Pitching & Call for Pitch Abstracts
Are you a technology owner or a pilot facility planning new investments or new to the Pilots4U Network? Seize the opportunity and apply for a 7 minutes pitch to present your innovative solution in front of an exclusive audience of potential partners and investors. We aim at an attendance of about 40 investors.
Pitch Sessions
The event will host 9 pitch sessions of 90 minutes each, this means we are looking for at least 99 inspiring pitches. Each session will have its specific focus:
- Four sessions (44 pitches in total) will be dedicated to “Start-ups/SMEs looking for finance”
- One session with focus on microbial protein transition players
- One session with focus on artificial intelligence in service of biomanufacturing
- One session with focus on microbes and gaseous feedstocks
- One session with focus on a wide range of emerging innovative technologies for the bioeconomy not to exclude any interesting developments
- One session with focus on scale-up of novel biomaterials and processes
- One session with focus on leading pilot facilities for the bioeconomy (pitching in this session will be on invitation only)
Coaching
Selected companies in the Start-ups/SMEs looking for finance sessions will receive online coaching to prepare the perfect pitch. More info on this will follow in due time.
Call for Abstracts
Submit your abstract by 8 November 2024 at the latest to become one of the selected 99 technology pitches that will shape our 2024 program.
Questions?
For questions regarding the submission of an abstract or about the status of your submitted abstract, you can always contact Katrien Molders ([email protected]).
Remarks
- All pitches will last a maximum 7 minutes, we will NOT deviate from this strict timing!
- The exact time slot and pitch room might be subject to change until the final program will be confirmed on November 15th, 2024.
- When the number of pitches exceeds the number of available pitch slots, a waiting list will be established with the aim to replace confirmed pitches that are cancelled.
- Pitchers can use a PowerPoint presentation in 16:9 format of max. 7 slides (including title slide and acknowledgement slide or slide with contact details). These presentations should be sent at the latest by November 22nd, 2024 to [email protected].
- Pitchers have to pay the registration fee.
Matchmaking
Partake in a unique and exclusive matchmaking event, supported by B2B partnering software (new since 2024: Swapcard) and connecting start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, large enterprises, research organisations, investors, and many other stakeholders who are part of the innovation chain and together shape the biobased economy. All participants will have full control of their own communications and 1-on-1 meetings via a secure login account. The software enables event attendees to pre-arrange business partnering meetings of 20 minutes each arranged around 25 matchmaking tables.
The SWAPCARD matchmaking tool will be activated by November 4th.
Any questions on the matchmaking can be addressed to [email protected].
Innovation scouting
This joint event aims to attract top notch European innovators, start-ups and spin-offs from the biobased sector to present their solution/product/service concepts to the participants of the event including corporates and investors. At the same time the event will give the opportunity to corporates to propose challenges that can be solved via a bioeconomy approach, filtering needs according to specific priority areas (problem-solution-expected benefits).
Networking
The Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy event goes far beyond “simply” matching promising start-ups and SMEs with investors in an international context. In addition to the industry and investors, present in large numbers (see figure below), various other type of stakeholders that support companies along the innovation chain participate: pilot facilities, research institutes, potential public project partners, services providers, SME helpdesks, clusters, funding bodies, consultants and even policy makers.
The networking is supported by a dedicated B2B tool (SWAPCARD) and a concise but spacy, well-structured venue, based on a large central “Atrium” hosting all breaks, catering and exhibition and a number of meeting and matchmaking rooms directly connected to the central “meet-up” space.
To get an idea of the international bioeconomy network we bring together, check out the figures below.
Satellite events
Final Event INN-PRESSME project
The INN-PRESSME project is supporting European companies to develop bio-based solutions in the packaging, energy, transport, and consumer goods sectors. As an Open Innovation Test Bed, INN-PRESSME provides access to physical facilities, capabilities and services required for the development, testing and upscaling of advanced biomaterials in industrial environments.
This event offers you the opportunity to discover and discuss the project results, technologies, market services and lessons learned, focusing on the innovative test cases.
The conference is for free, it will feature:
- A session with open call winners showcasing their innovations and highlighting how they used the 16 pilot lines’ technologies and tailored technical and market services;
- A panel discussion with representatives from key bioeconomy stakeholders at EU, national and local level to exchange on policy recommendations related to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations and recycling.
Organisers: Greenovate! Europe (Nathalie Bargues, [email protected]) and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (Ulla Forsström, Ulla.Forsstrom@vtt.fi)
More information and registrationShapingBio Workshop
ShapingBio aims to support and accelerate bioeconomy innovation and the utilisation of new knowledge in the EU and its member states by getting a better understanding and information basis of the bioeconomy innovation eco-system as well as by involving all relevant actors. In that way we can provide advice on policy design and providing some action points, but also propose new ways of matchmaking, networking and knowledge transfer.
