The LUMC as coordinating institution was hosting our GlyCoCan kick-off meeting in March 2016. This was a great opportunity for the early stage researchers to get to know each other as well as the senior researchers within the consortium. Moreover, an overview on colorectal cancer in relation to glycoscience was presented from the different perspectives of clinicians, glyco-immunologists, bioanalysts and biochemists from both academia and industry, exposing the fresh PhD students to the overall objectives and principles of this multi-disciplinary and intersectoral research and training network. Presentations were complemented by interactive meetings between young and senior researchers. In addition, there was opportunity to have a chat in a more informal atmosphere, during dinner & drinks on the Sunday preceding the meeting and during the social dinner at Het Koetshuis in Leiden.