Campus Groningen wrapped up the year in true Christmas spirit during Campus Café – The Christmas Edition. On Tuesday 16 December, the community came together to connect, look ahead and, above all, celebrate what has been built within the campus ecosystem over the past year.
There was plenty to celebrate. Campus Groningen recently marked its tenth anniversary, while twenty leading companies signed the Chemport 10x10x10 covenant, committing to a shared ambition of €1 billion in private investments in green chemistry. In addition, 2025 saw the first half marathon on campus, and from today registrations are open for the full Marathon Groningen, powered by Campus Groningen. More than enough reason for a festive Christmas gathering at Campus Café – The Christmas Edition, hosted at the Avebe Innovation Center.
In the festively decorated atrium of the Avebe Innovation Center, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and professionals filled the space for an afternoon of inspiration and campus warmth. Following a welcome by Edward van der Meer, Director of Campus Groningen, Joost Frenken, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Groningen), opened the programme with an inspiring outlook on developments around Nijenborgh 4 (NB4). He outlined how the renewed complex is set to boost education, science and entrepreneurship on campus in the years ahead.
Once again, the afternoon highlighted how innovation thrives on campus. Marc Laus, Director Market Innovation at Avebe, demonstrated in Ho Ho H₂O: enzymes in action how enzyme technology is paving the way towards a more sustainable future. This was followed by Marijn Molema (University of Groningen and NOM), who presented his latest book on innovation in the potato starch industry to Avebe’s longest-serving employee—a symbolic gesture showing how tradition and innovation reinforce one another within the campus network.
The final contribution of the content programme came from Michael Myles, programme coordinator for mobility measures at Groningen Bereikbaar. He took the audience “by sleigh ride” into the mobility of tomorrow, sharing concrete insights into smart, future-proof solutions for the campus.
Raising a glass to the new year
From 4:45 pm onwards, it was time to raise a glass. With festive bites, drinks and plenty of Christmas cheer, guests looked back on a year full of collaboration, innovation and growth. While the official programme concluded at 6:00 pm, conversations continued well beyond.
Campus Groningen looks back on an inspiring and festive Christmas Edition and thanks everyone for contributing to its vibrant ecosystem. Here’s to a new year, full of fresh steps and shared ambitions.
Who is developing the most impactful innovation in Life Sciences & Health in the Northern Netherlands? Five companies are in the running for the LIFE Science Innovation Award 2026: Flux Robotics, Limosa Immunodiagnostics, SPCTR, MimeCure and GlycanScan International. The nominees will present their innovations on Tuesday 22 September during the fifth edition of the LIFE Science Conference in Groningen. An independent jury will select the winner, who will receive a €10,000 cash prize.
A much-loved tradition The Campus Trail has become a much-loved tradition on campus. Students, employees and professionals from companies and organisations across the campus ecosystem lace up their running shoes for a sporty 6.4-kilometre route through buildings and past some of the campus’s unique labs. The rapid growth in registrations shows just how much the Campus Trail has become part of the campus community. The combination of sport, meeting others and the unique campus setting makes the run a great opportunity to connect with people outside the usual work and study environment. And there’s no need to head home as soon as you cross the finish line. During the after-party, hosted by Contini Catering, participants can relax together, enjoy a drink and celebrate the afternoon. There’s still time to join: those who want to take part can register online until 3 September, or sign up on the day itself using the PIN Campus Trail 2026 | Campus Groningen.
ZonMw is expected to open the final call for proposals within the PharmaNL Shared Development Infrastructure (SDI) program line. This program line focuses on strengthening the infrastructure for the development, upscaling, and production of innovative medicines in the Netherlands.
