Stronger together: why lab sharing is becoming increasingly popular

The demand for accessible, flexible and affordable laboratory space is increasing. Many startups are looking for a location to develop their innovative ideas, but setting up your own lab is a major investment. It sharedlab concept offers a solution: companies can rent space within a shared laboratory facility in an accessible and flexible way.

By: Eline te Velde

You will find Open Kitchen Labs in the new Matrix One building at the Amsterdam Science Park. Here you can rent a permanent or flexible workplace in the chemistry or life science lab based on a subscription model, similar to a gym.

“It started three years ago as a university project, with the idea that scientific laboratories should be accessible to startups. We ran it as a pilot for the first two years, because we were not sure whether people were open to sharing a lab,” says Ana Luzaic, operational director at Open Kitchen Labs. The concept appears to be a success. “For a startup, the step from doing research at university to renting your own laboratory is often unfeasible. Open Kitchen Labs offers a solution here to bridge the gap. Outsourcing your research is an option, but this can be very expensive. Moreover, these young entrepreneurs often have the knowledge to do their own research.”

“We have been a member of Open Kitchen Labs with Caffe Inc since July 2021. A shared laboratory facility is a great way to do your own R&D and quality assurance rather than outsourcing it. This way the knowledge remains within Caffe Inc.” – Evaluna Márquez, Caffe Inc – an Eco-friendly coffee based resource

Plug and Play

“Laborators can start working with us straight away, it's real plug and play. Open Kitchen Labs has a contract with waste companies that take care of the disposal of substances. Most standard equipment is available, and the most common chemicals are ready to use. If a company needs specialized equipment, we can help them, but they bear the costs themselves,” says Luzaic.

Furthermore, a lab manager is always present. This person is responsible for orders, maintenance and of course safety. Not unimportant, Luzaic explains: “Maintaining safety is crucial in a shared laboratory, because everyone is busy with something different.” The lab manager is also available to answer questions and explain equipment. For example, you can schedule time with the lab manager to discuss a test setup, where he or she will think along with you and advise you if desired.

Why shared works

But do things ever go wrong when so many companies share the same laboratory? “Fortunately not,” Luzaic answers. “It's all about communication and organization.” Companies without a permanent workplace book a table a week in advance and indicate what they need. This way the organization can anticipate crowds and possible bottlenecks with equipment and space.” A certain degree of responsibility and trust is required of the startups. Everyone gets a fixed storage space and is responsible for handling everything neatly.

“We chose a shared laboratory because it brings us close to other companies in our field and we can help each other with our research. The collaborations we have entered into through the shared lab have broadened the topics we work on.” – Michael Doppert, Spark904

Luzaic sees that the startups inspire each other: “They help each other with investors and funding and make valuable connections.” In addition, sharing laboratories is a sustainable option. The laboratory technicians not only share energy costs and equipment, but the shared use of chemicals also saves a lot of waste. “A large part of the waste from laboratories is due to chemicals that have expired. If you share these, they are less likely to be left over and you prevent waste,” says Luzaic.

According to Luzaic, lab sharing is also a solution for the chronic lack of space in Amsterdam: “For startups that originally come from the city, it is important to be able to stay here. The link with the university is especially valuable. I think the city would also like to keep the startups here, but with the lack of space that is not that easy. Sharing is then the solution to stay at the Amsterdam Science Park and be part of the community.”

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