Imagine injections without needles — no pain, no wounds, no fear.
That’s the vision behind Dutch startup FlowBeams, which is developing a technology that delivers fluids through the skin using optics and microfluidics, eliminating the need for traditional needles.
In Twente, tech startups are given plenty of freedom and access to resources and networks that allow them to turn ambitious ideas into reality. Through local knowledge institutions, state-of-the-art facilities, and organizations designed to streamline entrepreneurship, innovators from around the world gain direct access to technology, talent, and professional networks that accelerate time-to-market for their innovative ideas.
The company emerged from research at the University of Twente and is now scaling up with support from Novel-T, a Twente-based startup accelerator helping researchers turn deep-tech ideas into market-ready innovations.
FlowBeams co-founder Prof. David Fernandez Rivas started his entrepreneurial journey during his academic work at the university, supported by programs that guide researchers from science to startup creation.
Novel-T plays a central role in this ecosystem. “When you come here, you’re surrounded by a team that really thinks along with you,” explains CEO Roy Spit. “We work closely with the University of Twente, where the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) and a team of lawyers handle important matters such as contracts, patents and trademarks. Novel-T focuses primarily on coaching, growth programs, and events.”
Support begins early. Prof. David Fernandez Rivas, co-founder of FlowBeams, has been connected with Novel-T since his PhD at the University of Twente.
This began with the Entrepreneurial Research Program (ERP), an initiative that helps researchers navigate the leap from academia to entrepreneurship.
“The program supports researchers at every stage, addressing questions such as how to turn research into a business plan and successfully bring technology to market,” says Lea Milovich, CEO and co-founder of FlowBeams.
“Sometimes that means licensing to another company; other times, it means starting your own business.”
Our goal is to make a global impact on human well-being. It’s a challenging road. It requires a lot of patience. You have to believe in your vision and simultaneously gain recognition from the market.
FlowBeams CEO and co-founder Lea Milovich.
From lab to business
FlowBeams exemplifies how a research idea in Twente can grow into a high-tech company. Using optics and microfluidics, they have developed a device that delivers fluids through the skin painlessly, eliminating needles and wounds. From their offices and lab facilities in Twente, FlowBeams is already expanding on an international scale.
L.Milovich emphasizes the role that Novel-T has played. “They helped us with international missions, trade fairs and customer contacts. They arrange meetings and ensure we’re in the right place at the right time. That opportunity is immensely valuable for startups.”
12.05.2026.
