Microgreen Farm, founded by Jorrit van der Veen, has big ambitions. The young company, located in the Innolab Chemistry & Engineering at Campus Groningen, specializes in vertical farming and uses microgreens as a stepping stone to innovative and sustainable cultivation methods. Thanks to the Mkb Feasibility Voucher, a subsidy that helps entrepreneurs assess the feasibility of groundbreaking ideas, Jorrit has the opportunity to automate and scale up his production process.
“I currently grow manually, but with the voucher, I aim to develop an automated system,” Jorrit explains. Vertical farming means growing crops in layers stacked on top of each other. “Microgreens are an ideal starting point: they are relatively easy to grow and are widely used in the hospitality industry as garnishes.” Jorrit is already supplying local restaurants such as De Uurwerker, Brasserie Groen, and Mister Smith’s Loft.
The Move to Hydrponics
Jorrit aims to make his production process more sustainable by switching to hydroponics: growing with water instead of soil. “With hydroponics, water usage can be reduced by up to 90%. The water is monitored for nutrients, pH, and EC values. I want to monitor this in real-time,” he says. For this system, specialized software is required, so he is working with a student to develop this scalable prototype.
“With hydroponics, you can reduce water usage by up to 90%. The water is monitored for nutrients, pH, and EC values. I want to monitor this in real-time.”
Inspiration and Support
The inspiration for Microgreen Farm comes from Jorrit's childhood, where his father was always involved in gardening. “He made plans for a hobby farm in Portugal, which he wanted to realize after his retirement. When I stayed with him for a while, I got more interested in growing. Through Instagram, I discovered vertical farming in America, and I thought: I want to do this too.”
For his business, Innolab Chemistry & Engineering at Zernike Campus is an ideal catalyst. “This is the perfect place to test and produce. You have access to labs and other facilities, and the network of innovative companies in the same building is incredibly inspiring. You quickly exchange knowledge and tips.”
A Learning Process: The Road to the Voucher
Applying for the Mkb Feasibility Voucher was a learning process for Jorrit. “I did the application myself, but in hindsight, I should have asked for help. My application had mistakes and was almost rejected. Thanks to a joint meeting with the evaluator and guidance from Sven Stielstra at Innolab, it was approved.”
Sven Stielstra, manager of the Innolabs at Campus Groningen, emphasizes the importance of the voucher: “The Mkb Feasibility Voucher is a perfect scheme to give innovative ideas like Jorrit’s a chance. It lowers the threshold for entrepreneurs to collaborate with pilot projects like the Innolabs. At Campus Groningen, we have an excellent breeding ground for innovation, from startup facilities in the Innolab to scaling opportunities in ZAP and regional demo facilities. Innovation is essential for SMEs, and I encourage entrepreneurs with a good idea to contact us: we are happy to help.”
The Mkb Feasibility Voucher gives Jorrit one year to develop a working prototype. “My goal is to build a scalable, automated system with real-time monitoring, water conservation, and space savings of up to 95%. I can then present this prototype to investors to scale up.”
“At Campus Groningen, we have an excellent breeding ground for innovation, from startup facilities in the Innolabs to scaling opportunities in ZAP and regional demo facilities. Innovation is essential for SMEs, and I encourage entrepreneurs with a good idea to contact us: we are happy to help.”
Sustainability and a Vision for the Future
Jorrit aims to offer a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture with Microgreen Farm. “Large greenhouses have a huge ecological footprint. I deliver locally, which minimizes transport. Products arrive fresh to the customer, and deliveries are made electrically.”
In addition to saving space and water, vertical farming also offers growth potential for other crops, such as lettuce. “The possibilities are endless. With a small area, you can achieve huge yields. My ambition is to scale up, starting in Northern Netherlands, so I can also supply distribution centers. Further automation is crucial for this. Moreover, this approach perfectly aligns with the vision of circular and sustainable local food production, which is becoming increasingly important in a world with growing demand for efficient agriculture.”
The Mkb Feasibility Voucher, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), helps entrepreneurs in Groningen, Drenthe, and Friesland investigate the technical and economic feasibility of their ideas. The SNN (Northern Netherlands Cooperation) implements this subsidy. The voucher makes it possible to use pilot facilities like Innolab Chemistry & Engineering, Innolab Agrifood, or ZAP at Campus Groningen for a 40% fee reimbursement. Labor costs, materials, and advice can also be covered. Applications could be submitted until November 30, 2025 (extended deadline).
If you are curious about whether the Mkb Feasibility Voucher or other schemes can help you as a starting entrepreneur, or if you want to know about opportunities at Campus Groningen, contact Daan van Oldeniel, business developer at Campus Groningen (d.van.oldeniel@triade.umcg.nl).
Source: Campus Groningen
Photo: Jorrit van der Veen, owner Microgreen Farm. Photographer: Jorrit van der Veen
