4 Real-Life Horizon Europe Projects You Should Know About

Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation program, is fueling transformative projects that address pressing global challenges: from sustainable energy to food-tech and digital innovation. By supporting breakthrough technologies, the program is shaping the future of science and society.  Here are 4 Horizon Europe projects that are making tangible impacts:

1. MOA FoodTech

MOA FoodTech is establishing a new industry of sustainable food with the power of directed fermentation technology using agri-food byproducts. Through their proprietary AI platform, MOA FoodTech can efficiently convert agri-food byproducts such as fruit peels or spent grains into high-value ingredients. Specifically, the proprietary AI tool selects the ideal microorganism for fermenting the specific byproduct for maximum nutritional value and digestibility with minimal environmental impact. 

MOA food tech directly responds to the shifting demands of the food industry and the world by tackling the growing need for sustainable protein and the problem of food waste, offering an innovative solution that benefits both producers and the planet.

Currently, they have three main ingredient groups: MOA Yeast, MOA Pet, and MOA Health. MOA Yeast is a versatile ingredient designed to boost a product's nutritional value, which can be used in meat alternatives, snacks, and baked goods. MOA Pet enhances the palatability of pet food, offering a higher-protein and hypoallergenic alternative. MOA Health, thanks to the ingredients' prebiotic, postbiotic, and antioxidant properties, is used in wellness products aiming to improve gut health, immunity, and healthy aging. 

MOA FoodTech has received a €2.3M direct grant from the European Innovation Council´s (EIC) accelerator program, in addition to €12.5M equity investment commitment from the EIC Fund.

2. Inobiostar

Inobiostar is a deep-tech company that originated as a spinoff from Lithuania´s Klaipeda University with a mission to combat a specific, but significant environmental problem: the widespread contamination of oceans and waterways caused by oil leakages. These leakages directly affect water quality and therefore have detrimental consequences for human health, ecosystems, and the economy.

Inobiostar has two main products: a biotechnology solution and InnoAerogel. Inobiostar's biotechnology product uses a naturally occurring, oil-eating microorganism found in the Baltic Sea to clean up oil spills in the water. Since the technology uses microorganisms that already exist in nature, it can be easily adapted to different locations and is very environmentally friendly. InnoAerogel integrates oil-eating microorganisms with a light, super-absorbent substance made from recycled paper waste. This allows InnoAerogel to not only soak up oil but also immediately start biodegrading it, which eliminates secondary pollution, making it a game-changer innovation in this industry.

Innobiostar has secured over €2.3M in funding from the EIC Accelerator, which has allowed them to be able to complete their product formulations and kickstart production.  

3. Viva In Vitro

Viva in Vitro is a leading company in immunological medicine that seeks to reduce in-hospital mortality from sepsis. Their mission is to develop advanced and easy-to-use devices to minimize the stratification of patients in sepsis and other inflammatory processes. 

Viva in Vitro’s products specifically target the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is a critical component of the innate immune system that, when activated, contributes to pathological inflammation.

Their flagship product, the VIVA ELISA® test, is being developed both for research use only for pharmaceutical companies and research institutions, and a future clinical version for patient care. In addition, the company is developing VIVA SEPS CARE®, an automated device that allows hospitals to give rapid and accurate diagnoses of severe sepsis.

Viva In Vitro has been chosen by the EIC l has been chosen as one of the 40 most disruptive European companies, and has been awarded €2.5 million in non-dilutive funding from the EIC Transition programme.

4. LiveEO

LiveEO was founded with the vision of unlocking the full potential of earth observation data to improve the way we do business and live our lives. Right now, their main focus is on infrastructure operators, including Europe´s largest railway operator, Deutsche Bahn. Specifically, they use satellites and AI to help the infrastructure operators manage and protect large networks like power lines, railroads, and pipelines. For example, by analyzing satellite images, their technology can spot possible problems like growing trees close to power lines or new construction near a pipeline. However, LiveEO is seeking to expand to other industries like consumer goods that can benefit from monitoring vast or remote areas simply, quickly, and reliably.

LiveEO currently offers several products designed to help businesses monitor and manage their assets with satellite data. TradeAware helps companies assess and prove their supply chains are not violating the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Treeline helps manage vegetation around linear infrastructure like power grids and railways, helping prevent outages and other incidents. Lastly, SurfaceScout monitors if any outside activity, like construction, could damage a pipeline. 

LiveEO has acquired €7.65 million equity investment through the EIC Accelerator. These funds are currently supporting the continued development of EOinTime, a project focused on predictive infrastructure monitoring with high-resolution satellite data.