Heirloom Labs acts as a neutral bridge between research founders and experienced industry professionals. We facilitate high-quality matchmaking by carefully screening profiles, organizing personal conversations, and assessing not only hard skills but also soft skills, values, and motivation.

Our role is to connect the right people, ensure alignment, and create the conditions for sustainable collaboration. Our goal is to strengthen the bridge between academia and industry and help research-driven innovation grow into impactful European companie

No. Bringing parties into contact with each other is not a paid service.

We do not follow a mass-distribution approach. Profiles are not automatically shared with multiple parties.

Instead, we take the time to understand both sides carefully. When we identify a potential fit, we first share an extended information profile without names with both parties. Only if there is mutual interest do we exchange personal details.

From that moment onward, the process continues directly between the two parties. Heirloom Labs remains available if needed, but the collaboration itself is shaped by you.

No. As we are not involved in the collaboration process itself, we are not responsible for the outcomes of the choices made between the two parties.

Our role is to carefully pre-screen professional profiles and facilitate a thoughtful introduction. We take this responsibility seriously and act with diligence and integrity. Ultimately, however, the decision to collaborate and the way the partnership evolves remains entirely between the parties involved.

We have strong confidence in the quality of the professionals within our network and trust that meaningful and positive collaborations can emerge from these connection

A late co-founder is someone who joins a startup after it has already been founded, but contributes in such a significant and lasting way that they are recognized as part of the founding team.

Unlike early co-founders who are present from day one, a late co-founder typically joins once the initial idea, structure, or prototype is already in place.

They bring essential expertise, network access, or capital that helps the company move to the next stage of growth.

The term “late co-founder” is not a legal definition but a recognition of impact. It acknowledges that meaningful contributions to a startup’s success can happen at different moments in its journe

Yes, late co-founders usually receive shares (equity) in the startup, since they play an active role in building and growing the company.

However, they don’t always need to invest money.
In many cases, their time, expertise, and network are considered their contribution often referred to as “sweat equity.”

Whether or not capital is required depends on the specific situation and need to be addressed during your personal conversations.

No. Heirloom operates in a closed and confidential environment.
Profiles are not publicly visible.

Please try to complete your request as thoroughly as possible so that we can identify the right expert within our European network. This can be an academic, technical, or commercial profile.
All further arrangements take place directly between you and the expert. We only facilitate the match.