Stijn de Bats Leaves Cibus Nexum for New Role at The New Orig­i­nals Com­pa­ny

After five years at Cibus Nexum, our partner and co-founder, Stijn de Bats, is leaving to take on another challenge. As of 1 February, Stijn will be returning to the place where his career began, stepping in as Plant Manager at SoFine Foods (part of New Originals Company). We would like to take this opportunity to look back on Stijn’s time at Cibus Nexum, including key milestones, and to look ahead to the next chapter for him and for our organisation. Back to the Start  More than 25 years before Cibus Nexum, Stijn and Pascal worked together at Leerdammer Company; one was a project manager, the other a procurement manager. They connected and stayed in touch. Years later, they found themselves carpooling to Upfield for a freelance project, exchanging ideas and frustrations about the food innovation landscape. At one point, Pascal shared a dream: “I want to build something. Not just freelance forever.” That dream led to the creation of Cibus Nexum. When it was time to bring in a third partner, alongside Pascal and Arjen, Stijn agreed.  “It made sense,” he says. “The food industry was clearly moving toward outsourcing, but there wasn’t a genuine independent centre of expertise; a gap Cibus Nexum was on a mission to fill.”  Building Cibus Nexum Looking back, Stijn doesn’t point to a single defining moment. Instead, he highlights a series of key steps, many behind the scenes, but all crucial. Sales and Strategy: “We initially underestimated the importance of marketing and sales,” he recalls with a laugh. We addressed this by bringing in external support, developing the sales funnel, and helping Cibus Nexum craft its story. Finding a Home: Opening the Ede office in 2022 was more than logistics; it provided a sense of identity: proof that the company was real and established. Big Questions: During a strategy retreat in Schoorl, the team confronted tough but essential questions: Why do we exist? What makes us different? This led to new positioning, partnerships, and AI experiments that continue to shape our work. Scaling Up It’s somewhat poetic. A company that helps others scale had to learn to scale itself. The transition from doing everything ourselves to outsourcing to specialists reflects the challenges many of our clients’ face. “That was a big lesson,” Stijn reflects. “You can’t do it all. You have to outsource some tasks and trust others to take it forward.” In a way, Cibus Nexum’s journey mirrors that of our clients: growing sustainably, staying focused, and never compromising on quality. Moments That Mattered Most When asked about highlights, Stijn is quick to respond. Arla Foods: Supporting outsourcing and co-developing a product — a complex but rewarding shift in scope. Fiber Foods: Serving as interim COO and visiting their jackfruit production site in Uganda. “Unforgettable,” he says. Team Tastemakers: For the first time collaborating on a client workshop and developing a model we still use. Oost NL: Exploring the challenges faced by start-ups around shared scaling and delivering valuable insights. Cargill: a challenging project, where we went the extra mile and showed the agility that has become a habit within Cibus Nexum.  Each project was unique, but they shared a common thread: collaboration, curiosity, and a strong focus on value. Why Leave Now?  Stijn’s decision to leave wasn’t sudden, but it also wasn’t something he had planned. During the acquisition process of SoFine Foods in Landgraaf, now part of The New Originals Company, Stijn got involved through Cibus Nexum. It turned out to be the same factory where he started his career after university. It felt familiar, meaningful, and full of promise. What began as an interim role evolved into something more. When the opportunity for a permanent position arose, he had to make a decision. “You can’t do both,” he explains. “Being fulltime  in The New Originals Company meant I couldn’t be fully present at Cibus Nexum anymore.” So Stijn has accepted the offer to become the Plant Manager at The New Originals Company in Landgraaf.  What’s Next?  Stijn is stepping into a significant role: leading the Landgraaf plant and overseeing around 100 people. This new challenge excites him. “I’m looking forward to being fully focused again, not splitting my time between responsibilities,” he says. “There’s a lot of energy and complexity there. It’s going to stretch me in a good way.” And what about Cibus Nexum?  Cibus Nexum is now in a strong position, thanks to the hard work we have put in over the last 5 years. We’ve completed more than 100 projects for over 60 clients, grown our team and network, and sharpened our focus as the go-to partner for outsourcing in food production in Europe. A Thank You That’s Hard to Put into Words Before leaving, Stijn had some thoughts he wanted to share. With Pascal and Arjen, the team, the clients, and collaborators. “It’s been an amazing journey — definitely outside my comfort zone, and I’m sure outside theirs too. But that’s how you grow. You get thrown into the water and start swimming.” “I’m grateful for the opportunity — and I know Cibus Nexum will keep growing. I wish them all the best. Not just success, but joy too.” Closing Thoughts At Cibus Nexum, we often talk about scaling journeys. This one feels personal. As Stijn takes on a new role, he leaves behind more than accomplishments. He leaves a culture: one of experimentation, honesty, and shared ambition. We take pride in what we’ve built together. We’re excited to carry it forward. Good luck, Stijn. We’ll be cheering you on from here.