TNO launches TNO Ventures to accelerate technological innovation and startup growth

Thema:: Digital society

14 May 2025

TNO introduces today TNO Ventures: a new initiative aimed at bringing technology from the lab to the market faster through, among other things, spin-off companies. In addition to creating new spin-offs, TNO is expanding its technology transfer activities with strategic investments in startups that have emerged outside of TNO. With TNO Ventures, the organization aims to stimulate the further development and scaling of innovative technologies — a crucial step for strengthening the competitiveness and earning capacity of the Netherlands.

Tech participations

Through licenses and tech participations, companies can access TNO's technologies, expertise, and facilities, for example in the fields of AI, medical technology, and integrated photonics. Startups in which TNO participates in this way pay in shares, reducing the cash-out for the startup. This makes TNO a strategic partner that helps with the growth and development of innovative enterprises. A direct participation was previously made with the quantum startup Equal1. Indirect participations through investment funds are also possible. TNO Ventures is currently a participant in 12 Dutch early-stage investment funds, including DeepTechXL, Innovation Industries, and PhotonVentures. TNO Ventures' involvement in spin-offs and startups is temporary. Once the companies have grown sufficiently, TNO seeks a suitable exit.

Spin-off companies

TNO currently has over 40 spin-off companies, including Nearfield Instruments, LeydenJar, and Peregrion. 8.7% of the total capital invested in Dutch startups in 2024 went to TNO spin-offs. Currently, about 25 TNO projects are ready to become spin-offs in the near future. The founding teams of these spin-offs are not always complete, so TNO is actively looking for experienced entrepreneurs interested in strengthening these teams.

Accelerating growth of Dutch startups

Dutch tech startups and scale-ups are currently growing more slowly than European and American companies. In the Netherlands, an average of 21.5% of startups grow into scale-ups. In Europe, this percentage is on average 23%, and in the US it is 54%. The Netherlands is a knowledge country but fails to sufficiently convert this knowledge into applications, business activities, and economic value. R&D-intensive companies are moving activities abroad due to a lack of risk-bearing capital, talent, housing, and space on the power grid.

Hans Boumans, director of TNO Ventures: 'Only when we can apply innovations to societal challenges and implement technology on a large scale do we make an impact. With TNO Ventures, we support spin-offs and startups through the ‘valley of death’ so that promising innovations scale up from research to broad practical application more often and faster. In addition to our technological expertise, including due diligence, we ensure the availability of facilities such as labs and cleanrooms and IP guidance from TNO.'

'In addition to our technological expertise, including due diligence, we ensure the availability of facilities such as labs and cleanrooms and IP guidance from TNO.'

Hans Boumans

Director of TNO Ventures

Collaboration

The establishment of TNO Ventures aligns with TNO's strategy to bring technological innovation to the market faster and to better scale and make startups competitive. The Netherlands faces a major challenge to increase productivity and strengthen its competitive position. Strengthening Dutch innovation power is essential for this. TNO recently also formed an alliance with Techleap and Invest-NL to tackle this together.