Biotope by VIB welcomes three new startups to its investment portfolio

Biotope by VIB, a leading biotech startup incubator and early-stage investor - and an exhibitor at The Future of Protein Production Amsterdam on 23/24 October 2024 - has announced the launch of its fifth cohort of innovative startups. These startups were selected from 11 teams that participated in a three-week basecamp. As winners, they will receive a €250,000 investment, access to state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facilities, and support from scientific experts at VIB as well as pilot facilities through Biotope’s partner network. Biotope, launched in 2022 by the Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), is committed to nurturing early-stage biotech startups in agrifood, helping them reach seed-stage readiness within 18 months.

Annick Verween, Head of Biotope, commented on the new cohort: “Biotope focuses on impactful solutions that benefit from a dedicated biotech ecosystem. Our new, fifth cohort reflects this mission—each startup has a groundbreaking biotech solution that could create lasting change for people and the planet.”

The startups chosen for the 2024 Fall cohort include:

Corium Biotech (Portugal): Specializes in developing exotic leather in the lab using cellular agriculture techniques.

‍I-Challenge (Belgium): Focuses on improving food shelf life predictions to reduce food waste through innovative technologies.

‍Lantana Bio (France): Uses precision fermentation to create natural colorants, offering sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes.

These startups presented compelling solutions to existing challenges in the biotech space, with each demonstrating significant business potential and alignment with Biotope’s capabilities to nurture and support them. In keeping with Biotope’s commitment to supporting diverse leadership teams, two of the three startups are led by female CEOs, underscoring the incubator’s dedication to inclusivity.

The selected startups will embark on an 18-month journey, receiving bespoke support tailored to their needs from Biotope’s team of scientists, business experts, and corporate partners. This includes guidance from legal, financial, and intellectual property (IP) experts, ensuring that each startup is well-prepared to scale its business. The companies also gain access to cutting-edge research and development (R&D) facilities at VIB, including laboratories, greenhouses, and co-working spaces.

Annick Verween emphasized the importance of Biotope’s role in helping these startups succeed: “By combining our high-quality incubation support with targeted investment, we provide startups with the resources and expertise they need to develop their proposition and scale rapidly. We’re thrilled to support these visionary founders as they embark on their journeys.”

Biotope has supported 13 startups across seven countries to date, with its portfolio companies collectively raising €20 million in external funding. One notable success story is Amphistar, a biosurfactant manufacturer from the second cohort, which raised €6 million in pre-series A funding earlier this year. These achievements reflect Biotope’s ability to de-risk ventures and ensure that startups are scientifically and financially sound, scalable, and well-prepared to navigate the regulatory and intellectual property landscape.

For investors, Biotope’s program provides the assurance that its startups have undergone rigorous scrutiny, making them attractive prospects for further investment.

The leaders of the selected startups shared their excitement about joining Biotope’s latest cohort. Mounir Benkoulouche, CEO of Lantana Bio, highlighted the value of the program: “Our journey with Biotope has been an invaluable learning experience, especially in areas like business development and regulatory challenges. The open dialogue with experts and peers provided insights we couldn’t have gained from research alone. As a Biotope portfolio company, we’re excited to tap into their network for crucial guidance on regulatory matters and market access.”

Similarly, Wendy Ossieur, CEO of I-Challenge, expressed her enthusiasm: “We’re honored to join the Biotope family! This opportunity will enable us to advance our solutions, helping food companies better determine shelf life and reduce food waste. We look forward to collaborating with Biotope’s passionate team and leveraging their extensive network of experts.”

Maria Maia, CEO of Corium Biotech, also commented on the impact of the program: “We’re delighted to have been selected for the Biotope program. The experience so far has been invaluable, and the support from Biotope is already helping us strengthen our company foundations. We’re confident this opportunity will play a pivotal role in preparing us for future growth and innovation in the biotech industry.”

Biotope’s efforts to foster innovation and sustainability in the biotech space continue with the upcoming sixth cohort. The next basecamp will take place in Belgium and online from November 26 to December 13, 2024, with applications open from September 15 to October 16, 2024. Startups interested in applying can find more information and submit their applications on Biotope’s website.

With a clear focus on creating lasting impact through sustainable biotech innovation, Biotope is positioning itself as a key player in driving the future of the agrifood and biotech industries.