In the spotlight: FlowBeams

About FlowBeams

FlowBeams is an award-winning spin-off from the University of Twente (UT) that develops technology to enable needle-free injections. The spin-off originated from research by Professor David Fernandez Rivas and is now led by Lea Milovich. The focus is on intradermal injections that do not penetrate too deeply into the skin, making them suitable for applications in the cosmetic and medical markets. With this, they offer a solution for fear of needles, medical complications, the precision of the injection, and the large amount of waste from needles.

In 2022, David was appointed as Next Icon by Novel-T, and now you lead the FlowBeams team. What else has happened in the meantime?

Lea: “A huge amount! Earlier this year, we won the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovation Award and have continued to benefit from the resulting media attention. That wasn’t the case at all in 2022. At that time, we were in the process of transitioning from academia to the business world. That can sometimes be a grey area, but now that separation is becoming increasingly clear to us. Instead of a team of two, we are now a team of seven, with our own office in the High Tech Factory with lab facilities where we can further develop the technology. That was a special moment when we first got someone on the payroll. It may not be obvious to the outside world, but it does mean that you suddenly have a lot more responsibility. In the beginning, David and I also worked on building the company in addition to our ‘day jobs’, but now I work full-time for FlowBeams. This was made possible in part by the very prestigious European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition grant that we received last year. We have now become an employer. In this way, we can give something back to the region.”

“Growth is in a person’s ambition, but the environment can take that further.”

Why is that important to you?

Lea: “Twente has offered us many opportunities for our careers. David completed his PhD and postdoctoral studies here and founded his first spin-off, BuBclean, in 2013. He now works as a professor at the UT. I came here 19 years ago to study and have been working in the region ever since. Growth is in a person’s ambition, but the environment can take that further. The ecosystem has contributed to our careers, and now we can give back by creating employment opportunities, putting the region on the map, and attracting new talent back here. We see the potential here, so we want to make sure it comes to fruition.”

What is needed to utilise that potential?

Lea: “The central question for me is how we can keep talent with all their knowledge and skills in the region for the long term. As a region, we can still make great strides in this direction. Diversity – in the broadest sense of the word – makes you stronger. Not only at a regional level, but also at a team level. Our team comprises individuals from six different nationalities, representing diverse backgrounds and age groups. We are proud of that. These different perspectives are also necessary. After all, we do not develop technology intended solely for the region, but for the entire world. So the inside must match the outside.”

Does that mean that you have global ambitions?

Lea: “Yes, definitely. It is a global problem that we are solving. The injection needles that are currently used have been the same for about 170 years. However, the patient experience can be more comfortable and safer, without fear. To give you an idea of ​​the scale of the problem: on average, a person has about 165 injections in their life, and according to a conservative estimate by the World Health Organization in 2018, about 44 million needles are used worldwide every day. After the corona pandemic, that number has only increased, while about 10% of people have refused a vaccination due to their fear of needles. That is a significant proportion, which, therefore, makes them more vulnerable. But even the people who do receive injections can suffer medical complications such as infections or skin irritations. Due to limited precision, it is also possible that an injection goes wrong, which can cause harm to the patient. And then we have not even mentioned the enormous mountain of waste. We can address these global problems well with our technology.”

That sounds like a tall order. Where are you going to start?

Lea: “That global impact on the medical market is our goal on the horizon. However, the road to that market is complex and can take a considerable amount of time. Fortunately, there are several markets where we can introduce the technology in an accessible way, make a meaningful impact, and continue to develop it. Then we can also generate the first turnover. That is why we are starting in the cosmetic market, for example with Botox injections or pigmentation treatments. We can also make the necessary impact there.”

It is a stroke of luck that you can work towards the medical market via a side track. Have you been very lucky?

Lea: “Happiness is a fragment of the entire journey. For example, it is in the small things, such as finding a good team, ‘top-class’ advisors, working in a beautiful environment, and enjoying your work. But those lucky hits will require work from you at a later point. So, as an entrepreneur, you always have to work really hard, in my opinion. After all, you should not run an impactful company if you do not have the energy and ambition for it. But you do not have to do it alone. Dare to ask for help, because together you are stronger. The will to help is also there in our innovation ecosystem. And then celebrate together the successes that contribute to your greater goal, no matter how small they may be. For us, that greater goal is to make the world a better place. In that sense, we are seekers of happiness. We believe in a better future and dare to make the journey, no matter how difficult it may be. Because that dot on the horizon, that is our fuel.”