Greenwise Campus
Greenwise Campus is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating a triple-helix innovation network in Northern Netherlands, connecting companies, educational institutions, and government across circular plastics, energy, smart manufacturing, and healthcare, funded by €16 million of public grants and anchored by a new innovation centre opening in Emmen in late 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersEmmen, Drenthe, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Greenwise Campus does
Greenwise Campus is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in 2021 and headquartered in Emmen, Drenthe. It operates as a triple-helix innovation network connecting companies, educational institutions (MBO/HBO/WO), and public authorities in Northern Netherlands. The organization runs four thematic pillars: Circular Plastics, Energy, Smart Manufacturing, and Welfare/Healthcare/Technology, with three cross-cutting themes: Talent Development, Digitalization, and Entrepreneurship. It serves as the execution organization for the Greenwise Circular Plastics pillar within Chemport Europe and is a flagship project of the Universiteit van het Noorden.
The campus does not develop proprietary products; it functions as a network convenor and shared-services platform. Its core technical offering is the upcoming €16 million Innovation Centre in Emmen (former bus depot, opening end 2026), which will physically co-locate knowledge institutions and companies to share equipment, expertise, and R&D capacity. Notable technical assets include the first Dutch hybrid research group combining WO and HBO researchers in Sustainable Polymers (2021), the plesTic Ready multi-disciplinary circular plastics programme, the Smart Sustainable Manufacturing innovation cluster, and the Lab Maatschappelijke Vraagstukken (Social Issues Lab). Distinct regional strengths are mapped to Emmen (polymers/chemical recycling), Delfzijl (biomass), and Heerenveen (sorting and mechanical recycling).
The business model is grant-funded and network-participation-driven. Revenue comes primarily from public subsidies (€10 million Just Transition Fund plus €6 million Province of Drenthe) and supplementary membership and programme participation fees. The organization is led by directeur-bestuurder Annette Verhoef, employs 11-50 staff, and reports to five founding partners (NHL Stenden, Drenthe College, RUG, Provincie Drenthe, Gemeente Emmen). It does not sell products or services in the traditional sense; instead, it derives value from convening ecosystem participants, hosting events, and facilitating joint R&D projects through consortium arrangements and shared infrastructure.
Greenwise Campus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Greenwise Campus
- Legal name
- Greenwise Campus Foundation
- Website
- https://greenwisecampus.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Greenwise Campus is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating a triple-helix innovation network in Northern Netherlands, connecting companies, educational institutions, and government across circular plastics, energy, smart manufacturing, and healthcare, funded by €16 million of public grants and anchored by a new innovation centre opening in Emmen in late 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Greenwise Campus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Innovation Network Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL), Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Technical Universities with Entrepreneurship & Incubation Focus (EDAHAEAH)
Keywords
Where Greenwise Campus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Emmen, Drenthe
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Greenwise Campus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subsidy and Grant Funding: Greenwise Campus is primarily funded through public subsidies and grants. Major funding includes a €10 million European Just Transition Fund (JTF) subsidy plus €6 million grant from Province of Drenthe, both directed toward the innovation centre development in Emmen. The broader JTF allocation for Northern Netherlands is €330 million through 2027.
- Network Membership and Programme Participation: Revenue is generated through participation in innovation programmes, cluster memberships, and shared-service arrangements at the innovation centre. Companies, educational institutions, and government bodies join the network and contribute to collaborative innovation projects.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Greenwise Campus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Greenwise Campus is a network and innovation hub in Northern Netherlands that brings together companies, educational organisations (MBO, HBO, WO), and public authorities to collaborate on green and smart solutions. It facilitates shared R&D, talent development, and cross-sector innovation across four thematic pillars (Circular Plastics, Energy, Smart Manufacturing, Welfare/Healthcare/Technology), with a physical Innovation Centre under development in Emmen.
