Rootcamp
RootCamp is an AgTech and Bieconomy Innovation Hub that helps startups of all stages who want to accelerate their paths to market and have a positive impact in the AgriFood value-chain with disruptive solutions. It also supports large and medium corporate partners in achieving their strategic objectives in terms of corporate innovation, discovering new trends, collaborating with startups, and de-risking access to innovation. Local key corporate partners are RootCamps founding member, the mining company K+S, as well as the seed breeder KWS. One defining success criterion is the strong partnership with large regional companies that offer financial support, as well as an existing established network in the agrifood and bioeconomy sector. These key partnerships are crucial for a sustainable and lasting impact in the startup and innovation ecosystem. In return, the companies benefit from the partnership through connections to startups and their innovative ideas.
One example of this fruitful collaboration is the startup aquapurna. During RootCamp’s acceleration program it emerged that K+S had some unused facilities in one of their mining sites. RootCamp connected K+S with Aquapurna, as they were searching for production and research facilities. They formed a close partnership in which both benefited: With support from K+S, Aquapurna developed an innovative concept to establish a scalable production of regionally farmed shrimp. The largest and most modern indoor shrimp farm in Europe is currently being built at a decommissioned mine site Sigmundshall site near Hanover. This has been contractually agreed between K+S and Aquapurna. K+S is investing an amount in the low double-digit million-euro range in the sustainable project and is acting as the building owner, landlord and media supplier for the new farm.