New €9 Million Biotech Fund to Back 30 Startups Solving Planetary Health Challenges

Biotope Ventures has successfully closed the first round of funding for its Biotope Ventures 2 fund, aiming to raise a total of €9 million to support early-stage biotech startups focused on addressing planetary health challenges. The fund will invest €250,000 in each selected startup, providing comprehensive support to help them prepare for subsequent investment rounds. The rigorous selection process includes a three-week "basecamp" to refine value propositions, intellectual property, regulatory strategies, and overall business foundations.

The first fund, which operated from 2020 to 2023, supported 16 European startups in food, agriculture, and materials sectors, attracting €30 million in follow-on funding. The fund emphasizes diversity with 75% of startups having mixed-gender teams and 58% of employees being women. Investors like Edaphon and BNP Paribas Fortis are excited about the fund's potential to foster impactful companies in agriculture, food, and materials, aligning with their commitment to a sustainable food system. Biotope Ventures 2 aims to continue tackling sustainability crisis through technology and entrepreneurship, with the support of various investors and stakeholders.