Interactive Case Studies Explorer — 9 Deep-Tech Ventures from Founding to Exit

The AixPoint Case Studies Explorer provides an interactive, filterable view of nine deep-tech ventures that Dirk Vandenhirtz co-founded, scaled, or advised through critical growth phases. Each case study documents the full journey: from initial technology validation through commercial scale-up to strategic exit or ongoing expansion.

Featured Ventures

• LemnaTec — Plant phenotyping and digital agriculture pioneer. Built the TERRA-REF field scanner for USDA and contributed to Nyxoah’s €100M+ IPO on Euronext Brussels.
• Zasso / crop.zone — Electric weed control (Electroherb technology). Secured John Deere distribution partnership, CNH Industrial licensing, and the DLG Agrifuture Award 2023.
• ENANTIOS — ETH Zurich spin-off developing Raman Optical Activity spectroscopy for pharmaceutical quality control.
• Zealquest AgiBot — Shanghai-based agricultural robotics company automating phenotyping in China’s largest rice breeding programs.
• Néboda Farms — Vertical farming with proprietary LED spectrum optimization for leafy greens in arid regions.
• KuroVia — Biochar-based carbon removal and soil amendment, operating certified carbon credit programs.
• PureSurf — Bio-based surfactants replacing petrochemical ingredients in agricultural formulations.
• AckerKapital — Agrivoltaics investment platform combining solar energy generation with crop production.
• Tielsa — IoT-connected smart kitchen systems with patented sensor integration.

How to Use the Explorer

Filter by sector (AgTech, CleanTech, BioTech), stage (seed, growth, exit), or technology type. Each card links to a detailed breakdown including key metrics, investor involvement, IP portfolio, and lessons learned.

Related: Detailed Case Studies | Full Track Record | Portfolio Companies