COPILOT Study Visit & Scale-Up Matchmaking Day at Genopole From Lab to Industrial Reality: Scaling-Up Biotechnologies in Europe
About the Event
As part of the EU-funded COPILOT project, financed by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU), we are pleased to invite you to a Scale-Up Study Visit & Matchmaking Day hosted at Genopole, one of Europe’s leading bioclusters.
This free-of-charge event (registration mandatory) aims to connect bioinnovators with open-access pilot, demo and scaling-up infrastructures, while showcasing Genopole’s two flagship scale-up platforms:
• GATEX – a bioproduction acceleration platform bridging R&D and industrial manufacturing
• PROTOPIA – a biotechnology prototyping and scale-up platform accelerating innovation
The event combines presentations, infrastructure pitches, site visits and curated one-to-one meetings, offering a concrete and action-oriented approach to scale-up challenges.
Why Attend?
For Bioinnovators (Start-ups, SMEs, Industrial Companies)
Are you developing a biotech, bio-based or biomanufacturing innovation and facing challenges in scaling up?
By attending this free COPILOT event (registration mandatory), you will be able to:
• Discover open-access pilot and demo infrastructures across Europe
• Understand how GATEX and PROTOPIA can support your scale-up strategy
• Meet infrastructure providers, CDMOs and technology platforms
• Explore technical, financial and operational pathways to de-risk industrialisation
• Participate in pre-arranged one-to-one meetings tailored to your project needs
Designed for projects from TRL 4 to 8, this event helps bridge the gap between laboratory validation and industrial deployment.
For Scaling-Up Facilities & Open-Access Platforms
Are you an open-access pilot plant, demo facility, CDMO or scale-up infrastructure?
This free-of-charge event (registration mandatory) offers you:
• The opportunity to pitch your services during the Scaling-Up Facilities Pitch Session
• Direct interaction with bioinnovators actively seeking scale-up solutions
• Increased visibility within the European COPILOT ecosystem
• Curated B2B one-to-one meetings leading to concrete collaboration opportunities
Position your infrastructure as a key enabler of European biomanufacturing and bio-based industries.
Scaling-Up Facilities Pitch Session – Important Information
Open-access pilot & demo facilities pitches are limited. Pitch slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
To be eligible to pitch, scaling-up facilities must:
1. Be registered in the Pilots4U by COPILOT database (), and
2. Have their registration validated by the Pilots4U database manager
-> Registration in the Pilots4U by COPILOT database is free of charge. Only facilities meeting these criteria and securing an available slot will be invited to pitch during the event.
We therefore strongly encourage interested facilities to register early.
Draft Programme
09:00 – 10:00: ☕ Welcome Coffee & Registration
10:00 – 10:05: Welcome Address – Genopole
10:05 – 10:10: Welcome Address – COPILOT Project
10:10 – 10:30: Presentation of Genopole and its Scaling-Up Platforms Focus on GATEX & PROTOPIA
10:30 – 12:00: Scaling-Up Facilities Pitch Session Open-access pilot & demo plant infrastructures(Pitch duration adjusted according to number of validated participants)
12:00 – 13:30: Networking Lunch
13:30 – 15:30: Curated One-to-One Meetings Bioinnovators ↔ Scaling-Up Facilities
14:00 – 16:00: Guided Tours of GATEX & PROTOPIA (Participants divided into groups if necessary)
Focus on Genopole’s Platforms
GATEX – Bioproduction Acceleration Platform
GATEX supports industrial biotech projects by providing open-access bioproduction capabilities, helping companies move efficiently from pilot to industrial scale.
PROTOPIA – Biotech Prototyping & Scale-Up
Platform PROTOPIA accelerates biotech innovation by offering access to advanced equipment, expertise and scale-up support, from proof of concept to pre-industrial validation.
About COPILOT
This event is organised within the framework of the COPILOT project, funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU).
COPILOT supports the European bioeconomy by facilitating study visits, scale-up workshops and matchmaking events, connecting bioinnovators with open-access scaling-up infrastructures across Europe.
Who Should Participate?
• Biotech and bio-based start-ups
• SMEs and industrial companies developing bio-based products
• Open-access pilot plants, demo facilities and CDMOs
• Technology providers and scale-up enablers
• Innovation, industrialisation and bioeconomy stakeholders
Registration & Participation
Participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory.
• Bioinnovators: Register to attend, network and book one-to-one meetings
• Scaling-Up Facilities:
◦ Register for the event
◦ Ensure registration in the Pilots4U by COPILOT database
◦ Apply early to secure a pitch slot (first come, first served)
B4C reserves the right to refuse a registration; in such a case, you will be informed by email.
