Netherlands Opens First Greenhouse Innovation Studio
Wageningen, Saturday, 1 November 2025.
The HortiScience Innovation Center in the Netherlands launched the first venture studio focused on greenhouse horticulture, aiming to create three startups annually to tackle sustainability and productivity challenges.
A New Frontier in Greenhouse Horticulture
The HortiScience Innovation Center (HIC) in Bleiswijk, Netherlands, has taken a pioneering step by launching the world’s first venture studio dedicated to greenhouse horticulture. This initiative is set to foster the creation of three startups annually, each focusing on solving critical issues related to sustainability, labor, and productivity within the agricultural sector. By providing entrepreneurs with shared resources and infrastructure, the venture studio aims to accelerate innovation and enhance the overall value of the sector [1][2].
Strategic Investments and Partnerships
The venture studio has secured a €1.15 million investment over the next three years, which will fund a newly opened demonstration greenhouse. This facility will serve as a testing ground for researchers and entrepreneurs to develop and scale their ideas into market-ready solutions. The studio’s approach is underscored by strategic partnerships with respected institutions such as Wageningen University & Research, Rabobank, and several Dutch agri-tech companies, which collectively support the venture through funding and access to top-level research facilities [1][2].
Driving Innovation Through Collaboration
Loet Rummenie, director of HIC, emphasized that the unique structure of the venture studio allows entrepreneurs to retain ownership of their innovations while participating in a collaborative environment. This model encourages the sharing of knowledge, networks, and expertise among startups, thereby fostering a culture of collective growth and innovation. The studio also focuses on six strategic themes: energy transition, resilient cultivation systems, circular horticulture, autonomous growing, automation, and future-proof work, which are critical for advancing climate-smart farming solutions [1].
Global Implications and Future Prospects
The launch of the HIC Venture Studio is part of a broader national strategy to solidify the Netherlands’ position as a leader in sustainable food production. By bridging the gap between research and practical application, the studio aims to develop technologies that not only increase efficiency and climate resilience but also set a global standard for sustainable greenhouse innovation. The Netherlands’ model could inspire similar initiatives in regions like Africa, where greenhouse farming is expanding, offering a template for integrating traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology [2].