Incubate. Accelerate. Validate. Scale. That’s what we do. Brightlands Innovation Factory is the entrepreneurial backbone of the Brightlands ecosystem.

Jul 12, 2016

Week 5 Highlights @BIFINCS16

Brightlands Innovation Factory #BIFINCS16 Incubator Program Spring 2016

Indeed, five weeks down, one more to go! On Friday we enjoyed the last round of startup pitches about their overall achievements at #BIFINCS16 before our final event at Kasteel Hoogenweerth: Get Out Of The Building. Now every startup team is working on their #BIFINCS16 progress video for this event. Meanwhile, the program has been busy as usual — this time with an informative finance masterclass from none other than Rabobank itself.

“I like the environment very much. There are a lot of incubator programs but this one is much more advanced with more facilities and a very nice environment for startups.” — Marc Ijzer, Venture Expert

One of #BIFINCS16 startups — Innovation Concepts— meeting up with his venture experts

#BIFINCS16 Startups Top 3 Achievements

BioFab

We were accepted by Maastricht university to test our 3D Bioprinter in their research center.
We found a suitable biogel to improve the process of organ manufacturing.
During the process of this incubator program, we discovered the need to attach services to our current offer.

2. Rementis

We convinced an intermediary party (influencer) to test our product among 80 users.
We developed clear value propositions for our various customer segments.
We experienced healthy (internal) competition to realize the most customer interviews.

“I think luck is a choice. They do something, they make their own luck.” Mark Ijzer, Venture Expert for Rementis about the startup’s outstanding achievements the past few weeks.

3. Krasue

I gained insight to keep an open mind and make a radical change from the main idea.
I learned to keep validating hypotheses & assumptions through interviews & surveys.
To have a clear plan to accomplish a systematic approach to create a innovative business.

From meeting #BIFINCS16 venture experts for the first time to today

4. Innovation Concepts

We identified 3 clear value propositions.
We have 2 potential new team members.
We can now start validation of hypothesis of “Asbestos destruction” business case with positive feedback.

5. Device Company

I gained a structured way to investigate new markets for my product.
I explored two new customer segments, with one there is a serious connection which can be turned into business.
I experienced the power of network improvement (venture experts).

6. TopologX

We have signed agreements with two companies to start projects.
We have found a business partner to adapt our atomizer.
We have improved our offer of services by changing our selling business model.

Startup of The Week — TopologX

This week’s nominee for #BIFINCS16 Startup of The Week is TopologX — a B2B startup which uses innovative techniques to turn waste into value, TopologX turns Subtractive Manufacturing waste into powder for Additive Manufacturing. Congratulations TopologX! Here’s their full story.

Masterclass

Interesting turn of events! We experienced a change of scenery with our program theme this week: we visited Rabobank for Finance Masterclass! What a better place to get information on funding startups than an organization that is itself well-integrated in Limburg region’s ecosystem and also provides funds for startups.

“It’s very good to be aware of their views, language, and financing requirements for startups”, — Pol Knops | Founder of Innovation Concepts and Masterclass Participant

We recommend you to read…

Past few weeks the incubator program #BIFINCS16 was setup to make sure the participating startups would be well-equipped to face the outside world after a fast-track intensive incubation. The program is vastly inspired by leading entrepreneurs and experts. Here is a great book by one of them:

‘The only way to win is to learn faster than anyone else,’ — Eric Ries, Author of The Lean Startup.

According to Eric Ries, author of a bestseller The Lean Startup, a lot of the well-documented startup failures can be prevented, and he explains how. Feel free to take a look at this read.

What’s next?

On 15th of July, we’ll be having #BIFINCS16 final event Get Out Of The Building! All of you are invited to share memories and progress of #BIFINCS16 with us at the picturesque Kasteel Hoogenweerth.

13:00–13:30 Welcome with coffee & tea
13:30–14:30 Inspirational speaker
14:30–17:00 BIFINCS16 “Get Out Of The Building” presentations
17:00–20:00 BBQ