News

Jan 15, 2025

Innokite takes flight at the MXT Conference 2025

By
Marija Josipović
Innokite Launch event

Groningen, Northern Netherlands, January 15, 2025 – Innokite officially launched at the highly anticipated MXT Conference, introducing a transformative incubator program for the Northern Netherlands’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. Designed to empower knowledge-intensive startups, Innokite aims to drive lasting innovation and scale impactful ventures for future generations.

Empowering knowledge-intensive startups

Innokite empowers researchers, students, and early-stage entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into scalable businesses. Focusing on Digital & DeepTech, MedTech & HealthTeach,and Energy Transition & CleanTech, the dynamic incubator program combines tailored Acceleration Bursts, expert mentorship, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

This is where ambition bursts into opportunity, guiding startups through every phase of their journey and lifting innovative ideas off the ground.

Innokite represents a bold step forward for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Northern Netherlands,” said Richard Rushby, Head of Innokite. “By focusing on knowledge-intensive ventures, we’re not only addressing global challenges but also driving regional growth. This program is about creating a sustainable pipeline of innovation that will have a lasting impact for generations
Presenting Innokite at MXT Conference 2025

A modular approach to entrepreneurship

Innokite’s flexible structure gives founders the support and resources they need, right when they need them, through three main pillars:

  • Incubation: Laying the groundwork for ideas, validating concepts, and building strong founding teams with the right skills.
  • Acceleration Bursts: Targeted, short-term sprints to address challenges, such as market entry and scaling.
  • Community and Network: A thriving ecosystem of mentors, investors, and collaborators, fostering growth through shared expertise and connections.
Innokite builds on the university’s legacy of excellence in research and innovation,” said Jacquelien Scherpen, Rector Magnificus of the University of Groningen. “This is about taking our knowledge out of the lab and into the world, creating businesses that not only thrive but also make a meaningful impact.

Building for structural change

Innokite aspires to create lasting structural change in how the Northern Netherlands nurtures knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship. By aligning efforts across academia, industry, and regional stakeholders, the initiative lays the foundation for sustainable economic development and innovation.

Our goal is not just to create successful startups today," added Rushby. "We are building an ecosystem that will inspire and sustain the next generation of entrepreneurs, creating a culture of innovation that endures for decades to come.
Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau at the launch of Innokite

Regional support and collaboration

Bertwin Kampman of Founded, an organization supporting regional startups and scale-ups, highlighted the importance of Innokite’s role:

Innokite is a critical step in creating a stronger, more connected ecosystem for knowledge-intensive startups in Groningen, Drenthe, and Friesland. By providing a structured path for startups to develop and scale, Innokite complements the work that Founded is doing to strengthen collaboration across the Northern Netherlands. This initiative ensures that innovative ideas are not just cultivated but have the opportunity to thrive, contributing to the long-term growth of our region.

Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau, a leading advocate for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Netherlands and special envoy of Techleap.nl, also supported Innokite’s mission:

I’m pleased to see the University of Groningen and regional partners collaborating to launch Innokite. Such initiatives are vital, as incubators and accelerators serve as crucial links between academia and entrepreneurship, transforming research into impactful and scalable ventures. Sustained collaboration like this is essential for fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem in the Northern Netherlands.

Join the movement

Innokite invites ambitious entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and regional partners to join this transformative journey. Together, let’s redefine what’s possible for knowledge-intensive innovation in the Northern Netherlands.