Tuesday 11 November 2008, Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek, Rotterdam

Chrétien Herben

Manager Valorisation
Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI)

Chrétien Herben is responsible for implementing the NGI Valorisation Strategy for which NGI has put 32,5 M€ aside. The NGI Valorisation activities and programs include the NGI Venture Challenge, NGI Pre-Seed Grant, NGI Valorisation Network, NGI Valorisation Advisory Board and NGI Valorisation Award.

Chrétien Herben has experience in science and in managing industrial research in a high-tech start-up. In 2001, he co-founded ThreeFive Photonics, a spin-off from Delft University of Technology focusing on opto-electronic chips for telecommunication networks. As chief technology officer his main activities involved managing the product development and raising venture capital. After ThreeFive Photonics was sold to US-based ASIP Inc in 2003, Chrétien moved to Technology Foundation STW, where the valorisation of (technological) knowledge was one of his main responsibilities, including the set up of the Valorisation Grant program. At the end of 2004 he was appointed Manager Valorisation at NGI, due to his experience in the track from research to application.

In 1995, Chrétien Herben obtained his Masters-degree in Applied Physics at University of Twente,
followed in 2000 by his Ph.D. degree (with honours) in Integrated Optics at Delft University of Technology.