Two startups from South Holland, Oppr.ai and StemX Bio, have secured funding from the UNIIQ fund to advance their technologies and move toward market launch.
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Two startups from South Holland, Oppr.ai from The Hague and Leiden-based StemX Bio, have each secured an investment of €350K from the UNIIQ proof-of-concept fund.
The investment will enable both companies to continue developing their technologies and move toward market entry.
UNIIQ, a €50M proof-of-concept fund, supports entrepreneurs in South Holland who aim to turn new ideas into viable businesses. The fund offers early-stage financing and guidance to academic spin-offs and startups, enabling them to progress from concept to commercial readiness. Over 60 per cent of companies supported by UNIIQ have gone on to raise additional funding, amounting to over €275M in total.
The fund is jointly financed by Erasmus MC, Delft University of Technology, Leiden University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, InnovationQuarter, the European Union, the Province of South Holland, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl), TNO, and the municipalities of Rotterdam, The Hague, and Leiden. InnovationQuarter manages the fund.
Oppr.ai: An AI-powered digital operator for manufacturing
Many small and medium manufacturing companies still rely on manual data collection and older systems, which take extra time and are expensive. Oppr.ai is creating an AI platform that merges data from both workers and machines to generate practical improvements in production.
Founded in 2023 by Floris Wyers and Erinc Karatoprak, Oppr.ai addresses problems such as scattered reports, slow issue tracking, and incomplete paper records that disrupt operations.
With funding from UNIIQ, the company plans to launch its product, gain customers, and grow its network of partners.
UNIIQ provides both funding and access to a network of technology firms and specialists, supporting Oppr.ai’s focused growth. Tests have shown that the company’s technology lowers product rejections and reduces downtime in production.
Through pilot projects, Oppr.ai has shown how its platform helps manufacturers by linking machine data (the “what”) with human input (the “why”). This combination gives companies a full, real-time view of their operations and uncovers previously hidden process links.
Floris Wyers, founder & CEO of Oppr.ai, says, “With this seed capital, we can further develop our digital operator and accelerate adoption, making the European manufacturing industry smarter, more efficient and more sustainable.”
StemX Bio: transforming drug discovery
Founded in 2024 by Jane Spirkoski and Elena Naumovska, StemX Bio develops 3D human micro-tissues that replicate diseases more accurately than animal testing, enabling faster and safer drug development.
Based on research from Leiden University Medical Center, the company focuses on advancing drug discovery through human 3D models to help shape the future of medicine.
With funding from UNIIQ, StemX Bio plans to scale its pancreatic tissue model, automate production, and introduce a thyroid model, broadening its product range and entering new markets.
Jane Spirkoski, CEO of StemX Bio, says, “This pre-seed funding allows us to bring our innovative platform to market and expand our team. It’s a crucial step toward serving our first customers and setting a new standard for developing better medicines.”
Along with financial backing, StemX Bio receives strategic guidance from UNIIQ. Through UNIIQ’s network in biotech and life sciences, the company gains access to talent, partnerships, and future investment opportunities.
StemX Bio now operates a fully equipped lab and holds an exclusive license from Leiden University Medical Center for its intellectual property. The company has also secured letters of intent from a major international drug research organisation and two leading academic laboratories.
These developments enabled StemX Bio to complete its pre-seed funding round, supported by UNIIQ, LEH, and grants such as the MIT Feasibility Grant and the Animal-Free Voucher.
