biotope
Kerrebroek 66B, Nevele, Oost-Vlaanderen, 9850, Belgium
Overview
Biotope is an incubator program for startups with impactful ideas in agri-food biotechnology. Right from the start of its 12-month program, the company supplies significant preseed funding and works hands-on with a small cohort, helping teams transform their innovative ideas into businesses ready for seed funding. The program supports success through mentoring and access to high-tech facilities, fostering connections to a network of world-class experts, partners, and investors.
- Total investments
- 1
- Lead investments
- 0
- Investments · 12mo
- 1
- Active investors
- 1
Sector focus
- Agriculture
- Financial Services
- Food and Beverage
Investment portfolio
- B-COS
Participated · Seed · May 2026
B-COS develops a ‘plant vaccine’ approach that uses chains of sugars produced via targeted fermentation with genetically modified bacteria to boost plant immune responses against diseases and pests. The company applies these carbohydrates by spraying them on plants or coating seeds, and emphasizes that the substances are biological and cause no subsequent environmental damage. B-COS is about a year old and is a spin-off from Ghent University; it has received support from VIB and field-trial financing from Nichino Europe. Recent funding includes a €1 million grant from the Boerenbond investment fund and VP Capital with contributions from VLAIO, which will finance greenhouse and field testing, dosing optimization, and more cost-efficient production. The grant also supports hiring three full-time staff to advance product development. B-COS aims to file a European regulatory application for its biopesticide/plant vaccine by 2029 and projects potential market availability around 2032. It already has a growth-stimulating product with a pending Belgian application that it hopes to commercialize within about a year.
Team
Annick Verween
LinkedIn