The Bioinnovation Institute (BII) has secured a DKK 184 million (approximately €24.64 million) investment from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to accelerate the growth of biosolutions startups across Europe, called Upscalator. This funding aims to support innovative companies in scaling production, advancing research, and bringing new sustainable solutions to market.
The Upscalator program will provide startups access to pilot facilities, laboratories, and expert mentorship. BII’s goal is to shorten product development cycles and help promising biosolutions reach commercialization faster.
Mikkel Skovborg, Vice President of Innovation at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, emphasizes the strategic importance of this funding. “This investment will enable startups to demonstrate their ability to scale efficiently, reducing time-to-market by up to a year,” he states. “It’s a vital step in strengthening Europe’s biosolutions industry and maintaining global competitiveness.”
Europe leads in biosolutions using natural resources like algae, bacteria, and enzymes but faces lengthy approval processes, often taking three to five years, compared to one to two in the U.S. Skovborg notes that many innovative ideas remain unmarketed due to regulatory and scaling barriers.
The global biosolutions market is projected to reach nearly DKK 3,700 billion by 2026, with significant potential to reduce CO2 emissions supporting the green transition.
Through this investment, BII aims to foster innovation, create jobs, and position Europe as a leader in sustainable biotech solutions. Skovborg highlights that while DKK 184 million is a modest start, it’s a crucial catalyst for long-term growth and industry leadership.
