A consortium of the Dutch university medical centres, technical universities, health insurer VGZ, medical device manufacturer Nolato Unitron, Stichting Santiago, and life sciences investor Thuja Capital proudly announce the launch of the new TTT MedTech program with Magnolia MedTech Fund (Magnolia).
The programme supports early early-stage medical technology (medtech) companies spinning out of Dutch universities and knowledge institutes. The fund is dedicated to investing in early-stage medical technology (medtech) spinoff companies.
The Netherlands produces excellent medtech inventions. But the earliest and riskiest phase from university technology to investable company, has become increasingly difficult to finance.
TTT and Magnolia are specifically built to fill that gap, bringing together specialist capital with the knowledge institutes, healthcare system and industry expertise needed to get those technologies to patients.
The initiative responds to a gap that the Dutch MedTech Growth Plan (December 2025) identified: most of the Netherlands’ dedicated medtech funds have ceased operations in recent years, and Europe attracts only 5% of global venture capital against 52% in the US, leaving many promising Dutch spin-outs short of the capital needed to reach patients.
By giving these innovations an early, dedicated source of both capital and expert knowledge, the consortium is intended to help more research make it out of the lab and into products that can impact patients’ lives.
The ambition goes beyond financing. The consortium’s investors, experienced management and knowledge partners commit to early-stage coaching, pairing capital with the practical guidance researchers and early-stage medtech companies need to turn promising technology into sustainable improvements in healthcare. This support is designed to help entrepreneurs grow their companies from unique technologies developed at universities to delivering products that are improving a patient’s everyday life.
What makes the consortium distinctive is the combination of technical universities, university medical centres, a specialist medtech investor, a health insurer, industry partners and public funding, all working together at the earliest and most vulnerable stage of translating promising research into patient impact.
The initiative builds on the success of the previous TTT MedTech programme. That programme resulted in 130 proposals, 63 validated business cases and 22 newly founded spin-off companies. Every €1 of public support leveraged as €7 additional funding.
By giving these innovations an early, dedicated source of both capital and expert knowledge, the consortium is intended to help even more research make it out of the lab and into products that can impact patients’ lives. That’s also why this new round is open to cases from all Dutch knowledge institutes and universities.
TTT MedTech is a Dutch government initiative, made possible by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and coordinated by University of Twente. The initiative pairs a consortium of knowledge partners with an investment fund to help translate scientific ideas into companies. Magnolia forms the investment pillar of that program and will be managed by Thuja Capital. The fund launches with the support of VGZ, Nolato Unitron, Stichting Santiago and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
Magnolia will invest in Dutch medtech propositions — devices, enabling technology, and digital health solutions — based on novel technology, or a novel application of existing technology, developed at a knowledge institute and addressing a clear unmet medical need. Business developers from all knowledge institutions are encouraged to submit cases and spinoff companies for support.
Prof. Jan Smit, Dean and Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of Radboudumc: “The Netherlands have everything it takes to be a global leader in medical innovation. TTT and the Magnolia MedTech Fund helps accelerate this ambition by bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and healthcare organisations. In this way, we increase the societal impact of Dutch innovations while strengthening our innovation ecosystem.”
Martijn Kers, Director of Healthcare Innovation at Coöperatie VGZ: “Too many innovations are developed on the basis of technological possibilities, without assessing early on whether they actually meet the needs of patients, healthcare providers and the healthcare system. This is precisely where we, as a health insurer, can make a unique contribution.”
Pieter De Wilde, Director at Nolato Unitron: “Nolato Unitron is proud to support this initiative, combining expert knowledge and strong startup partnerships to help turn breakthrough medical research into products that make a real difference in patients’ lives.”
Iris Eefsting, Programme coordinator TTT at RVO, also on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy: “RVO/EZK supports this unique collaboration between knowledge institutions and the market. The TTT demonstrates that collaboration between different sectors pays off. We are delighted that so many (different) parties are involved in the TTT MedTech 2026 programme and we look forward to all the great results that this initiative will undoubtedly bring.”
Michel Briejer, Managing Partner Thuja Capital: “It is a privilege to work with a consortium of such strong partners to catalyse the Dutch medtech ecosystem and impact patients.”
Source
https://tech-transfer.nl/en/new-open-round-of-ttt-medtech-with-magnolia-medtech-fund-launches-to-bring-dutch-medtech-innovation-from-lab-to-patients/?utm_campaign=TTT&utm_content=388203082&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-74532205x Photo: https://tech-transfer.nl/en/fundingtool/
