Specialised incubators are helping biotech start-ups bridge the gap between scientific breakthroughs and commercial success. By offering tailored resources, regulatory guidance and industry connections, they are accelerating innovations that address global challenges – from sustainable food production to eco-friendly materials. Annick Verween, head of Biotope by VIB, told The Cell Base more about the important role of incubators.

The cell-based sector is undergoing a wave of innovation, with start-ups exploring the potential for cellular biotechnology to address a wide variety of global challenges, from food insecurity to unsustainable materials.

Start-ups are developing innovative ways to leverage cutting-edge technology to create solutions that transform industries, from alternative proteins that reduce reliance on animal-based proteins to existing substandard plant-based alternatives. However, scaling scientific breakthroughs to commercially viable products remains a significant challenge with funding the large amounts of R&D necessary being scarce at the moment.

Incubators that go beyond traditional business support play a pivotal role in this journey. By providing the technical infrastructure, regulatory guidance and collaborative networks essential to scaling, they serve as a critical bridge between the innovation of today and the market realities of tomorrow.

Ecosystems tailored to support innovation

Incubators that focus on agrifood and biomaterials biotech start-ups, for example, go beyond offering general business support. They provide specialised resources that start-ups require if they are to succeed. Start-ups developing next-generation ingredients, such as natural food colourants or fermentation-based biosurfactants, benefit from access to state-of-the-art labs, bioreactors and tailored guidance on scaling production processes.

Where generalist incubators often lack the sector-specific tools and expertise required for this type of work, specialised incubators offer expertise tailored to the scientific and technical needs of biotech start-ups. This ensures these start-ups can refine their technologies for efficiency and scalability. Many would struggle to bridge the gap between promising lab results and commercial viability without such support.

By offering access to advanced research facilities and opportunities to collaborate with experienced scientists and gain insights into bioprocessing challenges, specialised incubators enable start-ups to fast-track their innovative technologies into finished products, ready to meet market demands.

Navigating regulatory landscapes and industry compliance

Regulatory landscapes present one of the most significant hurdles for agrifood and biomaterials start-ups. Whether developing plant-based proteins, biological soil treatments or sustainable packaging, start-ups must navigate a web of compliance requirements that vary by region and application and range from food safety standards to environmental impact assessments.

With access to networks of experts, specialist incubators play a crucial role in guiding start-ups through these regulatory hurdles, ensuring compliance is built into their processes from the start. By providing expertise on global and regional requirements, incubators help start-ups reduce the time and cost associated with regulatory approvals.

For example, a start-up producing fermentation-derived proteins might draw on an incubator’s support to anticipate and meet different certification requirements for the EU, US and UK markets. This proactive approach ensures their innovation is not only scientifically sound but also aligned with legal and consumer expectations, translating into market readiness with the fewest delays possible.

At The Cell Base, we're dedicated to spotlighting the game-changers of tomorrow. Our Start-up Spotlight column gives innovative start-ups a platform to share their breakthroughs and latest milestones. Discover more inspiring profiles here.

Facilitating strategic industry partnerships

Partnerships offer advantages to start-ups as they seek to scale efficiently while driving broader advancements across the industry. Incubators act as hubs for fostering collaborations by connecting start-ups with established industry players looking to partner with the next big thing.

They can also point start-ups in the direction of other essential partners, including ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers, investors and regulatory bodies.

Through these partnerships, start-ups can share insights, co-develop innovative solutions and accelerate progress across the sector. For example, joint research initiatives enable start-ups to pool resources and expertise to tackle shared industry challenges, such as improving bioprocess efficiency or scaling bioreactors. This collaborative approach not only drives individual company growth but advances the entire field.

Building a sustainable path for cell-based tech start-ups

The journey from innovation to commercialisation is rarely straightforward for agrifood and biomaterials start-ups. Challenges in production scaling and process resilience are among the many that stand in the way of growth.

Incubators provide a unique collaborative environment where start-ups can exchange knowledge, address shared challenges, and benefit from mentorship by industry leaders. Start-ups working on plant-based proteins, for example, can learn from their peers’ experiences in scaling bioreactors or optimising yeast strains, accelerating their progress while avoiding common pitfalls.

This collective approach, combined with access to experienced advisors and cutting-edge facilities, fosters a supportive ecosystem where start-ups can thrive and drive sector-wide innovation.

Looking ahead

The future of biotech is bright, with start-ups leading the way in addressing critical challenges in food security and sustainability. As these sectors grow, so will the role of incubators in shaping a thriving ecosystem that benefits not only individual ventures but also society at large.

With the right support, today’s agrifood and biomaterials biotech start-ups will become tomorrow’s industry leaders, driving meaningful change across the globe.