1 The EIC Accelerator Project
The EIC Accelerator program, a pivotal initiative under the European Innovation Council (EIC), aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe, particularly those with high-risk, high-potential innovations. The program provides a unique blend of funding and support mechanisms designed to foster breakthrough innovations and assist companies in scaling their operations.Funding Structure of the EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator offers a dual funding approach known as blended finance, which combines grants and equity investments. The program can allocate grants of up to €2.5 million, aimed at covering the costs associated with product development, prototype building, and market entry. The equity component is also significant, allowing for investments of up to €15 million until 2024, and subsequently, up to €10 million from 2025 onwards. This financial structure is tailored to help innovators access the necessary capital to scale their solutions effectively while minimizing initial financial burdens.
Purpose and Impact on the Ecosystem
The EIC Accelerator plays a critical role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by bridging the funding gap often faced by early-stage companies. It provides essential support not only in terms of capital but also in strategic guidance, networking opportunities, and access to a broader market. By facilitating partnerships with private investors, the EIC Accelerator enhances the prospects of startups securing additional funding, thereby driving innovation and competitiveness within the European market.
TOOPI ORGANICS and the Toopi-Regen Project
One notable winner of the EIC Accelerator is TOOPI ORGANICS, a French company that focuses on sustainable agricultural solutions. Their project, Toopi-Regen, aims to harness the potential of urine as a resource for creating a closed-loop regenerative farming system. The project was submitted under the EIC Accelerator program on June 21, 2023, and represents a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture.
Technology Basics and Background
The Toopi-Regen project seeks to revolutionize agricultural practices by utilizing human urine, a nutrient-rich resource typically discarded as waste. Urine contains essential elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are crucial for plant growth. By converting this waste into a valuable fertilizer, Toopi-Regen aims to minimize reliance on synthetic fertilizers, reduce environmental pollution, and promote a circular economy.
The technology behind Toopi-Regen involves a sophisticated process of collection, treatment, and application of urine to crops. This system not only serves as a sustainable alternative to traditional fertilizers but also helps in reducing the carbon footprint associated with fertilizer production and distribution. By implementing this innovative agricultural practice, TOOPI ORGANICS aims to contribute to food security while fostering environmental sustainability.
In summary, the EIC Accelerator serves as a catalyst for innovation in the European startup ecosystem, offering crucial funding and support mechanisms. The Toopi-Regen project exemplifies the program's commitment to promoting sustainable practices and highlights the transformative potential of rethinking waste management in agriculture. Through initiatives like this, the EIC Accelerator continues to pave the way for groundbreaking solutions that address pressing global challenges.
2 The Funding Rounds
Toopi Organics: Financing, Funding Rounds, Investors, and Valuation since EIC Accelerator Win
Toopi Organics, a French biotechnology company focused on converting human urine into agricultural biostimulants, has undergone significant growth and financing activity since submitting its Step 2 proposal and subsequently winning the EIC Accelerator in June 2023.
Financing Raised
- Total Funding: Toopi Organics has raised approximately $25.36 million (about €23.5 million) across nine funding rounds.
- Notable Recent Rounds:
- €16 million Series A round in September 2023.
- €8.4 million from the EIC Accelerator announced in November 2023 (comprising a €2.4 million grant and €6 million equity to be invested in 2025).
Funding Rounds: Timing & Amounts
| Date | Round | Amount | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2023 | Series A | €16M | Led by VisVires New Protein; included Edaphon, Noshaq, MAIF Impact, BNP Paribas Développement; also IRDI, JOHES. Equity (€11M) + non-dilutive grants (€5M). |
| Nov 14/15/16, 2023 | Grant II / Accelerator | €8.4M | European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator; €2.4M grant + €6M equity to be invested in 2025. |
</em>Dates vary slightly due to reporting lag between sources.
Additional Details:
- The September Series A round combined both equity (€11M) and non-dilutive public funds/grants (€5M), including support from ADEME (€3.8M impact grant), Bpifrance (€1.1M), and others.
