The 10 new winners of the Gerard & Anton Award 2025 were announced in Eindhoven, Netherlands, yesterday. The ceremony took place at the High Tech Campus.
The Gerard & Anton Award, named after the founders of Philips, focus on startups in the Brainport Eindhoven region and selected 10 from over 70 nominations as the most promising for 2025.
Jury chairman, Stijn Steenbakkers, says, “It was hard to choose; half of the nominations could have had a podium spot here today. But that is a good sign: the harder the choice, the better our startup ecosystem does.”
The 2025 edition marks the 11th year of the awards programme. Since its launch, 110 startups have been recognised. Of these, 94 remain active, seven have been acquired, and nine have ceased operations. The newly awarded companies are the 101st to 110th recipients in the programme’s history.
Meet the winners of the 2025 Awards below.
The winning startups!
AVOXT
Based in Groningen-Eindhoven, AVOXT is focused on making green hydrogen accessible worldwide. The company addresses the challenge that sustainably produced hydrogen remains expensive and difficult to scale up.
AVOXT developed an electrolyser stack that is more efficient, robust, and cost-effective than current market offerings. The technology can serve up to 20 per cent of the global market. Since 2022, AVOXT has raised nearly €2M and benefits from the high-tech community in Eindhoven.
ARTIC Technologies
ARTIC Technologies, a TU/e spin-off, has developed a micropump system for cell culture that enables precise fluid control during preclinical drug testing. Founded by Laure van der Sanden, Hossein Eslami Amirabadi, and Prof. Jaap den Toonder, the platform offers a scalable approach that supports research aligned with human physiology.
ARTIC aims to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research, reduce the use of laboratory animals, and explore applications in green tech. The startup is currently focusing on scaling up and validating its solution with support from the Brainport ecosystem.
EYEO Imaging
EYEO Imaging is developing image sensor technology based on nanophotonics. Instead of using traditional colour filters that lose a significant portion of light, the startup employs physical structures to split light more efficiently, enabling sharper images and smaller sensors.
Originating from research at imec, the technology has potential applications in smartphones, medical devices, and AR/VR. With €15M in seed funding and support from the Brainport region, EYEO is now focusing on scaling up and validating its market approach.
Fastmicro
Fastmicro, a scale-up based in Geldrop, develops systems for fast and quantitative analysis of submicrometer contamination on surfaces, including wafers, pellicles, and reticles. Using Dark-Field Scatterometry, the technology detects particles as small as 100 nanometers in accordance with ISO standards. This supports chip manufacturers such as ASML in improving production outcomes and reducing downtime.
The company is based on 15 years of research carried out with TNO and operates a demo centre in Geldrop. Its systems are now installed in more than seven countries.
Innofluidics
Founded by Sertan Sukas, InnoFluidics is developing a technology to improve cancer diagnostics by using data without chemical labels. The system provides real-time, multi-parameter insights at the cellular level and aligns with Bioprocessing 4.0.
The company builds all components internally and has tested a working prototype at a client’s facility. With €1M in funding, support from the Brainport ecosystem, and international goals, InnoFluidics aims to become a leader in single-cell analysis for biotechnology and healthcare.
Keiron Technologies
Keiron Technologies, located at Eindhoven’s High Tech Campus, is developing a non-contact digital method for applying solder paste to printed circuit boards.
Founders John Willems and Paul Rooimans use Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LiFT) to achieve nanoliter-level precision, supporting the assembly of small and complex components used in applications such as AI chips and sensors.
The technology is scalable and offers an alternative to traditional methods. Since its founding in 2019, the company has raised €11M, with support from the Brainport ecosystem, and has more than 30 systems on order.
LiveDrop
Founded in 2021 in Eindhoven by Erno Langendijk and Maarten Tobias, LiveDrop is developing a technology for secure offline data transfer. The system uses a moving visual data matrix to transmit files without relying on wifi, Bluetooth, or networks.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has validated the method for use in critical applications such as drone communication. Originating from the Brainport ecosystem, the company is working toward international scale-up with use cases in defence, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
Naext
Founded by Lukas van Delft and Victor van Dinten, Naext is developing navigation tech for people with visual impairments in complex indoor spaces such as hospitals and public transportation. The platform operates with smartphones and smart glasses, using AI, computer vision, and spatial computing, without relying on costly infrastructure.
Naext aims to support accessible mobility and provide an open European alternative to closed systems from large technology providers. The company has raised €1.5M in funding and has thousands of active users.
Shanx Medtech
Shanx Medtech is developing an ultra-fast diagnostic system that identifies effective antibiotics for specific bacteria within one hour. The technology can be used in hospitals and general practices to support faster treatment and reduce antibiotic resistance.
Founded in 2019, the company has raised €7.6M and presented clinical data at the ESCMID Congress. ShanX is working on global expansion with support from the Brainport ecosystem.
XIVER
XIVER claims to be the only company in Europe focused entirely on manufacturing MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) as an independent foundry. The company produces ultra-thin membranes, filters, and MEMS components for clients in sectors including EUV machines and automotive technology.
Originally part of Philips, XIVER was acquired last year by a consortium led by investor Cees Meeuwis and continues to employ over 110 people. With a 2,650 m² clean room, 200 mm wafer production, and in-house process development, XIVER manages projects from research and development to medium-scale production.
The Light Bulb Prize!
FABBS
FABBS, a startup formed by four students from the InMotion student team, is developing a battery management system that gives full insight and control at the individual cell level.
Launched in March 2025, the system aims to extend battery lifespan and support the development of circular energy systems. FABBS works with battery developers to improve performance and reduce environmental impact.
The Gerard & Anton Awards: Everything you need to know
The Gerard & Anton Community connects past winners of the Gerard & Anton Awards. Members share knowledge with individuals seeking to create impact through technology and innovation.
The Gerard & Anton Awards honour Gerard and Anton, founders of Philips, Eindhoven’s first startup. The awards recognise their role as pioneers in the city’s technology sector. Current innovators trace their roots to these founders while developing expertise to improve global conditions.
In spring 2014, Bert-Jan Woertman attended a meeting about Eindhoven’s startup climate. While cycling home, he considered a participant’s comment about startup visibility. As High Tech Campus marketing manager, Woertman organised networking events but lacked direction for this concept.
Upon returning home, Woertman discovered information about a New York event called “start-ups to watch.” The event featured promising startups on stage. Woertman recognised the potential to replicate this format in Eindhoven.
Woertman partnered with Hans Matheeuwsen from FRITS magazine to establish the first edition. The inaugural year featured 10 winners. FRITS published stories about the startups, establishing the concept.
The 2014 winners demonstrated survival rates that exceed industry standards. Nine of the ten original winners remain operational. Standard industry survival rates show two to three out of ten startups lasting beyond the initial years. The Gerard & Anton programme maintains an eight out of ten survival rate across multiple years.
