The contracts are not only about 1-on-1 cooperation; surprisingly, in two challenges a cooperation was established between a large company and 2 and 3 companies respectively. The new partners are now entering the pilot phase together. This involves a total budget of over €600,000.
The innovation contract gives the participants access to finance via vouchers, among other things. They spend these as much as possible at knowledge and application centres in the South-West Netherlands region and they show what regional impact their project will have. A total of €96,250 in innovation vouchers was awarded. This amount has been made available by the Regio Deal Midden- en West-Brabant, the province of Noord-Brabant, Rabobank and the province of Zeeland.
Acceleration
This cycle also produced a number of alternative forms of cooperation in addition to the innovation contracts, with 12 participants who did not conclude an innovation contract. They are going to cooperate with regional initiatives and companies now or in the future. A West-Brabant company, for example, is going to examine with one of the challengers whether their existing solution can make the process more sustainable and optimize it.
With this, BioVoice’s mission has more than succeeded: to accelerate and valorise new knowledge and/or technology, for a stronger biobased and circular economy in the region. However, companies from far beyond that region are participating. For example, five participating companies had a foreign background: from Spain, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium. At the same time, two challengers found their potential solution almost around the corner: for example, Vlissingen-based Dow entered into a collaboration with two other Zeeland companies.
Partners
The initiators of BioVoice are REWIN, Green Chemistry Campus, the province of Noord-Brabant and Rabobank. Dockwize, Impuls Zeeland, Centre of Expertise Biobased Economy and Midpoint Brabant have joined in as partners for the implementation of the programme. Together, they want to give innovative entrepreneurs and talent in the circular and biobased economy more space and a voice. BioVoice is made possible by financial contributions from the Regio Deal Midden- en West-Brabant, the Province of Noord-Brabant, Rabobank and the Province of Zeeland.
Image: Biovoice
