Launch of the first agro-biotechnological incubator

The very first agricultural biotechnology incubator is being launched at the CropDesign site in Nevele (East Flanders), with ultramodern infrastructure including ultra-technological greenhouses. Many innovative agro-biotechnology companies already active in the region will benefit from this unique environment for basic research in agricultural innovations such as the resistance of crops to climate, the facilitation of protein transition and sustainable soil improvement.

This programme, jointly supported by VIB and ILVO, will allow young companies to open their horizons to new opportunities thanks to the networking, coaching and collaboration possibilities available to them. For Jérôme Van Biervliet, VIB's Managing Director, this infrastructure arrives "at the right time" and is "a missing piece of the puzzle" in a fast-growing agro-technology cluster. His colleague Dirk Inzé, Scientific Director, emphasises that "Nevele's high-tech greenhouses complement the research area needed to develop innovative products useful in the plant world, with a focus on sustainability and climate change as a priority."

This initiative demonstrates a willingness to be at the forefront of a protein transition aimed at increasing the use of plants in our diet, to the detriment of animal proteins.