes. And so there is a need for a guide that leads the starting entrepreneur around all those pitfalls and shows the shortest route to success, and a breeding ground in which entrepreneurial talent can mature. That is exactly what Brightlands Startup League does. Entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs can register via the website for one of the many activities, including a personal consultation with an expert from Brightlands, LIOF or Maastricht University. During that consultation, they discuss the stage a company or idea is at and what steps need to be taken to continue growing.
Brightlands Startup League organises a networking event and 10 masterclasses per year. These teach (start-up) entrepreneurs how to start a business, write a good business plan and secure financing. Participants are put in touch with potential financiers during Brightlands Funding Day. They can also spend part of a day at one of the campuses getting to know potential partners. Their mentors help them find their way to all the facilities and knowledge offered at the four Brightlands Campuses, Maastricht University and by LIOF. This could be office space, a clean room in a professional lab or a partner. Participants determine their own route and the speed at which they progress through the programme, starting at the level that suits them best.
Who is the support intended for?
Brightlands Startup League is intended for innovations from home and abroad that are linked to the Brightlands themes of health, sustainability and digitisation. It does not matter what stage the idea is at. Even early-stage ideas that have a social impact are welcome. In that case, the creator will receive support with, for example, market analysis, patent applications and business plan development. Those who already have all the entrepreneurial skills can use the Startup League to build a network. Brightlands Startup League offers tailored support at every stage: from initial idea to scale-up.
About Brightlands
For more than ten years, researchers, entrepreneurs and the government have been working closely together to turn Limburg into one large Brightlands region. Limburg now has four Brightlands Campuses where existing, growing and new companies reinforce each other. This has created fertile ground in Limburg where innovations in all kinds of fields find their way to the market.
About Maastricht University
Through its Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), Maastricht University offers support to students from all Limburg knowledge institutions who want to bring an innovative idea to market but are not yet ready to make the move to the Brightlands campuses. They receive guidance in developing their idea during the Maastricht University Challenge or can participate in the MILESTONES pre-incubation programme. In this way, CEI is building a breeding ground for entrepreneurial talent in Limburg.
About the Province of Limburg
The Province of Limburg is one of the founding fathers of the four Brightlands Campuses in Limburg. For more than ten years, the Province of Limburg has been investing in the Limburg economy through these campuses. Brightlands Startup League is also funded and initiated by the Province of Limburg.
Visit the Brightlands Startup League website
Want to know more?
Want more information or to know how LIOF can help your company move forward? Feel free to contact us!
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