Bioeconomy 4 min
2022 TWB START-UP DAY
PRESS RELEASE - TWB, expert in industrial biotechnology R&D projects and designer of innovative and sustainable solutions, announces the two winning start-ups of the TWB START-UP DAY. The "Fast track it!" competition, aimed at start-ups under eight years old in the development phase, was won by Ambrosia Bio; the "Go for it!" competition, aimed at entrepreneurs at the idea and creation stage, was won by Dionymer. For its 5th edition, which took place on June 21, 2022, the event brought together ten speakers and 200 industry professionals from twelve countries. It was an opportunity to discover the latest innovations in the biotech sector: renewable and sustainable carbon value chains, alternative leather, cellular meat, new materials, calorie-free sugars, etc. nouveaux matériaux, sucres sans calories, etc.
Published on 27 July 2022
Ambrosia Bio wins the « Fast track it! » competition
Israeli start-up Ambrosia Bio convinced the jury with its technology platform that enables the design of new enzymes to transform industrial sugars into rare, low-calorie sugars. Ambrosia Bio offers sugar, starch and fruit juice manufacturers a way to meet consumers' expectations for sugar reduction without affecting the taste experience. Its patented enzymes have been proven to perform well under strict conditions.
“We are very pleased to win this competition as it represents the first step in our collaboration with TWB and we look forward to beginning to work with their experts and partners. Overweight and obesity may not be infectious diseases, but they have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Together, we could improve the production process and provide a cost-effective solution to overweight-related diseases”, comments Ziv Zwighaft, co-founder & CEO of Ambrosia Bio.
This start-up wins €50,000 in the form of services provided on TWB's technology platforms and communication opportunities offered by Bioeconomy For Change & Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation.
Dionymer wins the « Go for it! » competition
Dionymer, a French start-up co-founded by three engineer friends, has won the "Go for it!" competition. The company has committed to the circular economy by developing a technology that converts organic waste into biodegradable polymer materials (polyesters) to replace petroleum-based compounds in a multitude of applications.
“We are very happy and proud to receive this award. It means a lot to us and confirms our ability to make a real impact. With the support of TWB and its ecosystem, we will be able to accelerate and scale up to accomplish our goal of using organic waste to fuel a truly circular chemical industry”, comments Thomas Hennebel, co-founder & CEO of Dionymer.
This start-up will benefit from four days of mentoring provided by TWB and its ecosystem of industrialists and investors, and three partners of the contest: Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation, the French Tech Toulouse and ShakeUp Factory.
Collaboration at the heart of a booming sustainable biotech industry
Among the ten speakers, Rasmus Von Gottberg, Head of Development at Genomatica and David Sourdive, Co-founder & Executive Vice President of Cellectis, emphasized the need to establish partnerships to accelerate the development of products based on industrial biotechnologies.
“Consumer demand for sustainable and eco-responsible solutions is growing, and with it the demand for greater profitability from manufacturers. To achieve this, collaboration between start-ups, researchers, investors and manufacturers is essential”, concludes Olivier Rolland, Executive Director at TWB.
New this year: a networking time between industry players to promote innovation
This year, start-ups, scientists and business experts from TWB, major industrial groups, technology companies and investors were able to exchange ideas and visit the premises of TWB and CRITT Bio-Industries. The goal was to encourage collaborations and discussions between each actor of the value chain to accelerate innovation and promote synergies.
The event was supported by the Occitanie Region and Toulouse Metropole, and received the support of Adisseo, Biotalys, Carbios, BU INRAE Transfert, Kerry, L'Oréal, Michelin, Sofinnova Partners, Sparkalis, Syngulon and TBS.
About TWB
As an expert in research and development (R&D) projects, TWB* supports industry in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions for the benefit of the planet and mankind. TWB sets up and conducts R&D projects in the field of industrial biotechnologies in collaboration with public laboratories and industrialists, supports the development of start-ups by offering them accommodation in its premises in a state-of-the-art scientific and technological environment and encourages the emergence of breakthrough innovations. By bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, funders, institutions and industry, TWB integrates and leverages all the skills and expertise and creates synergies while simplifying the contractual relationship. This unique model accelerates the innovation process necessary for the creation of an eco-responsible industry.
Since its launch in 2012 and with a consortium of 49 private and public members as of January 1, 2022 (industrials, start-ups, investors, research organizations, local authorities, etc.), TWB has contributed to the realization of nearly 260 collaborative R&D projects and to the growth of numerous start-ups that have raised a total of more than €250M.
* TWB is a Joint Service Unit, managed by INRAE, under the triple supervision of INRAE/INSA/CNRS.
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