Participants
Back to Battery makes new battery materials from end-of-life lithium ion batteries; sustainable recovery of critical raw materials through closed-loop recycling. Our materials are just as good as “virgin” materials; there is no loss of functionality. We do this closed-loop recycling in the most sustainable way, which makes us unique. We offer the missing link in the battery value chain, in a clean and effective way and avoid a lot of CO2 emissions. We have no waste, need few chemicals and energy and do all types of Li-ion batteries.
We are now making samples for our potential customers. BeStart offers a program that fits in with our activities of market development and customer traction, so we can do this with the help of this program in a structural and professional way. It is also a great opportunity to discover the north of the Netherlands, because with our technology we fit very well within the chemical cluster in Groningen Seaports.
ChargeNet is a platform for transport entrepreneurs that helps find suitable charging locations for electric trucks on the road. Our platform offers solutions to operational challenges, such as availability of charging points and price certainty. We not only make the match between transporter and charging location, but also take care of administration and invoicing.’
To learn with and from each other as a group of enthusiastic startups, and to better understand the logistics challenges in the Northern Netherlands in order to be as relevant as possible to entrepreneurs in the Northern Netherlands.
At CIWI, we develop on-site technology for producing water treatment chemicals, replacing traditionally used coagulants and pH-control at treatment facilities. Our technology eliminates the dependency on the chemical industry, reduces safety risks and unwanted side effects, and lowers the carbon footprint.
We were looking for a programme that offers expertise in validating our targeted niche markets and provides access to a relevant water-focused network. Based on recommendations from other start- and scale-ups in the sector, we heard positive experiences of the BeStart programme.
With ECO all the WAY, we try to make it easier for consumers to make conscious, sustainable choices through innovation. MIXIT is a cleaning system in which a work bottle is filled with water and cartridges with specific cleaning agents can be clicked into the spray housing. There are special cleaning agents for each “cleaning task”. The cartridges are refillable and can therefore be used in a circular way. We call it ‘zero waste cleaning’.
It is the first time we are going from a-z to market an entirely proprietary product that does not exist until today, we want to make sure we take the right steps at the right time, learn to implement, validate and then scale up.
We’re developing an AI-powered platform that helps utilities and farmers reduce water losses and improve operational efficiency through smart monitoring, automation, and a conversational AI assistant. Field teams use the platform to detect leaks early, automate routine tasks, and respond faster to issues. At the same time, top management gains real-time visibility into system performance, cost-saving opportunities, and data-driven recommendations to support better decisions. The innovation lies in making advanced technology simple, scalable, and useful across all levels of the organization from the ground to the boardroom.
We applied to the BeStart programme to gain expert support in scaling our water sustainability solution across current and new markets. While we’ve proven the value of our AI-powered platform in reducing water losses and improving efficiency in regions like the MENA, Africa and Brazil, we’re now focused on refining our business model, expanding in the Netherlands, and becoming investor-ready. BeStart’s ecosystem, coaching, and access to testbeds are exactly what we need to validate our offering in a European context, strengthen our commercial strategy, and accelerate our impact in climate tech.
FarmToHome is a digital marketplace that connects Dutch households directly with local farmers. We make it easy for consumers to order high-quality, fresh, and seasonal farm products online, while ensuring that farmers receive a fair price. We handle all logistics in the background so that the entire experience—from field to doorstep—is simple, transparent, and sustainable.
We applied because we were specifically looking for a programme that fits our current stage. Most incubators focus on getting startups from idea to MVP or through their first traction—but there are far fewer that support the journey from startup to scale-up. When we came across BeStart and saw its focus on Climate Tech, it immediately stood out. It aligns closely with our mission and sustainability goals at FarmToHome, so it felt like the perfect fit to help us take the next step in our growth.
We are working on a technology that combines sensors, big data and machine learning to measure the mixing process in tanks in real-time. This allows us to minimise product loss, ensure constant product quality and optimise processes.
For us, the programme is a good follow-up to Bestart's earlier sessions (SME Bootcamp). Our product is strong and there is a market with demand, but it is still difficult to find the right combination. The guidance provided by Bestart's coaches is valuable for getting to the bottom of this and thus working step by step on a scalable product with the right focus.
Midgard replaces ESG compliance teams with AI. We're working on AI that can autonomously collect data, review policies, complete disclosure tasks, and write reports. Midgard is not meant to be used by a company's sustainability team - we are the sustainability team.
