Key Takeaways
- S&dB has been awarded EIT Food funding to validate and scale its vSET (Seed Embedding Technology) for open-field vegetable cultivation.
- The project has a €1.5 million total budget, supported by Brightlands Venture Partners and LIOF.
- The goal is to advance vSET from TRL 5 to commercial readiness over two growing seasons.
- Key partners include G’s Fresh, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, and Mechanisatiebedrijf Nanne Kooiman BV, with strategic support from BASF | Nunhems and Sensus.
- The project aims to contribute to the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices in Europe.
S&dB to Scale Seed Embedding Technology with EIT Food Support
Advancing Regenerative Farming Through Innovation
Dutch agtech start-up S&dB has announced that it has been selected for EIT Food funding to further develop its vSET (Seed Embedding Technology). The project, titled “Development of Seed Embedding Technology for Open Field Vegetable Cultivation Enabling Transition to Regenerative Agriculture“, seeks to provide a scalable cultivation solution that supports soil health, biodiversity, and economic resilience for farmers.
The project’s total budget of €1.5 million will fund efforts to advance vSET from Technology Readiness Level 5 toward commercial deployment.
“This opportunity will allow us to move our technology closer to market readiness while supporting the transition to regenerative agriculture,” said a representative of S&dB.
Collaborative European Consortium to Support Development
Expert Partnerships Across Agriculture, Engineering, and Research
The project is being executed through a European consortium comprising:
- G’s Fresh (UK) – a leading vegetable grower and implementation partner
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden – providing environmental validation and systems analysis
- Mechanisatiebedrijf Nanne Kooiman BV – focusing on engineering and technology development
In addition, BASF | Nunhems and Sensus are involved as strategic partners, bringing commercial insight and sector expertise to support broader adoption of the technology.
About vSET and Its Agricultural Application
Seed Embedding for Improved Crop Establishment
S&dB’s proprietary Seed Embedding Technology (SET) is designed to provide an optimal germination environment for seeds across various species. The platform enhances seed vigor, improves root development, and reduces sensitivity to environmental stressors, contributing to uniform crop establishment even under variable field conditions.
By embedding seeds in a controlled environment, vSET offers potential advantages for open-field vegetable production, particularly as growers seek to adopt more resilient and sustainable farming practices.
Role of EIT Food and Project Outlook
Accelerating Market-Ready Agrifood Innovations
EIT Food, backed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), supports initiatives aimed at transforming the agrifood system. Through funding, partnerships, and technical assistance, EIT Food enables startups like S&dB to bring viable agricultural technologies to market.
