Greenports Nederland

What Greenports Nederland does

Greenports Nederland (Stichting Greenports Nederland) is a Dutch non-profit foundation established on December 14, 2018, headquartered at Louis Pasteurlaan 6, 2719 EE Zoetermeer, Netherlands. It operates as a triple-helix network organization connecting eight regional greenports (Aalsmeer, Boskoop, Duin&Bollenstreek, Gelderland, Noord, Noord-Holland Noord, Venlo, West-Holland), the four core horticulture provinces (Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Gelderland, Limburg), the Ministry of LVVN, sector branch organizations (Glastuinbouw Nederland, LTO Nederland, Royal FloraHolland, Plantum, and others), and knowledge institutions led by Wageningen University & Research. Its function is to coordinate, convene, and set the national agenda on cross-cutting horticulture challenges via seven transition tables covering energy transition, spatial planning, fresh logistics, healthy plants and people, labor market and education, and internationalization.

The organization's deliverables are coordination services and digital information products rather than commercial goods. Key outputs include the Tuinbouw Energiekaart (interactive map of 100+ greenhouse clusters co-developed with Rabobank and Glastuinbouw Nederland), the Gereedschapskist Ruimtelijke Inrichting spatial planning toolkit, the Hightech Tuinbouw digital inspiration book on automation and robotics, the Dutch Horticulture international platform (dutchhorticulture.nl), a bimonthly digital newsletter, the annual Nationaal Tuinbouwcongres (capacity 180 invited guests), the Tuinbouwcijfers economic dataset (produced with CBS and Wageningen Economic Research), and convenant frameworks including the Tuinbouwakkoord signed by 35 parties, the Convenant Energietransitie Glastuinbouw 2022-2030, and the Convenant Gewasbescherming.

Its business model is non-commercial: funding comes from member contributions by regional greenports, provinces, and branch organizations, plus project-based and program-based funding from national ministries, EU sources (EFRO, Interreg), and provincial governments. There is no product pricing, no equity investors, and no parent company. The organization is governed by a Dagelijks Bestuur (Daily Board) including representatives of Royal FloraHolland, Rabobank, LTO, and WUR, and a Raad van Advies (Advisory Board) spanning the broader triple-helix membership. Day-to-day operations are run by a program team of approximately 8-10 staff under director Andries Middag.

Name

Greenports Nederland

Legal name

Stichting Greenports Nederland

Website

https://greenports-nederland.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Greenports Nederland is a Dutch non-profit foundation coordinating the national horticulture cluster through a triple-helix model linking eight regional greenports, four provinces, sector branch organizations, and knowledge institutions on energy, spatial planning, labor, and sustainability priorities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horticulture Cluster Coordination

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover (111419)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional Intergovernmental Organizations (BPADAAAB), Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Horticulture network coordination
• Dutch greenhouse sector
• Triple-helix innovation
• Horticulture data platforms
• Regional greenport development

Headquarters

HQ city

New Holland

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Member contributions and government funding: Greenports Nederland is funded through contributions from its member organizations (regional greenports, branch organizations, provinces, and municipalities) and government support. The organization was established with support from the provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Limburg, and Gelderland. As a foundation, it operates without commercial revenue.
2. Project-based program funding: Greenports Nederland coordinates and facilitates national programs (such as the Convenanten Gewasbescherming, Energieconvenant, and the Tuinbouwakkoord) that receive multi-party funding from government ministries, EU sources (EFRO, Interreg), provincial governments, and industry organizations.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Greenports Nederland is a Dutch foundation that operates as the national coordinating network for the Dutch horticulture sector, bringing together regional greenports, branch organizations, government bodies, and knowledge institutions in a triple-helix structure. It delivers shared online platforms and data tools (NL Tuinbouw, Tuinbouw Energiekaart, Tuinbouwcijfers, Spatial Planning Toolkit), programs such as Hightech Tuinbouw, and an annual Nationaal Tuinbouwcongres to strengthen the international position of Dutch greenhouse horticulture.

