About
Build the venture behind your innovation
Building a successful life sciences venture is an ongoing journey. Every stage brings new strategic challenges that require different knowledge and capabilities, from financing development and navigating regulation to building the right team and leading with confidence. The BioBusiness Masterclass prepares life science founders and business developers for these challenges through expert guidance, hands-on learning and an exceptional entrepreneurial network.
Why the BioBusiness Masterclass?
Build for venture creation
Everything we do is applied to your own venture. You work, learn and grow with other founders and business developers on the challenges that matter most.
Independent & mission-driven
The programme is independently funded and alumni supported, ensuring our sole focus remains on the success of life science entrepreneurs and the impact they create.
Entrepreneur-led
Learn from 40+ entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts, who have built, scaled and invested in life science companies and want to share their experience with you.
Building on a Strong Foundation
Founded by Niaba in 1998, the BioBusiness Masterclass quickly became one of the most well known entrepreneurship programs in the Netherlands. Over the years, the program was taken over and further developed through leading organizations such as BioPartner Network, hollandbio, and Wageningen University Research, Netherlands Genomics Initiative, helping generations of life science professionals translate scientific innovation into successful ventures. Due to circumstances, the program was discontinued in 2014.
In 2024, the program entered a new chapter, made possible through the commitment of Wietse Mulder, PhD, alumnus of the 2004 edition. The entrepreneurial knowledge and network he gained during the Masterclass contributed to the successful founding of GenDx in 2005. Believing future entrepreneurs should have access to the same opportunity, he chose to bring the program back and today funds more than 75% of the BioBusiness Masterclass, ensuring it remains an independent, mission-driven program for the next generation of life science entrepreneurs.
Powered by our alumni community
The BioBusiness Masterclass continues because of its alumni:
- >75% of the program costs are alumnni funded
- Many alumni return as experts, speakers and coaches, sharing their experience with the next generation.
The people behind the program
40+
entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts
Building entrepreneurial talent since
1998
A lifelong
community
Meet the team
Janeska de Jonge, PhD
Director
Kees Recourt, PhD
Program Manager
Chrétien Herben, PhD
Advisor and Marketing Support
Anne-Claire van Altvorst, PhD
Program Manager
Wietse Mulder, PhD
Initiator and Facilitator
Partners and supporters
We are grateful for the support of hollandbio to host our final pitches on the Dutch Biotech Event, and Myosotis investments to fund the €25,000 venture prize.