NWO Take-off Approvals Announced for VU and UvA

The fall 2024 round of the NWO Take-off Grant has brought exciting news for Amsterdam’s academic community. Four innovative projects have been selected, with two from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and two from the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA). The Take-off grant empowers academics to explore the feasibility and commercial potential of their science-based ideas, and even consider starting businesses based on their innovations. 

Active Scouting Role by IXA 

At Innovation Exchange Amsterdam (IXA), the NWO Take-off grants are seen as crucial tools for valorization. IXA’s Business Developers actively scout for eligible projects throughout the year, providing researchers with support in proposition development, business case formulation, and application processes. They also assist in obtaining support letters from external parties. 

Deadline coming up: applications for Take-off phase 2 Spring 2025 

The closing date for pre-proposals has passed. The closing date for full applications is 4 March 2025 14h. Webpage here 

Selected Projects University of Amsterdam 

InspectT: Adding the Size Dimension to Spectroscopic Analysis  – Dr. G. Giubertoni, Universiteit van Amsterdam 

InspectT offers chips that can be integrated into optical spectrometers, widely used for chemical analyses but lacking size information. These chips transform spectrometers into size-sensitive instruments, determining both the chemical structure and size of molecules or particles simultaneously, meeting the growing demand for innovative chemical and size determination methods. 

Eddytec: Defect Detection in Composites Made Simple!  – Dr. A. Chanaewa, Eddytec B.V. 

Eddytec, a spin-off from the University of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, develops fast, simple, and affordable non-destructive testing for carbon fiber composite parts used in aerospace, wind turbines, automobiles, and other advanced structures. Their technology reduces waste during production and simplifies maintenance, extending the lifespan of components and lowering costs. 

Selected Projects Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam 

VU-AMS: Top-Quality Digital Biomarkers for Behavioral Research in Daily Life –  Dr. M.J. Gevonden, VU – Ambulatory Monitoring Solutions B.V. 

VU-AMS combines sensors and software for behavioral and clinical research in daily life. The goal is to lower the threshold for integrating physiology into behavioral research while ensuring valid results with minimal burden on participants. This mission extends to R&D domains of large companies and has potential in the medical field. 

Beyond Weather: Beating the Market with AI-Powered Long-Range Weather Forecasts – S.P. Vijverberg MSc, Beyond Weather B.V. 

Energy, a cornerstone of modern society, faces significant challenges in the coming decades. The energy transition makes supply increasingly weather-dependent, and climate change and geopolitics add to market tensions. Beyond Weather’s unique long-term forecasting model predicts weather impacts weeks to months ahead, helping energy market players navigate future challenges.