Frederiek – Maarten “FM” Kerckhof holds a Ph.D. in applied biological sciences – his research focused on methanotrophic bacteria and interactions between different kinds of micro-organisms.

Currently, he is one of the founders of Kytos, a Ghent university spin-off with the mission to become world’s most trusted microbiome management company.

His journey from researcher to researchpreneur started when he joined Kytos co-founder Ruben props in the Capture disciplined entrepreneurship program – while both working on their post-docs at the Center for Microbial ecology and technology. The team secured IOF “stepstone” pre-incubation funding which allowed them to explore the realm of market opportunities and R&D goals for their technology. FM also obtained a VLAIO Spin-off Innovation mandate and in 2021, Kytos was founded.

In the past 6 years, FM Kerckhof experienced the wild ride of being part of the startup founders’ team and leveraging his bio-informatics and PhD/Postdoc skills in the ever-changing high-paced startup environment that is Kytos. As a proud former boy scout, FM brings along his persistence in the face of adversity, preparedness, and helpfulness in everyday start-up life.

Outside of Kytos, FM is passionate about family life with his wife and son, and generally “nerding out” about tech and science.

FM strongly believes in impactful R&D that drives societal, financial, and environmental sustainability – startups and innovators alike have the power to change the status-quo – and is excited to provide support for others along this journey.