TU Delft Excellence Fund

Pushing the boundaries of technology. Educating new generations of socially engaged engineers. That is the mission of TU Delft. This active role is necessary for solving the global challenges of today and tomorrow. TU Delft Excellence Fund supports this mission. The TU Delft Excellence Fund supports TU Delft's excellence strategy based on the three pillars of Research, Education and Valorisation, which together form the TU Delft ecosystem. In this way we work on impact for a better society.

Attract top scientists

The first focus of the Excellence Fund is to attract top international scientists and to help accelerate high potentials. Together they form a driving force in strengthening the TU Delft ecosystem. The TU Delft Excellence Fund focuses on alumni and friends of TU Delft who may consider a donation of €25,000 or more. Donors (Founders) become members of the Delft Leaders Programme. This programme offers events and networking opportunities exclusively for Founders.

Will you join?

Your support enables us to work together on impact for a better society and Delft technology as an important engine of the Dutch economy.

Contact us

Delft Leaders Programme

26 OCT 2021 | 16.30 – 17.15
Meet the Students | Climate Action. Online seminar
25 Nov 2021 | 17.00 – 21.00
Annual Founder Event. Please see:
Annual Founder Event

Studying at TU Delft has brought us a lot – a university of which we are still very proud. The Excellence Fund is a great way to give something back to TU Delft. The aim of the Fund is clear and ambitious. It nicely brings together the potential of TU Delft and the power of these kinds of private initiatives.

― Chris de Ruyter van Steveninck and Marlene Sybrandy

Prof. James O'Callaghan

Prof. James O’Callaghan, professor of Architectural Glass, a.o. known as an engineer and designer at Apple. The chair focuses on glass in a broad context. Marking of TU Delft Architecture in the worldwide top 3.

Prof. Gijsje Koenderink

Professor Gijsje Koenderink, professor of Bionanoscience, contributes to the expansion of Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, a worldwide top institute. Groundbreaking research in the Life Sciences, of great importance for innovation in healthcare in collaboration with Erasmus MC and Leiden UMC.

Prof. Mauro Conti

Mauro Conti, Professor of Cyber Security. Crucial for innovation in the field of Internet of Things, Blockchain Technology and Forensics. Urgent expansion because of the demand for engineers in the labor market. In addition, (inter)national impact through the The Hague Security Delta.

Recently recruited top scientists at TU Delft

Item 1 of 3

Since graduating from TU Delft I have worked on dozens of projects with students and I want to continue to support TU Delft to explore sustainable solutions and innovations that we can only dream of today

― Maikel Lobbezoo

Join the Delft Leaders Programme

As a Founder of the TU Delft Excellence Fund, you gain access to the wider Delft community. By obtaining and sharing high-quality knowledge, and connecting with scientists, start-ups, students and other alumni and friends of TU Delft, you become part of our ambitious and decisive community that makes the difference. You will receive the latest scientific insights from leading scientists and you will be introduced to  ground-breaking start-ups. Of course, always in a small-scale, personal and exclusive setting that offers plenty of room for your personal interests and input.

Overview of all Founders

Development Board

The Development Board provides structure to a sustainable TU Delft Excellence Fund. The members of the Development Board are closely involved in the direction and further development of the Excellence Fund.

Menno Antal

Development Board Leader | Board member Delft University Fund, non-executive director Action, non-executive director Egeria, Informal Investor, President Supervisory Board SOS Kinderdorpen, previously Managing Partner 3i Private Equity

Tijo Collot d’Escury

Board member Delft University Fund, Managing Partner Roland Berger Netherlands

Gert Jan van der Hoeven

Founder and Managing Partner H2 Equity Partners

Hans van Ierland

Co-Founder en CEO HPE Growth Capital

Michiel Westermann

Member Board of Directors DIH Technologies Co.

Michael Wisbrun

President Delft University Fund, previously Chairman Governing Board SkyTeam

Development Board

Item 1 of 6

More information

The TU Delft Excellence Fund and the Delft Leaders Programme focuses on TU Delft alumni and friends of TU Delft who want to contribute to the excellence strategy of TU Delft and who can consider a substantial donation. The initial focus is on donations of €100,000 (€20k per year for 5 years). However, every variant from € 25,000 (€ 5 k per year for 5 years) is negotiable. Together we support the TU Delft ecosystem based on the three pillars of Research, Education and Valorisation.


Would you like to know more about the TU Delft Excellence Fund and the donation options? Please contact Ingrid Janssen via via i.b.a.j.janssen@tudelft.nl or call: +31 (0) 15 278 79 05

Share this page: