Participated · Equity · Jun 2024

BioBTX has developed an integrated catalytic pyrolysis process (ICCP Technology) to produce renewable aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylene) from plastic waste and biomass. The company plans to build and launch the PETRA Circular Chemicals Plant in Delfzijl to scale the technology and convert 20,000 tons of plastic waste into renewable BTX annually. BioBTX says this will be the world’s first large‑scale plant to make aromatics from plastic waste and plants. The technology is positioned to replace fossil resources for applications including foams, coatings, PET bottles, batteries and pharmaceuticals. The recent financing package of over €80M will fund the plant build and initial commercial launch, with additional public grants and regional support included. BioBTX’s offices are located in Groningen and the company intends to expand globally once production is proven.

Participated · Series A · Jan 2024

QDI Systems, founded in 2019 as a spin-off of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Groningen, develops imaging devices that apply nanomaterial quantum dots (QDs) to X-ray and SWIR imaging. The company says it is the first to utilise QDs for medical X-ray imaging, aiming to improve image quality while lowering harmful radiation dose. Its technology also targets industrial sorting processes and consumer applications such as facial recognition. QDI's team comprises 17 professionals, many with Ph.D.s, and the company reports a ten-fold increase in its customer base over the last year. With a €2.5M grant from the European Innovation Council and up to €7.5M in total new funding (grant plus accompanying equity), QDI plans to scale industrial prototyping and production capacity in Europe. The company previously raised €6.6M from investors including NOM, the Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands, Carduso Capital, RuG Ventures, and Maki.vc. QDI Systems is a 2019 spin-off from the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Groningen, led by Artem Shulga. The company develops quantum-dot-based imaging devices aimed at medical X-ray applications, including a proposed mammography detector. Its patented QD technology enables scalable fabrication of semiconductive films of varied thicknesses and the firm emphasizes QD dispersion, film deposition, device fabrication, film patterning and encapsulation. QDI says its mammography detector can deliver higher contrast and resolution, reduce patient doses and cut costs for hospitals. The company recently closed a €5M Series A and plans to scale up Quantum Dot Ink production, expand the team and accelerate R&D toward market launch. QDI Systems develops imaging devices that use quantum dots to convert photons into electronic signals for medical X-ray applications. Its quantum-dot films aim to deliver higher image quality at lower radiation doses, with potential impact on procedures like mammography. The company highlights benefits including simplified production processes and the use of less toxic materials. QDI is a 2019 spin-off from the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Groningen and was founded by Artem Shulga, who holds a PhD in quantum dots. The technology has attracted interest from industry players such as Teledyne DALSA. QDI recently raised €1.3M to further develop the technology and advance toward market deployment.

Participated · Seed · Jun 2023

EV Biotech develops a technology platform that accelerates industrial microbial fermentation by combining computational methods, data-driven AI models, and laboratory testing. The platform connects strain design and testing with in-house industrial-scale bioprocess models and digital twins to predict profitability and guide R&D decisions. Its approach has been commercially tested across seven client projects covering alternative proteins, small molecules, and bioplastics. The company has developed an in-house bioplastic-producing microbial chassis that can accumulate up to 80% of its biomass and plans to pilot that chassis this year with a target market entry within three years. EV Biotech reports a roughly 70% time-to-market improvement and says modelling-guided experiments save at least 60% of time and cost versus traditional trial-and-error methods. The recent €4.5M seed investment will be used to improve existing technology, implement client feedback, continue in-house microorganism development, and pilot plug-and-play systems for multiple markets.