Source: linkedin publication by Utrecht Municipality on 21 november 2025, originally written by Dayli de Wind.
“Utrecht is truly the center of healthcare in the Netherlands,” says Marco D’Agata, director of Neolook Solutions. “UMC Utrecht, the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, the blood bank, research institutes, industry associations—everything is located within a few kilometers. The region is called ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’ for good reason. If you want to innovate in healthcare, Utrecht is where you need to be.”
Neolook develops technology that makes a daily difference in pediatric intensive care. “We install a smart camera above a child’s bed,” Marco explains. “This allows parents to watch continuously, even when they cannot be in the hospital. Nurses respond more quickly to what the child needs, and doctors can diagnose earlier using clinical algorithms and AI. It helps everyone collaborate around the patient.”
He believes the role of parents is essential. “In the past, you were sometimes allowed only a brief look through a glass wall. Now parents can stay involved remotely, learn their child’s rhythm, and become part of the care team. It brings calm and confidence.”
The company works closely with hospitals in Utrecht and across the Netherlands, developing almost everything through co-creation. “We walk onto the ward and ask: what’s happening? What must we solve today? What should we be able to do tomorrow? Doctors and nurses tell us what they need; we build it and share it with participating hospitals. It really is that simple.”
According to Marco, it is no coincidence that Utrecht attracts companies like this. “Here at Utrecht Science Park you find so many innovative health companies. Neolook is just one of them, and we are housed in a top startup incubator: Utrecht Inc. It’s a real ecosystem. Everyone is close together, you easily meet a specialist or researcher, and collaboration arises almost automatically.”
Entrepreneurship in healthcare is far from easy. “The sector innovates slowly and regulations are suffocating. But the problems are huge. The staffing shortage is far worse than people think. Technology must help keep healthcare standing. And that is exactly what we are working on together.”
Still, the work is rewarding. “The best moment is when a nurse smiles and says: ‘This really helps us in practice.’ That’s when you know all the hard work is worth it.”
On #EntrepreneursDay, he is proud of the appreciation shown by the city. “It is good that Utrecht shows how important entrepreneurs are to the city—especially the importance of collaboration. No one builds this alone. You need a city that grows with you.” #Utrecht #UtrechtHeartofHealth
