The spin-off company Ensemo from the AIT Centre for Health and Bioresources received two awards at this year's Austrian start-up prize PHÖNIX. The prize was awarded for both the innovative seed treatment technology in the ‘Prototype’ category and the entrepreneurial performance of co-founder and CEO, Dr Birgit Mitter, in the ‘Female Entrepreneurs’ category.
The use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers is increasingly causing problems for agriculture and the environment: In addition to environmental damage and the loss of biodiversity, social acceptance of conventional methods is also declining. Alternative solutions that harmonise ecological, economic and social aspects are urgently needed.
SeedInjection™ - introducing microorganisms directly into the seed
This is exactly where Ensemo comes in: With its patented SeedInjection™ technology, the company integrates microorganisms directly into the seeds. In a fully automated process, the seeds are mechanically opened, microbial material is precisely introduced and then closed again. The introduced microorganisms help the plants to grow, increase their resistance and reduce the need for chemical agents. This innovative treatment promises a significant reduction in the use of chemicals while simultaneously increasing productivity and sustainability.
AIT expertise as the basis for innovative start-up
Ensemo was founded in 2021 as a spin-off of the AIT Centre for Health and Bioresources. The company combines extensive microbiological expertise, particularly in the field of the plant microbiome, with technological know-how from the field of mechatronics. Founder Dr Birgit Mitter has been successfully researching microbial ecology and plant health at the AIT for many years. Her scientific work forms the basis for Ensemo, which is now based in Tulln an der Donau and has already received several important innovation awards together with her co-founder Nikolaus Pfaffenbichler.
Sustainable agriculture as a future prospect
Winning the PHÖNIX prize twice once again highlights the potential of Ensemo technology for sustainable and future-proof agriculture. In the long term, the development could help to significantly reduce the use of agricultural chemicals while increasing yields and environmental compatibility. The awards illustrate how science and entrepreneurship can work together to overcome ecological challenges in a practical way.
Phoenix Founder Award: https://www.gruendungspreis-phoenix.at/
Ensemo: https://www.ensemo.com/
Photo gallery 2025: https://www.apa-fotoservice.at/galerie/39075