Symactiv wins the 2025 BCN Innovation Prize for its sustainable soil regeneration technology

Neuchâtel-based start-up Symactiv has won the 2025 BCN Innovation Prize and CHF 150,000 for its biofertilizer pellets designed to restore soil health and productivity.

The 2025 edition of the Prix BCN Innovation has crowned Symactiv as its laureate. The start-up, led by Louis Becker, was recognized for its pioneering approach to soil regeneration through 100% Swiss-made biofertilizer pellets. These biostimulant granules go beyond traditional fertilizers by reactivating microbial life, improving soil structure, and restoring natural fertility, contributing to long-term agricultural sustainability.

Based in Neuchâtel, Symactiv’s mission is to “bring agricultural land back to life.” Its innovation combines increased productivity with ecological responsibility, offering farmers a solution that enhances water retention capacity while maintaining soil biodiversity. The award ceremony took place on October 23, 2025, at La Chaux-de-Fonds’ Théâtre de l’Heure bleue, gathering around 300 attendees from across the region’s scientific and entrepreneurial communities.

A visionary and human-centered project

“Symactiv’s project stood out for its visionary scope and its strong environmental and social dimension,” said Nathalie Tissot, Professor Emerita of Intellectual Property at the University of Neuchâtel and interim chair of the jury. “The jury was impressed by the team’s diverse skills, their solid market analysis, and their local roots combined with European ambition. This project shows that innovation can also thrive in areas beyond high technology, addressing essential challenges for future generations.”

Two other start-ups were also recognized during the ceremony. CCRAFT develops high-performance thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chips used in AI data centers, while LightSeeds designs lightweight, low-carbon photovoltaic panels weighing less than 5 kg/m², addressing the growing demand for sustainable energy infrastructure. Each finalist received CHF 10,000.

Awarded annually by the Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise, the Prix BCN Innovation highlights outstanding entrepreneurial initiatives in Neuchâtel’s economic and scientific landscape. This year’s edition once again showcased the region’s creativity, diversity, and commitment to a more sustainable future.