From idea to first investment

UNIIQ is the leading proof-of-concept fund for technology startups in South Holland.

You have an innovative idea. A technology with the potential to make a real impact. But for most investors, it’s still too early.

That’s exactly where UNIIQ comes in. We invest at this early stage and help founders validate their technology, reduce risk, and prepare for the next step toward market entry and follow-on funding.

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Get in touch

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What you need to move forward

The first investment is more than capital. It’s what gets you moving: your first prototype, your first team, your first proof, and your path to the next funding round. Because without proof, there is no next step.

You’re probably here if:

You have demonstrated the potential of your technology through a proof of concept.
You have identified a real problem and understand who experiences it.
You are still too early for most private investors.
You are looking for funding to further develop your technology towards market adoption.
You have an established company and are ready to take the next step.

That’s exactly the phase UNIIQ invests in.

% heeft binnen 3 jaar vervolgfinanciering

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€ miljoen aan vervolginvesteringen opgehaald

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succesvolle exits zoals Mayht en VarmX

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Companies growing with UNIIQ

Villari

Measures stress in steel with sensor technology
VarmX

Develops a new treatment for severe bleeding
Spherical Systems

Designs chips and subsystems for space applications
Spatium Medical

Safer keyhole surgery through smart pressure control
Manometric

Creates fast, customized hand and wrist braces
Kalpana

Accelerates battery and solar production

See the investment portfolio of InnovationQuarter

More than 80% of UNIIQ startups secure follow-on funding within three years, raising over €328 million in total.

What founders are saying

“The UNIIQ investment process provided valuable insights, introduced us to the right people and opened doors to funding opportunities we hadn't anticipated.”

Martijn van der Giessen Founder and CEO of Secuped

Get to know UNIIQ

Not sure if UNIIQ is the right fit? Start with a conversation. In a free, no-strings-attached session, we look at where you stand and what your next step could be.

We’ll talk about:

Your idea and where you are today.
Your vision and our honest feedback.
What it takes to get funding, build a team or develop your product.
How we assess startups and when funding comes into play.
The challenges you’re facing right now.

We are happy to think along with you. The purpose of this conversation is to explore your plans and answer any questions you may have. We do not provide a formal evaluation of your business plans at this stage.

Book a free orientation session

Applying for funding works best when your proposition is clear

Download pitchdeck guidelines (PDF)

Apply for funding within a few steps

Please note that in order to process your application, we require you to send us a pitch deck of your proposition.

Apply for funding

More about UNIIQ

What does a UNIIQ investment look like?
- UNIIQ invests through a convertible loan of up to €450,000, tailored to the early stage in which technology still needs to be validated.
- The funding is provided in stages based on pre-agreed milestones. This allows you to develop, test and validate your technology.
- At this early stage, UNIIQ does not consider a company valuation appropriate. Therefore, UNIIQ offers a standard convertible loan with a founder-friendly structure, giving you the opportunity to build proof, traction and momentum before raising a follow-on investment.
- Interest: 5% + reference interest rate.
What do founders get beyond capital?
- Direct involvement from experienced investment managers.
- Critical feedback on your plan, team and next steps.
- Access to experienced investment managers and a strong network of follow-on investors.
Everything focused on one goal: getting you to your next funding round.
What companies is UNIIQ looking for?
- Technology validated at TRL 3–5
- Established as a B.V.
- Based in South Holland
- No older than five years
What needs to work before you apply?
You don’t need traction yet, but you do need clarity. At minimum:
- UNIIQ primarily targets research-driven start-ups with complex technologies that often grow from knowledge institutions and operate in sectors such as the life sciences, deep tech and the high-tech industry.
- These are often companies in an early development phase that work on solutions that have a societal and economic impact.
- A strong and complementary founding team or a clear plan to build one.
- Your technology is unique and supported by a clear intellectual property and protection strategy.
- A concrete validation plan for the next 12 months.
- A clear path to follow-on funding or first revenue.
What happens after you submit?
- Application: Through network, website, events
- Quickscan: GO / NO-GO
- Research: Reference calls and desk research
- Team update: GO / NO-GO
- Investment Proposal: Feedback team
- Expert panel: Specific advisory commitee: GO / NO-GO
- Due Diligence: Thorough background check
- Closing: Signing of standard convertible loan agreement
This process takes around 4 months. If you want to know more, book a free consultation with the team.
What should a pitch deck include?
Viewour pitchdeck guidelines. At minimum:
- What problem you are solving — and for whom it really matters?
- Why existing solutions fall short?
- What your technological breakthrough is?
- What needs to be proven in the next 12 months?
- Why this becomes investable after UNIIQ?
Who powers UNIIQ?

UNIIQ is a €50 million proof-of-concept fund that helps entrepreneurs in South Holland bring unique innovations to market.

UNIIQ was founded in 2016 by TU Delft, Erasmus MC, Leiden University and the regional development agency InnovationQuarter. The fund is managed by a team of investment professionals representing its partners.

In 2021, Erasmus University Rotterdam joined the fund. Since then, the Dutch Early Stage Financing (VFF) scheme has been integrated into UNIIQ, aligning applications with its established investment process.

In 2023, TNO joined as a partner, further strengthening UNIIQ’s deeptech expertise and network. InnovationQuarter acts as the fund manager.

UNIIQ is co-funded by the European Union.
What is UNIIQ?

Many technology startups get stuck between subsidy and commercial investment. This is the phase where risks are still too high for traditional investors, often called the “valley of death”. But further development is crucial to reach the market.

UNIIQ is an investment fund for the earliest stage of technology startups. We help founders bridge that gap with funding, active guidance and access to a strong network of experts and investors. So you can prepare your technology for the next step.