On this page
- Which technologies does VITO work on in the field of sustainable chemistry?
- Which technologies does VITO work on in the field of sustainable energy?
- Which technologies does VITO work on in the field of sustainable materials?
- How can I participate?
- What is the selection process and what are the selection criteria?
- What are the participation criteria?
- How does the VITO4STARTERS programme help my company?
- What are the possibilities after the VITO4STARTERS programme?
- What about confidential information?
- What is the de-minimis arrangement?
- How is the content of the VITO4STARTERS programme determined?
- Who will be in the jury of the pitch event at the Love Tomorrow conference?
- When will I know if I am selected for the pitch event at the Love Tomorrow conference?
Which technologies does VITO work on in the field of sustainable chemistry?
The following topics provide an overview of the themes VITO is currently doing research on within the field of sustainable chemistry:
- Building new value chains from renewable and circular raw materials such as biomass, plastics, CO2, etc.
- Intensify existing processes and make them more efficient.
- Developing new synthesis processes through electrification, bioconversion, or recycling.
Not sure if there is a link to your company? Feel free to ask via vito4starters@vito.be.
Which technologies does VITO work on in the field of sustainable energy?
The following topics give an overview of the themes on which VITO is currently doing research in the field of sustainable energy:
- Heat networks and conversion technology
- Battery models and battery management systems
- Energy markets and Energy Informatics
Not sure if there is a link with your company? Feel free to ask via vito4starters@vito.be.
Which technologies does VITO work on in the field of sustainable materials?
The following topics give an overview of the themes on which VITO is currently doing research in the field of sustainable materials:
- waste and recycling technology, with a focus on industrial flows (minerals and end-of-life products)
- development of structured materials, with applications in batteries, chemistry (CO2 capture, CO2 conversion) and recovery/sorting (sorbents, chromatography)
Are you not sure whether there is a link with your company? Feel free to ask via vito4starters@vito.be.
How can I participate?
What is the selection process and what are the selection criteria?
The following selection criteria are applied in 2 rounds.
- The link between the start-up and VITO expertise
- The strength of the team
- The strength of the business plan
The first round consists of a written pre-selection done by a team of 5 VITO employees. Each participant is assessed on the 3 selection criteria. To proceed to the 2nd round, at least the following requirements apply:
- There is a link between the start-up and the VITO expertise.
- There is at least 1 person who is working full time or is willing to work full time in his/her own start-up within one year.
- There is a viable business model
Only the 10 best participants will be invited to the 2nd round.
The 2nd round is a live pitch event at the Love Tomorrow Sustainability conference at Tomorrowland. A jury of 5 people will judge the participants again using the same selection criteria. The members of the jury can be found here. The winner will be announced at the event.
Note: This process only applies to eligible companies. More information on the admission criteria can be found here.
What are the participation criteria?
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Flemish company, focused on sustainability
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Established by the start of the support period and maximum 5 years old
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Need for technological support or access to infrastructure
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Declaration on honour about "de-minimis". More info about de-minimis can be found here. If you are not familiar with this regulation, there is a good chance that you have not yet received support and that you meet these criteria.
How does the VITO4STARTERS programme help my company?
VITO has unique expertise and infrastructure. If you are selected, you get access to this through one of the following elements or a combination of them:
- Technological advice by VITO experts
- Building a proof-of-concept together with VITO experts
- Access to the VITO infrastructure (labs, pilot installations ...) to carry out experiments.
You will also gain access to the VITO network and VITO will ensure visibility and promotion on the VITO channels.
What are the possibilities after the VITO4STARTERS programme?
After completion of the VITO4STARTERS programme, you will get the opportunity to pitch for the Clean Vision Invest fund of VITO. In addition, VITO provides a preparation programme to prepare your pitch.
During the VITO4STARTERS programme more information will be provided on the investment criteria of the Clean Vision Invest fund.
What about confidential information?
During the selection process we ask not to share confidential information. The pitch event is open to the public.
Clear agreements are made before the start. At the start of the VITO4STARTERS programme, a contract will be signed including a confidentiality clause.
What is the de-minimis arrangement?
For more information on de minimis we refer to the VLAIO website: https://www.vlaio.be/nl/begeleiding-advies/financiering/overheidsmaatregelen/veelgestelde-vragen-de-minimis
A model declaration can be found here: Model declaration on honour of de-minimis (vlaanderen.be)
How is the content of the VITO4STARTERS programme determined?
This is done entirely in consultation with the startup.
The winners of the live pitch event win a package of 20,000 EUR. The content of this package is determined in consultation with the winner and a team of VITO experts depending on the needs of the startup.
A project plan is drawn up in a number of meetings and on this basis, a contract is drawn up between VITO and the startup. This contract describes in concrete terms which responsibilities each party has and what will be delivered at the end of the programme.
Who will be in the jury of the pitch event at the Love Tomorrow conference?
This will be announced shortly.
When will I know if I am selected for the pitch event at the Love Tomorrow conference?
On 8 July 2022 all participants will receive an email whether or not they have been selected for the live pitch event at the Love Tomorrow conference on 28 July 2022.