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Mario Verbeek

Mario Verbeek

Mario is very interested in the startup ecosystem and has successfully failed to found his own startup. After his apprenticeship in ornamental plant production, he studied horticultural and environmental economics. With practical experience in the Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture at the German Corporation for International Cooperation and his ongoing freelance job in web development, he is an innovation-driven all-rounder.

Recent posts by Mario Verbeek

9 min read

Sustainable Innovation in Urban Mining: Bridging Startups & Corporates in the Circular Economy

By Mario Verbeek on May 24, 2024 5:15:40 PM

Imagine a world where everything we use gets a second life. This is the vision behind the circular economy as “a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible”. 

Topics: Pilot Projects environment startups RootCamp
7 min read

46 AgTech Startups from Agritechnica 2023 you should know

By Mario Verbeek on Nov 21, 2023 11:58:40 AM

Agritechnica - the world's largest trade fair for agricultural innovations has long been a hub for agricultural innovation. This year, Hannover saw something new brewing. RootCamp orchestrated the Lunchtime Startup Pitch Session. Each day, pioneering startups from the agricultural sector took the stage to pitch their disruptive ideas. A total of 46 AgTech startups hailing from 14 countries showcased their innovative solutions. Explore the lineup of these startups below.

Topics: startups Events
8 min read

10 alternative protein startups in Europe you should know

By Mario Verbeek on Sep 15, 2023 3:21:28 PM

Livestock farming, responsible for nearly 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, excessive water consumption, and significant biodiversity loss (as reported by FAO), is driving an urgent need for sustainable alternatives. This necessity has sparked an innovation revolution: alternative protein startups. Across Europe, these bold innovators are utilizing science and technology to create eco-friendly protein sources, whether through cultivated meat, precision fermentation, or plant-based substitutes. By 2050, we will require a 70% increase in food production to feed the world's projected 9.7 billion people. More startups are rising to the occasion, addressing both dietary demands and environmental concerns.

Latest developments in the field of alternative proteins in Europe

Lab-grown meat has already received limited approval in Singapore and the United States, and now it seems that Europe is also taking steps in this direction. Cultivated B, a subsidiary of German food manufacturer Infamily Foods, has made history by becoming the FIRST company in the world to submit an application to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) seeking approval for a cell-cultured meat product. According to the company, the developed "meat" is a hybrid sausage product consisting of vegan ingredients as well as cultured meat based on pork. The EFSA inspection is considered to be particularly stringent and time-consuming. The Israeli cellular agriculture company, Aleph Farms, submitted an application for approval in Switzerland to the Swiss Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO) back in July of this year, marking the first application for cultured meat in all of Europe. 

Alternative proteins are also making waves in the world of investments. Recently, the startup Enough from Scotland secured €40 million in funding to accelerate the production of its mycoprotein product, Abunda. In this article, we shine a spotlight on 10 European startups leading the change towards a sustainable and tasty food future. 

BLUU SEAFOOD | cultured fish | Germany

Topics: Startup Tips Events demo day
8 min read

Meet the best agritech startups that applied for RootCamp Batch #4

By Mario Verbeek on Apr 18, 2023 3:56:27 PM

For the upcoming batch we received an overwhelming number of applications from 72 different countries, a new record. The number of applications has significantly increased by 84% compared to the previous batch, reflecting a growing awareness and recognition of the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. This increase in applications also points to a wider reach beyond Europe, which is a positive development for the promotion of sustainable agriculture globally.

Topics: Startup Bios agtech RootCamp Livestock carbon farming
5 min read

Nutrient Recycling:Today's waste is the raw material of tomorrow

By Mario Verbeek on Mar 3, 2023 11:02:06 AM

As the world continues to face mounting environmental challenges, such as greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity, and land degradation, the need for sustainable solutions has become more pressing than ever before. One of the key areas that requires attention is the current linear material flow, which poses a significant challenge in achieving sustainability. Nutrients are critical for crop production, and with reserves of essential nutrients like phosphorus estimated to be fully exploited by the end of the century, waste streams must be reused to provide future raw materials. In this blog article, we'll explore why nutrient recycling and innovations in the circular economy are crucial in coping with increasing environmental problems and how they can pave the way for a more sustainable future. Get to know cutting-edge approaches 👇.

Topics: Startup Tips Events demo day
7 min read

RootCamp put livestock startups in the spotlight at EuroTier 2022

By Mario Verbeek on Dec 5, 2022 9:00:00 AM

EuroTier/EnergyDecentral is the leading livestock and energy fair organized by DLG (German Agricultural Society/Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft) every two years in Hanover. Over 1,800 exhibitors from 57 countries were present and around 106,000 visitors from 141 countries come by. An impressive performance for the first EuroTier after 4 years break due to a COVID-19!

Topics: agriculture environment agtech applynow Livestock farming climate-smart
6 min read

The first RootCamp Demo Day in person- Day 2 carbon farming

By Mario Verbeek on Sep 20, 2022 8:00:00 AM

After almost two long years of digital batches and events, Batch #3 ended with not only one but even two in-person Demo Days in a row! Startups, corporates, investors and other experts gathered on the 30th and 31st of August at the RootCamp headquarters in Hanover. This article gives you a deep dive into carbon farming.

Topics: Startup Bios Events demo day carbon farming
5 min read

The best 10 % of Batch#3: Discover the startups

By Mario Verbeek on May 9, 2022 3:10:26 PM

Topics: startups agtech RootCamp