Session together with Patrick Deckers, chairman of the Caring Doctors.
Eatthis. supports Caring Doctors in their pursuit to create a transition in Dutch healthcare towards an EAT Lancet (80/20 diet). A diet that puts much more emphasis on prevention.

The output of horticulture should be the input of hospitals…. VEGGIES!

The horticulture sector is more than a producer of food and flowers – it’s a key player in building a healthier society and planet. The HortiHealth Stage brings together growers, researchers, policymakers, and businesses to accelerate the food transition and promote public health. With rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and chronic illness, the urgency is clear. At the same time, the shift toward plant-based, fresh, and unprocessed food is gaining traction. Horticulture holds the solutions – now is the time to link them to prevention and wellbeing. In this 60-minute session, led by World Horti Center and health partners, we’ll showcase inspiring initiatives such as the Food Boost Challenge, The New Lunch Culture, EatThis programs with healthcare professionals, and Health Cafés connecting food, health, and innovation. Together, we’ll explore how horticulture can shape a healthy, sustainable food culture – starting in South Holland, with global potential.

World Horti Center HortiHealth – Growing Health & Happiness

Founder & Key connector

Manager Delphy Digital

Teaching plant physiology and horticulture in HAS green academy. Next to that I am responsible for maintaining contacts between HAS and the agri-/horticultural sector.

Lecturer/advisor Horticulture

Lead data science for robotics

Roel Janssen is the head of Business Development  at Planet Farms, a technology company that builds and operates fully autonomous vertical farms at scale. Before devoting his work full-time to Planet Farms Roel spent 13 years at Signify (previously known as Philips Lighting), where he was the Global Director for City Farming. In his years at Signify Roel became an industry expert in the field of vertical farming and has been invited to speak and share his views all around the globe. He was also a guest lecturer at the HAS University of Applied Science in the Netherlands. Roel graduated Business Administration in Eindhoven, where he still lives with his wife and 2 kids. Next to growing plants in a sustainable way Roel has a great passion for wine, which resulted in a WSET 3 certification.

Head of Business Development

Connecting people and organisations, address sustainability challenges, facilitate cross-disciplinary collaborations and find innovative solutions is my passion.  Connect business partners with the well-known knowledge institute Wageningen Plant Research in order to enforece collaboration and making it possible that knowledge and innovative ideas finds its way to the market and vice versa

Program Manager

Technology Creator. Cannabis Veteran. Helping People Grow.
Jay is a dedicated and passionate leader in the cannabis industry with over 25 years of experience. As a pioneer in cannabis production and post-harvest technology, Jay has devoted his career to elevating the industry by developing innovative solutions and empowering the people who make it thrive. His journey has allowed him to work closely with small craft growers to collaborating with the largest commercial producers around the world. Jay's unrivaled expertise in cannabis production, particularly in post-harvest processing, has made him a sought-after resource for those looking to optimize their operations and maximize their success. As the CEO of Keirton, Jay oversees a company that is at the forefront of cannabis processing technology. Keirton's cutting-edge equipment is deployed globally, processing millions of pounds of cannabis each year and contributing to the industry's rapid growth. Jay's deep experience and knowledge grant him a unique and valuable perspective, set him apart as a true visionary in the cannabis space. With his unwavering commitment to cultivating people and technology, Jay continues to drive the industry forward, helping shape the future of cannabis. Connect with Jay to gain invaluable insights and learn from a seasoned expert who's always ready to share his wisdom and passion.

Founder and CEO

As a cannabis cultivation consultant, Kjell is involved in multiple growing and research projects. Kjell oversees the daily operations at the “Cultivation for Compounds” consortium on behalf of Cultivators. Kjell is also one of the main teachers of the “Operational Excellence Training” project, hosting both lectures and practical sessions on the cultivation of medical cannabis. He can also be found advising growers around Europe.
Kjell holds a MSc in Plant sciences with a specialization in Greenhouse Horticulture from Wageningen University. Kjell’s research focused on the effects of light intensity and spectrum on the growth and development of medical cannabis.

Cultivation consultant - Project Manager

Ramin Ebrahimnejad is a Business Development Manager at the James Hutton Institute (JHI), a leading centre for agricultural, environmental, and food systems research in the UK. He plays a key role in connecting science with industry, enabling the delivery of impactful research and scientific services that support innovation across the agri-food sector.
Ramin leads commercial engagement for the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC) and the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC)—two major initiatives based at JHI. The APGC is a cutting-edge facility driving innovation in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), crop phenotyping, and vertical farming, supporting the development of resilient and sustainable food production systems. NAPIC acts as a national hub for the alternative protein sector, fostering collaboration between academia, startups, and global food companies to accelerate the transition toward sustainable proteins.
With a background in data science and sustainable agriculture, Ramin is focused on advancing partnerships that combine research excellence with real-world application—delivering solutions that improve productivity, climate resilience, and nutritional outcomes in modern food systems.

