Key Takeaways
- The HIC Venture Studio has launched as the world’s first venture studio dedicated entirely to horticulture.
- The studio focuses on six transition themes in greenhouse horticulture: energy transition, resilient cultivation, circular systems, autonomous cultivation, automation, and future-proof working.
- Catalyze will serve as a core partner, providing strategic consulting and grant-writing support to help startups secure non-dilutive funding.
- Leadership from both organizations highlighted the studio’s role in accelerating innovation and supporting future-proof greenhouse systems.
- The HortiScience Innovation Center (HIC) ecosystem brings together academic institutions, research organizations, and entrepreneurship networks to support emerging pioneers.
HIC Unveils the World’s First Venture Studio Fully Dedicated to Horticulture
The HortiScience Innovation Center (HIC) has officially launched the HIC Venture Studio, marking the world’s first venture studio designed exclusively to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement within the horticulture sector. The studio was inaugurated on 29 October 2025 and represents a major step in accelerating the transformation of greenhouse horticulture.
The HIC Venture Studio is built around six strategic themes that reflect the sector’s most important transitions:
- Energy transition
- Resilient cultivation systems
- Circular greenhouse horticulture
- Autonomous cultivation
- Automation
- Future-proof working
These themes will guide the development of new technologies, business models, and startups emerging from the studio.
Catalyze Joins as Strategic Partner to Support Funding and Business Growth With HIC Venture Studio
As a partner, Catalyze will provide grant-writing expertise and strategic business consulting to help startups secure the funding needed to advance their innovations.
Jamal Mesbahi, Managing Principal at Catalyze, explained the significance of the collaboration:
“As a market leader in attracting non-dilutive funding for green and sustainable innovations, we are proud of our partnership with the HIC Venture Studio. This collaboration brings together knowledge, entrepreneurship, and financing to accelerate the growth of groundbreaking startups and the transition to a future-proof greenhouse horticulture sector.”
Loet Rummenie, Director of the HIC Venture Studio, emphasized how the partnership strengthens the studio’s mission:
“With Catalyze as a partner, we’re strengthening our mission to bring groundbreaking technologies from greenhouses to market faster. They not only help our startups secure funding but also provide direction and acceleration. Together, we’re building an ecosystem where knowledge, capital, and entrepreneurship converge to future-proof the greenhouse horticulture sector.”
A Growing Innovation Ecosystem for Greenhouse Pioneers
The HortiScience Innovation Center (HIC) serves as a comprehensive innovation hub, supported by a wide network of research institutions, entrepreneurship platforms, and municipal partners. These include:
- Wageningen University & Research
- The Delphy Improvement Center
- YES!Delft and StartLife entrepreneurship networks
- The municipality of Lansingerland
Together, these organizations contribute advanced cultivation knowledge, technical expertise, entrepreneurial guidance, and public-sector support—creating a fertile environment where new ideas can develop into industry-ready solutions.
