Scale-up Accelerator Network (SAN) to Empower Biotech Innovators
When is the right time to start scaling up your process?
The SAN program addresses a critical challenge faced by many start-ups: derisk & decrease time spent in the valley of death! How? By empowering them technically towards scale-up of their processes. SAN links start-ups with experienced independent industry leaders, providing them invaluable insights and support and helping them navigate the complex technical journey required to accelerate their path to market.
What is the Scale-up Accelerator Network Program?
The Scale-up Accelerator Network is a program that links start-ups with seasoned industry experts who can give an independent review and help you with your scale-up ambitions. It focuses solely on industrial biotechnology processes and the main technical journey your start-up needs to achieve to accelerate its pace to market.
SAN is a program focused on the technical output. The output is built in collaboration with the expert and aligned to your need to drive and de-risk your scale-up roadmap.
Some examples that you could ask as output of your participation to the Scale-up Accelerator Network:
- A review of your process flow diagram and mass & energy balance
- A review of your raw materials and feedstocks
- Evaluation of your fermentation process robustness for further scale-up
- Advise on the appropriate choice of DSP unit operations and its scalability
- Evaluation of your techno-economical analysis and hotspots
- Advise on your supply chain and partnership strategy
The experts are seasoned industry leaders recognised in their field that we have met, worked with, and/or learned from. We built this exclusive and evolutive pool of independent experts available for consulting hours to match them to the correct start-up needs.
The program fees are 200€/hour. The program length is based on the estimation of workload by the expert depending on the start-up request. The average estimated length and cost is 20h and 4 000€. After completing the consultation with the expert, you will receive the spent budget (up to 4000 euros) as credit for piloting services at BBEPP.*
*The credit of 4000 euros will be applicable on a project size of a minimum of 65,000 euros and will be valid for 1-year timeframe.
Who should apply?
We expect start-ups to be in seeding or series A stage and your application should be built on references from incubators or cluster support and your start-up funding journey. A clear desired output mentioned during your application will be necessary to be presented to one of the experts.
From a technology perspective, your process fits within the industrial biotechnology sector and is compliant with the HSE annex.**
You can register for the program all year round from anywhere in the world. A selection will be set in place with no seat limitations. Depending on application numbers, a waiting list for expert matchmaking will be set in place.
**It is important to design your process with safety in mind and we will not prioritize your application if this aspect has not been scoped. Click here to open the HSE annex.
Our expert network!
The SAN program launches with three highly respected industry leaders: Michael Helmut Kopf (formerly of BASF), Alex Patist (Geltor) and Ignace Debonne. The experts are seasoned industry leaders recognised in their field that we have met, worked with, and/or learned from. But this is only the beginning. BBEPP is actively building an exclusive and evolving pool of independent experts available for consulting hours and to ensure the best possible match for each start-up’s needs.
The first selected experts are:
Prof. Michael Helmut Kopf, formerly BASF
Dedicated and passionate, Michael believes in applying a holistic approach at the process development stage to not lose sight of the full value chain design. He engaged in more than 50 different projects and processes covering end-to-end process development for fermentative processes (yes, read DSP expertise to unlock end-to-end processes). His previous experience includes an extensive career at BASF as Director Alternative Fermentation Platforms and as responsible for process and apparatus development for chemical and biochemical processes at Pieralisi Group. Based in Germany, Michael is an advisor for several bio and cleantech start-ups and a frequent speaker at conferences worldwide.
Alex Patist, COO Geltor
Grounded. Practical. Bold. Deliberate. Alex is our guy who knows how to make things work… on a big scale. He translates the magic of our science into industrial-scale and cost-effective reality – something he has done multiple times in the food, cosmetic, nutraceutical, biochemical, and climate tech industries. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida. His previous experience includes SVP PD & Manufacturing at Bolt Threads, Sr. Director of Bioprocess Technology at Genomatica, and Director of Technology at Cargill. Based in the US and originally from the Netherlands, Alex is your man if you want to learn more about development, scale-up, deployment, and full-scale manufacturing. He is an advisor for several bio and cleantech start-ups and a frequent speaker at conferences worldwide.
Ignace Debonne
Ignace Debonne doesn’t just understand fermentation – he speaks its language. Ignace has worked on over 90 fermentation processes as concepts at lab scale. Most of these made it to pilot scale and close to a dozen made it all the way to large industrial-scale production. His deep knowledge and passion for the field have made him a sought-after expert in the biomanufacturing industry. During 38 years, he has held several roles at CPC-Cerestar-Cargill as scientist/engineer/SME in more than 18 R&D and production facilities worldwide and going beyond his scope on developing and scaling-up processes, he has strong accomplishments linked to automation, instrumentation, data management, and data analysis topics. Ignace is known for his collaborative spirit and ability to translate complex scientific concepts into practical solutions. He thrives on sharing his insights and empowering newcomers – ensuring that the future of fermentation remains bright. Ignace believes in the power of fun and laughter while tackling even the most challenging projects.
How to apply?
Scroll down to find the application form. Please only enter non-confidential information.
If you are approved to the program, we will connect you with the right expert and help you in setting up an NDA .
Information requested:
- Applicant Name, LinkedIn profile and email address
- Company of Project name
- Company size in FTEs
- Website
- Location
- What biotechnology-based solution is your company developing?
- Did you follow an incubator program? If yes, can you mention them?
- Did you already receive funding for your technology? If yes, can you mention them?
- Do you comply with the HSE annex ?
- What is the deliverable/output you are looking for ?
- How did you hear about this program ?
Who can I contact for more information?
Need more information? Any questions?
Please contact:
Esthèle Goure, Scale-up Accelerator Network Deployment Responsible
esthele.goure@bbeu.org
webdesign