Monika earned her Master’s in Research Architecture at the University of London Goldsmith College in 2011, having previously graduated in Social Design, Design Academy Eindhoven and the Estonian Academy of Arts. Monika is interested in reading of contemporary political issues within a constructed, real or imaginary architecture. through all stages of design and construction projects in Estonia and London.
 
Monika joined CRA in 2012. She currently acts as a COO and Partner-in-Charge, leading research and planning projects in the urban environment. She has been involved in CRA projects such as CapitaSpring, the Italian Pavilion in EXPO Dubai and masterplans in the Middle East.

Urban design, Partner-in-Charge, COO

Ned’s 15 years in horticulture have been paved with enormous passion for growing plants. It has been an ongoing journey - from managing tree nursery production in the continental climate of Bosnia to overseeing high-tech vegetable production in the Omani desert. These experiences have been both rewarding and uplifting. Without neglecting his main passion—growing—he has developed into a consultant in the substrate industry, drawing inspiration from the stunning Nordic landscapes. His passion lies in helping fellow growers optimize their crop performance by analysing crop data sets and selecting the ideal growing media solutions. In recent years, he has focused his energy on helping growers transition smoothly into the future and begin learning about the new generation of growing media. From North American leafy greens and ornamental growers to Chinese blueberry growers in Yunnan, he does his best to help them choose the optimal substrate solution and make the most of their crop resources.

Director, Portfolio Management

Laura van de Kreeke is a passionate advocate for sustainable food systems and one of the original farmers at Growy, a vertical farming company changing the way food is grown. Committed to making tasty, healthy, and affordable food accessible to all, Laura plays a key role in Growy’s mission to help create a more sustainable and resilient food ecosystem.

Farmer

Grower Success Manager and Business Developer at Growficient, helping licensed cannabis cultivators worldwide enhance their irrigation strategies with wireless substrate sensors, an innovative online platform and tailored consultancy. - By optimizing irrigation and fostering a deeper understanding of holistic growing practices, I empower growers to achieve better yields, improved product quality, cost-efficiency, and sustainable water use.  - I drive business development efforts, focusing on expanding Growficient' presence in the US and EU cannabis markets. - My passion lies in leveraging technological innovation and product integration to elevate the cannabis industry, and advocate for the recognition this incredible plant deserves.

Grower Success Manager / BD

Manager Smart Growing

Alexander van Tuyll has been working at Wageningen University & Research’s Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture for nearly three years, with a background in biosystems engineering. His research explores circular greenhouse horticulture. This is also the topic of his ongoing PhD. Nutrients, CO2 and renewable growing media are the focus of his current projects.

Researcher in Circular Greenhouse Horticulture

Teeltmanager Greenbase + Greenside

Team Lead Intelligent Algorithms

Founder/CEO of Cosmos

Mikel started with for FoodVentures as Project Manager in 2012 and has since then develop to his current role of Chief Operating Officer. During his decade of employment with FoodVentures, Mikel has worked in our operations in Busk in Ukraine, Belgorod and Sosnogorsk in Russia, Aqtobe in Kazakhstan, Shanghai in PRC, Hawaii, Kentucky and California in the US and Frovi in Sweden. Mikel holds a BSc in Business Administration & Agribusiness from HAS Den Bosch University of Applied Sciences.

Founder & Director

I am Niels van der Geest, graduated in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Wageningen and currently working as a cultivation engineer at Delphy, the Netherlands, with the focus on Greenhouse Vegetables. As cultivation engineer, I develop data-driven cultivation management tools that support growers in making data driven decisions!

Specialist data-driven growing

Rien Kamman is the CEO and co-founder of Source.ag, the leading provider of AI solutions for fruit and vegetable growers. Rien and his co-founder Ernst van Bruggen (CPO) started the company in November 2020 after meeting during their studies. Source.ag's technology offers real-time, customized advice to growers on how to optimize their crop growth and helps them to start, run, and expand a successful farming business. Before founding Source.ag, Rien worked for over 8 years at Boston Consulting Group, where he led data science teams that developed custom AI software for some of the world's largest corporations. Rien studied Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft and earned an MBA from Columbia University in New York.

