About
Our Mission
At SPOT Innovation, we specialize in sustainable products and processing. Our mission is to help businesses create innovative and eco-friendly solutions that benefit both the environment and their bottom line.
Our Drive for Results
Our approach is collaborative and client-focused. We believe that sustainability is not just about reducing your environmental impact, but also about creating value for your business. That's why we work with you to identify opportunities for sustainable innovation that align with your goals and values.
Our Commitment
At SPOT Innovation, we are committed to making a positive impact on the world. We believe that a sustainable future is possible, and we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve it. Join us in building a more sustainable world.
Our Experience
We are a team of experienced advisors with a deep understanding of sustainability, and we work closely with clients across industries to develop and implement sustainable practices. Whether you need help with eco-friendly product design, energy-efficient processing techniques, or waste reduction strategies, we have the expertise to deliver measurable results.
Gertjan Smolders
Founder
I am a seasoned manager with 30+ years of experience in R&D, technology and Innovation in the Food & Pharma Industry. My drive is to help create and develop sustainable solutions into successful commercial business.
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I am a passionate, result driven and innovative leader in process, product and new business development and have a track record in developing, improving and implementing new processes & products.
I like to build and lead multi-disciplinairy teams, to arrange external and international collaborations, set direction and deliver results that meet business needs and strategy.
I started my academic journey in Wageningen and received my PhD in Delft in Biochemical engineering after which I started working at Gist-Brocades. I was working in the pharmaceutical division responsible for R&D/Technology/Scale up of fermentative antibiotics. A significant highlight of my career was spearheading the start-up of ZOR-f: the largest example of white biotechnology on full scale at that time.
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Upon the succesful completion of the ZOR-f project I transitioned to DSM Food Specialties, where I contributed to the development of innovative ingredients (enzymes, hydrolysates) and worked in the functional food business unit as R&D director.
Since 2010, my focus has been on driving technological innovation for the DSM Innovation Center and helped shape the alternative protein program for DSM. This resulted in the development of rice bran protein hydrolysate and the creation of CanolaPRO, the protein isolate extracted from rapeseed. During the scale up and realisation of the commercial plant I worked in the business unit Proteins as Innovation & Technology Director.
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In 2022 SPOT Innovation was started. SPOT Innovation helps businesses in Agrifood and Life Sciences create sustainable products and processes with a focus on Alternative Proteins
