Klasmann-Deilmann starts partnership with Wageningen incubator StartLife

Supporting young entrepreneurs and innovative ideas |  Aimed at finding innovations to promote horticulture

The Klasmann-Deilmann Group is increasing its activities to develop innovative product solutions for the professional horticulture sector and has launched a partnership with the Dutch Food & Agri Incubator “StartLife”, which is supported by “Wageningen University & Research”. The partnership will focus on co-operations with startups in terms of promising sustainable innovations that can take horticulture to a higher level.

In addition to Jan Meiling, Managing Director of “StartLife”, the official ceremony to sign the contract was attended by Ted Vollebregt, Managing Director of Klasmann-Deilmann Benelux, and Sjors Beijer, Project Manager at the sales company in the Netherlands. Both of them are responsible for innovations at Klasmann-Deilmann and therefore will engage in the activities of StartLife on the Wageningen Campus.

In the run-up to the project, Klasmann-Deilmann has attended several events at Wageningen Campus and talked to various candidates from all over the world about their projects. “We are delighted with the diversity and intensity that Wageningen devotes to research and innovation,” said Norbert Siebels, Managing Director of the Klasmann-Deilmann Group. “These young entrepreneurs and their excellent ideas deserve a chance – and we wish to give at least some of them that chance. We will have close contact with startups by being present on campus and support selected innovations that will help to advance horticulture for the benefit of both sides.”

“Wageningen University & Research” is one of the world’s most highly respected institutes in the field of agriculture and life sciences and one of its main research areas is commercial horticulture. “StartLife” is affiliated to the university and promotes graduates and young entrepreneurs whose startups work on promising projects with a practical focus. Managing Director Jan Meiling comments on the partnership with Klasmann-Deilmann: “Growing media are still essential for the success of horticultural companies. In view of the company’s keen interest in research and development, we are confident that Klasmann-Deilmann is an ideal match for us and our startups. We are already looking forward to exciting joint projects which will lead to the development of innovative applications and sustainable growing media.”