Karma Genetics is a respected name in the cannabis industry, recognized for its deep expertise in cannabis breeding and genetic development. Founded in the Netherlands in the early 2000s, the company has built a strong reputation for preserving classic genetics and applying natural, stable breeding methods. Karma Genetics focuses on creating resilient, high-quality cultivars known for their unique terpene profiles and consistent performance. In addition to breeding, Edward is also active as a genetic consultant, offering expert advice to licensed producers, breeders, and cannabis companies worldwide. His consultancy work includes genetic stabilization, selection strategies, and the development of custom cultivars tailored to specific market needs. With over two decades of hands-on experience, Karma Genetics plays a key role in advancing the standards of cannabis genetics. Through collaborations and knowledge sharing, Karma continues to shape the future of the cannabis industry with integrity and innovation.

I am George (Qingzhuo) Qi, an incoming PhD candidate at Wageningen University & Research, working with Demeter42. My goal is to bridge the gap between greenhouse modeling in research and the practical challenges of greenhouse cultivation. I leverage the power of AI and digital twins to provide growers with optimized decision-making in greenhouse crop management.

AI Specialist

Senior Research Scientist

CRO & Co-Founder at Sera Intelligence - a platform that manages and optimizes production in greenhouses.
Our startup (Sera is co-founded together by me, Cristian Anastasiu and William McGehee) has received around 4 million euro in investments. Through our platflorm we are capturing greenhouse data  and crop registrations and we are guiding growers through a specific workflow, from defining a strategy, to executing, evaluating and adapting it.
We structure our technology around a well-defined operational loop that all greenhouses need to follow regardless of technological sophistication (plan, execute, improve, and repeat). This is overseen by a remote crop expert.

CO- Founder

Co-founder and CEO of UK and US based crop genetics platform, Phytoform. A passionate crop geneticist with an unshakeabe belief that improving the genetics of the crops we eat and use can make a more sustainable food system.

Janneke Grit, MSc earned her MSc degree in Greenhouse Horticulture in 2015 at Wageningen University. Thereafter she was a lecturer at HAS Green Academy teaching in the Horticulture & Business Management program. She instructed students plant physiology courses, provided courses to professionals and conducted applied research mainly in the field of greenhouse horticulture and vertical farming. Since 2023, she has been working as scientist at the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen University and Research. Her main area of expertise is greenhouse crop physiology, with a current focus on the safe application of new CO2 sources for horticulture and transitions to new cultivation systems. Her research is carried out in close collaboration with growers, the supply industry and the government.

Scientist Greenhouse Crop Physiology

Jef is an independent consultant for legal cannabis growers. As six-sigma greenbelt he improves and shapes business processes. For the scale-up that legal growers are he helps selecting and implementing the most fitting solutions for Seed-to-sale, post-harvest and Track and Trace. He writes regularly for <a href="https://cannabisindustrie.nl/author/jefmartens" target="_blank">cannabisindustrie.nl</a> about the Dutch Experiment impact, medicinal cannabis and Germany.

Analyst

chair of association "De Versnellers"

Board Chairman

Director of Business Development at Skytree, who develops and deploys smart technology that captures atmospheric carbon dioxide, enabling its use or storage to combat climate change and aid society and businesses around the world.

Business Development Director

Hi, I'm Kim! Welcome to GreenTech.

Exhibition Manager Domain Horticulture

Research-driven art and design collective working in the realm of social dreaming and world-making. Our projects engage with the nonhuman: animals, objects, ecology, technology, and the spectres between and beyond categories.
We see nonsense as an antidote to “common sense” – embracing paradoxical stories to explore the ethical and metaphysical layers of our relationship with the (nonhuman) world. We create contradictory scenarios & propositions in which we appropriate ideas from fields such as science, computing, law and mythology. Our projects take various forms - interactive installations, workshops, short films, public sculptures, campaigns, chatbots and books. 
We enjoy curiosity, cherish compassion, and recognize that separating the human from the nonhuman is nonsense.

Artist

Researcher

Born and raised in the heart of the Dutch Westland, Renko Schuil has been immersed in fresh food production from an early age. His career in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry spans over two decades, during which he has gained extensive expertise across various facets of the sector. From hardware and growing systems to climate control, lighting, logistics, and automation, Renko has developed a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships between these key components. His broad experience enables him to take a holistic approach, helping growers and industry leaders optimize their operations with innovative solutions.
Renko is now representing TTA-ISO as Sales Manager Food. At TTA-ISO, ‘Food’ refers to all edible and medicinal crops grown in controlled environments, from high-tech greenhouses to fully enclosed vertical farms. With a strong focus on plant handling and processing, TTA-ISO applies its 25+ years of expertise in robotics and automation to develop turnkey solutions that improve efficiency and consistency in indoor farming.