Product overview

Greenports Nederland is a network organization (netwerkorganisatie) for Dutch horticulture operating as a triple-helix connector between regional greenports, governments, businesses, and knowledge institutions. Rather than offering a traditional product suite, it provides coordination services, digital platforms, and sector resources. The organization facilitates national collaboration on horticulture themes including sustainable area development, energy transition, fresh logistics, healthy plants/people, labor market, and internationalization. Key offerings include the Dutch Horticulture international branding platform, the Hightech Tuinbouw digital inspiration book on automation, the Tuinbouw Energiekaart interactive energy map, a bimonthly digital newsletter, the annual Nationaal Tuinbouwcongres event, the Gereedschapskist Ruimtelijke Inrichting spatial planning toolkit, and Tuinbouwcijfers sector statistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Horticulture complex contributes approximately 23.6 billion euros (~2.8% of GDP) and ~246,000 jobs to the Dutch economy (2022 figures)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Topsector Tuinbouw & Uitgangsmaterialen (T&U)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2019Topsector T&U collaborates with Greenports Nederland and PlantNet International in a triple-helix structure to shape the national horticulture agenda. T&U commissioned the Tuinbouwcijfers economic research and co-signed the Tuinbouwakkoord. The three organizations share the mission of advancing sustainability and competitiveness of Dutch horticulture.
• PlantNet InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlantNet International represents the Dutch horticulture sector through various national branch organizations, working with Greenports Nederland and Topsector T&U on the national horticulture agenda. The three entities collaborate to connect entrepreneurs, governments, and knowledge institutions.
• Provincial governments (Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Gelderland, Limburg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe four key horticulture provinces co-signed the Tuinbouwakkoord, are represented in the Raad van Advies, participate actively in transition tables, and co-funded the establishment of Greenports Nederland. They work with Greenports Nederland on spatial planning and energy transition in their respective regions.
• RabobankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRabobank participates in the Dagelijks Bestuur (Daily Board) of Greenports Nederland and co-developed the Tuinbouw Energiekaart (Horticulture Energy Map) in cooperation with Greenports Nederland and Glastuinbouw Nederland. The bank also collaborates on energy transition financing for greenhouse horticulture areas.
• Royal FloraHollandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal FloraHolland participates in the Dagelijks Bestuur (with Stefanie Miltenburg as Chair) and is represented in the Raad van Advies of Greenports Nederland, contributing to the governance and strategic direction of the national horticulture coordination.
• LTO (Land- en Tuinbouworganisatie Nederland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLTO Nederland participates in the Dagelijks Bestuur (with Ron Mulders) and Raad van Advies, co-organizes work visits on international worker housing with Greenports Nederland, and collaborates on labor market, housing, and crop protection policy.
• Wageningen University & Research (WUR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWUR participates in the Dagelijks Bestuur (with Monique van Wordragen) and the Raad van Advies. WUR conducts research for the Tuinbouwcijfers economic analysis (with CBS) and contributes knowledge expertise to transition tables on energy, plant health, and spatial planning.
• Glastuinbouw NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlastuinbouw Nederland (with Adri Bom-Lemstra as Chair of the Raad van Advies and Ruud Paauwe) is a key partner in energy transition covenants, crop protection covenants, and spatial planning initiatives. The organization co-developed the Tuinbouw Energiekaart and participates in all major national programs.
• CBS (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBS conducts the annual Tuinbouwcijfers (Horticulture Statistics) research in cooperation with Wageningen Economic Research, commissioned by Topsector T&U and Greenports Nederland. This provides the official economic data on the Dutch horticulture complex.
• Regional greenports (Aalsmeer, Boskoop, Duin&Bollenstreek, Gelderland, Noord, Noord-Holland Noord, Venlo, West-Holland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe eight regional greenports form the foundational membership base of Greenports Nederland. Each is represented in the Raad van Advies, has dedicated contact persons, and participates in relevant transition tables. Regional greenports benefit from national coordination, knowledge sharing, and the national policy agenda.
• ECW EnergymajorTechnology or IntegrationECW Energy (Energy Campus West) is a private energy company founded by large greenhouse horticulture companies at Agriport A7 to develop and operate energy infrastructure. ECW provides electricity, heat, gas, CO2 networks, and smart energy trading for horticulture clusters, and has expanded operations to Het Grootslag. ECW exemplifies private-sector-led energy infrastructure development.
• MicrosoftminorOthersMicrosoft operates a large datacenter at Agriport A7 in Middenmeer, co-located with greenhouse horticulture businesses. The datacenter benefits from proximity to the internet hub in Amsterdam and contributes to the mixed-use development of the Agriport A7 area.
