The research project Sweethoven Biotech represented the Institute for Microbiology and Biotechnology at the German Biotechnology Days in Heidelberg and returned to the Rhineland with not one, but two incredible prizes:
🏆 Innovation Award 2025 of the BioRegions Germany
🎤 Audience Award (with a whopping 55% of all votes) in the session “New Kids on the Block in Industrial Biotech - Pitches of Young Start-Ups”
In addition to their convincing presentations, Dr. Marcel Hövels and Dr. André Neff brought a batch of the sweet-tasting dietary fiber produced at the IFMB to the DBT. The overwhelming interest clearly shows the growing demand for healthier and sustainable sweeteners.
This would not have been possible without the support of the DATIpilot Innovation Sprint from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research - a strong example of how fast, unbureaucratic funding can accelerate scientific transfer.
Addendum: This section has been revised retrospectively because earlier formulations were misleading and could have unintentionally cast doubt on the scientific classification of Dr. Marcel Hövels’ research work. Dr. Hövels’ transfer-oriented research is conducted exclusively within a scientific, pre-competitive context. No economic activities and no company formation have resulted from these research activities. This can be readily verified by consulting the commercial register. Unfortunately, owing to partially imprecise descriptions in press releases concerning the project and in connection with awards received, an incorrect impression has in some cases been created that the project already constitutes an established company. This possible misinterpretation is regretted. It is therefore clarified that the work concerns a scientific, transfer-oriented research project at the pre-competitive stage.