A dialogue and networking event focused on the circular bioeconomy will take place in Dublin next week, bringing together innovators, investors and experts.

The event will provide a platform for discussing strategies that address the financial barriers preventing the growth and scaling of circular bioeconomy technologies and solutions.

The in-person event titled 'Bridging the Funding Gap: Scaling Innovations in Circular Bioeconomy' will take place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 9:15a.m to 1:00p.m at the Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin. 

ShapingBio in collaboration with Teagasc; BiOrbic, Bioeconomy Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre; and Furthr will host the event as part of Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2024.

During the event, three bio-economy companies will share their experiences in securing finance, discussing the factors that enabled their success and the obstacles they encountered.

In addition, two investors active in the field of the circular bioeconomy will offer insights into their funding instruments and what they seek in potential investments.

Registration is required for this event. Anyone interested can register on the Shaping Bio website under 'Bridging the Funding Gap: Scaling Innovations in Circular Bioeconomy'.

The event is driven by the "urgent need" to connect innovators in the bioeconomy sector with "crucial sources" of funding following the publication of the National Bioeconomy Action Plan 2023-2025, Teagasc said.

The EU-funded ShapingBio project has shown that funding remains one of the biggest hurdles to advancing the bioeconomy across the EU, Prof. Maeve Henchion of Teagasc, ShapingBio, and BiOrbic said.

ShapingBio is an EU Horizon 2020 project that aims to support and accelerate bioeconomy innovation and the deployment of new knowledge in the EU and its member states.

"This event is a timely opportunity to bring together key players – innovators, investors and experts - to explore new ways to bridge the funding gap and scale breakthrough solutions in the bioeconomy," she said.

“This in-person event provides access to valuable knowledge through presentations and discussions, but we have also included critical time for networking," Dr. Noha Mahmoud of Teagasc and ShapingBio added.