BeStart's focus on climate tech and their connections with local governments made it a no-brainer for us. We've identified over 550+ possible clients in the region and we believe that the program can help us reach them more effectively.
NoTrack is working on a new tractor concept that makes arable farming possible without risking unsolvable soil compaction below 25cm. This is necessary to keep our soil healthy, to secure ecosystem services and food security. Deep soil compaction is seen as one of the biggest risks in soil health.
We applied to the program to deepen our network and get valuable feedback on our progress.
We sell nature-based carbon removal credits to companies going to net-zero who want to make additional impact on nature, moving away from the carbon tunnel vision. With the co-benefits of our carbon credits suppliers we increase biodiversity, improve the soil and water and get more nutrients into our food.
To get assistance in giving priorities to the right things at the right time during the different phases of the start-up.
We help organisations easily access energy data. Think of consumption data, net topology, grid congestion management, energy market data, et cetera.
During the programme, we are mainly rebuilding a business foundation that will allow us to grow in a focused way. The support of the programme mainly helps us to better define processes and sharpen the vision. We chose BeStart mainly for the network and knowledge support. We focus on energy issues and we think we can also offer a solution in the Northern Netherlands, and we would like to strengthen our network there as well.
TORWASH enables sludge-free water treatment. With hydrothermal technology, sewage sludge is treated at the water treatment plant and can be easily mechanically stripped. What remains is a bio-fuel, biogas and also the phosphates present are recovered. Thus, a dirty waste stream is completely converted into reusable products instead of being incinerated. A TORWASH system delivers a 60% reduction in operational costs for sludge treatment.
Although we have already gone through some IRPs, the individual coaching of the BeStart programme is very interesting to us.
Weco is developing a wave energy technology. A system to harvest energy from ocean waves. Our technology consists of lightweight platforms or modules that you install at sea. The system follows the orbital motion of the waves, and via a rotating shaft converters this into electricity. This can provide power to the grid or for other offshore applications.
We are now exploring the commercial possibilities for solo modules.
2025 MKB
Jongia specialises in industrial mixers. Within the Liquidz innovation project, we are working on a technology that combines sensors, big data and machine learning to measure the mixing process in tanks in real-time. This allows us to minimise product loss, ensure constant product quality and optimise processes. Our sensor makes it possible to measure what happens during the process directly in the tank. This opens the door to many ways of making industrial processes smarter and more efficient. Think of reducing product and batch losses, shortening batch times, optimising mix quality and realising energy savings.
We have a strong technological innovation on our hands that can add a lot of value for our customers. At the same time, we find it challenging to move from technology to a well-functioning business model. Through this programme, we want to learn how to build a business around our product, and where we can best focus our energy to make this happen efficiently and purposefully.
Sustainable Transfomers helps enterprises become more resilient and profitable with sustainability and digitalisation. The Twin Transition roadmap is a structured approach to help enterprises digitise, with sustainability at its core. As a result, enterprises simultaneously work on operational improvements (efficiency and cost reduction), sustainability (reduced CO2 emissions) and strategy (profitability and future-proofing)
We applied for the programme to sharpen the each to better fit a customer need and to explore whether the idea could be made scalable.
Foodpaper.eu focuses on the development and production of an innovative food packaging, as a circular alternative to conventional plastic and aluminium packaging. Designed for providers, processors and or deliverers of fresh produce in meat, cheese, fish, nuts etc., the packaging combines a renewable paper base with an easily separable HDPE film. This makes recycling more accessible and reduces the environmental impact of food packaging.
Through Circular Friesland, we were made aware of the opportunity to participate in the BeStart programme which came at the right time for us. We are about to enter the market and would like to test and accelerate our plans, with as little failure costs as possible. The knowledge sharing within the group, and the critical questions asked, help us to become sharper. Marketing, for instance, is another item where we want to mirror our plans. We expect to sharpen our strategy within this trajectory, before implementing it.
Tegearre assists companies with arranging the various waste streams. We also offer scope to hitch a ride on collectivity agreements. This ensures that waste is collected more sustainably at better conditions. We also facilitate project-based waste projects. For example, clearances for a large supermarket chain, as well as the collection of event waste at, for example, Sneekweek.
Because it is always good to make the world bigger and gather people around you with different insights. I will also work during the programme to create structure and grow organically.
Alumni Startups
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Alumni MKB