The project will organise a specific workshop immediately preceding the Pitch Perfect event,. More information will be made available in due time, but feel free to join the ShapingBio community now to receive invitations for events where you have the possibility to influence how future bioeconomy policies are shaped!
More information and registrationThe ProteInn Club Industrial Sounding Board Meeting
The ProteInn Club is a collaboration between Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Ghent University, the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (ILVO), and CAPTURE. The club’s ambition is to facilitate innovations and accelerate the development of a unique fermentation-based protein ecosystem. Members of the Industrial Sounding Board are positioned at various points within the value chain of fermentation-based proteins. On the one hand, there are companies developing fermentation processes, while on the other, there are companies producing side streams that can be used as feedstock for these processes, and companies interested in incorporating fermentation-based proteins into their end products. The overall goals of the club are to connect the partners along this value chain, foster the developing ecosystem, and raise awareness about fermentation-derived proteins.
During this event, the core team of The ProteInn Club will link up with the full Industrial Sounding Board to discuss the latest developments in the fermentation-based protein landscape. Topics can include updates on ongoing projects, interesting upcoming funding calls, policy briefs, and the presentation of new ProteInn Club members.
This is a private event. Attendance by invitation only.
Seeing is believing: Study Visit to the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant
Hop on the shuttle bus to the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant and discover what scale-up is and looks like! This visit is part of the “Scale -up & Growth” programme offered by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project and will comprise of a presentation and guided tour of the facilities. It will be co-organised by ShapingBio.
Programme:
9:00 – 9:10 am Welcome & coffee
9:10 – 9:30 am Introduction to “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT”
by Stef Denayer, Pilots4U Stakeholder Relations Manager
9:30 – 10:10 am Introduction to the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant
by Hendrik Waegeman, Head of Business Operations
10:10 – 10:40 am Seeing is believing: Guided tour of the facilities
10:40 – 11:00 am Q&A
The COPILOT project is a CBE-JU CSA project that will update, expand and make the database of Open Access Pilot and Demo Infrastructures for the European Bioeconomy future-proof and self sustainable through co-creation. Furthermore the project will grow, train and nurture the stakeholder communities linked to this database by means of the “Scale-up & Growth” and the “Connect & Exchange” Programmes.
ShapingBio, a CBE-JU CSA project, creates a better understanding and information basis of the bioeconomy innovation eco-system by providing a comprehensive mapping and analysis of initiatives, structures, policy instruments and key gaps across the EU macro-regions and different sectors related to policy and governance, applied R&D and technology transfer, collaboration (cross-sectoral) and financing.
A shuttle bus will depart from Sheraton Brussels Airport at 8am sharp on Wednesday December 4th and will be back at Brussels Airport around 3pm.
More information and registration: [email protected].
More information and registrationScale-Up Accelerator Workshop
As part of the Scale-up and Growth Programme, “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” organises together with the ShapingBio project, a Scale-up Accelerator Workshop following the BBEPP Study Visit.
Programme:
11:30 am – 12:00 pm USP and DSP challenges in scale-up
by Muriel Dewilde, Business Development Manager
12:00 – 12:20 pm Scale-Up Accelerator Network (SAN)
by Esthèle Goure, Business Development & SAN Manager
by Michael-Helmut Kopf, SAN Expert
12:20 – 12:30 pm How BBEPP can help you overcome your fear for public projects
by Lena Decuyper, Project Acquisition Coordinator
12:30 – 12:55 pm Engineering: Think about it early on!
by Iancu Avram, Project Manager
12:55 – 1:00 pm Wrap-up and Closing
1:00 – 2:00 pm Networking lunch
2:00 pm Departure shuttle bus for Brussels Airport
The COPILOT project is a CBE-JU CSA project that will update, expand and make the database of Open Access Pilot and Demo Infrastructures for the European Bioeconomy future-proof and self-sustainable through co-creation. Furthermore the project will grow, train and nurture the stakeholder communities linked to this database by means of the “Scale-up & Growth” and the “Connect & Exchange” Programmes.
ShapingBio, a CBE-JU CSA project, creates a better understanding and information basis of the bioeconomy innovation eco-system by providing a comprehensive mapping and analysis of initiatives, structures, policy instruments and key gaps across the EU macro-regions and different sectors related to policy and governance, applied R&D and technology transfer, collaboration (cross-sectoral) and financing.
A shuttle bus will depart from Sheraton Brussels Airport at 8am sharp on Wednesday December 4th and will be back at Brussels Airport around 3pm.
More information and registration: [email protected].
More information and registrationCo-creation workshop for Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures
Mandatory workshop for the 10 Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures selected through an Open Call launched by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project by Mid August 2024.
Attendance by invitation only.
More information and application for the Open Calls here.
