With VITO4STARTERS, VITO supports start-ups with strong concepts around sustainability. Through this interactive pitch competition, VITO shares its network and technical expertise with entrepreneurs in various sectors, such as health, energy, water, materials, chemistry and earth observation. The final of the second VITO4STARTERS competition in 2024 took place at the Love Tomorrow Conference on 25 July in the inspiring decors of Tomorrowland in Boom. From this, three winners emerged with innovative and sustainable business concepts: Breed Bio, Cylib and D-CRBN.
The VITO4STARTERS competition, launched in 2022, offers European start-ups with innovative ideas around sustainability a platform to present their concepts. During the Love Tomorrow Conference, ten finalists had the chance to pitch their ideas. The stakes were a main prize of €50,000 worth in support and two other prizes of €30,000 and €20,000 in support respectively. With this budget, the winning start-ups can use VITO's research and development expertise, such as technological advice and help in developing a Proof of Concept (PoC). They also get access to VITO's extensive infrastructure (laboratories, research sites, state-of-the-art pilot plants). Moreover, the winners benefit from VITO's network and increase their visibility through VITO's communication channels.
Three winners, three innovative concepts
In the magical atmosphere and decors of Tomorrowland, VITO4STARTERS highlighted three winners this year. These start-ups convinced the jury of their innovative potential, business model and their contribution to a more sustainable future. The jury consisted of experts from Startup.Flanders, Start it @KBC, imec.istart, We Are Impact Collective and Business Angels Network Flanders. Walter Eevers, Research & Valorisation Director of VITO also sat on the jury and testified: ‘The key to successful innovation lies in collaboration. Start-ups bring the speed and entrepreneurship, while research institutions like VITO provide the in-depth knowledge and infrastructure. By combining these forces, we create the ideal environment to develop pioneering technological solutions that advance not only the market, but also the planet.’
Grand prize for Breed Bio: optimising crop genetics with software
First place and winner of the €50,000 cheque and VITO support goes to Breed Bio. Thomas Beuls told Breed Bio's story of innovating sustainable agriculture through advanced biotechnology. They provide their customers, who produce crops, with software to analyse the genetics of their crops to optimise their breeding and quality processes. This results in high-quality crops that are more resistant to diseases and extreme weather conditions Broad Bio focuses on sustainability and efficiency, helping farmers achieve higher yields with less environmental impact. Their solutions contribute to food security and a more sustainable future and represent technological advances in the agricultural sector aimed at promoting a healthy and productive planet.
‘VITO has vast in-house knowledge on phenotyping: the characteristics of plants and crops themselves. VITO knows advanced methods to monitor them, such as with infrared or AI-based technology. Combined with our innovations on the genetic side of crop development, we can achieve our common goal: consistent crop yields to consistently feed the world's population. To achieve that, we must continue to innovate and get better at precision agriculture. Our vision fits seamlessly with VITO's and we are therefore very honoured with this recognition.’
Thomas Beuls - CCO & founder Bart Verstrynge - CEO & founder Breed Bio
Second prize for German Cylib with technology for end-to-end battery recycling
The first runner-up of this edition is Cylib, which returns to Germany with a cheque for €30,000. Cylib, a Germany-based start-up, specialises in advanced battery recycling technologies to support the energy transition and combat climate change. Their end-to-end recycling process, which focuses on large batteries from the automotive sector, is highly efficient and environmentally friendly. For instance, they manage to recover virtually all valuable materials from used batteries, including lithium and graphite, which many other recycling technologies are unable to do today. Moreover, Cylib does this using a water-based method instead of harmful chemicals. This innovative approach and strong intellectual property of Cylib contribute to a sustainable and circular economy in the battery industry. This Aachen start-up recently raised 55 million euros from investors, but clearly recognises the value of collaborating with VITO to further strengthen their technology.
‘We are very pleased with this award from VITO, which on the one hand allows us to make our activities better known in Belgium and on the other hand further expand our research network. VITO's geographical proximity and broad expertise are great assets for us and we look forward to further developing this collaboration.’
Linus Glowinski - Supply Chain, Cylib
Third prize for D-CRBN: solutions for sustainable CO2 recycling solutions
The second runner up and owner of the €20,000 cheque is D-CRBN. D-CRBN provides industrial solutions to reduce carbon waste by recycling captured CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO) and thus making CO2 active again as a building block for industry, chemistry and manufacturing. Moreover, the process by which they do this is a patented plasma-based technology, quite a bit more sustainable versus the fossil fuels still often used to create CO in these sectors. D-CRBN therefore offers one of the most profitable, sustainable and flexible carbon recycling solutions to close the carbon cycle.
‘Our ambition is to spark a new industrial revolution where we move away from fossil fuels and use CO2 as a new source of CO creation. We are very happy with VITO's support and see several options for cooperation. Together, we can take our core business to the next level. But we also see added value in a collaboration on the side of our end product; for example, VITO can help develop new chemical processes based on CO to develop molecules. It will be a tough choice!’
Gill Scheltjens - Chief Executive Officer, D-CRBN
Collaboration as an engine for technological innovation
VITO4STARTERS is helping these three innovative start-ups by facilitating knowledge exchange and technological collaboration. ‘By providing access to VITO's research infrastructure and expertise, the winning start-ups are supported in their further growth and development. At VITO, we are strongly committed to this type of collaboration, because we are convinced of the strength that is created when research institutions and start-ups join forces. It is crucial that young companies benefit from our knowledge and technological tools to develop and scale their sustainable solutions faster. By building this bridge, we accelerate innovation and create impact on a large scale’, says Nils Wuytens, Programme Director VITO4STARTERS.
