NIZO Food Research is a leading Contract Research Organization supporting food and health companies with accelerating innovation, developing new applications, and securing the quality and safety of their products. After 70 years of experience with animal proteins, NIZO is now focussed on supporting food companies in the transition from animal to plant and single cell proteins as the most important source of proteins. We are leading experts in the innovation of plant and single cell proteins. Next to extraction process technology, fermentation and precision fermentation are playing an important role in developing new proteins, ingredients and final products.
NIZO operates in one of the most advanced R&D centers and laboratories in the world and develops the latest food technologies in its food grade pilot plant. That means we can help you optimize existing processes or develop brand new ones quickly and efficiently - and the effect of every process change can be taste tested directly from the line. With the recently granted REACT-EU subsidy for the SPRINT project, NIZO is upgrading its facility. This upgrade gives innovative start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs the opportunity to develop new ideas and test, demonstrate and manufacture products in a sustainable and accessible way.
We are looking for
With our many years of experience and broad know-how we can support start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs to scale up lab research to a larger scale.
For this challenge we are looking for promising companies that we can help to create innovative plant-based ingredients and products in our advanced facilities.
In particular, we are looking for start-ups/scale-ups who are interested in developing new ingredients/products in our food-grade pilot plant by using our 0,5L, 2,0L, 30L, 600L and 4000L fermentors and further down-stream processing (DSP).
What we are not looking for
We are not looking for startups that are only in an early stage/ idea-fase. The intention of this challenge is to help companies to scale up their lab research to a larger scale. A good starting point for this challenge is a technological readiness level of 3, which includes at least an experimental proof of concept.
What we offer
With this challenge we intend to help three most promising initiatives to further develop their plant-based product. We will discuss the current challenges you are facing and create a road-map to plan, visualize and share your business potential. This is a great instrument to help gain the confidence of potential investors and partners.
Furthermore, we offer:
- Research on lab scale 0,5L 2,0L and 40 L Fermentor
- Develop and produce food grade on pilot and semi industrial scale (600l, 4000l)
- Production of GMOs up to 30 liter scale
- Extensive down-stream processing possibilities
- Start a collaboration and/or partnership agreement with NIZO
- Worldwide network in the food sector from start-ups , SMEs to corporates
Conditions for participation
Participation is open for start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, with an innovative product and/or technology.
How does it work?
- Send in a short and concise pitch deck with your solution
- As soon as you have uploaded your pitch, you will receive a confirmation so that you know that we have received your pitch.
- Your pitch is only visible to Nizo
- After the deadline, Nizo will assess all pitches individually and invite the companies with the most interesting solutions for a 1:1 conversation to get to know each other and look for opportunities to collaborate.
Your pitch (max. 6 A4 / 18 slides)
- Send in a short and concise pitch deck of your solution (max 4 pages / 12 slides) with description of the following two parts:
- A description of your product or solution. Give a short description of your product or solution, as detailed and visual as possible. In which phase is the solution?
- A description of your company & team. How and when was your company founded? In which phase are you? How many people? In which market are you active? Also a short description of the (managing) team.
The pitch may be submitted in free form (presentation / slide deck, letter form), but must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4 - max. 30MB). Videos, example websites, etc. can be included as a link.
Dutch and English pitches are allowed.
Timeline
- November 22 at 17.00 CET: Deadline challenge
- November 23 – December 12: Selection period
- December 12 - December 16: Announcements selection & invites for 1:1 conversations
- December/ January: 1:1 conversations
- Q1/Q2 2022 onwards: Discuss and start collaboration
Terms & conditions
- Participation is open for startups, scale-ups, SMEs, grown-ups, innovators and scientists with an innovative product and/or technology.
- You will remain the owner of your intellectual rights, concept or solution in your pitch, until you agree otherwise.
- Be aware of the fact that your pitch (and concepts and ideas in it) will be viewed and be shared with (internal) stakeholders. Keep IP sensitive unique (technical) details out of your pitch, keep it a secret that you can share later.
- We strongly advise you to document everything you share with others and mention that information provided is confidential and intellectual property rights remain with you/ your company until agreed otherwise.
- Download Terms & Conditions