BIOKET 2026: Call for Papers, Start-ups & Innovation Awards
The deadlines for the Call for Papers and the Christian Patermann BIOKET Bioeconomy Award have been extended to 30 November 2025, giving researchers and innovators extra time to submit their contributions. From 17 to 19 March 2026, the international bioeconomy community will gather in Fribourg, Switzerland for BIOKET 2026, a three-day conference organised by Bioeconomy For Change (B4C) that provides a platform for researchers, companies, start-ups, and investors to exchange knowledge and showcase innovations shaping the future of the bioeconomy.
Open Calls
Call for papers
Researchers, innovators and industry experts are invited to share their latest work on bio-based technologies and industrial biotechnology. Two presentation formats are available: oral presentation and poster presentation.
Submission deadline: 30 November 2025
More information about call for papers
Christian Patermann BIOKET Bioeconomy Award
The BIOKET Innovation Awards celebrate groundbreaking innovations that are accelerating the transition toward a sustainable, circular, and competitive bioeconomy. These awards recognise pioneering companies, start-ups, and innovators that are transforming scientific advances into real-world industrial solutions with measurable impact.
Submission deadline: 30 November 2025
More information about innovation awards
Call for start-ups
Early-stage companies active in the bioeconomy are invited to submit their application for a chance to showcase their technologies, connect with investors, and gain international visibility at BIOKET 2026.
Selected start-ups will have the opportunity to:
- Pitch their innovations during the Startup Pitch Sessions;
- Exhibit in the dedicated Startup Village at the heart of the conference;
- Network with key players and industries of the global bioeconomy ecosystem;
- Compete for visibility and recognition in front of an international audience.
Application deadline: 1 December 2025
More information about call for start-ups
Plenary Highlights
BIOKET 2026 will feature a strong line-up of plenary debates addressing key topics in the bio-based economy. Below are three highlights from the programme:
The Perfection Trap: Are We Setting the Bar Too High for Bio‑Based Innovation?
Chairman Olivier Roland (L’Oréal) | Sponsor De Smet Engineers & Contractors
Regulations, brand promises and investor check‑lists can push innovators to chase “perfect” specs—often at the expense of speed, affordability and climate impact. This session explores how “good‑enough” bio‑based solutions can win markets sooner.
From Chemical Intermediates to Biobased Pharma Ingredients – Unlocking Biomanufacturing’s Potential
Chairman Katharina Fromm (University of Fribourg)
What happens when advanced fermentation meets the world’s most demanding quality regimes? From solvents to APIs, leaders will reveal how bio‑routes can de‑risk supply chains and slash Scope‑3 emissions in pharma and fine chemicals.
Reprogramming Nature: Biosolutions for the Future of Food
Chairman Luuk Van Der Wielen (BRIGHT Institute) | Sponsor BRIGHT Institute
Synthetic biology, precision fermentation and cell‑cultivation are rewriting the menu. Thought‑leaders will debate how these innovations can deliver safe, affordable, and resource-efficient alternatives to conventional food systems—bringing production closer to the concept of “food from air”.
More information can be found on bioket.tech