Product overview
Greenwise Campus is a network for knowledge development, innovation and entrepreneurship that brings together companies, educational organisations and public authorities. Rather than a unified software product, it operates as an innovation campus ecosystem with multiple thematic pillars (Circulaire Plastics, Energie, Slimme Maak-industrie, Welzijn Zorg & Technologie) supported by cross-cutting themes (Talent Development, Digitisation, Entrepreneurship). The organisation facilitates physical and programmatic innovation through its upcoming Innovation Centre in Emmen, various consortium projects like plesTic Ready for circular plastics, the Smart Sustainable Manufacturing Innovation Cluster, and the Human Capital Agenda for workforce development. Funding comes from a €10 million JTF subsidy plus €6 million from Province of Drenthe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Greenwise Campus Innovation Centre
- Circulaire Plastics Innovation Projects
- Energy Transition Projects
- Smart Manufacturing Industry Projects
- Welfare, Health Care & Technology Projects
- Human Capital Agenda / Talent Development Programme
- plesTic Ready Programme
- Innovation Cluster Smart Sustainable Manufacturing
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of 130+ surveyed festival-goers at TT Festival stated municipalities and festivals should more often use circular lighting, with 87% confident in the durability of circular lamp shades made from recycled plastic and elephant dung.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Greenwise Campus
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Greenwise Campus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Greenwise Campus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, major and core.
- ProxcyssupportingProxcys is a company in the Emmen region and the most recent signatory to the Smart Sustainable Manufacturing innovation cluster (July 2026). Sees the partnership as providing access to knowledge, a strong network, and new collaborations. Interested in precision fermentation test facility connected to the innovation centre.
- Wireless ValuesupportingWireless Value joined the Smart Sustainable Manufacturing innovation cluster in July 2026, following Fresenius Kabi and Menicon. Values the partnership for sharing challenges and solutions with other companies. During cluster signing, offered Proxcys access to their cobot for welding processes as an example of direct mutual support.
- Brightlands Chemelot CampusmajorBrightlands Chemelot Campus in Sittard (Southern Netherlands) visited Greenwise Campus in June 2026 as part of a broader exchange between innovation campusses in North and South Netherlands. Both share a focus on bio-based raw materials, circular chemistry, and the connection between knowledge, government, and business. Exploration of joint initiatives is ongoing.
- NHL Stenden University of Applied SciencescoreNHL Stenden is one of the five founding partner institutions of Greenwise Campus. Provides higher professional education (HBO) expertise across circular plastics, smart manufacturing, and healthcare technology. Hosts lectorates including Circulaire Plastics (led by Rudy Folkersma) and Biobased Chemistry & Refinery (André Heeres). Co-developed the first Dutch hybrid research group in Sustainable Polymers combining WO and HBO researchers.
- Drenthe CollegecoreDrenthe College is one of the five founding partners of Greenwise Campus. Provides secondary vocational education (MBO) contributing to the Human Capital Agenda and talent development initiatives. Also involved in hydrogen education programmes and practical skills training for the green economy transition.
- Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG)coreRijksuniversiteit Groningen is one of the five founding partners of Greenwise Campus. Contributes scientific research expertise including Professor Katja Loos (Polymer Chemistry, Knighted in Order of the Dutch Lion), Professor Paolo Pescarmona (Catalysis & Sustainability), and Professor Chongnan Ye (Sustainable Polymer Networks). Co-developed the hybrid WO+HBO research group in Sustainable Polymers.
- Provincie DrenthecoreProvince of Drenthe is one of the five founding government partners of Greenwise Campus. Provides the €6 million grant for the innovation centre and is a key funder through the Just Transition Fund. One of three provinces (with Groningen and Fryslân) committed to the €330 million JTF allocation for Northern Netherlands through 2027.
- Gemeente EmmencoreMunicipality of Emmen is one of the five founding partners of Greenwise Campus. Purchased the former bus depot site (Dordestraat) and transferred it for the innovation centre development. Provides ongoing support including the new rail connection between Emmen and Stadskanaal and the broad prosperity strategy for the four municipalities.
- Regio Deal Zuid- en Oost-DrenthemajorRegio Deal is a regional development agreement supporting the broader innovation ecosystem in Zuidoost- and Oost-Drenthe. Greenwise Campus is one of the flagship projects (voorbeeldprojecten) of Regio Deal. Supports cross-municipal collaboration on innovation, sustainability, and regional economic development.
- Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (SNN)majorSNN is the executing body for the Just Transition Fund (JTF) subsidies in Northern Netherlands. Manages the €10 million JTF subsidy for Greenwise Campus and the broader €330 million JTF allocation for the region. One of the example projects of SNN's innovation portfolio.
- Universiteit van het NoordenmajorUniversiteit van het Noorden is a collaborative university network across Northern Netherlands. Greenwise Campus is one of the voorbeeldprojecten (example projects) of this network. The KONNECT roadshow programme is administered through this network to link SMEs with knowledge institutions.
- Chemport EuropemajorChemport Europe is the green chemistry ecosystem of Northern Netherlands. Greenwise Campus serves as the execution organisation (uitvoeringsorganisatie) of the Greenwise Circular Plastics pillar within Chemport Europe. Together they shape the Circular Plastics initiative for the entire Northern Netherlands region. Co-organises events including Sustainable Innovation Week.
- plesTic Ready ConsortiummajorplesTic Ready is a multi-disciplinary programme for a circular plastics chain in Northern Netherlands, co-funded by the European Union Just Transition Fund, SNN, and Ministry of Economic Affairs. Partners include Vereniging Circulair Friesland, Circulair Groningen Drenthe, SUSPACC/Biocooperative, RUG, Hanze, NHL Stenden, the three provinces, Gemeente Emmen, Gemeente Heerenveen, and Greenwise Campus. Addresses policy, technology, behaviour, economics, logistics, and design across the plastic chain.
- IT HubsupportingIT Hub is a regional initiative where business, knowledge, innovation, talent, and technology converge. Works on accelerating innovative developments for companies, governments, education, and workforce. Three core community topics: innovation labs, IT talent, and digital transition. Co-organises events including Innovatiefestival Hoogeveen with Greenwise Campus.
- DOC33supportingDOC33 is a knowledge and experience centre for circular building and sustainability of the built environment and manufacturing industry. An innovative platform connecting knowledge and practice on sustainability and circularity. Co-organises events including Innovatiefestival Hoogeveen.
- IQonIQsupportingIQonIQ is an innovation hub for manufacturing companies in Northeast Netherlands. A dynamic platform connecting the manufacturing industry business cluster. Helps companies learn, inspire each other, and grow together as a strong manufacturing region. Specialistic manufacturing and high-tech companies collaborate with education and government through this hub.
- Dutch TechZonesupportingDutch TechZone focuses on stimulating the manufacturing industry and promoting excellent craftsmanship in the Borger-Odoorn, Coevorden, Emmen, Hardenberg, and Hoogeveen regions. Creates a fertile environment for companies, educational institutions, and government to collaborate and reinforce each other.
- BioBTXsupportingBioBTX is a partner in the Circular Plastics ecosystem, focusing on biomass conversion and green aromatics from plastic residual streams and biomass. Contributes to the biopolymer and green chemistry specialisation of the Northern Netherlands ecosystem.
- SenbissupportingSenbis is a partner in the Circular Plastics ecosystem. It is the parent company of Mariva, a spin-off developing biobased performance fibres. Contributes expertise in sustainable and circular polymer development for the Northern Netherlands plastic chain.
- VEPA The Furniture FactorysupportingVEPA is a furniture manufacturer in Emmen that creates chairs from recycled plastic hospital waste. An example of circular economy practice, transforming plastic waste streams into new products. Featured in the Circular Plastics theme and Sustainable Innovation Week.
- Fresenius KabisupportingFresenius Kabi is a pharmaceutical and medical technology company in Emmer-Compascuum. First founding participant of the Smart Sustainable Manufacturing innovation cluster in Emmen region. Actively collaborating with Greenwise Campus on innovation in healthcare manufacturing.
