About Demonstrator Lab
So… you have this promising idea that might be the start of a business
Then Demonstrator Lab is the entrepreneurship laboratory where you can transform your ideas into a tangible product or service. Demonstrator Lab is a learning-by-doing environment open to students and staff members. Its goal is to foster an entrepreneurial culture in Amsterdams higher education ecosystem and to boost research driven innovation by giving its members the opportunity to get their feet wet at no cost.
What you can expect from us?
We can help you throughout the entire idea-to-market process. From forming the team, to developing a prototype. From working out the most efficient marketing strategy to find the resources needed to deploy that strategy. Supported by our vast network, we provide you with the business tools that help you explore whether your idea can make it. As the saying goes, there is no failure: you either succeed or you learn.
- Advice on all aspects of the idea-to-market process
- Lab facilities, lab space, and office space
- Access to mechanical, electronic and technical workshops of the UvA and that of VU
- Seed grant (no-string-attached, minimal bureaucracy) of up to € 15,000
- Connection to the Demonstrator Lab network
For whom?
Demonstrator Lab is open to students, staff and researchers from all disciplines from HvA, UvA, VU and Amsterdam UMC. Participants enter the lab at the very early phase of the idea-to-market process.
The Lab offers an entrepreneurial-minded academic environment where, in parallel with your everyday activity, you can:
- Identify the actual customer added value hidden in your abstract idea
- Fix your entrepreneurial goals and their affordable losses
- Create the network of collaborators (including first customers) needed to test the idea
- Build a prototype – Minimum Valuable Product (MVP)
- Test the prototype with customers
- Move on: make a new MVP or find further funding or pivot or abandon and try again.
Why would you bring your idea into Demonstrator Lab?
Whether you’re a student or a researcher, you might be wondering whether you are the right person to bring your idea to market. The good news is: we are here to help. Our team supports you in all the critical stages of developing your idea into tangible customer value. The strength of the Lab stems from an active engagement with the research community and from the possibility to access a wealth of facilities – not only in the field of sciences but also in the field of product development (e.g. for fast prototyping).
By joining Demonstrator Lab you minimize your risk exploring different hypotheses to bring your idea outside the lab, surrounded by well-connected professionals. You get the opportunity to carry out a conceptual or technical feasibility study and perform business research.
Do not hesitate: if you are in doubt, contact us. We would be more than happy to discuss with you whether and how we can help you.
Demonstrator Lab is made possible with a contribution of the City of Amsterdam.
VU spin-off Photosynthetic finalist in prestigious Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge
Photosynthetic has been selected as a finalist in the 9th edition of the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge out of more than 4,000 international participants.
News
Berno Bucker appointed interim director Demonstrator Lab VU
Berno Bucker will step into the role of interim director of Demonstrator Lab VU. He’s succeeding Linda van de Burgwal, who was director for the past two years. Berno is no stranger to the Demonstrator Lab, having launched his own start-up there six years ago and spending the last four years coaching Demonstrator Lab projects. […]
News
Demonstrator Lab Summer Pitch Event 2024 – May 16th
Demonstrator Lab is showcasing and celebrating the new generation of entrepreneurial students of the VU on May 16th, during the second edition of Demonstrator Lab’s Summer Pitch Event.
News