Spot Innovation
SPOT Innovation is a Dutch advisory and interim-management firm focused on sustainable products and processing for the Life Sciences, Agrifood, and Pharma sectors. The company helps clients develop and commercialize innovative products and processes, with particular emphasis on R&D, technology, scale-up, and innovation strategy. Its work is centered on turning technical ideas into viable commercial solutions. SPOT Innovation positions sustainability as a business driver as well as an environmental goal, aiming to help clients improve time to market, optimize the value chain, and create solutions that are both profitable and lower-impact. Core Values Sustainability : SPOT Innovation consistently frames sustainability as central to product and process development, aiming to reduce environmental impact while improving business outcomes. Innovation : The company emphasizes practical innovation in R&D, technology, and product development, especially where new concepts need to be translated into market-ready solutions. Collaboration : Its approach is described as client-focused and collaborative, with an emphasis on working alongside teams, partners, and external stakeholders. Commercial impact : The firm focuses on solutions that are not only technically sound but also scalable, cost-aware, and commercially viable. Multi-disciplinary problem solving : SPOT Innovation highlights experience across lab, pilot, and production environments, combining technical, regulatory, and market perspectives. Unique Aspects Deep alternative-protein experience : The founder’s background includes work on alternative proteins at DSM, including rice bran protein hydrolysate and CanolaPRO, giving the firm direct experience in this fast-moving category. Scale-up and commercialization focus : SPOT Innovation explicitly works across the path from idea generation and feasibility through development, scale-up, demo, and plant startup, which is especially valuable for complex food and biotech projects. Broad technical scope : The company combines expertise in process development, product development, technology assessment, IP, registration, and commercialization rather than focusing on only one stage of innovation. Experience across food, feed, life sciences, and environmental applications : Its stated experience spans multiple sectors and technologies, including fermentation, downstream processing, membrane filtration, and side-stream valorization. Founder-led by an experienced industry executive : The founder, Gertjan Smolders, states more than 30 years of experience in R&D, technology, and innovation in the food and pharma industries.