Magnolia MedTech Fund

Magnolia MedTech Fund launches to bring Dutch medtech innovation from lab to patients

Magnolia MedTech Fund

26 October, 2026 — A consortium of the Dutch university medical centres (UMCs), technical universities, health insurer VGZ, medical device manufacturer Nolato Unitron, Stichting Santiago, and life sciences investor Thuja Capital proudly announce the launch of the Magnolia MedTech Fund (Magnolia). The fund is dedicated to investing in early-stage medical technology (medtech) companies spinning out of Dutch universities and knowledge institutes.

The Netherlands produce excellent medtech inventions. But the earliest and riskiest phase from university technology to investable company, has become increasingly difficult to finance. Magnolia is specifically built to fill that gap, bringing together specialist capital with the knowledge institutes, healthcare system and industry expertise needed to get those technologies to patients.

The initiative responds to a gap that the Dutch MedTech Growth Plan (December 2025) identified: most of the Netherlands’ dedicated medtech funds have ceased operations in recent years, and Europe attracts only 5% of global venture capital against 52% in the US, leaving many promising Dutch spin-outs short of the capital needed to reach patients. By giving these innovations an early, dedicated source of both capital and expert knowledge, Magnolia is intended to help more research make it out of the lab and into products that can impact patients’ lives.

More than capital: hands-on guidance for early-stage medtech

The Magnolia Fund’s ambition goes beyond financing. Its investors, experienced management and knowledge partners commit to early-stage coaching, pairing capital with the practical guidance early-stage medtech companies need to turn promising technology into sustainable improvements in healthcare. This support is designed to help entrepreneurs grow their companies from unique technologies developed at universities to delivering products that are improving a patient’s everyday life.

What makes the Magnolia Fund distinctive is the combination of technical universities, UMCs, a specialist medtech investor, a health insurer, industry partners and public funding, all working together at the earliest and most vulnerable stage of translating promising research into patient impact.

Investment pillar

The fund launches with the support of VGZ, Nolato Unitron, Stichting Santiago and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), as part of the Thematic Technology Transfer (TTT) MedTech 2026 program. TTT MedTech is a Dutch government initiative, made possible by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and coordinated by University of Twente. The initiative pairs a consortium of knowledge partners with an investment fund to help translate scientific ideas into companies. Magnolia forms the investment pillar of that program and will be managed by Thuja Capital.

Magnolia will invest in Dutch medtech propositions — devices, enabling technology, and digital health solutions — based on novel technology, or a novel application of existing technology, developed at a knowledge institute and addressing a clear unmet medical need.

Source: Thuja Capital

Investing together in impact

“The Netherlands have everything it takes to be a global leader in medical innovation. TTT and the Magnolia MedTech Fund helps accelerate this ambition by bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and healthcare organisations. In this way, we increase the societal impact of Dutch innovations while strengthening our innovation ecosystem.”

Prof. Jan Smit, Dean and Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of Radboudumc

“We believe it is crucial for innovations to make the transition from potential to practice. That is why it is important that we assess accessibility and affordability at an early stage. This is precisely where we, as a health insurer, can make a unique contribution.”

Martijn Kers, Director of Healthcare Innovation at Coöperatie VGZ

“Nolato Unitron is proud to support this initiative, combining expert knowledge and strong startup partnerships to help turn breakthrough medical research into products that make a real difference in patients' lives.”

Pieter De Wilde, Director at Nolato Unitron

“RVO/EZK supports this unique collaboration between knowledge institutions and the market. The TTT demonstrates that collaboration between different sectors pays off. We are delighted that so many (different) parties are involved in the TTT MedTech 2026 programme and we look forward to all the great results that this initiative will undoubtedly bring.”

Iris Eefsting, Programme coordinator TTT at RVO, also on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy

“It is a privilege to work with a consortium of such strong partners to catalyse the Dutch medtech ecosystem and impact patients.”

Michel Briejer, Managing Partner Thuja Capital

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