When Australia-founded IDE Group established its European presence at the Groot Handelsgebouw in Rotterdam in 2019, the launch was intentional and lean – just one employee focused on exploring the Dutch market and building relationships. But the response was immediate. A strategic project with a German partner quickly accelerated operations, prompting the company to scale its local team to five employees in under two years, and cement its presence in the Dutch life sciences & health ecosystem and beyond.
Today, IDE Group keeps growing in Rotterdam with a clear mission: to help MedTech innovators move faster from concept to commercialization. While medical entrepreneurs are often creative problem solvers, creating a holistic venture proposition, including the product development for scale is often beyond their field of expertise. That’s where IDE Group steps in – to ensure the right problem is addressed and help make those solutions applicable to a wider range of contexts.
IDE Group isn’t a traditional product development firm. As a MedTech venture partner it offers an integrated approach that combines business strategy, design, engineering, regulatory affairs and commercialization guidance under one roof. Its nimble model allows IDE Group to scale and flex its services as needed – embedding specialists in hardware, firmware, software, electronics, Ui/UX, manufacturing, regulatory or quality assurance at different points in the process. The result is a tailored, end-to-end experience for academic spinouts, startups, and multinationals navigating the complexities of MedTech innovation.
The Netherlands: A natural fit for innovation
IDE Group’s choice to set up its European headquarters in the Netherlands was driven by multiple key factors. The country has one of Europe’s densest ecosystems for innovation, startups and life sciences – with Rotterdam home to academic medical centers, top-tier universities, investors and fellow entrepreneurs.
In that vein, the regional life sciences & health community surrounding Rotterdam has proven to be a critical success factor for IDE Group. Local industry leaders, along with networking events hosted by organizations like Rotterdam Square and MedTech Partners, provided quick introductions to key contacts. Those early connections turned into active collaborations with Erasmus University Medical Centre, Leiden University Medical Centre, Utrecht University Medical Centre and investment partners like UNIIQ. Today, the company is engaged in several national and pan-European projects – including a women’s health project in which they are translating innovative academic research into viable commercial products and eventually a meaningful venture.
Daan Hittema, Business Development Leader for IDE Group Europe, says, “IDE Group benefits from access to freshly graduated talent, clinical experts and research in Rotterdam and its surroundings, specifically at the renowned Erasmus MC & TU Delft. It is an incredible network to be part of, where people truly try to help each other grow. We believe the environment here is unique in Europe.”
IDE Group’s European offices are based in Rotterdam. The main hub located at Groot Handelsgebouw provides easy access to Dutch and international clients. Located next to Rotterdam Central Station and just 30 minutes from Schiphol Airport, the team is well-positioned to support partners across Europe and beyond. This in addition to the office on the Erasmus MC campus, as part of their incubator.
Advancing women’s health solutions and more
Rather than positioning itself as a generalist development partner, IDE is leaning into its track record in key areas. Over the years, the team has built up deep, practical knowledge across multiple sectors—knowledge that’s now being brought to the forefront and can be applied across modalities like drug delivery, connected devices, respiratory and POC diagnostics. “We’ve recognized where we bring the most value and where the demand really is,”
One of these key focus areas currently is women’s health. “Over the years, we have developed a strong track record in women’s health, with projects from cervical cancer screening for developing countries, blood-based pregnancy tests, to wearables for fetal monitoring that can predict and prevent postpartum complications,” Hittema explains. “This track record aligns well with the growing trend in women’s health we see today and the many tractions around this topic across Europe.” These developments led IDE Group to launch its women’s health campaign – currently regional, with global ambitions – as well as other areas and health technologies.
In April 2024, IDE deepened its impact in the Netherlands by hosting the IDE Pitch Competition at Innovation for Health, a leading European life sciences conference. The session spotlighted Dutch FemTech ventures for their breakthrough solutions in areas like diagnostics and gynecological health, which are traditionally underserved by investors.
“Most of the medical research has historically focused on men, leaving a significant gap in understanding women’s health needs,” says Daan Hittema. He adds to that: I hope we keep giving women’s health the attention it deserves – until one day, we don’t need to label it separately at all. It’ll just be ‘health.’”
This strategic emphasis on women’s health and other underserved health areas reflects a close alignment between IDE Group and the Netherlands. The Dutch ecosystem is a leader in women’s health, embracing the broader mission of pursuing medical innovation that is both inclusive and impactful.
Supported by a collaborative business climate
IDE’s growth in the Netherlands has drawn support from a strong network of public and private partners. From the outset, the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency and Invest in Holland partner InnovationQuarter have played key roles in helping the company establish operations, navigate regulations and make valuable connections.
IDE Group’s team emphasizes Rotterdam’s “can-do” attitude – a city where people show initiative, eagerly take the first step, collaborate effectively, embrace feedback, and challenge their assumptions. Hittema elaborates, “We value individuals who are driven not only by self-interest but are genuinely committed to making a difference and building a better future for health.” These values align perfectly with the Netherlands’ environment for early-stage innovation and resonate deeply with IDE’s core principles of taking ownership, fostering curiosity, being resourceful when embracing complexity, and maintaining a positive outlook.
Building the future of MedTech, from the Netherlands to the world
Today, IDE Group’s Rotterdam team is working on a growing portfolio of European projects – from sensor-integrated medical devices to AI-supported diagnostic tools. The company continues to expand its network of clients, clinicians, investors and researchers who are aligned around a shared vision: to create meaningful MedTech ventures that contribute to better futures.
IDE Group works collaboratively to help good ideas make it to market. While medical technology innovation can present some barriers, the Dutch ecosystem offers the speed, talent and support to make it happen. With its people-first approach, deep ties to Dutch knowledge institutions and a growing focus on sectors like women’s health, IDE Group is poised to help shape the next generation of medical solutions: starting in the Netherlands and reaching far beyond.