More information and application for the Open CallsCo-creation workshop for Bioeconomy Innovators
Mandatory workshop for the 15 Bioeconomy Innovators selected through an Open Call launched by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project by Mid August 2024.
Attendance by invitation only.
More information and application for the Open Calls here.
More information and application for the Open CallsJoint Co-creation workshop for Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures & Bioeconomy Innovators
Mandatory workshop for the 10 Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures and the 15 Bioeconomy Innovators selected through Open Calls launched by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project by Mid August 2024.
Attendance by invitation only.
More information and application for the Open Calls here.
More information and application for the Open CallsExhibition
We reserve (max.) 20 booths for large companies, funding agencies, clusters, service providers, SME helpdesks & other innovation related organisations to present their activities. A booth is available at a rate of
- € 300 (excl. VAT) for a booth on 2 December 2024. This rate includes access to the keynote speech and walking dinner for one person as well as a table, two chairs and electricity upon request.
- € 695 (excl. VAT) for a booth on 3 December 2024. This rate includes one free registration as well as a table, two chairs and electricity upon request.
- € 995 (excl. VAT) for a booth on 2 and 3 December 2024. This rate includes access to the keynote speech and walking dinner for one person on 2 December and one free registration on 3 December as well as a table, two chairs and electricity upon request on both days.
Please contact [email protected] for more information or to book your booth.
Pay a visit to the booth of:
Partners
The Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy event is a co-organization of the following innovation platforms:
Pilots4U powered by COPILOT
Pilots4U maps all existing open access pilot and demo-infrastructures across Europe, creating one, very visible and easily accessible community for the European bio-economy. The community of 100+ European facilities helps innovators, companies and research institutions operating in the bio-economy sector to gain easier access to testing facilities and scale-up their technology faster and cheaper towards the market.
More informationBio Base Connect
Bio Base Connect is an exclusive network of global industrial bioeconomy players that have an already existing link with the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant or wish to create one. Bio Base Connect offers exclusive network opportunities to the customers and partners of the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant with the aim to stimulate innovative collaborations and investments to further strengthen the global bioeconomy.
More informationThe ProteInn Club
In the shift towards more sustainable proteins, the interest in alternative, fermentation-based proteins is growing massively. The ProteInn club provides knowledge and answers to those who want to grab opportunities and tackle the challenges of this transition. The ProteInn Club is a successful collaboration between Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Ghent University, CAPTURE and ILVO and identifies, connects, support and inspires the entire value chain.
More informationINN-PRESSME
INN-PRESSME is supporting European SMEs and companies to develop bio-based solutions in the packaging, energy, transport, and consumer goods sectors.
Funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme and focusing on nano-cellulose, bioplastics, and natural fibres, INN-PRESSME Open Innovation Test Bed is offering a wide range of services for feedstock conversion, materials development and upgrading, through 16 research and development pilot lines.
INN-PRESME is also providing European companies with technical and market-oriented services such as eco-design and circular economy assessment, characterisation and nanosafety studies, support for funding, and product certification advice.
More informationShapingBio
ShapingBio creates a better understanding and information basis of the bioeconomy innovation eco-system by providing a comprehensive mapping and analysis of initiatives, structures, policy instruments and key gaps across the EU macro-regions and different sectors related to policy and governance, applied R&D and technology transfer, collaboration (cross-sectoral) and financing.
Join the ShapingBio community to have your say on how future bioeconomy policies should be shaped.
More informationPlanet B.io offers a unique scale up ecosystem focused on industrial biotechnology by sharing the incredible amount of biotech knowledge and infrastructure available on the Biotech Campus Delft, contributing to the transition of today’s fossil-based, linear economy to tomorrow’s bio-based, circular economy.
More informationbiotope by VIB provides access to labs, a network of experts and money to move things fast. They strengthen your startup together, focusing on your biotechnology first, transforming your idea into a business ready for seed funding.
More informationBioInvest Europe is an initiative by Magfi in collaboration with the Bioeconomy Foundation (IBF) building on the learnings from the very successful BioeconomyVentures project.
Our mission is to connect startups, investors and clusters all around Europe, to accelerate the growth of the European biotech, foodtech and bioeconomy sectors.
More informationThe Enterprise Europe Network is an initiative of the European Commission (DG Grow) which supports and advises European SMEs. The network partners are strongly embedded in the European regions. They are the most suitable partners for providing information on European regulations and financing, for facilitating contacts between enterprises and for providing assistance in setting up transnational innovative projects.
Enterprise Europe Network Flanders is the largest support network for SMEs with international ambitions. You can reach us in over 40 countries worldwide through more than 450 partner organizations. Thanks to this network we can quickly provide you with reliable information on European legislation and regulations in other member states. Besides, through this network we can bring your company in a targeted manner into contact with companies from other countries which are looking for economic or technological cooperation.
More information