Vib Agro-Incubator

Our mission is to catalyze the existing AgBioTech ecosystem by providing access to state-of-the-art greenhouse space and high-throughput phenotyping for industry and academia. In addition, we support early-stage start-ups to accelerate innovative technologies for sustainable agriculture and food production. In 2021, VIB acquired the former CropDesign (BASF) site. The site is currently reviving as the VIB Agro-Incubator in collaboration with ILVO. The site consists of a fully automated and digitalized research greenhouse complex of 3500 m2 with 5 greenhouse compartments, 150 m2 equipped L1 laboratories, a 2 ha test field plot and 800 m2 office space. Top notch infrastructure is currently built for a large scale plant phenotyping installation with a moving table system, a robotic transfer station and a conveyor imaging loop integrating various camera systems (RGB, hyperspectral and multispectral). The greenhouse also harbors a robotic precision sprayer for testing the application of agrochemicals and biologicals. Our team also provides in experimental design and set-up, project follow-up, data analysis and reporting. The Agro-Incubator is also a vibrant place for start-up companies. Three food and agrobiotech projects will start this summer with the biotope program, an incubation program provided by VIB to help start-ups launch their company. Interested in our services? stijn.dhondt@vib.be