Pivot Park & QuestPair: Smart labs, strong starts

At the beginning of 2025, we proudly opened the Pivot Incubator at Pivot Park—a dynamic hub designed to support early-stage biopharmaceutical startups. The mission of the Pivot Incubator is to provide a go-to location where innovation can thrive, offering a unique combination of state-of-the-art R&D facilities, entrepreneurial support, and access to a vibrant (pharmaceutical) ecosystem.

Throughout 2024, the Pivot Incubator team worked hard to ensure that the laboratories were fully equipped, allowing future startups to begin immediately. We recognised that setting up a well-equipped lab can be a significant challenge for emerging businesses, which is why we prioritised providing turnkey facilities. To achieve this, we partnered with expert organisations such as QuestPair.

A smarter way to source laboratory equipment

QuestPair, itself a startup, specialises in simplifying the complex process of sourcing laboratory equipment. Their innovative marketplace connects research organisations with verified suppliers, offering transparent options and personalised support. By leveraging their data-driven insights and extensive global network, QuestPair ensures that researchers can quickly find and acquire the right instruments without unnecessary delays or complications. Teun Vissers, Co-founder of QuestPair, explains: “Looking for suitable second-hand laboratory equipment can be a daunting task, involving the comparison of different suppliers who are sometimes difficult to find. At QuestPair, we make laboratory equipment visible in one place, making it easier to source reliable instruments.”

Collaboration for a seamless process

The collaboration between Pivot Park and QuestPair proved highly effective. Tom Schirris, Lab Manager at the Pivot Incubator, highlights the value QuestPair brought to the project:

“QuestPair was able to quickly locate lab equipment from various international suppliers and consolidate these options on their platform. This made the entire procurement process far less labour-intensive for us, eliminating the need to negotiate with multiple suppliers. From the outset, an inventory of our required equipment was created, and QuestPair even managed to exceed expectations by sourcing superior alternatives when certain items were unavailable—all at no additional cost. The equipment we received has exceeded our expectations, with A-brand instruments provided at an excellent price-quality ratio. QuestPair’s involvement extended beyond procurement; they also assisted with installation, ensuring a smooth setup. Our communication with Teun was always clear and efficient, making the entire process seamless.”

Delivering results on time and within budget

For QuestPair, the challenge was not only finding the right equipment but also ensuring timely delivery. Teun Vissers shares their approach: “When we learned that Pivot Incubator was looking for second-hand laboratory equipment, we saw a great opportunity to help. Our data-driven insights gave us a comprehensive overview of available instruments worldwide. Based on Pivot Incubator’s budget and specific needs, we carefully selected equipment, considering supplier reliability, model comparisons, and pricing. Lead times were a crucial factor as well—we had to ensure everything was delivered to Oss on time so that the labs could be set up without delays. Working with Tom Schirris and Britta Driessen at Pivot Incubator was a pleasure. Their clear communication made it easy to identify the best solutions, and Tom’s in-depth knowledge of biopharmaceutical research helped streamline the decision-making process. We are proud that everything came together smoothly, and the final result is fantastic.”

Future innovation

Thanks to this successful collaboration, Pivot Incubator now has fully equipped laboratories, providing an excellent foundation for startups. “By streamlining the equipment procurement process, we have created an environment where researchers can focus on what truly matters—advancing biopharmaceutical innovation. Our partnership with QuestPair exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovative solutions in overcoming challenges faced by early-stage startups. As we welcome new companies into the Pivot Incubator, we are confident that they will benefit from the world-class facilities we have built together.”