VITO supports young cleantech entrepreneurs or start-ups with a strong project or idea committed to sustainability through VITO4STARTERS. With this interactive pitch competition, the final of which takes place during the Love Tomorrow Conference on 25 July 2024 in Boom, we bring VITO's network and technical expertise within reach of inspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups.

The competition links the ambition of start-ups to VITO technology and expertise in various cleantech domains, including health, energy, materials, chemistry, and remote sensing.

VITO4STARTERS

With the VITO4STARTERS competition, VITO supports young companies that contribute to greater sustainability with technical knowledge, a proof-of-concept and/or access to infrastructure. In this way, VITO strengthens the start-up community and the Flemish economic fabric.

VITO highly values sustainability and is very active in the start-up community through its own spin-offs. With VITO4STARTERS, VITO wants to give existing start-ups a boost.

VITO thinks in the long term and even after the competition there are various possibilities for collaboration. VITO possesses numerous innovative technologies with significant potential and also manages its own investment fund.

Who can participate?

All European starters with a project or concept that focuses on sustainability can register for VITO4STARTERS. Do you have an idea to make materials or processes more circular? Have you developed a process that reduces CO2 emissions or uses less water? Or have you developed an intelligent or efficient energy system? If so, VITO4STARTERS is the ideal programme for letting these ideas grow.

The selection process

During the first round, start-ups are selected based on their submitted pitch (i.e., video and deck) and any additional online intake interviews. In the second round, ten finalists get the chance to pitch at the Love Tomorrow Conference in Boom on 25 July 2024.
Registration closes on 19 May 2024, we will announce the ten finalists on 26 June 2024.

What can you win?

The winner receives VITO support worth EUR 50,000 consisting of one or a combination of the following:

• Technological advice
• A proof of concept
• Access to infrastructure (labs, pilots, ...)

They will also get:

• Access to the VITO network
• Visibility and promotion on the VITO channels

The runner-up will receive similar support worth EUR 30,000 and the second runner-up will receiver support wordt EUR 20,000.

More information: https://vito.be/en/vito4starters?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=v4s_0424_eng