2020: Prominent wins Horticulture Entrepreneur Prize

Cooperative growers association Prominent is the overall winner of the 34th edition of the Horticulture Entrepreneur Prize. These tomato growers will act as ambassadors for the horticulture sector for a whole year. Jack Groenewegen, chairman of the cooperative, was presented with the prestigious prize by Wiebe Draijer, group chairman of Rabobank. The prizegiving took place during the horticulture sector’s well-attended New Year event in Keukenhof, Lisse on 8 January. 

Three businesses were nominated for the 2020 Horticulture Entrepreneur Prize. Plantanious, Prominent growers’ association and SK Roses all three demonstrate distinctive entrepreneurship. The businesses are innovative, with a constant drive to improve processes within their operations. They also seek to develop the sector by working with partners to create a sustainable and circular horticulture industry.

It was not easy for the jury to make its choice, because they are really all winners. These entrepreneurs can justifiably be described as the stars of the sector. Prominent was chosen partly because of the innovative form of collaboration, the sharing of knowledge in order to help the association and the sector develop, and the way in which sustainable and circular activities are tackled jointly. That makes Prominent a worthy addition to the list of winners of the Horticulture Entrepreneur Prize.

Vigorous entrepreneurship

The theme of the event this year was ‘Vigorous entrepreneurship’. Wiebe Draijer from Rabobank told the packed room at Keukenhof about the changing environment and climate. The impact that this has on the demand for food offers more opportunities for the sector.

Ruud Veltenaar then gave an inspiring speech about mega-trends and developments that are transforming the world to the next stage of civilisation, and the role that horticulture can play within that.