StartLife proudly announces that Loet Rummenie is appointed as first Director of The Hortiscience Innovation Center (HIC) , effective June 16. Rummenie brings over six years of experience as Program Director at StartLife and has a strong track record in startup support and ecosystem building.
HIC is a newly established initiative in Bleiswijk, founded by a consortium of prominent partners including StartLife, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Delphy Improvement Center, YES!Delft and the Municipality of Lansingerland.
Accelerating Transition in Greenhouse Horticulture
“The Hortiscience Innovation Center plays a crucial role in accelerating the sustainability transition in greenhouse horticulture,” said Monique van Wordragen, Director of the business unit Greenhouse Horticulture of WUR. “By turning cutting-edge science into practical, entrepreneurial solutions, we are making real progress toward a more resilient and future-proof sector.”
Rummenie will be responsible for implementing HIC’s strategic vision, building a high-performing operational team, and delivering measurable results through collaborative programs focused on venture creation, technology validation, and international collaboration.
Turning Science into Entrepreneurial Breakthroughs
“I am thrilled to lead HIC at such a pivotal time for the horticulture sector,” said Rummenie. “With global challenges demanding more sustainable, high-tech solutions in food production, HIC is uniquely positioned to translate scientific knowledge into entrepreneurial breakthroughs. I’m especially excited to collaborate closely with world-class researchers and to deepening collaboration between Bleiswijk, Wageningen, Delft and the international horticulture ecosystem.”
HIC is uniquely positioned to translate scientific knowledge into entrepreneurial breakthroughs.” ~ Loet Rummenie
“The HIC is not just an innovation center—it is a driving force behind the economic development of the Greenport West-Holland and the province of South Holland,” said Leon Hoek, alderman of the Municipality of Lansingerland. “We see it as a cornerstone in positioning our Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Region (MRDH) as a global center for sustainable horticultural innovation.”
From StartLife to HIC: Continuing the Journey
“We’re truly happy to see Loet take on this new position,” said Dr. Nicola Harrison, newly appointed Managing Director of StartLife. “It’s a logical next step following his deep involvement in building the agrifoodtech ecosystem and help launch and scale over 100 startups through StartLife. His experience and broad network across the Dutch and European horticultural landscape will be key assets in advancing HIC’s ambitions and impact, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in this exciting new chapter.”
About HortiScience Innovation Center (HIC)
The HortiScience Innovation Center (HIC) stands out due to its unique combination of cutting-edge knowledge of cultivation systems and technical expertise from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and the Delphy Improvement Center, the driven entrepreneurship of incubator and accelerator organizations YES!Delft and StartLife, and the involvement of the municipality of Lansingerland, which stimulates and facilitates the initiative. At the HIC, startups and frontrunners with groundbreaking ideas come together and are connected with the right expertise and facilities to develop them into robust solutions. www.hiceu.com