InnerBuddies Recognized as a Top 250 Global Startup in the SLINGSHOT 2025 Competition

We are proud to announce that InnerBuddies has been selected as one of the Top 250 global startups in the prestigious SLINGSHOT competition in Singapore. This year’s edition attracted more than 5,500 applications from 140 countries, making this recognition a significant milestone in our journey.

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Introduction

At InnerBuddies, our mission has always been to innovate with purpose — to transform research-driven insights into solutions that create measurable impact in people’s lives. Recognition from global institutions is a byproduct of this mission, but being named among the Top 250 startups in the SLINGSHOT 2025 competition is more than just an accolade.

It is validation. It is visibility. And above all, it is an opportunity to amplify the work we are doing on an international stage.

From 5,500 applicants spanning continents and industries, only 250 were shortlisted. The next stage will see 60 of these startups physically pitching in Singapore, before the Top 12 are awarded significant grants and global recognition. That InnerBuddies is part of this cohort speaks volumes about the strength of our vision, the relevance of our solutions, and the capabilities of our team.

In this article, we would like to share more about what the SLINGSHOT competition represents, the journey that has brought us here, and what this recognition means for our next chapter.

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About the SLINGSHOT Competition

SLINGSHOT, powered by Enterprise Singapore, is one of the world’s leading startup competitions. Each year, it attracts thousands of emerging companies across diverse industries including healthcare, deep tech, sustainability, digital services, and advanced manufacturing.

What sets SLINGSHOT apart is its global scope. Unlike regional accelerators or sector-specific awards, SLINGSHOT positions itself as a truly international platform where innovation is benchmarked at the highest level. Startups from around the world compete not only for visibility, but also for:

• Access to capital – Opportunities to secure funding from global investors, venture capital firms, and institutional partners.

• Strategic partnerships – Connections with multinational corporations, research institutions, and innovation hubs.

• Market entry pathways – Singapore is widely regarded as a launchpad for Asia-Pacific, making it an attractive gateway for international expansion.

• Grants and recognition – The competition awards large grants to the Top 12 startups, along with global exposure through media and industry networks.

For InnerBuddies, being included in the Top 250 means that our innovation is not only competitive at a national level, but also stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best ideas from around the globe.

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The Journey of InnerBuddies

Our recognition in SLINGSHOT 2025 did not happen overnight. It is the result of years of vision, research, and execution.

Origins of InnerBuddies

When we founded InnerBuddies as a spin-off from the University of Maastricht, the guiding principle was clear: help people benefit from the many scientific developments happening in the gut microbiome space. Since InnerBuddies was founded at the end of 2021, the science around the gut microbiome and its impact on many different diseases for humans has become even more pronounced which makes this mission even more important.

The name InnerBuddies symbolizes the micro organisms that reside in the human gut and that have a large impact on human health. Some surprising numbers:

• 80% of the human immune system resides in the gut microbiome
• 90% of the human body's serotonin is produced in the gut by micro organisms
• The human gut is also called our second brain since it has been proven that there is a bi-directional communication between the brain and our gut.

Milestones Along the Way

Our journey has been defined by several key milestones:

• Proof of concept: Demonstrating that our solution not only works in controlled environments but also scales in real-world applications.

• Early recognition: Securing interest from industry stakeholders, early adopters, and pilot partners who validated our approach.

• Growth phase: Expanding our team, refining our technology, and building out partnerships that extend our market reach.

• Global traction: Being shortlisted in SLINGSHOT is the latest testament to the international relevance of our work.

Each stage has reinforced our conviction that InnerBuddies is not just solving a local problem — we are addressing a global challenge.

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The Global Startup Landscape

To understand the significance of being recognized among the Top 250 startups, it is useful to consider the global startup ecosystem.

Every year, tens of thousands of companies are launched across sectors, but only a small fraction survive beyond the early stages. Of those, an even smaller group achieves scale, secures investment, and gains international recognition.

Competitions like SLINGSHOT play a pivotal role in this landscape. They act as filters, highlighting companies that demonstrate not only innovative technology, but also business viability, scalability, and impact potential.

That InnerBuddies was chosen from over 5,500 applicants across 140 countries positions us among the world’s most promising emerging companies. It signals to investors, partners, and clients alike that our solutions are not only relevant today but poised for growth in the years ahead.

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What This Recognition Means for InnerBuddies

Being selected in the Top 250 is a moment of pride, but it is also a catalyst for what comes next.

Validation of Our Vision

Recognition at this level affirms that our vision resonates beyond local or regional boundaries. The problems we are addressing are global in nature, and our solutions hold promise for diverse markets.

Opportunities for Partnership

Participation in SLINGSHOT opens doors to collaborations with global corporates, research partners, and public institutions. These partnerships can accelerate our go-to-market strategy, expand our technological capabilities, and enable us to enter new regions more effectively.

Pathway to Expansion

Singapore’s position as an innovation hub in Asia makes this recognition particularly valuable. It provides InnerBuddies with an opportunity to deepen our presence in the Asia-Pacific region while maintaining a global outlook.

A Platform for Growth

Should we advance into the Top 60 and have the opportunity to pitch in Singapore, we will be able to showcase our work to an audience of global decision-makers. The possibility of progressing into the Top 12 represents not only financial grants but also a powerful endorsement that could define our trajectory in the coming years.

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Reflections on Innovation and Impact

At its core, innovation is not about technology for technology’s sake. It is about creating value that improves lives, strengthens communities, and drives progress.

InnerBuddies has always believed in the balance of vision, execution, and impact:

• Vision ensures that we are tackling meaningful problems.

• Execution guarantees that our solutions are practical, scalable, and sustainable.

• Impact remains the ultimate measure of success.

Competitions like SLINGSHOT emphasize these same principles. They are not just about ideas, but about demonstrated ability to create real-world outcomes. Being aligned with this philosophy reinforces our confidence that we are on the right path.

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Looking Ahead

While recognition is gratifying, we remain focused on the future. Our priorities over the coming months include:

1. Deepening our technology roadmap – Continuing to invest in R&D to enhance our solutions and stay ahead of the curve.

2. Scaling partnerships – Leveraging the visibility of SLINGSHOT to forge meaningful collaborations with corporates, institutions, and investors.

3. Expanding market presence – Using Singapore as a potential gateway into Asia-Pacific while consolidating our growth in other regions.

4. Preparing for the next stages of SLINGSHOT – Actively positioning ourselves for the opportunity to be among the Top 60 and, ultimately, the Top 12.

Our ambition remains unchanged: to become a global leader in our sector, known not just for innovation but for impact at scale.