Results of the first round BL.INC

In March, the first round of the incubation and acceleration program BL.INC started. Six start-ups with innovative plans in the field of healthy and safe food, agriculture or horticulture or biocircular economy started working with the knowledge and advice program at Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo. Kiempunt spoke with Brightlands Business Developer Elle Janssen about the course and results of this first round BL.INC.

The first round of BL.INC is almost completed. Which six start-ups participated?

• My-Pro: is working on producing sustainable proteins with high-quality amino acids from waste streams
• Faeïg: has developed a biodegradable stick that adds value to water
• Aigro: is working on an electric weed control technology that provides an effective and cost-efficient alternative to using herbicides
• Test & Taste: has set up an independent taste center where companies and agencies can have taste tests performed on various target groups
• NutriWorkx: is working on offering an online health subscription in the field of vitamins and nutritional supplements
• All Seeing Eye: has developed the stem thickness meter as its first product; a portable or embedded device that can fully automatically measure the stem thickness of avenue and fruit trees in a field

Are there concrete examples of steps that the start-ups have been able to take thanks to BL.INC?

"All participants experience the added value of direct access to the campus network of knowledge partners and experts. The coaching from the experienced entrepreneurs, their mentors, also help the start-ups on their way. They are able to sharpen their proposition and get a better picture of the customer. They enter into collaborations, enabling them to achieve an accelerated start. And all in just three months, with high intensity."

Collaboration is an important aspect of BL.INC. What are the developments that have taken place in this area?

"Collaboration is crucial to achieve innovation and market access. All six start-ups are in talks with potential collaboration partners to move their idea forward. The start-ups have a long-term vision and therefore consider it important to find long-term cooperation partners. A party they can build on, who strengthens them and whom they can trust.

For example, NutriWorkx is in talks with Brightlabs for the Micro Sampling Kit to measure vitamins in the blood. Aigro can be found at a blueberry grower every Friday to validate their idea and get a feel for the market. From Test & Taste, a collaboration with Maastricht University is being further shaped and they are in talks with launching customers. Faeïg has initial discussions with a potential collaboration partner for production purposes."

Has the coronavirus affected the program and its implementation?

"Because of the coronavirus, we had to reshape the implementation of the program. Instead of physical meetings, we have now organized them online. This is going extremely well. The start-ups are entrepreneurs who are very flexible."

Has the coronavirus had an impact on the ideas that have emerged among the startups? Perhaps they have changed/updated their plans?

"The participants in the program are true startups. They are in an early phase and are mainly busy further shaping and refining their business idea. With that, corona has had as much or as little to no impact on the start-ups."

What do you hope to have achieved at the conclusion of the first round?

"Our goal is to support the start-ups in order to increase their chances of success, thereby stimulating sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. Innovative entrepreneurs now often rely on various parties to get their start-up or spin-off off the ground. This is not efficient for the entrepreneurs, but also not for the parties that want to support them. This has led LIOF, Rabobank, Region North Limburg and Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo to start BL.INC."

How will the next two rounds of BL.INC look like?

"BL.INC will basically remain an incubation and acceleration program, in which innovative entrepreneurs in the field of healthy and safe food, agriculture or horticulture (future farming) or biocircular economy are supported for three months. The second round will be an acceleration program for scale-ups and will start in mid-July. Entrepreneurs can still register for this. The third round is planned for the fall and will be filled in according to the needs of entrepreneurs.

The Grand Finale

On Thursday, June 11, the first round of BL.INC will conclude with The Grand Finale. The six start-ups will present themselves to a panel of judges, who after all the pitches will select a winner. But also you, as an attendee of the event, can cast your vote on who you think has the most promising idea. This will be the audience winner. More information about attending The Grand Finale online can be foundhere.

Photo: Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, taken during the BL.INC kick-off event on March 3, 2020