- Prior incubator/accelerator grants were received before this period but are not detailed post-June 2023.
Investor Information
- Key Lead Investors:
- VisVires New Protein (lead investor for Series A)
- European Innovation Council (EIC) through the EIC Accelerator program
- Edaphon
- Noshaq
- MAIF Impact
- BNP Paribas Développement
- Other existing investors: IRDI, JOHES, MakeSense
Public Grants & Supporters:
- ADEME (French government agency)
- Bpifrance
Toopi Organics lists a total of at least sixteen distinct investors across its funding history as of late November/December 2023.
Company Valuations
Valuation is based on data aggregators' estimates; direct post-money valuations are not always publicly disclosed for private companies at this stage.
Exit Events: IPOs or Acquisitions
As of May 2025:
The company remains privately held with continued scaling plans backed by recent fundraising rounds focused on expansion within Europe.
Summary Table: Major Post-EIC Fundraising Events Since June 21st Cutoff Date
| Date | Event/Funding Type | Amount | Lead Investor(s)/Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep '23 | Series A | €16 million | VisVires New Protein (+ Edaphon/Noshaq/etc.; grants part too) |
| Nov '23 | EIC Grant II / Equity | €8.4 million | </em>€2.4m grant + up to €6m equity via EIC Accelerator |
(Equity portion scheduled for investment in future tranches)
Additional Context Since Winning the EIC Accelerator:
Following these financings: - Toopi Organics launched commercial products like Lactopi Start.
- The company began scaling production capacity with industrial sites planned in France and Belgium.
- Expansion trials targeting six EU member states were initiated using these funds.
No exit events such as IPOs or acquisitions have been recorded during this timeframe.
Sources
- Toopi Organics Secures €8.4m Funding For Agricultural Valorization
- Toopi Organics Stock Price, Funding & Valuation — CB Insights
- Toopi Organics' Groundbreaking Biostimulants Secure €8.4m Investment — Edible Planet Ventures
- French startup Toopi raises €8.4m — TechFundingNews
-Toopi raises €16m to revolutionize European agriculture — Edible Planet Ventures
-Breaking: Pee In Drinkable Water Is Nonsense… — AgFunder News
-Company Information & Value Estimate – Scaleup Porto
3 The Press Releases
Toopi Organics: Pioneering Urine Upcycling for Sustainable Agriculture with EIC Accelerator FundingFollowing its June 2023 EIC Accelerator win, Toopi Organics secured €8.4 million in combined grant and equity funding (€2.4M grant + €6M equity slated for 2025). The French biotech company specializes in transforming human urine into agricultural biostimulants, addressing Europe’s fertilizer import dependency and drought challenges through circular economy solutions.
Key Developments Post-Funding
- Product Launches: Commercialized Lactopi Start*, a urine-based biostimulant that enhances phosphorus assimilation and plant growth, now available in France and Belgium.
- Expansion Plans: Aiming to produce over 5 million liters of urine-derived biostimulants by 2029, with trials across six EU countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy) to validate efficacy on region-specific crops.
- Technology: Uses fermented human urine as a growth medium for beneficial microorganisms that improve soil health via nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization.
- Partnerships & Infrastructure: Collaborates with event organizers and public facilities to collect urine via dry toilets; processes it through filtration/fermentation at its Loupiac-de-la-Réole facility.
While specific patents or team updates are not detailed in publicly available materials, the company’s focus on scaling production suggests ongoing R&D investments. No direct press releases from their website or social media are cited here due to source limitations.
Sources
- EIC Accelerator winners June 2023
- Toopi Organics Secures €8.4M Funding
- EIC Accelerator Performance Update
4 The Technology Advancements
Toopi Organics: Advancements Since EIC Accelerator Funding The French biotech Toopi Organics has significantly expanded its operations and technological footprint since securing €8.4 million in EIC Accelerator funding (€2.4M grant + €6M equity for 2025) in June 2023.Current Capabilities
The company specializes in transforming human urine into microbial biostimulants to reduce agricultural reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Its flagship product, Lactopi Start, is approved for organic farming in five EU countries and replaces up to 50% of phosphate fertilizers while maintaining crop yields. Toopi operates a urine-collection network across France and Belgium, partnering with entities like Vinci Autoroutes, Futuroscope, and music festivals.
