Some frequently asked
questions answered

Application • Process

Which documents do I need to submit for the application?

For the first round, you will only need to submit the online application form.

Via this form, you will provide us with key information about your company and the malt application you want to test.

There are no specific expectations during this phase, but we highly recommend that you provide the Boortmalt Executive Committee team all the necessary information required for them to identify your company as fit for partnership.

What steps are included in the BoortmaltX Program?

The BoortmaltX Program involves six steps.

Startups submit an application form outlining their startup and innovative applications of malt that can enhance their existing business or disrupt industries beyond malt in the application phase. Applications are reviewed, and a group of startups is selected to advance to the preliminary jury pitch session.

Chosen startups then present their proposals to a small jury in a preliminary pitch session, which includes a 15-minute pitch followed by a 45-minute Q&A session with the Boortmalt team. Selected startups work with the Boortmalt program manager and a startup studio team to refine their pitches for the final presentation in the pitch preparation phase.

The top 10 startups then pitch to the Boortmalt Executive Committee and CEO, who determine which startups will proceed to the pilot phases to test the proposed product.

When can I apply?

Once very year we select start-ups to pitch in front of the Boortmalt Executive Committee. The next round will be in September. The sooner you apply, the more time you will have to prepare, but feel free to apply whenever suits your timing.

Where does the pitch take place?

We would love you to join us for a real-life pitch-session. As we have many office locations, we can decide on the most convenient one. Alternatively, we can also arrange to do it virtually. Further practicalities for this event will be confirmed once you are selected.

Who can apply?

Any entrepreneur with an idea, an existing start-up or scale-up, as long as your concept falls into one of the business lines or applications we identified and communicated on our website.

We expect the founding team to apply. The team must constitute a minimum of 2 founders. If you are in a recruitment process, please make sure to onboard your co-founders before to apply.

Application • Eligibility

What are the requirements to participate?

In order to become eligible for this partnership, we do have some expectations:

Your team must consist of passionate and committed entrepreneurs with the necessary technical knowledge and scientific expertise related to your field area.
You are willing to tap into the malt value chain to explore opportunities for more sustainability and don’t have existing partnerships with brewers or malt companies.
You are open-minded towards co-creation and keen to open your R&D process with Boortmalt in order to co-create new IP.
You speak English or have someone in the team who can lead the partnership relationship (the pitch will be in English).

Are there restrictions on company type, size or maturity?

We are looking for partnerships with companies or individuals that have already developed a solid idea/solution/product and/or have the technical expertise to apply on the business lines or malt application that we defined. Ideally, you should have identified your customer base, business model and revenue streams. As part of the malt value chain, today or tomorrow, your start-up should go beyond buying Boortmalt’s raw material. However, as this partnership focuses on building IP together, your company should be open for co-creation.

Application • Selection

What are the selection criteria?

As long as you are eligible, we don’t hold strict selection criteria. But we will certainly pay more attention to start-ups that will:

Be technologically innovative
Respond to a clear problem/customer need
Be backed by a strong value proposition for an existing client base
Have at least one clear and strong differentiator
Have identified a business model and revenue streams
Have already gained traction or first signs of product-market fit already-
Be able to scale quickly

When and how will the results be communicated?

You will receive a response via email within one week of submitting your application.

Do you receive personal feedback?

We take all applications to heart and consider them very carefully. Both after your online application as well as the pitch session, we will provide you with personalized feedback.

Who is the jury?

The online applications will be handled by the BoortmaltX team. In the second round, you will pitch in front of the Executive Committee of Boortmalt where you will describe your company, assets, and proposed way of working together. The ExCo is constituted of the CEO of Boortmalt, Yvan Schaepman as well as a small team of other committee members.

How many start-ups are selected?

Each year, we will select the most promising and best-fitting start-ups for a partnership.

Can two competing projects both be selected?

Our aim is to improve collaboration within the malt ecosystem to build sustainable innovation in the value chain. We base our start-up selection on the viability and market-fit of the participants’ solutions. If we consider two similar start-ups to be sufficiently promising to add a distinctive value to the malt value chain, we will not hold back cooperation with either company.

Program • Process

What does the program offer me?

The BoortmaltX Program provides startups with a range of valuable resources to help them succeed.

With a €50k budget, startups can conduct a product pilot to uncover the potential of malt for their business. They can utilize the cutting-edge Innovation Test Center, featuring a small-scale malting setup, to validate their concepts, refine their solutions, and accelerate their growth. In addition, startups can tap into Boortmalt's unparalleled industry expertise, production capabilities, and extensive global partner network to gain a competitive edge in the market, unlock new opportunities for collaboration and expansion, and elevate their business.

Successful pilot projects can be showcased to Boortmalt and its vast partner network, providing startups with investment opportunities for scaling their business. Lastly, the program provides an inspiring co-working environment at Boortmalt HQ, where startups can immerse themselves in the malting ecosystem, connect with seasoned industry experts, share ideas, and collaborate to drive innovation and turn groundbreaking ideas into real-world solutions.

What’s in it for Boortmalt?

This program is a two-way road, creating collective value for both parties. Via this program, Boortmalt wants to highlight to the world the wonders of malt and make related sectors more sustainable. We want to bring value to our industry through the immense potential of malt for innovation. Consequently, this program will allow us to confirm our positioning as innovation leader in the Malt Industry.

How much does the program cost?

Nothing. And it’s an equity free participation. We envision a partnership to collaborate on the future of the malt industry. That is all we are asking for.

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Some frequently asked
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Some frequently askedquestions answered

Some frequently asked
questions answered