Faculty of Impact has welcomed new fellows who are turning science into real-world solutions: a mood-boosting fermented food bar, sustainable battery electrolytes, and affordable tactile displays for the (deaf)blind.

Margrethe Jonkman, Chair of VU Amsterdam, stresses that innovation needs stronger investment and scaling, warning that without a well-stocked pipeline of ideas and talent, the Netherlands risks falling behind. She champions the Faculty of Impact as a vital instrument but argues it must grow far beyond its current scale to truly deliver societal and economic returns.

Rebecca Saive, Professor of Applied Physics at the University of Twente and successful entrepreneur, argues that scientists shouldn’t have to choose between research and entrepreneurship—both can and should go hand in hand. She highlights the Faculty of Impact program as a vital step in bridging funding gaps and enabling researchers to translate innovations into real societal impact.

Hoss Karimi, Faculty of Impact alumnus, founded CarbonsAI to reduce concrete’s carbon footprint using AI and industrial waste. Backed by TU Eindhoven and a strong team, he’s turning deep-tech research into scalable climate impact.

Meet Carina, Roland, and Salma—three new Faculty of Impact fellows turning scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions. From sustainable yeast and microbial crop protection to climate-smart poultry feed, their ventures are set to make waves.

Exciting opportunities ahead! From deep-tech summits to startup accelerators, the coming months are packed with must-attend events. Whether you're looking to pitch, network, or gain insights from industry leaders, these events will help you connect and grow. Check out the full list below!

Minister Eppo Bruins visited Faculty of Impact to discuss how more researchers can turn their work into real-world ventures. He acknowledged the program’s success and explored ways to expand valorisation efforts through co-funding and structural support.

There is plenty of entrepreneurial spirit at universities of applied sciences, but the impact on the regions could be raised extensively if more students would find a smooth route to the market. In part, this has to do with unfamiliarity with the system of scholarships, Ben Kokkeler of Avans University of Applied Sciences believes.

At Faculty of Impact, we support researchers in transforming their groundbreaking innovations into thriving businesses with real societal impact. Our current fellows are tackling some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare, from early cancer detection to revolutionary drug development. Here, five of them share their journeys, aspirations, and experiences with the program.

Yari Foelen, a chemical engineer and entrepreneur born in Belgium, is developing cutting-edge solutions that address some of the most pressing issues in logistics. How to ensure that temperature sensitive products remain safe to use after transport?