Ready to Start is UtrechtInc’s free evening program for researchers who want to explore turning their science into a company — without quitting their job.
Apply for Spring 2026
Deadline: March 17th · Starts March 23rd · 100% free
PHASE 0 • IDEATION
Your research has startup potential. Find out in 4 weeks.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN
From lab insight to market reality.
Do you want to understand what it takes to launch a science-based startup? UtrechtInc’s four-week Ideation Program, a simple free online evening course, could be your first step towards making a significant impact with your research. In this program, we delve into the entrepreneurial sphere, addressing key questions such as:
In 4 weeks of Monday evening sessions, you’ll get an honest, expert-led look at what it actually takes to build a science-based startup, so you can make an informed decision.
🤝 Understand the startup path
Learn what makes research commercially viable and what the journey from IP to product really looks like.
🧭 Meet your incubator
Get direct access to UtrechtInc’s team, mentors, and network — and understand how we can support you.
🚀 Decide with clarity
Explore whether entrepreneurship fits your goals, your research, and yes, your academic career.
Who is eligible to participate?
Employees from Utrecht’s renowned knowledge institutes, including Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Prinses Máxima Centrum, Hubrecht Institute, and Hogeschool Utrecht, are welcome to join.
How it works
Four weeks. Four Monday evenings. Fully online.
Each week, a practitioner or founder leads a focused session on one big question — followed by an optional open Q&A on Wednesday if you want to go deeper.
Week 1 – What is a startup? Understand the difference between a research project and a scalable company, and what the journey from IP to product actually looks like.
Week 2 – Can my research become a company? Explore whether your idea has commercial potential — and what’s needed to find out.
Week 3 – Is entrepreneurship right for me? An honest look at what founders actually do, and how it can (and can’t) coexist with an academic career.
Week 4 – What’s my next step? Graduate with a clear picture of the road ahead and a direct path into UtrechtInc’s validation programs.
📅 Every Monday, 20:00–21:00 · Online · Free
Next cohort: Spring 2026
Spots are limited. Applications for our Spring cohort are open now — don’t wait until the deadline.
- Application deadline: March 17th
- Start date: March 23rd
- Graduation date: April 15th
No fees. No equity. No strings.
FAQ
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Do I need a fully formed idea to apply?
Absolutely not. We welcome anyone, even if you don´t have an idea yet.
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I am a solo founder. Can I still apply?
Yes, as a single founder you are allowed to apply to our programs. However, we are firm believers of strong and diverse teams, so we encourage you to start looking for team members as soon as possible. One of the ways we can help you is through our talent matching events.
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Does UtrechtInc help me with investments and funding?
UtrechtInc does not invest itself in startups. We have a large network of formal and informal investors and we have a good understanding of the funding landscape.
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What kind of startups are you looking for?
UtrechtInc specializes in scalable technology innovations with a focus on health, sustainability, education and AI. If you are doubting whether or not your idea falls into one of these categories, please feel free to contact the UtrechtInc team.