RootCamp

29/08/2025

RootCamp Batch #7 kicks off 🚀

Six from Germany, Serbia, Latvia, Belgium and France are joining our program, all driving solutions for a sustainable , and .

Over the coming months, the selected startups will receive tailored mentoring, access to investors and industry partners, and opportunities to test their solutions in pilot projects. From hundreds of applications across the globe, these are the teams that made it:

🟢AgDoIT | Digital platform for scientific on-farm field trials

🟢 Aqua Boost Nano | Seed treatment for improved drought resistance

🟢EMPYRIO | Modular technology for phosphorus recovery in wastewater treatment

🟢Papair | New processes for manufacturing sustainable paper-based packaging materials

🟢 PRONOE | Ocean alkalinity enhancement for CO₂ absorbation at coastal industries

🟢Zymofix | Efficient microorganism production based on agricultural waste

23/06/2025

📺 Tune in tonight! Artenglück on .vox .

We’re excited to see our RootCamp alumni Artenglück featured in the season finale of Die Höhle der Löwen, airing tonight, June 23 at 8:15 PM on VOX or available now on RTL+!

Artenglück, founded by Felix Schulze-Varnholt and Lara Boye, brings 🌿 and conservation to life by partnering with companies and individuals to implement measurable, science-based nature restoration projects – from flowering habitats to insect-friendly landscapes.

Die Höhle der Löwen is the German version of the internationally startup show Dragon’s Den (also known as Shark Tank in the U.S.). Startups pitch their ideas to in hopes of securing .

Will Artenglück land a deal? We’re proud to have supported them on their journey through RootCamp and are keeping our fingers crossed. 💚

Fotos: RTL / Stefan Gregorowius

21/06/2025

🪴ROOTCAMP AT THE IBC
 
Yesterday, Annkathrin Wahbi and Dr. Philipp Rittershaus had the pleasure of reconnecting with familiar faces—like Dr. Benjamin Kowalski from Future Forest Initiative—and making new connections at the International Bioeconomy Conference in Halle an der Saale.
 
It was a well-rounded programme, including:
 
- Contributions from key players like UPM, Neste, and Verbio, presenting innovative concepts for biorefineries and production plants across Europe
 
- Startup solutions like sustainable packaging made from spelt husks by PROSERVATION, and insights into algae-based biotech by AlgaeCytes in Saxony-Anhalt
 
- A thought-provoking panel on intellectual property, where our head of innovation Philipp Rittershaus shared his expertise alongside Albrecht Läufer, Christian Sonnendecker, and Dr. Jan Winkelnkemper
 
- And of course, a great get-together at the Hallesches Brauhaus to wrap up the day!
 
A big thank-you to the BioEconomy Cluster team Joachim Schulze, Mark Bergmann, Nils Wagner, and Robert Röllig for organizing such a high-quality event!
 
While Annkathrin is looking forward to the TransBib event in Greifswald next week, we’re also busy preparing for our own Nexus Bioeconomy event.
 
👉 Check out the program and register at this link before all spots are taken! Link in bio.

19/06/2025

corporates through our approach, enabling real-world pilot projects that turn industry challenges into actionable solutions.

Our latest project brings together our partner , a global player in salt and fertilizers, with Plantilizer, a startup from Batch #6 focused on plant-based soil enhancement solutions based on tailored microorganisms. Together, they are launching a pilot to determine whether Plantilizer’s microorganisms, combined with a specific, low-cost biochar derived in partnership with the Rhine-Waal University, can reduce costly leachate runoff from K+S’s salt heaps.

Read more about it on our blog. Link in bio.

23/05/2025

At RootCamp, we see real progress when startups and corporations work together to tackle industry-specific challenges. Through our ongoing series of pilot projects, we highlight how targeted collaboration can drive practical, sustainable solutions with real-world impact.

We are pleased to share our latest initiative: a collaboration between and VCG.AI, a participant in our , which accelerates the shift towards circular production by leveraging global data on technology and market trends.

➡️The : K+S aims to improve its flagship product, Korn-KALI, by incorporating plant-available silicon to improve drought resistance and nutrient uptake. But finding circular, organic sources of silicon that meet strict agronomic and sustainability criteria is no easy task.

💡The : With the help of its AI-driven value chain generator, VCG.AI is supporting K+S in identifying untapped waste streams as potential sources of silicon. By applying advanced AI modelling, the platform provides a customised discovery and prioritisation report, evaluating factors such as feedstock type, volume, price, TRLs and geographic distribution.

