Frontrunners Jasper Schipper and Frank Blaauw

"I'm actually not much of a runner," admits Frank Blaauw, CEO of the data innovation firm Researchable, frankly. "But as an athlete, I don't start the Campus Trail untrained." Jasper Schipper, Commercial Manager at real estate developer Kadans Science Partner, is a passionate runner. "You can call me a running cyclist," he laughs. 

Frank and Jasper experience daily how important collaboration, innovation, and movement are. Jasper connects businesses and people on the campus as the landlord of ZernikeLab and Plus Ultra buildings. "It's great to see substantive collaborations emerge from that." 

Sport helps with that, says Jasper: "Whether it's a run, table tennis at a summer event, or the Campus Trail, sport lowers the barrier to contact." Frank confirms this. Researchable, located in Plus Ultra, collaborates with several innovative campus companies, TNO, RUG, and Hanze. "This is a place where like-minded people come together." 

Their presence here isn't coincidental. "Campus Groningen is at the forefront of innovation nationally," says Jasper. "Yes," agrees Frank, "this is indeed the place in Groningen where everything converges. Many companies, many opportunities, especially when you know how to connect. In work, or during a sporty round outside."