Novobiom.
Nature-inspired.
Fungi-powered.
Impact-driven.

At Novobiom, we are convinced that life on earth is the greatest possible source of inspiration and an infinite library of smart solutions. Our ambition is to contribute to solving current environmental and societal challenges by developing bio-inspired restorative innovations.

Biomimicry and circularity at the core

Taking inspiration from Nature, we take a systemic approach to develop innovative products and services that emulate biological systems, designing regenerative solutions supportive for life and with a multidisciplinary approach. Integrated within the planetary boundaries.

We exploit the natural capacities of fungi, also called mushrooms, to deliver competitive and tailored solutions addressing priority environmental challenges such as soil health, waste management, and sustainable production systems.

We do so by leveraging the full potential of new computational technologies.

What we value

Walking the talk, we also strongly believe that our ambition needs to be reflected in our organization’s culture.

Trust-based self-governance and leadership

Open-mindedness, dialogue and respect

A deep understanding of sustainability

Co-creation & multidisciplinarity

Fairness, accountability and transparency

Pursuit of excellence with purpose

Our team 

Jean-Michel Scheuren

Committed to sustainability since his childhood and passionate about innovation, Jean-Michel dedicates himself to the promotion and the development of bio-inspired innovative solutions. Business engineer with an additional master in environmental science and management, Jean-Michel worked for various companies in sustainability related issues or sectors such as natural disasters, renewable energies, consulting and Biotech start-up coaching. Through his experience he gained an expertise in, business development, marketing & sales and business model design. As CEO, Jean-Michel’s main role is to guide the overall management of the company.

Dr. Caroline Zaoui, PhD

Dr. Caroline Zaoui, CSO, is a microbiologist with a strong taste for disruptive bio-inspired innovation and environmental sustainability. As a former Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow, Caroline holds a PhD degree in microbiology from the Hannover Medical School (Germany); her previous scientific fields of investigation include bacterial cell-cell communication, expression of bacterial resistance genes to antibiotics and carbon biosequestration. Applying bio-inspiration and her expertise to develop bioinspired carbon trapping biotechnologies during a past experience within a consultancy firm, Caroline now leads NOVOBIOM research and innovation activities as CSO and co-founder.

Aurélie Espérandieu

As Chief Operations Officer, Aurelie’s role is to build, orchestrate and continuously improve Novobiom as an impact-driven and high-performing organization. This includes having a clear strategic direction that translates into realistic execution plans, supporting day-to-day operations, building our team, how we are organised and our culture. As part of this mandate, Aurelie leads our Corporate support functions, ensuring our team has the resources they need to achieve our collective vision – whether financial, human or material. Prior to joining Novobiom, Aurelie worked for almost 20 years at McKinsey, driving strategic transformations across 4 continents, the development of new advanced analytics solutions and new markets. You will often find Aurelie and her family on mountain summits, switching between 4 languages.

Hélène Vigeolas, PhD

Maxime Dessily

Xin Zhang, PhD

Careers

Current openings

Internship – Lab Technician. Biochemical

In order to support the growth of our laboratory unit, we are looking for a highly motivated Microbiology Laboratory Technician intern to join our team.

Read more

Spontaneous applications

NOVOBIOM is always on the lookout for talents in the Environmental Biotechnologies & Bioengineering sectors. Please let us know who you are and what you can bring by mail to open_application@novobiom.com.

Awards & Recognitions

EIC Accelerator

2025 Awardee

L’Oréal Green Science Incubation program

2023-ongoing

Solar Impulse Foundation

Recognized solution

The Future is Fungi Award

2023 Awardee

Ray of Hope Biomimicry Challenge

2024 Finalist

BMW Foundation RESPOND acceleration

2023 Awardee

They speak about us

The digestive prowess of fungi to decontaminate natural environments from polluting plastics, oil spills, toxic waste and even radiation is gaining traction around the globe (…). Novobiom has already
shown this process works at scale.

Nature biotechnology – July 2024

Read more

Financial Times – January 2026

A garbage-strewn planet may find a friend in fungi

Several start-ups are betting on mushrooms to break down materials that defeat traditional recycling. (…) Belgium’s Novobiom are experimenting with ways to turn polluted soils, plastics and industrial refuse into usable materials. (…) Rising landfill costs, tighter regulation and pressure on companies to reduce their environmental footprint are creating a niche for unconventional waste technologies.

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Des champignons mangeurs de textiles: cette étonnante méthode qui réinvente le recyclage

Et si des champignons pouvaient digérer nos vieux vêtements ? Alors que les filières du recyclage peinent à encaisser l’augmentation sans précédent des déchets textile, la start-up Novobiom a trouvé un moyen peu commun de les revaloriser… et même d’en faire du biogaz !

GEO – June 2025

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How Novobiom Plans to Navigate the Economic and Environmental Imperatives of Waste Management

The Belgian startup’s mycoremediation technology is pioneering sustainable waste solutions for a healthier planet

Impakter – June 2024

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Et si les champignons détenaient la clé pour dépolluer nos sols les plus contaminés ?

