How does a region become an economic powerhouse? Mission (Un)Accomplished. Two centuries of innovation in the potato starch industry provide the answers. This book was written by students under the guidance of, among others, Prof. Dr. Marijn Molema, distinguished professor on behalf of the NOM at the University of Groningen. The story brings a true Northern Dutch industry to life: an ecosystem of innovation that has been influencing people and society for 150 years.
We see these events through the eyes of farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists, policymakers, and politicians. Through this lens, a history of courage, collaboration, and continuous transformation unfolds. From pioneering entrepreneurs and agricultural mechanization to international agri-food chains and the sustainability challenges of the future. This book shows how a region has continually reinvented itself, with a lasting impact on lives, work, and future prospects.
For third-year students at the University of Groningen, the project offered an exceptional learning opportunity: not only through research, but also by actively contributing ideas, conducting interviews, and visually depicting what innovation has meant over the course of two centuries. The result is not a traditional book, but a collective visualization of the Northern Netherlands as a breeding ground for economic and social renewal. Mission (Un)Completed is thus not only a retrospective but also an invitation: what will the coming decades look like in a world that must produce differently, wants to consume differently, and wants to share differently?
Marijn Molema has been appointed as a special professor of Regional Development on behalf of the NOM, effective January 1, 2026. His professorship combines scientific analysis with social engagement and educational innovation. With the recently extended chair, the NOM is investing in research into the present, past, and future of strong sectors in the Northern Netherlands.