- Menicon NLsupportingMenicon NL (contact lens manufacturer) is one of the first founding participants of the Smart Sustainable Manufacturing innovation cluster. Co-signatory with Fresenius Kabi on the cluster founding agreement in June 2026.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights10 records
Greenwise Campus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wageningen Campus: Dutch innovation campus anchored by Wageningen University, focused on food, biobased and circular economy themes that closely mirror Greenwise's circular plastics and biopolymer focus. Comparable triple-helix structure with shared research facilities.
- TU Delft Campus: Innovation campus around Delft University of Technology combining research, student talent and corporate collaboration. Comparable in its shared-services facilities model and triple-helix governance, though focused on engineering/robotics rather than circular plastics.
- Brainport Industries Campus: Dutch open-innovation campus in Eindhoven focused on smart manufacturing, high-tech systems and SME digital transformation. Highly comparable to Greenwise's Slimme Maak-industrie theme and shared-services facility model, though at a more mature scale.
- Brightlands Chemelot Campus: Dutch innovation campus in Sittard-Geleen focused on bio-based raw materials, circular chemistry and the same triple-helix model uniting knowledge, government and business. Brightlands recently exchanged visits with Greenwise in June 2026 to explore joint initiatives, making it the closest like-for-like peer.
Broad incumbents
- High Tech Campus Eindhoven: Largest Dutch open-innovation campus, housing300+ companies and research institutes. Comparable as a triple-helix innovation hub but with a much broader tech scope (semiconductors, AI, smart systems) rather than Greenwise's green/sustainability focus.
- Chemport Europe: The umbrella green-chemistry ecosystem for Northern Netherlands, of which Greenwise Campus serves as the uitvoeringsorganisatie for the Circular Plastics pillar. Operates a wider portfolio but shares the same partners, programmes (e.g. Sustainable Innovation Week) and funding mechanisms.
- Amsterdam Science Park: Multi-stakeholder innovation park combining University of Amsterdam, VU Amsterdam and 150+ companies. Comparable triple-helix model and shared-facility approach, but with a broader research scope and urban rather than regional positioning.
Others
- Universiteit van het Noorden: Collaborative university network across Northern Netherlands of which Greenwise Campus is a voorbeeldproject. Operates the KONNECT roadshow that Greenwise also runs; functions as an enabler/parent network rather than a direct competitor.
Regional players
- IQonIQ: Innovation hub for manufacturing companies in Northeast Netherlands, explicitly co-organising Innovatiefestival Hoogeveen with Greenwise. Highly comparable regional triple-helix model focused on the manufacturing sector.
- IT Hub Noord-Nederland: Regional initiative where business, knowledge and technology converge on innovation labs, IT talent and digital transition. Co-organises events with Greenwise and covers the digital cross-cutting theme that Greenwise's Digitalisering pillar addresses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Greenwise Campus social profiles
Digital presenceGreenwise Campus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Greenwise Campus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Greenwise Campus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Greenwise Campus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Greenwise Campus
What does Greenwise Campus do?
Greenwise Campus is a network and innovation hub in Northern Netherlands that brings together companies, educational organisations (MBO, HBO, WO), and public authorities to collaborate on green and smart solutions. It facilitates shared R&D, talent development, and cross-sector innovation across four thematic pillars (Circular Plastics, Energy, Smart Manufacturing, Welfare/Healthcare/Technology), with a physical Innovation Centre under development in Emmen.
Is Greenwise Campus a public or private company?
Greenwise Campus is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Greenwise Campus founded?
Greenwise Campus was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Greenwise Campus based?
Greenwise Campus is headquartered in Emmen, Drenthe, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Greenwise Campus make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Subsidy and Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are network Membership and Programme Participation.
Who are Greenwise Campus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wageningen Campus, TU Delft Campus, Brainport Industries Campus and Brightlands Chemelot Campus. Broad incumbents are High Tech Campus Eindhoven, Chemport Europe and Amsterdam Science Park. Universiteit van het Noorden is listed as an others. Regional players are IQonIQ and IT Hub Noord-Nederland.
Does Greenwise Campus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Greenwise Campus.
What industry is Greenwise Campus in?
Greenwise Campus's product category is Innovation Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAG, STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAHAEAL, Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus. Its NAICS code is 611710.