Why we exist
We are the first believers.
To be the ones who say “yes”, when most say “too early.”
We believe in breakthrough science, and we bet on the people behind it.
To help them move their biotechnology from promising petri dish to planet-scale solution.
We help founders de-risk their innovations, scale smart, and build strong IP and regulatory foundations.
Not because it’s easy, but because it matters.
We believe diversity isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s the only way through complexity.
We don’t sugarcoat, but we’ve got your back.
We’re empathic, yet strict. Radically supportive, deeply honest.
We’re here to build more than companies. We’re here to build a new biotech ecosystem. One that works for people and planet.
And we get sh*t done.
The biotope team
Annick Verween
Head of biotope
Ilana Taub
Stakeholder manager
Anne Helfer
Startup support manager
Peter Cauwels
Fund manager
Lore De Valck
Program officer
biotope is an initiative of VIB, one of the world’s premier life sciences institutes and the driving force behind the Flemish biotech ecosystem.
With biotope, VIB opens up its expertise, support, and fertile ecosystem to external startups.
Skip the accelarator. Come build with real VC.
- Take part in our program to rapidly advance your technology
- Grow the confidence of you and your team
- Turn your startup into an investment-ready business
