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A throwback on the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award

F&A Next is the place for food and agriculture technology innovators to meet and connect, but it is also a moment to award some of the rising companies in this space. We offer 10 startups the unique opportunity to take the stage and present themselves to the audience as one of the world’s Next Heroes in Food & Agtech and compete for the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award at the same time. 

The award has been part of the F&A Next program in the last few editions and recognizes the efforts of budding startups. It rewards innovative companies younger than seven years old, focusing on technologies that positively impact society and the environment. Candidates for this prize developed science-based solutions that make relevant contributions to meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and provide an answer to climate-resilient agri-food systems. 

Making an impact with sustainable innovations 

The award is named after the former DSM-Firmenich CEO Feike Sijbesma and is made possible by the DSM Brighter Living Foundation through the University Fund Wageningen. Sijbesma is renowned for making a significant impact with sustainable innovations in his capacity as a global corporate leader. 

This year, not one but two companies will be awarded. Each will receive a €12,500 cash prize to invest in the startup. During F&A Next, we will know the names of the winners of the fourth edition this year; let’s take a trip down memory lane and look back at the previous winners. 

1. 2022: Ekolive’s soil restoring solution

The first startup to receive the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award was ekolive. The Slovakian company was the jury’s favorite because of its innovative approach to cleaning and regenerating depleted soils. 

The startup developed a technology that uses bacteria to restore the balance of weakened soils, a process known as bioremediation. This procedure extracts minerals and reuses industrial waste, a system referred to as bioleaching. At the same time, it generates a valuable byproduct: an organic biostimulant containing plant-growth-promoting bacteria, organic acids, and necessary micronutrients. 

This biostimulant can replace hazardous chemicals, increasing yields and nutritional value in agriculture. As more nutrients become available again to plants, there is less need for fertilizers, and soils can retain up to 25% more water. 

2. 2023: Orbisk’s food waste monitor 

In 2023, it was the moment for Orbisk to clinch the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award. The Utrecht-based startup developed Orbi, an AI-powered camera that gives professional kitchen insights into food waste. What food is being wasted? And how much? Do we waste more during lunch or dinner time? 

According to Orbisk, a third of all food produced globally ends up in trash. The camera–installed on top of wastebins–provides users with a dashboard with detailed information about discarded food, thus enabling business owners to optimize their operations. 

Interestingly, the jury had motivated its choice not only for its technological validity. “This business focuses on a key aspect in the fight against food waste, which is behavioral change,” the jury report read.

3. 2024: Jord BioScience’s microbial technology

Microbial technologies to enhance crop productivity: Jord BioScience was the jury’s favorite in 2024. The startup has developed a solution that uses bacteria to create tools to protect, stimulate, and nourish crops. 

Jord BioScience enhances microbes’ ability to work harmoniously to boost plant performance across various crop systems. Furthermore, based upon a collection of thousands of microbial isolates from diverse global soils, the startup can deliver tailor-made solutions to enhance the performance of existing inoculants. 

According to Sijbesma, JordBioscience is “an excellent example bringin collaborative disruption to advance microbial products. We look forward to support them on their journey to impactful changes in the industry.”

“Jord BioScience’s innovative, nature-inspired approach can lead to significant breakthroughs, and their experienced team shows a thorough foundation for future growth,” added Sjoukje Heimovaara, President of the Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research (WUR), on behalf of the jury.

Looking forward to celebrating new winners 

This year, the independent jury will assess a new cohort of disrupting startups impacting the agrifood system. Who will be crowned with the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award next?

Are you an impactful entrepreneur in agri-food? Apply for Next Heroes to compete in the upcoming edition of the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award.

You can apply here

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