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§ Private Profile · Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Biotechnology company developing microbial cell factories for sustainable bioproducts, chemicals, and ingredients via precision fermentation.
Based in Groningen, Netherlands, EV Biotech develops and optimizes microbial cell factories using computational modeling and strain engineering to accelerate the sustainable production of biomaterials, bio-based ingredients, and specialty chemicals. The company utilizes a proprietary digital approach to precision fermentation that reduces development time by half and cuts production costs by 25 to 50 percent compared to traditional trial-and-error methods. Shifting its business model from contract research to strategic partnerships, the firm serves the agriculture, pharmaceutical, and chemical sectors, working with corporate customers such as Repsol to develop bio-indole octane boosters. The enterprise has raised $4.86 million in total funding to date, backed by institutional investors including RUG Ventures, and has previously participated in the Creative Destruction Lab accelerator program. EV Biotech was founded in 2018 by Linda Dijkshoorn, Sergey Lunev, and Agnieszka Wegrzyn.
EV Biotech has raised $5.0M across 1 funding round.
EV Biotech has raised $5.0M in total across 1 funding round.
EV Biotech is a Groningen-based biotechnology startup specializing in precision fermentation and microbial strain engineering. It develops ArtemisAI, a proprietary AI-driven platform that combines machine learning, metabolic modeling, and constraint-based simulations to design, optimize, and scale microbial production strains for bio-based products like nutraceuticals, specialty ingredients, and pharmaceutical intermediates[2][3][5][6]. The company serves industries including pharma, specialty chemicals, and sustainable bioproducts by co-developing scalable bioprocesses, reducing development timelines, and enabling commercial viability through partnerships, royalties, or joint ventures[2][3]. It recently launched OptiStrain, a SaaS tool for genome-scale modeling that allows researchers to run unlimited digital experiments on microbial strains, predicting knockouts and optimizing production across species to cut costs and accelerate innovation[4]. After a rebound in 2025 under RUG Ventures ownership, EV Biotech shifted from CRO services to strategic partnerships, showing strong growth momentum with refined leadership and regional support[3].
EV Biotech was founded over five years ago (around 2020) by Linda Dijkshoorn in Groningen, Netherlands, emerging from the University of Groningen's biotech ecosystem as a flagship of the northern biotech industry[3]. Dijkshoorn, who recently returned as Chief Commercial Officer, built the company on technology for using bacteria as "miniature factories" to produce compounds like flavors and fragrances via cleaner, biological methods[3]. The idea stemmed from computational modeling expertise to create microbial cell factories, addressing inefficiencies in traditional production[5]. Early recognition came as a promising startup, but it faced challenges leading to a 2025 rebound: acquired by RUG Ventures with fresh investments, new leadership including Max Guillaume heading modeling, and a pivot to commercialization-focused AI platforms like ArtemisAI[3]. Pivotal moments include the 2024 launch of OptiStrain and alignment with regional circular economy initiatives, ensuring survival and renewed traction[3][4].
EV Biotech rides the precision fermentation and synthetic biology wave, enabling sustainable biomanufacturing amid rising demand for bio-based alternatives to petrochemicals in pharma, food, and chemicals[3][5]. Timing aligns with global pushes for circularity and renewables—its University of Groningen roots and RUG Ventures backing amplify regional Northern European biotech hubs, influencing ecosystem growth by de-risking scale-up for high-value ingredients[3]. Market forces like AI-biotech convergence and regulatory emphasis on green processes favor its platforms, which turn biology into predictable engineering, accelerating industry shifts from fossil fuels to microbial factories[2][6]. By open-sourcing tools like OptiStrain, it democratizes metabolic engineering, fostering innovation and positioning Groningen as a bioprocessing leader[4].
EV Biotech's 2025 rebound positions it for explosive growth, with ArtemisAI and OptiStrain expanding to mammalian models and more species, targeting pharma and sustainable ingredients via deepened partnerships[3][4]. Trends like AI-driven biofoundries and net-zero mandates will propel demand, potentially evolving its influence through acquisitions or IPO as it scales biomanufacturing ROI[2][6]. Watch for commercialization wins in high-value markets, cementing its role from northern flagship to global precision fermentation powerhouse—transforming microbes into market-ready assets.
EV Biotech has raised $5.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Seed in March 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2023 | $5M Seed | Jaap Strengers | Andrew Nutter, Hannu Ryopponen, Jogchum Brinksma, Marc Kaptein, M.d., Marie Outtier, Scott Saxberg, Blue Horizon, Carduso Capital, NOM, RUG Ventures, Triade Investment, Voyagers Climate Tech Fund | Announced |
EV Biotech has raised $5.0M in total across 1 funding round.
EV Biotech's investors include Jaap Strengers, Andrew Nutter, Hannu Ryopponen, Jogchum Brinksma, Marc Kaptein, M.D., Marie Outtier, Scott Saxberg, Blue Horizon, Carduso Capital, NOM, RuG Ventures, Triade Investment.