ModAlgae finalist in the Academic Startup Competition 2026

modAlgae, a Groningen-based spin-off from the University of Groningen, is one of the ten winners in the Academic Startup Competition 2026. The startup advanced after a competitive Pitch Day, where the jury selected teams that stood out for their innovation, clear vision, and potential to turn scientific research into real-world impact. At the end of May, the winners will travel to the United States for meetings with entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem leaders.

Top ten winners include Aluvia Photonics, Constellate Proteomics, Fluxthor, FrostByte, modAlgae, Myriagon, Puform, Tolvac Therapeutics, Twente Medical Optics, and UCANACT.

modAlgae

modAlgae develops a microalgae-derived glycogen that is intended for use in personal care products. The technology builds on more than fifteen years of research at the University of Groningen and is aimed at sustainable skincare applications, with the ingredient demonstrating strong skin-hydration properties compared with existing alternatives.

The startup was founded in Groningen in 2024 by a team with both scientific and industrial experience, including CEO Mariska van der Hoek and co-founder Prof. Marc van der Maarel. To further accelerate this "valorization" of academic research, Future Tech Ventures—a collaborative fund including RUG Ventures, NOM, Triade, and IFG—invested in the company in late 2025. This investment is specifically aimed at supporting modAlgae’s scale-up and the path toward market introduction.

Academic Startup Competition

The Academic Startup Competition is an annual programme that helps promising academic ventures grow by sharpening their focus, strengthening their teams and opening new opportunities. After several rounds of expert feedback and selection, the top 10 startups move on to an intensive international final phase in the United States. There they will have the chance to meet Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem connectors.

Read more

• ModAlgae BV signs licensing agreement with the UG
• 2024 startups that originated from the University of Groningen
• Article on modAlgae (only in Dutch)