Making the smart connection between companies and organizations in the agrifood sector in the Northern Netherlands, that was the main mission of the Innovation Table on Wednesday, September 28. This event, organized by NV NOM and Campus Groningen, took place in style at one of the key players in this sector, Avebe, in their Innovation Center at Campus Groningen. Once the connection is made, NOM and Campus Groningen can then facilitate and encourage companies and organizations to get new collaborations and initiatives off the ground. Some 40 participants, most of whom were companies, joined this relaxed and successful dinner.
Onno de Vegt, director Product and Process Development Center at Avebe, welcomes the event: "Avebe is fully committed to the plant-based market. We develop high-quality ingredients and applications that enable the transition from animal-based to plant-based. We do this together with other parties and we therefore find it important to continue to meet new parties and explore new cooperation opportunities. This Innovation Table helps with this."
Drinks and business
No rigid agenda, but a relaxed setting and plenty of room for meeting were at the center of the Agrifood Innovation Table. During the dinner, several companies came into contact with other players in agrifood North Netherlands who did not yet know each other. Sven Stielstra, business developer at Campus Groningen, looks back on the event with satisfaction: "Our goal is to make smart connections so that companies can generate new business and start new projects, which we support them in. For example, on themes such as the protein transition, the green technologies needed for this and shareable test facilities. At Campus Groningen, we are very good at developing sustainable food ingredients and products. There is also a lot of knowledge and expertise, including at the UMCG, to translate those innovations into products that are good for your health." Campus Groningen facilitates these innovations and ensures that the partners in the ecosystem know how to find each other. Stielstra: "We like to take this connecting role together with the NOM, to stimulate and increase business activity and innovation."
Future
From the reactions of the participating companies, the organizers can conclude, that the basis for further cooperation has been laid. And thus certainly cooperation that looks beyond the borders of the city of Groningen. NV NOM and Campus Groningen also liked the collaboration. Joep de Vries, business developer at NV NOM: "Campus Groningen and NOM complement each other excellently in terms of network and expertise. And together we are happy to put our shoulders to the wheel to further strengthen the agrifood sector in the northern Netherlands. Innovative SMEs can always come to us with the most diverse questions. For example, finding the right partners in the value chain, coming up with funding solutions or setting up a joint research program."