Review: Radboudumc Investment Day 2026

More than 200 scientists, investors, and researchers from the life sciences and health sector gathered on 7 October for the sixth edition of the Radboudumc Investment Day. They met at the Radboudumc Experience Center to exchange knowledge, expand their networks, and discuss new collaborations. The event was jointly organized by Briskr, Oost NL, Radboudumc, and Radboud University.   

A Look Behind the Scenes at TNO  

The event opened with a keynote presentation by Hans Boumans, Director of TNO Ventures. He explained how TNO translates research findings from the laboratory into societal impact through spin-offs and collaboration with industry. According to him, such partnerships are essential, particularly for high-risk and capital-intensive innovations such as new medicines.

Without the involvement of venture capital investors, many valuable scientific discoveries would never be developed into products or therapies that can ultimately benefit patients.  

As in previous years, the day’s program was designed to facilitate new connections. In addition to a range of informative sessions, attendees had ample opportunity for one-on-one meetings, which could be scheduled both before and during the event through a dedicated matchmaking platform. Others connected more informally during coffee breaks, networking receptions, and the dinner that followed the program.

Valuable Insights  

The Investment Day is free of charge for participants, but attendance is by selection. The event is aimed exclusively at scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors with a concrete investment or collaboration interest in the health and life sciences sector. This carefully curated mix of participants is highly valued by those attending.  

'A whole new world has opened up for me,' said one early-career researcher. 'I had been thinking about developing a product based on my research for some time, but the idea was still quite rough. Here, I was able to discuss it with several experienced people. That was incredibly valuable. There is so much expertise in one place. I now have a much better understanding of the steps I need to take, and there are a few more than I initially expected. At the same time, I now know where I can find support.'

Luchtbrug Wins the Martijn Kriens Best Poster Award  

This year, the Luchtbrug team won the poster competition. Luchtbrug was established in 2010 by pediatric pulmonologist Peter Merkus with the goal of making asthma care for children more affordable, patient-friendly, and accessible. Today, more than 20 hospitals across the Netherlands use Luchtbrug, which has since been expanded for use in other pulmonary conditions as well.

On behalf of the team, Jolt Roukema accepted the Martijn Kriens Best Poster Award: an incentive prize of €2,500 to support further scaling and professionalization of the initiative. Submissions to the poster competition were assessed not only on their scientific merits, but also on their potential to develop into successful products with real-world impact.