Biotope Ventures is a Ghent, Belgium-based early-stage venture capital firm focused on de-risking and accelerating the most promising international biotech startups. Operating under the umbrella of the Flemish Biotechnology Institute (VIB), Biotope leverages Belgium’s scientific infrastructure and biotech ecosystem to back founders at the earliest stages of company formation. The firm runs a structured program that combines capital investment with deep technical validation and operational support.
Biotope Ventures invests in pre-seed and early-stage biotechnology startups in:
The firm targets high-potential scientific ventures with strong IP potential and scalable applications.
Each year, Biotope selects six startups through a competitive intake process and provides intensive support to help them consolidate their business model, regulatory pathway, and investor readiness.
While based in Belgium, Biotope invests internationally.
In June 2025, Biotope Ventures announced the first close of its second fund at $5 million, with a final target of $9 million expected within 18 months.
This second vehicle builds on the success of its debut fund and is backed by a mix of institutional and strategic LPs including:
The fund aims to back up to 30 startups, investing approximately €250,000 per company.
Selected startups go through a 3-week “basecamp” program focused on validating the scientific merit and commercial viability of their innovation before pitching to the Investment Committee for funding.
The hands-on support includes regulatory, IP, and business model development to prepare for future rounds.
Leadership
Biotope Ventures is led by Annick Verween, Head of Biotope by VIB, and Jérôme Van Biervliet, Managing Director. Together, they bring a unique combination of scientific, operational, and investment experience to support founders navigating the early stages of biotech development. Their affiliation with VIB provides deep access to a world-class research ecosystem and expert network.
Investment Strategy
Biotope follows a cohort-based model, selecting three startups every six months to participate in its intensive validation program. The strategy focuses on reducing early scientific and commercial risks through a combination of mentorship, structured workshops, and early-stage capital.
By supporting founders with specialized biotech knowledge and resources, Biotope enables faster maturation toward seed-stage readiness, with a strong emphasis on IP strength and regulatory planning.
Notable Investments
Through its first fund, Biotope Ventures backed 16 European startups across biotech verticals such as food, agriculture, and new materials.
Some of the companies that have already progressed to seed rounds and attracted external investors are:
Collectively, the portfolio has secured €30 million in follow-on funding, validating the firm’s unique hands-on approach.
Other
Biotope Ventures is deeply embedded in the European life sciences ecosystem and provides a rare blend of technical, regulatory, and commercial support at the earliest stages.
Its fund model is particularly founder-friendly for biotech scientists looking to spin out startups with limited business experience.
Startups that complete the program leave with a validated value proposition, foundational IP strategy, and a clear path to next-round fundraising.
