GENERAL INFORMATION

This workshop is designed for innovators who are passionate about improving health through technology and want to explore a repeatable, evidence-based approach to identifying, inventing, and implementing impactful medical technologies. During this hands-on workshop, participants receive an introduction to the Stanford Biodesign need-driven medical technology innovation method. Rather than starting with a solution, this structured approach begins with a deep understanding of an unmet clinical need and builds forward to a viable, patient-centered innovation.
You will be introduced to the core elements of the Biodesign process, including medical need identification, validated market pull, stakeholder and competitive analysis, and the development of clear design requirements. Through practical exercises, you will learn how to translate clinical observations into well-defined need statements, research and prioritize significant unmet healthcare needs, and define objective criteria for new technologies that can address them.
The workshop also covers how to create an early validation roadmap—outlining the steps needed to assess technical feasibility, clinical value, and implementation potential on the path to patient care.
By the end of the workshop, you will have applied this structured innovation method to your own medtech idea or project, equipping you with practical tools and a common language to move forward with confidence.

SPEAKERS

Eline van Beest
Eline founded the TUDelft spin-off and MedTech scale-up NightBalance in 2009 with a new therapy for sleep apnea. NightBalance was acquired by Philips in 2018. She went on to spin out Hybridize Therapeutics from the LUMC, developing an RNA therapeutic for BK Virus, now outlicensed to AiCuris and currently progressing towards Phase II clinical trial. Currently, she Operating Partner at Thuja Capital and Professor of Practice at the Delft University of Technology. Besides that she is part of the Investment Committee of the Deep Tech Fund of EZ & InvestNL, the VGZ Voorop in Zorg Fonds and the Graduate Ventures Pre Seed Fund and is a member of the Supervisory Board of Yes!Delft (a leading tech incubator in Europe supporting 280 startups).

Annick Kronenburg
as a neurosurgeon turned venture capital investor, Annick has dedicated her career to improving patients’ lives — first through precision in the operating room, now by backing innovations that transform healthcare on a broader scale. With a PhD and over 15 years of experience in clinical care, research, and quality governance, she brings a rare blend of scientific rigor and strategic insight to venture capital. This strong scientific foundation allows me to critically evaluate emerging technologies and identify true breakthroughs with real patient impact. She has seen firsthand how crucial it is to connect medical insight with smart investment decisions. Today, as a VC professional in Health & Life Sciences, she partners with startups and fellow investors to bring cutting-edge technologies to patients who need them most.  Her journey reflects a deep commitment to shaping a healthier future — not only by improving treatments, but also by challenging how we fund, scale, and sustain innovation. She looks forward to connecting with others who share the ambition to transform healthcare from the inside out.

Esther Rodijk
Esther is program director of the Thematic Technology Transfer program with focus on Medical Technologies (TTT MedTech). This RVO funded project supports MedTech researchers in The Netherlands in taking their innovations to the next level, validating them and founding a successful spin-off company. Esther is trained as Technical Physician with a PhD in the medical and technical validation of a robotic flexible endoscope for bowel inspection. She is motivated to accelerate the valorisation of medical-technical research by connecting researchers with companies and vice versa connecting entrepreneurs with the knowledge, activities and facilities available in The Netherlands and beyond.

PROGRAM