• GoogleminorOthersGoogle operates a datacenter at Agriport A7, following Microsoft's lead, further developing the area as a hub for both advanced technology and greenhouse horticulture.
• HVC GroepmajorTechnology or IntegrationHVC (including HVC Groep and HVC Energie) is a public waste management and sustainability execution organization that collaborated with Greenports Nederland, Glastuinbouw Nederland, and regional greenports to develop sustainable energy infrastructure including the Alton warmtenet (heat network), geothermal projects, and a CO2 capture pilot at the Bio Energie Centrale in Alkmaar.
• TU Delft (AgTech Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTU Delft's AgTech Institute participated in the Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge organized by WUR and Tencent, winning the competition with the Automatoes team. The team used artificial intelligence to achieve the best tomato yield and sustainability performance in a fully automated greenhouse, demonstrating AI-driven horticulture.
• Brightlands Campus Greenport VenlomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrightlands Campus Greenport Venlo is a triple-helix innovation campus where the Brightlands Future Farming Institute was established by Universiteit Maastricht with a total investment of over 40 million euros over 10 years. The campus hosts the Jeugd, Voeding en Gezondheid program and collaborates with Greenports Nederland on regional innovation in the horticulture sector.
• SIGN (Stichting Innovatie Glastuinbouw)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIGN focuses on boundary-pushing innovations that go beyond individual company interests and serve the broader sector. It is active in pre-competitive innovation projects including circular horticulture, drone-based crop protection, mycelium-based acoustic panels, and alternatives for surplus horticulture products. SIGN is an initiative of Glastuinbouw Nederland.
• AVAG, Best Fresh Group, Brightlands, GroentenFruit Huis, Incotec Europe, Koppert, Plantum, Royal Anthos, VGBminorOthersVarious branch organizations and companies represented in the Raad van Advies of Greenports Nederland, contributing sector-specific expertise to transition tables and national horticulture programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Topsector Tuinbouw & Uitgangsmaterialen: Parallel national coordination body for horticulture R&D and innovation policy, co-signatory of the Tuinbouwakkoord and co-commissioner of Tuinbouwcijfers. Operates a closely overlapping triple-helix mandate with Greenports Nederland, with mutual board representation.
• Foodvalley NL: Dutch triple-helix cluster organization for food innovation, structurally analogous to Greenports Nederland but focused on the broader agrifood value chain around Wageningen. Comparable governance model (government, business, knowledge institutions) and convening/coordination mandate.
• PlantNet International: Sister triple-helix network organization collaborating with Greenports Nederland and Topsector T&U on the Dutch horticulture agenda, connecting entrepreneurs, governments, and knowledge institutions. Both share governance structures and are explicitly positioned as co-pillars of the national horticulture coordination model.
• Dutch Greenhouse Delta: Public-private partnership promoting Dutch greenhouse horticulture solutions internationally. Directly comparable to Greenports Nederland's international positioning function via DutchHorticulture.nl, with overlapping member base (Glastuinbouw Nederland, regional greenports, leading suppliers).
• Holland Horti International: Foundation focused on internationalizing the Dutch horticulture sector, with member overlap including regional greenports and branch organizations. Operates in the same convening and international positioning space as Greenports Nederland.

Regional players

• Brainport Eindhoven: National network organization driving the Eindhoven high-tech cluster. Structurally analogous triple-helix model (industry, government, knowledge institutions) applied to a different sector, illustrating the Dutch cluster-organization template that Greenports Nederland follows.

Others

• Wageningen University & Research: Core knowledge partner represented on Greenports Nederland's Dagelijks Bestuur and a contributor to Tuinbouwcijfers and transition tables. Not a competitor but the principal research backbone for the cluster's innovation agenda.

Broad incumbents

• InnovationQuarter: Regional economic development agency for South Holland that supports high-tech and horticulture innovation. Comparable triple-helix model and cluster-development mandate, but operates at the regional level with broader sector coverage including clean tech and life sciences.
• Glastuinbouw Nederland: Primary branch organization for Dutch greenhouse horticulture businesses. A core partner in Greenports Nederland's governance and program execution (energy transition, crop protection covenants), but with a broader enterprise mandate covering commercial representation, lobbying, and member services for greenhouse growers.

Emerging players

• World Horti Center: Knowledge and innovation center for international horticulture located in Westland. Operates as a more focused, facility-based extension of the same triple-helix horticulture ecosystem that Greenports Nederland coordinates nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/about

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Greenports Nederland