Press Release
ClearDetections wins Venture Challenge Spring 2010
New detection method for pathogenic worms clinches €25,000 prize money
The Hague, June 18, 2010
Start-up company ClearDetections is the winner of the Venture Challenge
Spring 2010,
as was announced during the
LifeSciences@work kick-off event
in Utrecht
on June 17, 2010. ClearDetections, a spin-off from Wageningen University
and BLGG AgroXpertus (The Netherlands) has developed a new method to
efficiently detect nematodes –
minute worms in the soil that cause approximately $80 billion damage
annually to agricultural crops worldwide.
"ClearDetections convinced us with the clarity of their plan, which
addresses a real need in the market. Moreover, they offer a validated
solution", said Alie Tigchelhoff, president of the Venture Challenge
jury. "Combined with the quality of the team, ClearDetections delivered
the best performance all around."
"Because we target the agricultural market and our idea is relatively
simple, I did not expect us to win, even though I know we have a strong
team and a strong technology", said Renske Landeweert of ClearDetections
and senior researcher at BLGG AgroXpertus. "It is great to able to couple
scientific knowledge to practical applications. With the prize money, we
plan to take the next step and have potential customers test our system
to use their feedback for further development", she continued.
The selection of the Venture Challenge winner following a final pitch to
the jury by all six contestants and the prize ceremony took place at the
kick-off event of LifeSciences@work – a new, coherent start-up support
programme offering a variety of support activities for (aspiring) life
sciences entrepreneurs. LifeSciences@work is set up by the Netherlands
Genomics Initiative and next to new activities teams up with existing
start-up support programmes where relevant.
For more information:
Jiske Krommendijk |
Netherlands Genomics Initiative |
info@lifesciencesatwork.nl
Dr Renske Landeweert | BLGG AgroXpertus |
renske.landeweert@blgg.nl
Dr
Hans Helder | Wageningen University |
hans.helder@wur.nl
About ClearDetections
Causing an annual damage of approximately $80 billion to
agricultural crops worldwide, minute soil-born worms (nematodes) pose a
huge problem. Sustainable disease management requires efficient pathogen
detection methods, but so far, inspections are based on microscopic
examinations, which are laborious, expensive and lack the required
resolution. Building from the world's largest nematode DNA database
developed by Hans Helder at Wageningen University and the expertise of BLGG AgroXpertus,
the Netherlands' leading agricultural service laboratory,
ClearDetections will commercialise molecular detection methods for all
major pathogenic nematodes.
About the Venture Challenge
The Venture Challenge offers advice and coaching on essential
elements of setting up
a life sciences business. In two 3-day workshops, participating teams
are continuously challenged by the facilitators and each other to
streamline their business plan and improve their 'pitch'. The team with
the best business plan and pitch is awarded €25,000 to further develop
their venture.
www.venturechallenge.nl
The
Venture Challenge is one of the
Netherlands Genomics Initiative’s
activities aimed at
stimulating and supporting Life Sciences
researchers in translating their inventions into
viable business ideas.
Contact: Netherlands Genomics Initiative | t +31 70 344 0850 | info@lifesciencesatwork.nl