Sales Manager Food

Not an armchair expert, but with both feet in the trenches. As Global Innovation Manager Enabling Technologies at Koppert, Gabriël van der Kruijk applies technology daily to drive innovation for customers and colleagues alike. He cuts through hype, delivering clear, experience-based insights. Known for his energy and enthusiasm, he tells compelling stories and sparks engagement.
With over twenty years in tech, Gabriël has a proven track record of delivering digital and AI solutions. He founded four tech companies and has worn many hats — software development, consultancy, and management in international corporate environments among them. The connecting thread is a focus on customer-centric, co-creative product development. His wide-ranging experience lets him connect deep technical know-how with sharp business sense.
With his side business Gabriel Guides (Gabriel Gidst) he helps companies start and accelerate their transformation journey with inspirational keynotes, workshops and advice. During the talks, Gabriël shares concrete lessons and thought-provoking examples. During workshops he works alongside participants, helping them turn challenges and opportunities into actionable digital solutions.

Global Innovation Manager Enabling Technologies

Tom Webster is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder at award-winning vertical farming business, GrowUp Farms. 
Since 2013, Tom has worked with Co-Founder Kate Hofman to take the concept of vertical farming from a small unit in London to a huge vertical farm in Kent, UK. GrowUp is a certified B Corp, using 100% renewable energy to produce their salads, which are distributed through major UK retailers such as Tesco, Iceland, and SPAR.
As Chief Technology Officer, Tom leads on plant science, data, and optimisation of our state-of-the-art controlled environment production systems that grow tasty, ready-to-eat leafy greens with minimal environmental impact.
In 2017, Tom was featured in the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work addressing some of the fundamental flaws in the agricultural systems in a way that contributes to a more sustainable society.

B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

Peter Hendriks has studied Commercial Economics and Strategy & Organization and followed additional training in Artificial Intelligence. From 2021 onwards, he is the CEO of Hoogendoorn Growth Management. Peter has an excellent track record at several software development companies in the horticulture industry.   Before Hoogendoorn, Peter spent five years as the Managing Director of the fast-growing software company “LetsGrow.com”. Now, with Hoogendoorn, he aims to contribute to ‘feeding & greening the world’ by creating synergies between the latest tech developments, new plant physiology findings, and world-renowned growing expertise. All in his pursuit to sustainably increase customers’ ROI while leaving the planet in a better place. He considers Hoogendoorn the best place to actualize his ambitions: a flourishing company where personal responsibility and personal development are strongly valued.

Elise Wieringa, Sustainability Manager, inspired by nature 
I work as Sustainability Manager by Intratuin large Garden centre Retail chain in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. 
Being a source of inspiration, information and support to colleagues and partners in the supply chain to achieve a better and greener world with trees, plants and flowers.  
I apply my (cultural) knowledge and experience specifically to find solutions to a chemical free plant assortment with an ambition of 70% in 2030.

Sustainability Manager

Crop expert and vegetables

Cluster Manager

Green architect, inspirator and strategist.

Director

Researcher Greenhouse Technology

Joseph began his career in 2012 in instrumentation and controls engineering, using sensors and PLC systems to control auxilary systems in semi-conductor manufacturing. In 2019, he returned to university to study biosystems engineering at Wageningen University and Research. Since graduation he has worked at Wageningen research modelling water flows through soil to reduce emission of water, nutrients, and PPPs into the environment; optimizing fertilization to accomodate dynamic recirculation throughout the crop cycle; and, since 2023, using biochar as a cultivation susbtrate in greenhouse trials at the WR Glastuinbouw research station in Bleiswijk. Joseph brings a fresh perspective into the horticultural industry and has an eye for both what is possible and what is practical.

Researcher - Rootzone Dynamics and Sensing

Ben Nikaj is a highly accomplished Senior Crop Advisor at Grodan, leading provider of root zone management solutions for professional horticulture. With an impressive career spanning over 22 years, Ben supports vegetable and medicinal crop growers worldwide in optimizing their irrigation strategies and cultivation methods. Ben’s focus is on sustainable and efficient solutions to enhance plant performance and product quality. Ben’s unparalleled expertise plays a pivotal role in advancing innovative substrates and cultivation techniques.