Post-Funding Advancements
- Industrial Expansion: Construction of two facilities is underway—a French plant (2M liter/year capacity) set for early 2025 and a Belgian unit (Liège province) targeting 2027 operations. These will support production of four urine-based biostimulants.
- Product Pipeline: Three new biostimulants are slated for EU launch alongside Lactopi Start, aiming to cover 600,000 hectares of farmland by 2027.
- Trials: Over 40 agronomic trials have been conducted across Europe, with field results validating yield preservation and cost reductions for farmers. Trials in Belgium at the Libramont Fair and Namur’s Festival of Solidarities demonstrated scalability.
Market Demonstration & Collaborations
Toopi’s technology has been tested with nearly 2 million EU citizens through rest areas, theme parks, and festivals. In Belgium alone, pilots confirmed product efficacy under real-world conditions, paving the way for broader distribution campaigns in France. The company plans to distribute over five million liters of biostimulants annually by 2029.
Intellectual Property & Research Outputs
While no new patents or peer-reviewed studies are explicitly cited post-EIC funding, Toopi emphasizes ongoing R&D through its participation in over 40 trials since inception. The EIC grant likely supports further process optimization related to urine fermentation efficiency and carbon footprint reduction goals outlined publicly .
Sources
- French biotech Toopi Organics snaps €8.4 million
- Why Toopi Organics is turning pee into fertiliser
- Toipi Organics secures €16M
5 The Partnerships and Customers
Toopi Organics' Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Following its €8.4 million EIC Accelerator award in November 2023, French ag-biotech firm Toopi Organics has actively expanded its partnerships and operational footprint to advance urine-derived agricultural solutions across Europe.Key Partners and Collaborative Efforts
- Les Alchimistes: Partnered for urine collection via "uritrotoirs" in Toulouse.
- Mobile Toilet Rental Companies: Collaborations in France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands to collect urine at festivals/events. These partnerships support large-scale urine sourcing, critical for scaling production of biostimulants like Lactopi Start™.
Market Expansion and Industrial Scaling
The company plans to operationalize two industrial sites by 2025 (France and Belgium), aiming to distribute over 5 million liters of biostimulants by 2029. Its €16 million Series A round (September 2023) directly funds these facilities alongside three new product launches pre-2027.
Strategic Trials for Regional Adaptation
Toopi will conduct 120 agricultural trials across six EU states: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. These trials aim to validate product efficacy on local crops while tailoring solutions to regional needs (e.g., drought resilience in southern Europe).
How These Relationships Position Toopi Organics
Sources
- French Biotech Toopi Organics Snaps €8M
- Why Toopi Is Turning Pee Into Fertiliser
- Toopi Secures €16M for European Expansion
6 The Hiring and Company Growth
Toopi Organics: Growth and Development
Toopi Organics, a French biotechnology startup, has been at the forefront of innovation in sustainable agriculture since its founding in 2019. Recently, the company received significant funding, including the EIC Accelerator award, which has propelled its growth and team expansion.
Current Headcount and Team Size
As of the latest reports, Toopi Organics has a team of 34 people in France and Belgium. The company is planning to double its team size as part of its growth strategy, which will significantly impact its operations and market reach.
Hiring and Team Growth
Toopi Organics is currently in a phase of rapid expansion, with plans to hire more staff to support its ambitious goals. The increase in team size will be crucial for managing the company's expanded operations, especially with the construction of two industrial sites in France and Belgium.
Recent Hiring and Key Positions
While specific details about recent key hires are not available, the company's expansion plans suggest that they are looking to fill various roles across different departments. This growth will likely involve hiring in areas such as research and development, operations management, marketing, and sales to support the launch of new products and the expansion of its urine collection network.
