What is Demonstrator Lab?

Make ideas work! The D-LAB is the learning-by-doing environment which offers various types of support for students and researchers in the earliest phase of entrepreneurship. With our community, activities and facilities we aim to help you to succeed or fail, to learn and grow together. We foster an entrepreneurial culture and community where peer-to-peer learning drives innovation and facilitates the creation of real world impact. We accelerate academic entrepreneurship, together! 

What we offer

• Expert Workshops
  In our monthly user meeting an invited expert facilitates a hands-on workshop on must-do topics for early stage start-ups and founders. Topics include Customer, Team, Funding, Product & Technology, Business & Sales, Marketing & Communication.

• Coaching Sessions
  In our monthly peer-group coaching session you and fellow DLAB users gather in groups of 5 to 10 to discuss failures, successes, struggles, and plans. A dedicated and expert peer group coach (e.g. a business developer, entrepreneur, or academic) connected to DLAB  facilitates the conversation and points out opportunities in our network.

• Events: Pitch, Demo, Internship and Social Events
  We host a yearly pitch event (prize money to win!) and demo market, providing opportunities to showcase your startup to investors and other relevant partners. Also, amongst other relevant events, an internship market is organized twice a year to help you find interns and potential co-founders. Of course, there is also time to relax and network on our social events. 

• Lab Space
  Unique to the DLAB is that you can make your ideas work and make them tangible. In our high tech lab, chemical lab and dirty room we support you with (safety and technical) training and materials to create your prototypes, POC’s and/or MVP’s.   

• Office Space
  For our community we have a co-working space (WN P275). Free dedicated office or lab space is also available, depending on the stage and progress of your project. 
• Project Support
  We can provide direct monetary support (read pizza money) by financing for example materials for lab use, a one-minute promotional video, a full size banner, and a small budget to build prototypes, depending on the stage and progress of your project. 
• Community
  Here you become part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurial individuals where peer-to-peer learning is key in growing faster and growing together. In addition we offer entrance to our network of relevant partners in the Amsterdam startup ecosystem and beyond. 
  
  

What we ask

• Contribution to the Community
  Peer-to-peer learning and exchange is the foundation of our success. Therefore, next to receiving help from others, we expect members to contribute by helping fellow members at the DLAB. This could include providing feedback, technical support, sharing failures and successes, pitching for DLAB visitors and on DLAB events. The community thrives on a balance of giving and taking. 
• Actively Participate in Events
  The program is there for you so you should be there. We expect you to take part in the monthly user meetings and peer group coaching sessions as well as our events. Engage with others, offering insights and support as they will do the same for you as well as the DLAB team. 

• Update Us About Your Progress
  Progress, progress, progress; you are here to make progress so share your key achievements with the DLAB team. Inform us about achieved milestones such as joining an incubator, winning a prize or raising funds. Also, share news items, blog posts, and more with us and the community to have a broad reach.

• Dedication to Your Project
  Make sure to make some dedicated time available for your project. Entrepreneurship is about defining priorities and acting accordingly. We do understand that you have other things to do, but while part of the DLAB, we expect you to actively work on your project. Dedicate time to your startup and ensure you are making progress. When you are accepted to the DLAB you will sign to agree with the above and our code of conduct.  

Who are you? 

• student researcher
• in pursuit of good ethics
• not proven wrong by science

Core values of Demonstrator Lab

• Entrepreneurship: Opportunity driven, go-out-there, calculated risk, can-do mentality, dedication.  
• Diversity: Together you achieve more, inclusion, complementary team, equal chances for all. 
• Sustainability: Give and take, be conscious and cautious with regard to the environment, eachother and yourself.  

Would you like to apply to the Demonstrator Lab? Please find more info about our simple application process here.