Senior Crop Advisor Medicinal Plants

Luuk Graamans is a researcher from Wageningen Research, where he researches high-tech greenhouses and vertical farms in the business unit Greenhouse Horticulture. Our recent research focuses on the effects of the Energy Transition on the technical design of greenhouses. We will present the KasEnergieWijzer, an intuitive tool to design and calculate the performance of the greenhouses of the future.

Bas is one of the project leaders at the Delphy Improvement Centre where he focuses on energy efficiency and crop health. He has experience in several horticultural crops including vegetables and ornamentals. After receiving his Master of Science degree in Plant Sciences at Wageningen University & Research, he worked as a crop health specialist. The experience and knowledge he has gained during this period are now applied in energy efficiency research.

Jan-Kees Goet (1962) is Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality i from 15 June 2018. His previous positions include director of Police and director-general of Immigration Policy (Migration), as well as chairman of the board of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA).

Vice minister

VDE plant is a family owned nursery with several locations, in total we grow over 30 different types of tropical potted plants, in total over 10 milion pots a year.
With a team of 7 people we are responseble for growing on our main location of 8 hectares, partially equipped with dimmable LED growing Lights.
Our energy comes from a gas-fired CHP, supported by a heat pump, E- boiler and gas boiler.
In crop protection we mainly use beneficials for optimal results and a minimum impact on environment and footprint.
We started early with footprint calculation in 2015, which helps us to make sustainable choices to improve our poces.

Grower

Directory Board

Advisor at MEWA/SAFTA

Founder/CEO of Gardin

Rebecca joined Heliospectra in 2014 and is responsible for the company’s commercial sector, including marketing, sales, and technical support team. Her role involves providing strategic direction, contributing to Heliospectra's growing influence in intelligent LED grow lights for greenhouse and controlled environment horticulture. Rebecca actively participates in advancing LED lighting technology and control solutions for the horticultural and agricultural sectors, establishing Heliospectra as a key leader in these industries. Before joining Heliospectra, she gained valuable experience in white goods and LED lighting in Germany. Rebecca holds a Master's in Marketing and Consumption from the School of Business, Economics, and Law in Gothenburg, Sweden. With a strong dedication to innovation, she continues to guide Heliospectra toward a sustainable and prosperous future in global agriculture.

Marketing Manager

Alexander Wilm is a Principal Engineer for Light and Life at ams OSRAM, working in the System Solution Engineering Department in Regensburg. He joined OSRAM in 2004 after graduating from the University of Applied Sciences in Regensburg with a diploma in Mechatronic Engineering.
Alexander began his career focusing on optics and system design for LED headlamps, flashlights, and projectors. His expertise broadened during a two-year assignment in Singapore, where he served as an Application Engineer and Key Expert for solid-state lighting products, covering light quality properties and the non-visual effects of light related to life sciences.
He is actively involved in several expert associations for lighting, driving innovation in solid-state lighting. Alexander also played a key role in transitioning from conventional light sources to LEDs in horticulture lighting applications, establishing himself as a recognized expert in this field. In his current position, he focuses on the application of upcoming UV-C LEDs for disinfection and treatment across various applications, driving the replacement of conventional mercury lamps.

Senior Principal Engineer

The workplace is the best learning environment. Beanstalk assumes that all knowledge is already available.
As coach and trainer I am concerned with the individual people in the organization and I facilitate coaching processes to realize human growth.
Beanstalk helps to build future-proof companies in the agricultural sector by developing the people in the organization.
We approach learning and development of people as a growth process. We are continuously learning and developing! You can accelerate this process by working consciously and purposefully on development.  Together with Peter Klapwijk and Sjoerd Nieboer (family business 😊), we also organize away days for directors, management and entrepreneurs to reflect on leadership, trends, day to day activity and the future. 
I am also involved with Peter Klapwijk in the content and development of this Power day. Nice to meet you there.

Trainer/coach

Alberto López is a Systems Engineer at Agritecture Consulting, where he advises on optimizing operations and energy performance for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities. With an MSc in Biosystems Engineering from Wageningen University and previous experience managing operations at GROWx’s vertical farm in Amsterdam, Alberto has extensive hands-on expertise in greenhouse and vertical farm design, climate control, and energy efficiency.
Throughout his career, Alberto has worked on cutting-edge projects including climate adaptation studies in Costa Rica, vertical farming system analyses with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and plant selection methodologies for space missions. His deep technical knowledge, combined with practical industry experience, equips him to help growers innovate and improve sustainability and profitability in CEA ventures.

Systems Engineer

Tenair

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