Biotope, a biotechnology incubator based in Ghent, Belgium, raised 5 million euros at the first end of the second fund. The goal is 9 million euros over the next 18 months, with plans to invest 250,000 euros each in up to 30 international early stage biotech startups.
Supporting this new round are several key players, including the Belgian bank BNP Pariba Fortis, Agri Investment Fund (AIF), SFPIM RELAUNCH, ANACURA and the Flanders Biotechnology Institute (VIB), the founding body of BIOTOPE. Family Office, Nest and Edaffon also participated.
Startups participating in the Biotope program will receive 250,000 euros with funding and hands-on support. The incubator runs two selection rounds a year, selecting three startups each time. These teams pass a three-week “Basecamp” focused on improving the scientific and high-tech foundation before pitching to Biotope’s investment committee. From there you will receive customized support including business model development, IP and regulatory planning, and preparation for funding.
Annick Verween, head of Biotope at Vib, calls the funding a “amazing milestone,” adding:
Commenting on the funding, JĂ©rĂ´me Van Biervliet, managing director of Vib, said, “We are extremely grateful to announce the launch of Biotope Ventures 2.
Biotope’s first fund supported 16 European biotech startups across food, agriculture and ingredients. So far, four Zymofix, Amphistar, B’Zeos and PFX biotechnology have continued to raise seed rounds. In total, the portfolio brought in 30 million euros of subsequent funds. Half of that came from grants. This is more than 10 times the return of investment capital.
SFPIM Renewal CEO CĂ©line Vaessen said Biotope’s performance over the past three years has led to a simple performance. “The team not only attracted top international talent to Ghent, but also played a key role in accelerating the strategy that is on the market for incubated startups. We were particularly impressed by their commitment to supporting a diverse set-up team.”
Vincent Vliebergh, managing partner at Edaphon, added: “Providing deep scientific expertise, practical entrepreneurship support, and access to the powerful ecosystem of experts, investors and facilities, we are proud to be able to invest in Biotope Ventures 2. Food, ingredients.”
Diversity is the core part of Biotope’s model. so far:
75% of startups have mixed gender founding teams compared to an industry dominated by an all-male team
58% of startup employees are women
48 full-time jobs created
“We’re looking forward to seeing you get the chance to get a better sense of how we’re doing,” said Barbara Berkmans, investment manager at AIF. “The investment in Biotope Ventures 2 highlights a strong commitment to innovation for the benefit of the agricultural sector. We are proud to support funds deeply rooted in our local ecosystems and to attract entrepreneurs around the world and promote transformative solutions.”
“It is essential that biotopes that thrive for biological systems to thrive, and that ecosystems are paramount to Anakura’s growth,” said Felix Vancamp, managing director of Annakura.
By supporting ambitious founders early, incubators are trying to lay the foundation for bigger bets.
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