An innovative idea or promising technology is a great starting point, but on its own, it does not make a successful business. The key to growth lies not only in the innovation itself, but above all in validating at an early stage whether your solution addresses a genuine market need. Entrepreneurs who focus on customer validation early on make better strategic decisions, grow faster and increase their chances of successful partnerships and investment.

During the ‘Big Chemistry: Kickstart your Startup’ workshop, you will discover over the course of ten weeks how to turn your innovation in AI, data and robotics into a promising business model. You will explore the needs of potential customers, work towards problem-solution fit, refine your value proposition and take the first steps towards building a successful company.

Explore the Big Chemistry Startup Program

The ‘Kickstart your Startup’ workshops are part of the Big Chemistry Startup Program. This program supports researchers with startup ambitions and young startups developing or applying AI, data and robotics technologies to predict the behaviour of complex mixtures and design higher-performing formulations. Examples include solutions that automate experiments using robotics, or use AI to predict properties such as stability, odour, solubility or functionality.

The program consists of two components:

• Researchers with startup ambitions and (pre-)startups can take part in the Kickstart your Startup workshops to explore the commercial potential of their technology.
• Startups that are registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and are no more than five years old can also apply for funding of €125,000 to €200,000 to further develop their innovation.

You can participate in the workshop only or combine the workshop with a funding application. The insights gained during Kickstart your Startup also provide a strong foundation for a successful funding application.

Kickstart your Startup workshop

Over the course of five interactive workshops, you will work step by step towards a validated business idea. Together with an experienced venture developer and other early-stage entrepreneurs in the sector, you will explore the key questions every startup needs to answer.

Between sessions, you will complete assignments and speak with potential customers, allowing you to put what you have learned into practice straight away. This will help you understand the commercial potential of your technology and identify the next steps needed to grow your business.

Program

Workshop 1 | Kick-off and scaffolding

Tuesday, 29 September 2026 | 13:00–16:00 | In person

During the kick-off, you will meet the other participants and the venture developer and learn more about the program. You will present your startup or innovation and gain a clear understanding of what you will achieve over the next ten weeks. You will also identify which customer segments are most relevant to your technology and develop a plan for your first customer interviews. This will lay the foundation for validating your idea.

Workshop 2 | Ask more, assume less

Tuesday, 13 October 2026 | 13:00–16:00 | Online

How well do you really know your potential customers? In this workshop, you will explore the key assumption behind your innovation: what problem are you solving for your customer? You will learn how to conduct effective customer interviews that test your assumptions rather than simply confirm them. We will cover the do’s and don’ts of customer interviews and show you how to gather valuable insights that will guide the further development of your startup.

Workshop 3 | Problem validation

Tuesday, 27 October 2026 | 13:00–16:00 | Online

What have you learned from your first customer interviews? During this session, you will discuss your insights, surprises and challenges with the group and use your findings to develop a clearer understanding of your target audience. You will map out the different stakeholders, identify who you really need to engage with and further refine your problem definition. This will help you uncover what your customers truly value.

Workshop 4 | From problem to value

Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | 13:00–16:00 | Online

Now that you understand the problem your target audience is facing, you will explore whether your solution truly addresses their needs. You will work on developing a strong value proposition and identify what your first customers need in order to choose your solution. The focus is on achieving a strong problem-solution fit.

Workshop 5 | To venture or not to venture

Tuesday, 24 November 2026 | 13:00–16:00 | In person

During the final workshop, we will bring together all the insights gained throughout the program. Based on your customer research, you will assess whether there is sufficient evidence to move forward with your startup and identify the next steps needed to do so. Together, we will reflect on what you have learned and translate these insights into a concrete plan for the further development of both your technology and your business. 

After this workshop, you will have:

• a refined value proposition based on a validated customer problem;
• a clear understanding of the first customer segment willing to pay for your solution;
• insight into your customers’ purchasing and decision-making processes;
• a roadmap outlining the next steps for validating and developing your startup.

Apply now

Are you ready to take your innovation to the next stage? Sign up for the Kickstart your Startup workshop. After registering, you will receive an invitation for an intake interview within five working days. During this meeting, we will discuss your innovation and explore together whether your startup or technology fits within the scope of the Big Chemistry Startup Program.

The workshops are free of charge and only open to participants who have been admitted to the program following the intake interview.