At OPUS Cactus®, everything revolves around pioneering with an unexpected hero: the Opuntia cactus. The startup utilizes dry, infertile areas in South Africa to cultivate the cactus, which forms the basis for food, animal feed, and bio-energy solutions. The company fosters curiosity, creativity, and technology. "At OPUS Cactus, you can pioneer, with your head and your hands. It's not just about diplomas or titles, but about innovation and devising smart solutions," says Leon Philips, laboratory technician at the young company on Campus Groningen.
CEO Joeri van den Bovenkamp adds, "Every day, I am amazed by what we can achieve with this plant. It presents opportunities but also challenges. We must choose where we can have the most impact. And we prefer to do that from Campus Groningen."
Steep learning curve
OPUS Cactus believes in courage, curiosity, and innovation, evident in everything they do. "The most important thing is the trust from your boss in your ideas and approach," explains Leon. This trust defines the culture at OPUS Cactus, as CEO Joeri van den Bovenkamp elaborates. "We are a pioneering company, which requires courage and flexibility. The learning curve is steep, for everyone."
Campus as a springboard
According to Leon and Joeri, Campus Groningen is an excellent hub for innovation and development. "We've found a great lab space here on Zernike Campus," Joeri mentions. "And it's easy to step outside and speak with an expert. This accessibility makes collaboration appealing," adds Leon.
Peace and excitement
For Leon, the blend of intellectual challenge and liveability is crucial: "I can work here in peace on something that matters. Being able to truly make an impact as a young talent, without the hustle of the Randstad, is perfect for me." Joeri adds, "However, we notice that students often only get to know companies like ours after they graduate. This awareness should ideally come earlier. Campus Groningen offers many opportunities, but you need to be able to see them."
Seeking pioneers
Next to the current openings for internships, OPUS Cactus plans to open several positions throughout 2025. Joeri states, "We aim to expand significantly after the summer. We warmly invite those who are curious, daring, and eager to build something new with us to get in touch."
Leon concludes with advice for students: "Use your network and dare to ask. My internship and first job didn't come to me automatically. I reached out, asked about projects, and shadowed. That approach worked."
