Funding Bioeconomy: Insights from ECBF’s Marie Asano

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Marie Asano, partner at the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF). Marie shares her unique journey from scientist to venture capitalist, exploring how she now champions sustainable innovations at the intersection of agri, food tech, and the bioeconomy. In this episode, we’ll uncover the challenges and opportunities within the bioeconomy, the vital role of venture capital in driving change, and the power of collaboration across industries. Plus, hear about promising startups, emerging trends, and strategies for building a sustainable future. Don’t miss this insightful deep dive into the world of sustainable innovation!

About Marie Asano: Dr. Marie Asano is a Partner at the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund, where she leads investments in the nutrition and food tech verticals, with a focus on sustainable chemistry, the bioeconomy, and circularity. She also serves as a Board Observer at Nuritas. Before joining ECBF, Marie was a Senior Investment Manager at High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), a German-based seed fund, where she spearheaded early-stage investments in sectors such as chemistry, climate tech, biotech, animal health, and life sciences. In addition, she played a key role in expanding the fund’s deal flow and network in the chemical sector. During her tenure, she also served as a Board Observer at Aphea.Bio. Marie holds a PhD in nanochemistry, biophysics, and polymer science from the universities of Liège and Bordeaux. Following her doctoral studies, she earned an MBA from the Collège des Ingénieurs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background - Meet Marie Asano and learn how her journey from scientist to venture capitalist shaped her passion for sustainability.

00:21 Journey into Venture Capital - What inspired Marie to make the leap into venture capital and focus on the bioeconomy?

02:03 Impact and Sustainability in Bioeconomy- Exploring how the bioeconomy is reshaping industries and driving sustainable impact.

06:29 Challenges in Bio-based Packaging- Why is creating sustainable packaging so tricky? Marie shares her insights.

10:50 Cross-sector Collaboration for Bioeconomy- How partnerships between sectors are key to advancing the circular bioeconomy.

16:12 Comparing Bioeconomy Approaches: Europe vs. US- What sets Europe apart from the US in tackling bioeconomy challenges?

20:37 Future of Bioeconomy and Emerging Trends- A sneak peek at groundbreaking trends and innovations shaping the future.

23:29 Investment Strategies and Challenges for Startups- Marie’s advice for startups: what it takes to secure funding and succeed in the bioeconomy.

30:32 Portfolio Highlights and Success Stories -Behind the scenes with ECBF: success stories and lessons learned from their portfolio.

37:40 Final Thoughts and Reflections- Marie’s parting wisdom on creating a more sustainable and innovative future.