The three finalists for the 2024 Groninger Entrepreneurial Award (Groninger Ondernemingsprijs - GOP) have been announced. Royal Bodewes, Wilmink Engine Parts, and KeyPro B.V. will compete for the award during the final in November. Campus Groningen, one of the sponsors of the GOP, congratulates the finalists!
On Thursday, October 3, a crucial new step was taken: each nominee was given three minutes to tell the jury why they believe they are inspiring, groundbreaking, successful, or otherwise remarkable. This semi-final event was hosted by Noorderpoort College in Winschoten. Presenter Marcel Nieuwenweg, in his signature style, turned it into a successful and fun event, filled with humor and empathy for the nervous participants, regardless of the outcome.
Following the decisive round in Winschoten, where the ten self-prepared pitches (just as varied as the nominees themselves!) were presented, the jury didn’t keep the participants in suspense for long. The three delighted finalists can now prepare for the festive finale on November 21 at Martiniplaza, Groningen.
Jury chairman Henk Emmens, Provincial Executive for Economic Affairs, Groningen, said: “We heard fantastic stories tonight. Each pitch clearly conveyed the passion for their product and their unique approach to entrepreneurship. And what a great diversity, too — we’re proud that all of this is happening here in Groningen!”
We briefly quote the three delighted finalists:
Karlijn Bodewes shared that as a child, she was deeply impressed by the grandeur of the shipyard. Now, she is especially proud that the first hybrid cargo ship was built on the Winschoterdiep (“not a limitation, but a strength!”), and that a Bodewes ship powered by batteries is sailing through the Norwegian fjords. Orders are coming in from as far away as Taiwan and French Polynesia. Karlijn had the audience laughing with her remark: “Why should we win the prize? The region and its people are essential. No Grunn, No Glory!”
Karlijn Wilmink, owner of Wilmink Engine Parts, made it clear in her first sentence what truly matters in a family business: “I speak on behalf of 70 proud Wilminkers.” She described a company that is “never afraid to change. Whatever fuel we use in the future, Wilmink is ready! We invest an average of 10% of our revenue in innovation. Another key point: diversity. We have employees from all over the world, from Eastern Europe to Eritrea — and even in Beerta!”
Willem Straat of KeyPro B.V. began with a serious warning: “We are all responsible for a massive amount of waste and significant CO2 emissions. I’m in my 40s, and I have to say, my generation hasn’t done a great job in that area. We have a choice, and I don’t want the next generation to have to deal with our mess! That’s why we need to put an end to ‘Fast Furniture,’ those cheap, disposable pieces you buy when your daughter moves into student housing. We aim for ‘quality and durability’ — products that are sustainable and easily refurbished for a second, third, or even fourth life!”
Background
Leading up to this Pitch Event, the jury conducted its own research, which began with selecting the ten nominees from a substantial and diverse pool of applications.
Over the past months, a skilled jury, consisting of various specialists and the 2023 winner, delved deeper into the nominees. Sponsors DeHaan Advocaten and Notarissen, BDO Groningen, and Rabobank Groningen visited all the nominees and prepared reports for the jury. Based on these findings, the jury critically assessed different aspects of entrepreneurship: profitability, growth, economic significance for the region, broader impact, role model potential, innovation and sustainability, focus on young talent, and general HR policies. This preliminary assessment accounted for half of the jury’s decision, with the October 3 pitch making up the other half.
Source text and picture: GOP
