By Lars Raakilde Jespersen, Outreach, AAU Energy

Haloderma uses extracts from salt-resistant (halophyte) plants to make therapeutic cream for the skin. It helps against pain and itching, heals the skin and has a soothing effect. The idea arose from professor and founder Mette Hedegaard Thomsens work with coastal plants to help bioremediation of soil. She discovered that the halophyte plants produce a lot of phytochemichals, because they by nature are built to resist microbial infections and environmental stress. She used it herself during a cancer radiation treatment, which affected her skin.

The Horizon Women Innovator grant is an EU scheme to support deep-tech start-ups led by women. Its quite prestigious and truly a recognition of the qualities of the Haloderma company. Mette Hedegaard Thomsen gives a large credit to Evelyne Kabemba for acquiring the grant. She is a young female engineer, developer and CEO in the company - and research assistant at AAU Energy in Esbjerg. 

Chairman for Haloderma, Henrik Tribler, says, there is a lot of exciting and unique products in pipeline, and the 75.000 Euro grant will accelerate product development, as well as increase attention from investors and future business partners.

Mette Hedegaard Thomsen emphasizes, that the grant-reviewers, who are experts in deep-tech business development, has belief in the idea and products. It is of extreme importance to get the funding for development, but equally important is the mentoring and coaching in EIC Business Acceleration Services, which comes with the grant, as do networking and pitching events.

Watch the presentation of Haloderma by Mette Hedegaard Thomsen and Evelyne Kabemba in the video below.