Utrecht’s free, 4-week evening program for PhD candidates, postdocs, and researchers at Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, Hubrecht Institute, Prinses Máxima Centrum, and HU. No business experience needed. No commitment required. Find out whether your research has startup potential — without pausing your academic work.
→ Cost: Free
→ Format: 100% online
→ Duration: 4 weeks · Monday 20:00–21:00
→ Fall cohort will start on November 2. Apply before October 7.
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.
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. Built for researchers at every stage Whether you’re a PhD candidate with an interesting finding, a postdoc wondering about IP, or a senior researcher who’s been sitting on an idea for years — Ready to Start is the low-commitment way to find out if entrepreneurship is right for you. You don’t need a business plan, nor an idea. You don’t need a co-founder. You just need curiosity.
No. The program runs on Monday evenings (20:00–21:00), entirely online. Participants complete it while continuing their research full-time. We’ve supported researchers from all contract types, including PhD candidates mid-dissertation.
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.
Spots are limited. Applications for our fall cohort are open now — don’t wait until the deadline.
No fees. No equity. No strings.
Yes. Ready to Start is completely free of charge. UtrechtInc does not charge fees, take equity, or require any financial commitment from participants. Participation costs nothing — in money or in ownership of your idea.
No. UtrechtInc explicitly welcomes applicants who do not yet have a startup idea. The program helps you figure out whether entrepreneurship fits your research and your goals — even if you’re starting from pure curiosity.
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.
No. The program runs on Monday evenings from 20:00 to 21:00 CET, entirely online. It is specifically designed for full-time researchers and has been completed by PhD candidates in the middle of their dissertation. There is no daytime commitment.
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.
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.
No. UtrechtInc is a non-profit incubator and does not invest in, or take equity from, the startups it supports. UtrechtInc’s support comes through programs, coaching, mentorship, and access to its network of formal and informal investors — not direct funding.
Graduates gain a direct pathway into UtrechtInc’s validation programs: Science Validation (8-month part-time program for researchers), Life Science Validation (for life sciences researchers), Tech Validation, and Student Validation (10-week program for students). These programs help founders validate their startup idea in the market, gather customer feedback, and build evidence of commercial viability.
Ready to Start runs approximately four times per year.