In 2025, new spin-offs from the University of Twente have been established at Kennispark. Our ambition is to be the premier location for entrepreneurial talent and innovation, attracting and retaining talent and business activity, and offering space to growing companies and innovative initiatives. These new spin-offs confirm that we are on the right track as a premier location. We wish them every success!
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Orthevo
Orthevo is a spin-off from the University of Twente, founded by Malte Asseln and Daan Legters. With a clear mission to improve working life in physically demanding sectors, Orthevo focuses on translating research into practical and scalable solutions for one of the most urgent challenges in occupational health. Orthevo tackles lower back pain in the workplace. The Smart Brace offers intelligent back support that is only activated when needed, maintaining mobility and promoting a healthier and longer working life.
More information: https://www.orthevo.com/
Angard Microwave
Drones have become increasingly commonplace in today’s society. You see them flying overhead more and more often, capturing breathtaking images at festivals or inspecting the facades of buildings. However, there is also a downside, as drones are also used for criminal activities and warfare. That is why Anton Atanasov and Jasmine Sharifa Szimanneck founded the UT & TNO spin-off AnGard Microwave. With their advanced high-frequency microwave amplifiers, they found a way to counter these hostile drones. The technology can disrupt the drone’s communication and force it to land in a controlled manner so that it does not crash.
More information: www.angardmicrowave.com
QSA Technology
QSA Technology is a spin-out from the University of Twente developing quantum-secure authentication based on photonic chip technology. Their mission is to protect networks, devices, and digital identities from emerging quantum threats. By embedding unforgeable “digital fingerprints” in light-based hardware, they deliver authentication that is secure by design – and ready for the post-quantum world.
More information: https://qsatechnology.com/
REX-Optics
REX-Optics was founded by experts from the Industrial Focus Group XUV Optics at the University of Twente, a renowned institution in both industry and academia for its innovative x-ray and EUV optical solutions. They are dedicated to advancing the boundaries of optics innovation and customization. Their mission is to provide premium quality, specialized x-ray and EUV optics and components for various applications, including metrology equipment and research. They are committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.
More information: www.rex-optics.com
Sabratha
Kees Franken, Steven Ye, Akshay Keloth and David Marpaung are enabling the next generation of telecommunications, such as wireless 6G. This means even faster data connections on a large scale, while reducing energy consumption and system complexity. How? With their super-fast photonic chips using the thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic platform. By interacting sound and light, they are creating ultra-high performance systems.
More information: https://sabratha.ai/
CarbSorbTec
How can you capture CO₂ without complicated installations or high energy costs? A research team in Twente discovered that the answer was literally under our feet: clay. That insight led to the creation of CarbSorbTec, a spin-off from the University of Twente that extracts CO₂ from biogas using a special clay material. The research began as fundamental work within Mugele’s group, with no immediate application in sight. PhD student Niels Mendel and researchers Igor Siretanu and Wim Brilman changed that. Their experiments with different types of clay showed that the material not only works, but is also reusable. This is an important step towards practical application.
The next step is upscaling. The first trials are planned for the end of 2025 at a water treatment plant and on a farm. If these are successful, the technology can be deployed worldwide. Its simple operation offers great opportunities, especially in developing countries, where biogas plants can supply energy without expensive infrastructure.
More information: https://www.utwente.nl/stories/wetenschap/677455/twentse-klei-haalt-co-uit-biogas
M3Nephron
Kidney patients are in survival mode while they wait for a new kidney. This can take up to three years, during which time patients must go to the hospital three times a week for dialysis to clean their blood. It is a difficult process, but essential if they want to survive. To make this therapy more bearable, Prof. Dimitrios Stamatialis developed a new filter for improved blood purification. Together with Michel Simons, he founded the UT spin-off M3Nephron to improve the lives of kidney patients.
More information: https://m3nephron.com/
Sources: Novel-T and UT
