Groningen OPEN launches its second edition this week, in which six established companies from the Northern Netherlands have formulated challenges and are looking for startups with innovative solutions.
The goal of the 'Groningen OPEN' initiative is to connect established companies and startups in the region in an accessible and effective way. Startups can register for one of the six challenges through groningenopen.nl until March 15. Groningen OPEN is organized by Campus Groningen, Founded in Groningen, Founded in Friesland, VentureLab North and Flinc (part of NV NOM).
Six established companies - Antea Group, Boom, Nijestee, Bossers & Cnossen, Intergas and Cosun Beet Company - are open to innovation and collaboration with startups. They have formulated challenges and in the coming weeks, together with the organizing partners of Groningen OPEN, they will look for startups that can offer a good solution for their issue.
For example, Cosun Beet Company (formerly Suiker Unie) is looking for a startup that can realize a new application from the sugar beet, such as products for personal care and household products. Antea Group wants to (have) a tool developed that provides insight into movement flows in public spaces. Boom Publishers would like to get in touch with a startup that can take their online training concept for teachers into the future. Housing corporation Nijestee is curious about new methods for making existing homes more sustainable. Bossers & Cnossen wants to know whether there is room in the market for their services linked to the Nextcloud product and how best to enter the market. And Intergas, market leader in the development of high-efficiency central heating boilers, would like to get in touch with a startup that can offer a solution for compact heat storage.
Three matches thanks to first edition of Groningen OPEN
After a successful first edition of Groningen OPEN in late 2020, three established companies from the Northern Netherlands have started a collaboration with the startup they had a match with. Cloetta is collaborating with LEF, FC Groningen with Rockfeather and Symeres (formerly MercachemSyncom) with Gecco Biotech.
Groningen OPEN connects established companies with startups
Startups often benefit from the accumulated expertise and experience of larger companies when it comes to product improvement, market knowledge and acceptance. And conversely, established companies increasingly depend on the speed and flexibility of innovative startups for competitiveness. Yet both parties often find it challenging to connect or collaborate. Groningen OPEN offers startups the chance to connect with established companies and respond to their current issues, develop, test and possibly implement solutions.
The partners of Groningen OPEN - Campus Groningen, Founded in Groningen, Founded in Friesland, VentureLab North and Flinc (part of NV NOM) - are deploying their network and expertise to connect companies and startups. Groningen OPEN is made financially possible in part by the Groningen Agreement to stimulate the innovation climate.