🌿The : This pilot not only advances K+S‘ strategy towards circularity and differentiation in fertiliser innovation, but also lays the foundation for wider adoption of AI in sustainable agri-inputs.

This project was initiated and managed by RootCamp.
🔗 To find out more about this pilot project, check out our blog.

29/04/2025

RootCamp goes 📍Leipzig

Our team traveled to to take part in the SpinLab Group’s team day.

The agenda was fully packed: we explored new ways to streamline workflows, exchanged on automation tools and joined an interactive session on how to better tailor our value propositions to different audiences. We ended the day far from our desks: in the kitchen! 👨‍🍳 Together, we prepared a three-course meal at . Even the salad came with RootCamp branding. 🥗

16/04/2025

RootCamp, is a cross-border initiative designed to strengthen the and ecosystem in Southern 🇮🇹.

The EU funded 🇪🇺 project connects local with international networks, builds bridges to corporate partners, and supports knowledge exchange through events and delegation visits. Now running for one year, Smarterra powered by SMAFINE has enabled valuable collaborations, including a startup delegation to Germany and key ecosystem-building activities in the region.

🔗 A full recap of the first year and what’s ahead in 2025 is now on our blog.

24/09/2024

„𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄“ 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗳í𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 🇪🇸🇩🇪

RootCamp and ICEX hosted an exciting event that brought together innovators, startups, and food industry experts to explore the future of food! 🌱🍽️

The day was packed with:
✨ Insightful talks on food industry transformation
👩‍💻 Fascinating startup pitches showcasing cutting-edge foodtech solutions
🤝 Plenty of networking opportunities
🍕 And of course, delicious food!

A big shout-out to the startups that presented: BioMixing S.L.,Oscillum, COCUUS,Gimme Sabor (antes Guimarana), Let it V Foods and QUEVANA.

Congratulations Oscillum for winning the €1,000 prize for the best pitch 🏆

17/09/2024

+++ RootCamp becomes part of de:hub AgriFood Osnabrück/Hannover+++

We’re proud to announce that the startup partnership “Agrifood Osnabrück-Hannover” has been selected as digital hub by Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz. This marks the first time that the sector has been part of a federal innovation initiative.

RootCamp, in collaboration with .de , Agrotech Valley Forum and DIL Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik, is joining forces to make Osnabrück-Hannover a key player in innovation.

As a our mission is to build a strong ecosystem where , established companies, academia, and investors unite to drive forward-thinking solutions. We aim to accelerate the digital and sustainable transformation of the agrifood sector, bringing innovations to market more quickly and boosting the competitiveness of our region and beyond.

We are excited to be part of Germany’s biggest digital network and grateful for the support from policymakers. We look forward to future ventures and collaborations! Find the full press release on our blog with a statement of Lower Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs Olaf Lies.

11/09/2024

🚀 Few days ago, Gaia Amatteis attended the New Food Conference in Berlin, organized by Deutschland – a powerful gathering of innovators in the alternative protein space. Here are some highlights!

🎤 Favorite Talk: Ivo Rzegotta on policy and alternative – insightful and inspiring!
🥩 Favorite : The delicious steak!
👋 Favorite Encounter: Celia Rimpot – see you again next week!
🚀 Favorite Startup: Congrats to Optimized Foods for winning the audience prize!

10/09/2024

03/09/2024

As part of the Bioeconomy Deep Dive project, we hosted an engaging session at the RootCamp office with experts from across the entire industry h**p value chain. Our goal was to discuss the current state of the industry and explore future scenarios.

💚 A special thanks to Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) and Rentenbank for commissioning and funding this important initiative. We also extend our gratitude to all the enthusiastic participants from corporates, startups, and research institutions: KWS Group, Fraunhofer WKI, University of Hohenheim, Hochschule Osnabrück, Rottal Hanf GmbH, revoltech, GOENOMICS GmbH, Nutzhanf-Netzwerk e.V. and many more.

🎯 We successfully achieved our main objective: fostering multilateral exchange along the industry h**p value chain. Together, we mapped key stakeholders, analyzed drivers, identified obstacles, and brainstormed potential solutions.

The consensus was clear: transitioning from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy is essential, and promoting industrial h**p is a vital step in the right direction.