Novobiom en a fait sa mission, avec une approche radicalement différente : s’appuyer sur l’intelligence du vivant pour réinventer la dépollution.

Act4GlobalImpact – June 2025

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Novobiom selected as one of the “5 solutions from Day 1” from over 1,000 solutions which captured the attention of organizers and participants

ChangeNow 2025

See website

Publicly-funded projects

EIC Accelerator WASTE2WEALTH

Novobiom is proud to be backed by the EIC Accelerator.

Novobiom has been awarded funding from the EIC Accelerator, Europe’s flagship program for “game-changing” technologies. As one of the world’s most rigorous and competitive deep-tech programs, the EIC Accelerator selects fewer than 5% of applicants across Europe.

It signifies that our mission to heal the planet through fungal biotechnology has undergone the most stringent due diligence in the industry and has been recognized for its immense global potential.

Core Focus Areas and Methodology

EIC Accelerator supports Novobiom specifically on scaling up its technology for circular textile. 

The EIC Accelerator project is funded by the European Union.

LIFE PFASTER Project

We are proud to be one of the 11 partners joining forces in the major European LIFE project, PFASTER.

This collaboration is dedicated to tackling the widespread challenge of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination while prioritizing environmental protection.

What is PFASTER?

PFASTER is a key acronym representing a focused strategy: PFAS systemic regional approach to Assess Spatial distribution, Transfer, Exposure and Remediation of widespread pollution.

This European LIFE project specifically targets PFAS contamination in and around the site of the former paper factory in Willebroek.

Core Focus Areas and Methodology

The PFASTER team is working to address the complexity of PFAS contamination through focused research and innovative action. The project’s focus is centered on three strategic pillars:

  1. Research.
  2. Innovative Remediation Techniques.
  3. Nature-Based Solutions.

The overall project strategy is divided into several essential themes, ensuring a holistic approach to managing PFAS pollution:

  • Composition and Distribution of PFAS
  • Exposure and Risk Assessment
  • Pilot Remediation Techniques
  • Evaluation and Scale-up

​​

The LIFE PFASTER project is Co-funded by the European Union.

LIFE InBioSoil Project

Novobiom is a key partner within the four-beneficiary consortium driving the flagship European LIFE InBioSoil project.

This collaboration is dedicated to pioneering Advanced In Situ Bioremediation (AIB) technologies to tackle the widespread challenge of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) contamination in soil, prioritizing environmental protection by avoiding excavation.

What is LIFE InBioSoil?

InBioSoil (In Situ Bioremediation of Soil: mycoremediation and advanced bioremediation tools to avoid soil excavation) is a 48-month initiative aiming to demonstrate the technical and environmental feasibility of AIB. The solution use biological processes directly within the ground, minimizing environmental disturbance and preventing soil disposal in landfills.The project will be validated at pilot sites in Spain (Barcelona) and Belgium (Brussels).

Core Focus Areas and Methodology

As experts in applied mycology, our contribution is central to the project’s success. We are tailoring our biological platform for in situ application, focusing on three core technological pillars:

  1. Fungal-Based Bioremediation
  2. Digital Twin Technology
  3. Advanced In Situ Delivery

 

The LIFE InBioSoil project is Co-funded by the European Union.

Inno4CFIs Project

We have been awarded funding from the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA) alongside the Fondazione E. Amaldi (FEA) in a consortium with 13 other partners.

This collaboration is dedicated to tackling the widespread challenge of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination while prioritizing environmental protection.

What is the project about?

Inno4CFIs – short for “Nature-Based Business Model and Emerging INNOvations to enhance Carbon Farming Initiatives (CFIs) while preserving
Biodiversity, Water Security and Soil Health” has a twofold objective:
1. To promote reforestation practices to increase CO2 uptake while promoting crucial environmental co-benefits such as sustainable freshwater production, dry-land and soil restoration and, biodiversity promotion

2. Financing highly innovative technologies promoted by SMEs located in i3-eligible countries (EU27).

Core Focus Areas and Methodology

The promotion of Carbon Farming practices is the main focus of the project, with the design of systemic solutions balancing the interdependencies between water, energy, food and the environment, as well as the implementation and financing of Carbon Farming projects.

The Inno4CFIs project is Co-funded by the European Union.

Waste2Bio Project

What is the project about?

Novobiom is further strengthening its approach to soil bioremediation with the analysis of plant-fungi-microbiota soil interactions, pursing dual objectives of carbon sequestration and contaminations remediation. 

Core Focus Areas and Methodology

The main focus of the project is the further development and validation of digital twin models with field data.

 

The Waste2Bio project is funded by the Wallonia region as part of its support to European IIS projects (Internationalisation des Initiatives d’Innovation Stratégiques – Plan de Relance de la Wallonie).