Foodvalley NL and Stichting Innovatie Glastuinbouw Nederland (SIGN, Foundation for Innovation in Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands) are working together to support promising business cases in the field of upcycling horticultural plant-based side streams.
Horticulture side streams contain many valuable food and feed nutrients such as proteins and enzymes. In this challenge we are looking for market-ready technology that enables upcycling residual side streams from horticultural production into valuable protein or nutrients. Specifically, we are looking for businesses that can refine proteins, enzymes and functional ingredients from side streams in a cost efficient way.
The most obvious case of upcycling horticultural side stream is the upcycling of fresh tomato leaves into high-quality proteins (Rubisco) or enzymes (such as those from the group of oxidoreductase). If your solution can handle diverse agricultural feedstocks, you may include other plant-based side-streams into the business case.
Can you demonstrate a feasible refinery solution for upcycling horticultural side streams into valuable proteins and/or additional food nutrients? Don’t hesitate to send in your pitch!
Next to a pilot budget of 50.000 euro and exposure at an event of the Upcycling Community, SIGN & Foodvalley boost feasible business with our valuable connections and extensive knowledge.
What are we looking for
SIGN and FoodValley NL are searching for businesses that can turn horticultural side streams into valuable proteins, enzymes, and/or supplements. These businesses will be able to incorporate their solutions into supply chains, providing practical and economically viable solutions to the challenge of horticultural waste. This challenge aims to showcase the technology in real-world applications and demonstrate the potential for success in this market.
We are looking for market-ready refineries for the upcycling of horticultural side streams into valuable protein or equivalent ingredients. Because we are focused on feasible, impactful and scalable businesses, we set up the following criteria:
- Ready-to-use refinery technology: The solution must have a ready-to-use refinery technology capable of extracting proteins, enzymes, supplements, or other ingredients preferably from a total use perspective.
- Production capacity: The solution should be willing to invest in the production of at least 500 kilos of protein or equivalent ingredients during the pilot phase (June 2023 to February 2024).
- Supply chain experience: Preferably, the solution should have 3 years of experience in the supply chain business and shown ability in delivery to food/feed manufacturers.
- Location: The solution should be situated in Europe and UK or be willing to move their refinery activities to North West Europe within the pilot phase (9 months from June 2023 onwards).
We are interested in market ready technologies currently used for side streams, with valid business cases for horticulture sidestreams.
What we are not looking for
We are not looking for ideas, concepts, or technology that is still in the research phase, nor project-based consultancies.
What we offer
Foodvalley NL and SIGN are offering the following benefits to the winner of this challenge:
- Pilot budget: The most promising refinery solution will receive a budget of 50.000 euro (stimulation budget) to produce the 500 kilos protein or equivalent refined ingredient(s) from horticultural side streams during a production phase. You will receive 50% budget at start, 50% budget after delivery of results before April 2024. The results are defined as a description and analysis of the product, a sample, and proof of the produced volume.
The best three pitchers will get:
- Access to materials: SIGN will provide connections to parties with horticulture side streams, (for instance, fresh tomato leaves).
- Networking opportunities: Participants will have the opportunity to connect with business partners in the agrifood supply chain, who are collaborating in the Upcycling Community of Foodvalley NL (more info: About the Upcycling Community I Foodvalley NL) and the SIGN Living Lab facilities and networks.
- Exposure: Opportunity to meet up with potential business partners during an Upcycling Community meeting with the theme ‘Bridging Circular Food Innovators’. This event will take place the 23th of May and is a pre-event of the Food & Agri Next event “Bridging Food Innovators’’ to be held May 24 & 25.
Everyone who participate will get:
- Research results: Participants will have access to preceding research results of protein Rubisco and 3 enzymes in tomato waste streams, as well as other references on horticultural side streams and potential food ingredients.
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 SIGN and Foodvalley
- After the deadline, SIGN and Foodvalley NL will assess all pitches individually and invite the three companies with the most interesting solutions for a presentation at the pre-event of the Food- Agri Next event ‘’Bridging Food Innovators’’ on May 23.
Pitch format
- Send in a short and concise pitch deck of your solution (max 4 pages / 12 slides) with description of the following parts:
- Description of your solution
Give a short description of your refinery solution for the selected horticultural side stream as detailed and visual as possible. Demonstrate proven technology. - 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. - Business case with a cost-benefit estimation
This should include the expected input required for the processing and an overview of expected inputs per ton dry matter protein or enzyme. Prognosis for volumes, scalability and applicability of other plant based waste streams are a pre.
- Description of your solution
The pitch deck 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.
Example of tomato leaves
The most promising example of the upcycling of horticultural side streams is the extraction of Rubisco protein from fresh tomato leaves. The leaves are currently left to dry in the Greenhouses and eventually composted, while they contain high-quality proteins. One such protein is Rubisco, which - if pure - has a neutral smell, color and taste, and a balanced amino acid composition. The protein has good gelling properties: ideal for improving the texture of meat substitutes and vegetable alternatives to dairy.
The protein Rubisco from tomato leaves (and stems if refinery technology allows) and market for proteins in general is very promising. The challenge is successful if the protein(s) can be refined at larger volumes (at least 500 kilo end product).The market price for functional plant protein is around 50 Euro per kilogram. Per hectare of tomato greenhouse, ca. 20 tons of wet biomass (leaves) per hectare is available during the season. End of season side-stream biomass is 50-60 tons per hectare. Tomatoes are grown on 1800 hectares of tomato in The Netherlands. Market prices for functional protein vary and business case calculations should anticipate on fluctuating prices, now varying between €10-€15 per kilo. Any other business case for enzymes, supplements, or other ingredients from horticultural side streams is valid for submission.
Timeline
- April 18 at 17.00 CET: Deadline challenge
- May 1 - 9: Selection period
- May 9 at 17:00: Ultimate date invite pitches by jury
- May 23: Pitches during event and match making sessions with partners of the Upcycling Community
- May 24 & 25: Food- Agri Next event ‘’Bridging Food Innovators’’
- Q3 2023 - Q1 2024: Pilot project
Terms & conditions
- Participation is open for scale-ups, SMEs, grown-ups, innovators with an innovative product and/or technology.
- If your pitch is selected as the winner, we ask you to provide a brief but substantiated plan for the utilization of the pilot budget before 10 June
- Applicants have to show that they are allowed to use the specific technology.
- The applicant does not have to transfer any IP
- 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
About us
The Dutch Foundation for Innovation in Greenhouse Horticulture (SIGN) is a non-profit organization working on horticultural solutions for a circular economy. To achieve this we have initiated the innovation program Circular Horticulture 2020-2025, which develops ground-breaking system innovations and new revenue models for the horticulture sector. The aim of the innovation program is to realize 250 new applications or products, ten of which will have a major impact on the market. SIGN initiates pilots with a diverse array of start-ups and scale-ups to enable new business. SIGN works with the ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food and the organisation Glastuinbouw Nederland to realise innovation programmes.
Foodvalley NL is an independent international organization working together with front runners to accelerate the global transition to a sustainable food system. We initiate the process necessary for breakthrough innovations that individual game changers in the ecosystem cannot realize on their own. Foodvalley works together with more than 250 partners, all in close cooperation with governments – international, national and regional – and renowned educational and research institutions.
Background information
- Nieuwsbericht Wageningen Universiteit: WUR weet Rubisco-eiwit te winnen uit tomatenblad
- Longread Wageningen Universiteit: Duurzaam eiwit van tomatenblad, schimmels en insecten