Initiated by E52 and High Tech Campus, the 10 most promising startups-to-watch from the Brainport Eindhoven region have been announced for the fourth consecutive year. On July 12th they received a Gerard & Anton Award. The winning companies are highlighted one by one in an interview. Today part 3: Salvia BioElectronics and the treatment of neurological disorders. read the whole series here.
Name: Hubert Martens
Startup: Salvia BioElectronics B.V.
Year of establishment startup: 2017
What is the goal of your business?
“Salvia’s mission is to provide people with a neurological disorder with an effective device solution that is as simple as taking medication, but without the side effects.”
Is this your first startup?
“I have previously established Sapiens Steering Brain Stimulation B.V.. Sapiens was also a neuromodulation company. I am also a co-founder of Sirius Medical Systems B.V., a spin-out from the Dutch Cancer Institute that focuses on surgical guidance solutions.”
How did the idea come about for your startup?
“After Sapiens was taken over by Medtronic, we took a broader look at how to design new therapies that are accessible to large patient populations.”
Has there ever been a change of focus, a pivot? Can you tell us something about the cause and the result?
“At the moment we are still in the concept phase, in which we regularly make smaller and larger pivots. As soon as we enter the product development phase, the product concept is established and we go into execution mode.”
I’m sure there was a moment when you couldn’t see it all anymore. Can you describe that moment?
“We started only a year ago and everything is mostly going well so far; setbacks are part of the startup process and make it challenging.”
Are there startups/entrepreneurs that you see as an example?
“Elon Musk, for example, is someone with a clear long-term vision who balances the possibilities that new technology can offer well with what is challenging but achievable.”
Where will you be with your company in 5 years’ time?
“In 5 years’ time, we hope to have a CE certified solution on the market that will help patients to have a better life every day.”
What does Eindhoven mean for your company? For yourself?
“Eindhoven, and in particular the High Tech Campus, is a hotspot for talent and technology development.”
What is the startup climate in Eindhoven like? Do you feel part of it? If so, how is this to be seen?
“Eindhoven has a healthy mix of startups and large companies that are open to share their expertise. We work with various companies on a daily basis at the High Tech Campus and beyond, which has already greatly accelerated our development.”
At what point could the Eindhoven startup ecosystem improve?
“With the High Tech Campus, Eindhoven Airport, the Technical University and Innovation Origins, there is little left to be desired. A more intensive interaction and cooperation between med-tech startups and the clinical centres in the region could further strengthen Eindhoven’s position.”
