From startups to global leaders: the power of collaboration

Fisic is developing an innovative point-of-care test: a handheld laboratory that allows patients to perform quick, accurate blood or urine tests at home. “We have miniaturized a complete lab test,” explains Steven Staal, CEO of Fisic. “Our device measures key parameters in body fluids, such as kidney function or hydration levels. Patients get immediate results, no longer waiting days for results.”

The technology is being tested in collaboration with Radboudumc academic hospital in Nijmegen, initially among people with a stoma who are at increased risk of dehydration. Monitoring lithium medication in psychiatric patients is another application. “Our product prevents unnecessary deterioration of the patient’s condition and reduces error,” says Staal. “From measurement to feedback, there are many steps and many people involved – which increases the chance of mistakes. By conducting tests at home or at the practitioner’s office, the process becomes simpler, more efficient, and more reliable.”

Demcon: from spin-off to global company

Demcon also started small, as a spin-off from the University of Twente. The company has since grown into an international high-tech group, developing complex systems for MedTech, chip technology, and more. CEO Dennis Schipper understands the challenges that startups like Fisic face. “Reducing a full laboratory device to handheld size is extremely complex,” he says. “And then the patient has to be able to operate it themselves. This is the future of healthcare but requires a great deal of precision and experience.”

Demcon brings that experience to the table, supporting Fisic with software development, quality systems, and production facilities. Schipper explains: “Startups face many unfamiliar challenges. All that support can be found here in the region, including at our company. It allows them to scale faster and more reliably.”

Twente: a breeding ground for MedTech

The collaboration between Fisic and Demcon is no coincidence. For decades, Twente has provided an ideal ecosystem for high-tech innovation. The University of Twente and its associated research institute, MESA+, have built a global reputation in nanotechnology and MedTech’.

“In 1999, the commercialization of our technology began at the university where it originated,” says Staal. “We are the thirtieth spin-off from MESA+. Thanks to infrastructure such as the NanoLab and the cleanroom – one of the most advanced laboratories in the world for nanoscale research – we can develop our sensor technology. Without that foundation, this would simply not be possible.” Schipper agrees: “Point-of-care technology is truly a regional specialty. No one else in the Netherlands is working at this level.”

Saxion University of Applied Sciences also plays a key role. “We have now supervised around sixty students through internships or graduation projects,” Staal adds. “Many continue with us afterwards, providing a constant source of fresh knowledge and innovation.”

Scaling up: challenges and opportunities

Fisic is now entering a critical phase: moving from start-up to scale-up. “We started with a core team of four,” says Staal. “Now we need to expand towards larger-scale production and broader application. For that, we rely on the infrastructure and expertise of partners like Demcon.”

Schipper knows from personal experience that every phase of growth has its challenges: “Going from ten to a hundred employees is tough, and from a hundred to a thousand is another story altogether. You need the right people, resources, and guidance. What makes Twente unique is that doors open here when they need to.”

Collaboration as a catalyst for growth

Companies like Fisic and Demcon are excellent examples of how startups in Twente can grow into international players. Staal confirms: “The ecosystem provides a strong platform, enabling us to stay a few steps ahead of the rest of the world and remain at the forefront. Because all the capabilities needed to develop a final product come together here, we can do what we do best.”