The Groninger Entrepreneur Award (Groninger Ondernemingsprijs – GOP) is an essential event in the business and economic landscape of Groningen. Since 1998, the award has been presented annually to a leading company in the city and surrounding region (with the exception of 2021 due to COVID-19). The GOP has become a well-known and prestigious accolade, with an impressive list of past winners.
Companies from the province of Groningen that meet the criteria can apply or be nominated for a chance to win this esteemed award. From all submissions, the jury—chaired by the Provincial Executive for Economic Affairs—selects the nominees. During the networking event, nominees get to know one another, as well as the sponsors and ambassadors of the GOP. After the summer, they are invited to pitch for one of the three spots in the final during the pitch event.
These are the ten nominees, listed alphabetically:
Autodemontage Klaas Boer, Uithuizen
Supplier of used car parts, specializing in the 'green' recycling of damaged and end-of-life vehicles.
Interwinngroep, Winschoten
Experts in interior construction, office design, technical installations, and document solutions.
NVO Transport, Zuidbroek
Transport company offering warehousing, refrigerated transport, and express delivery services.
Olthof Groep, Sappemeer
Concrete supplier and provider of other (road) construction materials such as aggregate.
PolyVation, Groningen
Pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of biomedical polymers.
Simplicate, Groningen
Business software specialist, tailored for various industries.
Timmerfabriek Oomkens, Middelstum
Manufacturer and installer of window frames, entire facades, and prefabricated interior elements.
VAN-Jorn, Groningen
Transforms standard vans and commercial vehicles into comfortable campers, including electric models.
Voys, Groningen
Telecom company focused on business communication and VoIP telephony.
Zwartwoud, Groningen
Designer, developer, and builder of custom interior solutions.
Pitch Presentations
At the pitch event on Thursday, September 25, held at Noorderpoort Technology & ICT, the nominees will present a pitch to the jury and audience. After each nominee has given their company presentation, the jury will announce the three finalists.