Growth and Scaling
The company has experienced significant growth since its inception. Toopi Organics has successfully developed a unique human urine collection network and launched its first product, Lactopi Start, which is a biological biostimulant used in organic agriculture. This product has shown promising results in trials, particularly in reducing the EU's dependence on phosphate fertilizer imports.
The recent funding, including the €8.4 million from the EIC Accelerator, will be instrumental in scaling up Toopi Organics' operations. The company aims to deploy its biostimulants across 600,000 hectares of crops in Europe by 2027 and plans to double its impact in terms of water preservation and CO2 emissions linked to fertilizers.
Future of the Company
The addition of new team members will be critical for Toopi Organics as it seeks to expand its product offerings and geographic reach. The company is developing new products based on specific bacteria strains to enhance nutrient efficiency and reduce abiotic stress, which will further support farmers in adopting sustainable practices.
Management and Founding Team
The founding team of Toopi Organics includes Michael Roes as the President. The company has not reported any major changes in its founding team since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding. However, the expansion plans indicate that there may be future leadership additions to support the increased scale of operations.
Conclusion
Toopi Organics is poised for significant growth and expansion in the sustainable agriculture sector. With its innovative approach to using human urine as a resource for biostimulants, the company is well-positioned to make a substantial impact on European agriculture by reducing reliance on imported fertilizers and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Sources: - Why Toopi Organics is turning pee into fertiliser
- Toopi Organics Raises €16M to Revolutionize European Agriculture
- French biotech Toopi Organics snaps €8.4 million
- 'Our goal is to deploy it across 600,000 hectares in Europe by 2027'
- TOOPI ORGANICS - Member of the World Alliance
7 The Media Features and Publications
Toopi Organics Overview
Toopi Organics is a French biotech company specializing in the collection and recycling of human urine into agricultural biostimulants. The company was founded in 2019 by Michael Roes and has been gaining traction for its innovative approach to sustainable agriculture.
Media Features and Publications
Toopi Organics has been featured in several media outlets and publications, including France 24, EU-Startups, and Smart Water Magazine. These publications highlight the company's unique approach to upcycling human urine into fertilizers, aiming to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers and promote sustainable farming practices.
- France 24 covered the company's mission to kick-start a green farming revolution by recycling human urine.
- EU-Startups reported on Toopi Organics securing significant funding to expand its urine-based biostimulants across Europe.
- Smart Water Magazine also covered the company's fundraising efforts to flood European markets with urine-based products.
Content from Publications
Publications have focused on Toopi Organics' innovative technology that converts human urine into valuable agricultural inputs. The company's process involves collecting urine from events and public facilities, sanitizing it through filtration and fermentation, and then using it as a growth medium for beneficial bacteria.
Podcasts and Interviews
While specific podcasts featuring Toopi Organics are not detailed, the company has been involved in storytelling platforms like "Story Behind Innovation," which highlights innovative startups contributing to better food systems.
Conferences, Fairs, and Events
Toopi Organics has participated in events such as music festivals, where they collect urine. However, specific conference participations or presentations by the company are not highlighted in available sources. They do work with companies to collect urine from various public events and establishments.
Involvement in Events
Toopi Organics is actively involved in collecting urine at events like music festivals and other public gatherings. This approach not only helps in urine collection but also raises awareness about sustainable waste management practices.
Sources
- French biotech Toopi Organics snaps €8.4 million to spread urine upcycling for agriculture across the EU
- Recycling human urine: French start-up hopes to kick-start green farming revolution
- Toopi Organics lands $17m to turn urine into crop biostimulants
- Home - Toopi Organics
- French company Toopi Organics sets up a branch in Wallonia to recycle human urine into biostimulants
- Upcycling Urine Into Fertilizer | Toopi Organics - YouTube
- Toopi Organics secures €16M to flood European agricultural markets with urine-based biostimulants
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