At FFUND, we believe that scientific breakthroughs only create value when they reach society.
That conviction is why we actively contribute to initiatives such as the BioBusiness Summer School from BCF Courses, where our CEO, Judith Smit, PhD, regularly introduces the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs to the world beyond academia. Every year, we meet talented PhD candidates and young researchers who are exploring how they can translate their scientific expertise into real-world impact
Innovative science alone is not enough
Biobusiness is fundamentally different from most other industries. That’s one of the most important lessons Judith shares. Bringing a new innovation from research to market in this sector is characterised by high risk, long development timelines and substantial capital requirements. It is not uncommon for innovative technologies to require more than a decade of development before reaching patients. At the same time, intellectual property continues to lose valuable lifetime every single day. In BioBusiness, time truly is money.
Scientific excellence alone is therefore rarely enough.
Bridging science to society
Successful innovators combine outstanding science with a clear development strategy, a robust intellectual property portfolio, smart financing decisions and access to the right expertise at the right moment. Those who understand this early are far better positioned to cross the notorious Valley of Death between scientific discovery and commercial success.
This philosophy lies at the heart of FFUND.
Every day, we help entrepreneurs, scale-ups, universities and investors navigate this complex journey. From fundraising and investor readiness to business strategy, partnerships and grant financing: our role is to accelerate the path from innovation to societal impact.
At FFUND, we openly share our knowledge because we believe innovation moves faster when experience is shared. If entrepreneurs can build on the lessons learned by those before them (instead of reinventing the wheel), they can spend more time doing what truly matters: developing innovations that improve healthcare and contribute to a healthier society.
More breakthrough innovations should reach society. That’s the reason FFUND exists.
