Turning waste into microbial gold for a sustainable future

Zymofix secures €2 million to scale microbial solutions for sustainable agriculture and beyond

13-Nov-2024
Copyright: Yann Bertrand Photography

Team of Zymofix

Zymofix, a pioneer in industrial biotechnology, has secured €2 million in funding led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with participation from The Nest Family Office and VP Capital. This strategic investment will fuel Zymofix’s efforts to scale its proprietary fermentation technology, turning biomass residues into high-quality microorganisms for use in agricultural and industrial applications.

Turning waste into microbial gold for a sustainable future

Formerly known as N-Fix, Zymofix is revolutionizing the way microorganisms are produced, enabling sustainable solutions that improve soil health, boost agricultural productivity, and reduce environmental impact.

At the core of Zymofix’s technology is its innovative use of biomass residues—such as agricultural waste—to cultivate beneficial microorganisms through a novel solid-state fermentation process. These microbes can enhance plant health, degrade pollutants, and even replace traditional chemical processes in a variety of industries.

By leveraging low-cost, locally sourced biomass, Zymofix aims to significantly lower manufacturing costs, making microbial solutions economically viable even for row crops such as maize, wheat and sugar beet. Zymofix’s technology is versatile, scalable, and locally adaptable, offering tailored solutions for sectors like agriculture, waste treatment, and industrial bioremediation.

Zymofix: microorganisms, macro solutions

Since its inception, Zymofix has been focussed on creating microbial solutions that address global challenges. “Our mission is to scale the production of beneficial microorganisms, transforming waste into valuable resources that foster ecosystem regeneration,” says Emile Redant, CEO of Zymofix. “This investment will enable us to bring our high-quality, scalable biosolutions to market faster and enable their widespread adoption, driving positive impact on planetary health.”

The infusion of new capital allows Zymofix to continue scaling up its innovative fermentation platform, and start commercialising products in collaboration with corporate partners. The company is expanding its team to support its rapid growth, aiming to hire four new employees in the next quarter, particularly in R&D and project management.

A bright future with strategic investors

Guy De Clercq, co-founder and chairman of the board of directors, expressed his excitement about Zymofix’s progress: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see Zymofix mature into the company it is already today. We are particularly thrilled to welcome the highly valued investors HTGF, The Nest and VP Capital, whose focus on sustainable growth perfectly aligns with our mission. Their support will be instrumental in helping us scale our technology and achieve our long-term vision of transforming agriculture and industrial processes through microbial innovation.”

Investing in a sustainable future

The investors share Zymofix’s vision of driving the bioeconomy forward.

“Zymofix has developed a unique technology platform that transforms low-value biomass residues into high-quality microorganisms with a broad range of applications. Their scalable solutions are a great example of circular economy principles in action, and we’re confident in both the disruptive potential of the technology and the team’s ability to execute,” said Natalya Baltrukovich, Investment Manager at HTGF.

“At VP Capital, we believe that, by investing together in these types of innovative circular solutions, we can accelerate positive impact for a better future for generations to come. Zymofix’s innovative approach to transforming biomass residues into valuable microbial products aligns perfectly with our aim to foster these much-needed ecological solutions. This investment is a critical step toward creating tangible, scalable impact, not just for the agricultural sector, but for the planet as a whole,” said Mathijs van der Knaap Investment Manager at VP Capital

 “We are thrilled to partner with Zymofix in their journey to reshape agriculture through circular solutions. By turning waste into resources, Zymofix exemplifies the resilience and innovation that are key to building a healthier and more sustainable food system. Our shared vision for healthy ecosystems, more nutritious food production, and a farmer-first approach makes this partnership a natural fit,” said Hallie Fox, Senior Investment Associate of The Nest.

“Zymofix’s journey from concept to commercialization has been truly inspiring. Their commitment to turning waste into sustainable, high-impact solutions based on solid science perfectly aligns with our mission of nurturing impactful biotech innovations. We are proud to have supported their early development and are excited to see the impact they will make,”  said Annick Verween, Head of biotope by VIB and Zymofix Board member.

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