UNIIQ invests €2.1 million in six innovative startups from Zuid-Holland

UNIIQ, Zuid-Holland’s proof-of-concept investment fund, has announced six new investments in promising startups, totaling €2.1 million. These strategic investments support the further development of both the companies involved and the wider innovation ecosystem in the region. The announcement was made by Meindert Stolk, Provincial Executive for Economy and Innovation of the Province of Zuid-Holland.

Provincial Executive for Economy and Innovation, Meindert Stolk, with the entrepreneurs (photo by Daniel Verkijk)

UNIIQ provides early-stage capital to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality and bridge the most high-risk phase from concept to a viable, growing business.

Healthcare & Biotechnology

• AVIGI Therapeutics is developing an innovative cancer therapy that inhibits an enzyme involved in tumour growth, metastasis and drug resistance, with the potential to become a breakthrough in oncology.
• Leven Vision uses AI to automate the detection of parasitic infections, enabling faster and more reliable diagnostics.
• 1NA is developing NanoLoom, a technology that visualises protein–DNA interactions in real time at the molecular level, offering researchers new insights into complex biomedical processes.

Digital Innovation & Security

• ChatLicense is launching an app that functions as a digital “swimming certificate” for children, strengthening their digital resilience. The app is supported by a broader platform for parents and educators, addressing digital safety from multiple angles.
• Fiducial is developing advanced 3D positioning software and hardware for inspection purposes, initially focusing on non-destructive testing (NDT) in sectors such as aerospace, energy and infrastructure.

Sustainability & Energy

• SeaHiker is working on the Jack-Up Leg Cushion (JLC) system, a mechanical cushioning solution that improves the safety and operability of Wind Turbine Installation Vessels (WTIVs). This enables vessels to operate more frequently under challenging weather conditions, accelerating the deployment of offshore wind energy.

Addressing societal challenges

The investments come at a critical time. The healthcare sector faces an urgent need for innovative diagnostics and treatments, while the energy transition demands more efficient installation methods for offshore wind turbines. At the same time, increasing digitalisation makes digital resilience ever more important, particularly for vulnerable groups. UNIIQ supports startups that develop solutions to these pressing societal challenges.

Symbolic presentation in The Field Leiden

The investments were announced during a celebratory event at The Field Leiden, where a symbolic presentation took place. Meindert Stolk presented each startup with a brick, representing the building blocks of innovation and growth.

“These investments highlight the strength of Zuid-Holland as an innovative region. From medical breakthroughs to digital security and sustainable energy, the startups we support demonstrate how technology can address societal challenges. We are proud of the role UNIIQ plays and look forward to the impact these companies will make”, said Meindert Stolk.

Jasper Geselschap, Fund Manager at UNIIQ, added:

“We are pleased to support these six innovative companies as they lay a solid foundation for the future. Their technologies and solutions have the potential to create significant impact in key sectors and further strengthen Zuid-Holland’s innovation climate.”

Over the past years, UNIIQ has helped dozens of startups bring their proof-of-concepts to market. With this new investment round, the fund once again reinforces its role as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.