More than a Launchpad

Pioneers – Venture Builder HighTechXL

Breakthroughs are just the beginning. Many great ideas never make it out of the lab—not always because researchers lack entrepreneurial spirit. But when that spirit needs a spark, HighTechXL steps in. The Dutch deep-tech venture builder empowers scientists to bring their innovations to market—even without a founding team in place.

June 2025

A Launchpad for Innovation

At Forschungszentrum Jülich, the true potential of a technology often becomes clear the moment Prof. Earl Goetheer walks through the door. As Chief Technology Officer of HighTechXL, he’s no stranger to the world of science—he holds over 100 publications and 55 patents and has made a career out of bridging research and real-world application.

Goetheer visits Jülich not just as a tech scout, but as a matchmaker. He identifies promising technologies and connects them with mentors, investors, and entrepreneurial minds ready to help shape the future.

“Our researchers see firsthand how their ideas can leave the lab and enter real markets. That energy creates momentum. HighTechXL provides the launchpad—we provide the innovation,” Dr. Jörg Bohnemann, Innovation Manager at Forschungszentrum Jülich, explains.

Technologies of Forschungszentrum Jülich

The Case: Batteries That Work for Industry

One standout example comes from the Helmholtz Institute Münster, where scientists at the Ion Conductors for Energy Storage (IMD-4/HI MS) unit are developing organic redox-flow batteries—a low-cost, scalable solution for solar farms and industrial applications. HighTechXL recognized the commercial potential early on and is now leveraging its global network to assemble a tailored founding team. This kind of technology could reshape energy storage—and HighTechXL wants to help make it happen.

»Our motivation is tied to the success of the startup. If they succeed, we succeed.«

Prof. Earl Goetheer
CTO of the Dutch venture builder HighTechXL

HighTechXL is currently supporting three promising technologies from Jülich. Once the venture builder spots potential, things move fast. First comes the meet-and-greet between researchers and the HighTechXL team, followed by pitch sessions and matchmaking rounds to find the right talent, co-founders, and funding model.

Even if a venture doesn’t materialize right away, researchers walk away with valuable insights, fresh contacts, and a clearer path for next time. And crucially: Founding is always optional. Researchers decide for themselves if and how they want to move forward. HighTechXL simply provides the tools, guidance, and ecosystem to help make the leap—when the time is right.

Technology Transfer at Forschungszentrum Jülich: IP, Technologies, and Start-ups
Meet the Innovation Team at FZ Jülich

Interview with Earl Goetheer

The Dutch company HighTechXL transforms groundbreaking ideas into impactful DeepTech startups. Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Earl Goetheer explains in the interview how this works.

Prof. Goetheer, you were a researcher. How did you come to join the venture builder HighTechXL?

I have spent almost my entire career developing technologies. After 17 years at research institutions and universities, I felt it was time for the next logical step: helping promising technologies achieve a faster breakthrough — by supporting start-ups. That’s exactly what I do as CTO at HighTechXL.

How does the HighTechXL model work?

HighTechXL builds startups that leverage advanced technologies from leading research institutions such as Forschungszentrum Jülich, the European Space Agency (ESA), or companies like Philips.

We focus on technologies with strong IP and societal impact. The process includes four key phases: gathering, screening, evaluating, and selecting. Once a technology is selected, we form a team and guide it through a structured nine-month program that includes mentoring, prototyping, and market strategy.

HighTechXL supports the startups not only during the program but also beyond, providing access to capital, training, and networks.

Collaboration with industry partners ensures that startups can validate their market opportunities early on.

What is the difference compared to traditional incubators?

HighTechXL focuses on building deep-tech startups. These are ideas that require significant technological or scientific breakthroughs to be realized. We don’t wait for founders to bring their ideas — we actively search for groundbreaking technologies and build companies around them. Unlike traditional incubators, we offer more than just mentoring. Our integrated approach helps startups overcome the notorious "Valley of Death" that often halts deep-tech innovations.

How does HighTechXL benefit from this?

Our incentive lies in the success of the startups. We hold equity stakes in the companies and benefit from their profits. However, our main motivation is to address global challenges by aligning startups with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and combining deep-tech innovation with entrepreneurship.

What have been the biggest successes so far?

We have founded over 85 startups and created more than 3,000 jobs. It may still be too early to call it a success story, but one of my personal favorites is Carbyon. The company started five years ago with a concept for CO₂ capture from the air developed by the Dutch research organization TNO. Today, it employs 50 people and is scaling the technology up to demonstration level. In my view, this is a successful example of how science can be translated into practice — especially in the fight against climate change.

www.hightechxl.com

^{Image credit: HighTechXL}