News

Opus Cactus, a pioneering startup based at Campus Groningen, is redefining sustainability through the cultivation of the Opuntia cactus. "What if a single plant could tackle some of the world's biggest problems?" asks Sotirios Pilafidis, Head of Research and Development at Opus Cactus. This question drives the company’s mission to use this highly resilient cactus for food, feed, and bioenergy solutions, while actively contributing to regenerative agriculture, decarbonization, and the fight against climate change.

Exciting news for Cortalix, the newest campus resident at Innolab Agrifood! This Groningen-based biotech start-up has received a €1 million investment from Future Tech Ventures, the Rabobank Innovation Loan, and various grants to accelerate the development and commercialization of its single-domain antibody technology. With the investment in Cortalix, Future Tech Ventures proudly adds its sixth start-up to its portfolio since its launch. The official investment moment took place last week at the Zernike Campus.

MIND officially opened its doors on Friday, February 14th at Campus Groningen in Startup City. MIND, part of the Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT) of Defense, was established with a clear mission: to accelerate innovation through collaboration with the region and businesses. Leading as the innovation manager for MINDbase North is Marnix Modderman, who works with a small team to scout groundbreaking technologies for Defense. "MIND stands for Military Innovation by Doing," explains Marnix. "Our goal is simple: not just to embrace innovation, but to implement it."

Two gym halls are available for rent at the Healthy Ageing Campus in Groningen. On behalf of the University Center for Psychiatry (UCP), Triade offers these spaces for various sports and movement activities. The halls are ideal for vitality training, yoga, physiotherapy, group classes, or sports clinics.

What began as an ambition and a glimpse into the future became a reality on February 27th. Over 70 interested parties toasted yesterday to a circular showcase built by students at Campus Groningen. The showcase is named 'ROAM', which is Grunnegs for window. It is a self-sufficient and circular building, designed and built by vocational and higher education students, and serves as a meeting place for education, research, businesses, and visitors.

If you walk onto the UMCG site from the Oostersingel, you will see Sanquin at entrance 47. Sanquin is the national organization responsible for the blood supply in the Netherlands. They ensure that there is enough blood and blood products available for hospitals and other healthcare institutions. Since 2005, Sanquin has been located on the Healthy Ageing Campus in Groningen. Campus Groningen once visited this player on campus, which is the only organization in the Netherlands tasked by the ministry with ensuring the blood supply.

What if we could use energy smarter without extra cables or extensive infrastructure? That's exactly what Powerchainger, an ambitious Dutch climate tech startup based at Campus Groningen, is working on. Founded by CEO Yang Soo Kloosterhof, the company aims to make sustainable and clean energy globally accessible. "Our mission is to make renewable energy available to everyone," says Kloosterhof. "Still, 10% of the world's population lacks access to energy, while many depend on polluting sources. With smart technology and AI, we aim to change that."

The DIT-lab (Discover Innovations of Tomorrow), Located at the Zernike Campus, has been a collaboration between DUO and the Hanze Digital Society Hub (DSH) since 2022, working on societal issues related to future, reliable digital public services. The lab combines knowledge and contributes to safe, efficient future digital services for citizens and businesses.

The start up Fused Button Battery has developed groundbreaking technology to make button cell batteries safer and prevent serious accidents in children. If swallowed, these batteries can trigger dangerous chemical reactions. With a €295,000 investment from Future Tech Ventures, the technology can now be further developed and scaled up. Read the whole press release of Future Tech Ventures here.