CIIL’s First Batch: Cross-Industry Innovation for Sustainability

RootCamp has selected its first official batch for the CIIL – the Cross Industry Innovation Lab, a new program designed to support early stage startups from Lower Saxony which focus on developing sustainable industrial end products. The startups may participate for up to one year each. The program has capacity for up to six startups per year, with RootCamp planning to open the call for more startups before the end of this year and admit them on a rolling basis.

CIIL complements RootCamp’s existing programs by focusing on very early stage teams and offering a flexible, customized approach. It supports the startups with an individualised curriculum that involves mentorship from industry experts, as well as the possibility of operational and strategic support from an advisory board that is tailored to the startups' needs. Through the participation in a HTI program, the startups are also eligible for two grants of 180k and 300k.

By leveraging RootCamp’s strong network and targeted matchmaking, CIIL creates a cross-industry environment where startups, corporates, and experts collaborate on applied innovation, product–market fit, and measurable impact.

Meet the Startups: CIIL First Batch

The first CIIL batch was admitted at the end of 2025, and will be part of the program throughout 2026. It brings together a diverse group of startups tackling sustainability and efficiency challenges across food, manufacturing, robotics, and industrial technologies:

Cultimate Foods

Cultimate Foods produces a cultivated fat ingredient that significantly improves the taste, smell, and mouthfeel of alternative meat products. By making plant - based and alternative proteins more appealing, the team is accelerating the transition toward sustainable and climate-friendly nutrition.

Sightwise

Sightwise uses AI and synthetic data to enable automated quality control in manufacturing. Their technology improves inspection precision, reduces error rates, and helps industrial companies achieve higher efficiency with fewer resources.

AQonvis

AQonvis offers an operational intelligence platform that enhances industrial performance through real-time data analysis and process optimization - supporting smarter decisions, reduced waste, and more sustainable operations.

Plantilizer

Plantilizer develops sustainable fertilizers made from biochar and microorganisms. Their solution improves soil quality while actively promoting CO₂ sequestration, contributing to more resilient and climate-positive agriculture.

Digity

Digity is pioneering the future of robot learning by capturing real human dexterity to train the next generation of humanoid robots and physical AI, enabling safer, more adaptable, and more efficient automation.

INLEAP Photonics

INLEAP Photonics creates innovative laser beam guidance systems that increase precision and efficiency in industrial laser applications - helping manufacturers reduce energy use, material waste, and process inefficiencies.

Looking Ahead

With CIIL, RootCamp is expanding its commitment to applied sustainability and cross-industry collaboration in Lower Saxony. By connecting ambitious early stage startups with experienced industry partners, CIIL lays the groundwork for solutions that are not only innovative - but also market-ready and impactful.

We look forward to supporting this first batch on their journey and to welcoming new industry partners who want to actively shape the future of sustainable industrial innovation. If you’re a startup who fits the criteria mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to message us for more information here!