MNEXT
MNEXT is a Dutch non-profit Centre of Expertise jointly run by Avans Hogeschool and HZ University of Applied Sciences, conducting practice-oriented research in biobased materials and renewable energy through seven lectorates and a network of 543+ industry, academic, and government partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBreda, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MNEXT does
MNEXT is a Centre of Expertise for materials and energy transition, jointly operated by Avans Hogeschool and HZ University of Applied Sciences and headquartered in Breda with a secondary site in Middelburg, Netherlands. Founded in 2013, the organisation conducts practice-oriented research across seven lectorates (research groups) covering Smart Energy, Renewable Energy Carriers, Biobased Resources & Energy, Biobased Building Blocks & Products, Biobased Construction, Biobased Transitions, and Marine Biobased Chemistry, supported by specialised facilities including the Biopolymer Application Centre (BAC) and Joint Research Centres in Breda and Middelburg.
The organisation does not sell commercial products or services. Its core offering consists of collaborative research projects, student involvement programmes, lab access, and knowledge dissemination activities delivered to a network of 543+ partners spanning large enterprises (Shell, TotalEnergies, LYB, RWE, Vattenfall, Bosch, Stahl International), SMBs, water authorities, municipalities, and other knowledge institutions. Revenue is generated through Dutch and European public research grants (Regieorgaan SIA, NWO, GroenVermogenNL, TKI BBE), institutional base funding from the host universities, and project co-funding from industry and government partners. Major multi-party programmes include HyPRO (€34.5M grant, through March 2029), HyUSE under GroenVermogenNL (2024–2029), Totally Nuts (2022–2026), GreenCoat, BioADD 2.0, Protein of Columbus, FLECS, and the international Living Lab Biobased Brazil collaboration.
MNEXT operates as a hybrid knowledge-dissemination and applied-research platform, complementing project delivery with the semi-annual Future Rethinkers Magazine, monthly Lunch & Learn online sessions, the annual Future Rethinkers Conference, the biennial MycoNEXT conference, and the Master MET (Master Materials and Energy Transition) degree programme. The team comprises approximately 104 employees, including 100+ researchers, lecturers, project managers, lab and workshop managers, marketing and communications staff, financial and grant advisors, and management support across the two campuses.
MNEXT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MNEXT
- Legal name
- MNEXT
- Website
- https://mnext.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- MNEXT is a Dutch non-profit Centre of Expertise jointly run by Avans Hogeschool and HZ University of Applied Sciences, conducting practice-oriented research in biobased materials and renewable energy through seven lectorates and a network of 543+ industry, academic, and government partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where MNEXT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Breda, Noord-Brabant
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
MNEXT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Research Project Funding and Grants: MNEXT operates as a Centre of Expertise funded through a combination of public research grants (e.g., from Regieorgaan SIA/NWO, GroenvermogenNL, TKI BBE), institutional base funding from Avans Hogeschool and HZ University of Applied Sciences, and project-based subsidies from national and European funding programmes. Revenue is generated through conducting collaborative research projects with industry and government partners, often co-funded by subsidy providers.
- Educational Services and Student Projects: MNEXT generates value by involving students in practice-oriented research projects, providing educational services to partner institutions, and offering internship and graduation assignment opportunities. This creates a talent pipeline and sustains the research capacity of the centre.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
MNEXT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MNEXT is a Centre of Expertise that conducts practice-oriented research on the materials and energy transition, serving entrepreneurs, businesses, governments, researchers, and students. Its core offering is collaborative research project services delivered across seven research groups covering biobased resources & energy, biobased building blocks & products, biobased construction, biobased transitions, marine biobased chemistry, smart energy, and renewable energy carriers. The centre supplements research with student involvement, access to specialist laboratories (e.g., Biopolymer Application Centre), educational programmes (Lunch & Learn, Master MET), publications (Future Rethinkers Magazine), and community events.
Product overview
MNEXT is a Centre of Expertise focused on the materials and energy transition, operating as a collaboration between Avans Hogeschool and HZ University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. Rather than a traditional product company, MNEXT offers a portfolio of research services, educational programs, publications, and networking events. The core offering consists of practice-oriented research collaborations involving students, lecturers, and industry partners working on sustainable materials, biobased products, renewable energy, and circular economy solutions. Key offerings include the Future Rethinkers Magazine (semi-annual digital publication), Lunch & Learn educational sessions, the Living Lab Biobased Brazil international program, and the MycoNEXT biennial conference. Research is organized through five research groups: Biobased Resources & Energy, Biobased Building Blocks & Products, Biobased Construction, Smart Energy, and Renewable Energy Carriers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Future Rethinker Magazine: Digital magazine published twice a year featuring articles about materials and energy transition projects, expert opinions, and student stories.
Products and services
- Research and Education Services Practice-oriented research collaboration services with students, lecturers, and researchers, offering internship, graduation, and research project opportunities for entrepreneurs, companies, and governments in the materials and energy transition.
- Seven Research Groups (Lectorates) Specialised research groups covering Biobased Resources & Energy, Biobased Building Blocks & Products, Biobased Construction, Biobased Transitions, Marine Biobased Chemistry, Smart Energy, and Renewable Energy Carriers, delivering practice-oriented research to industry, government, and academic partners.
- Future Rethinkers Magazine MNEXT's semi-annual digital magazine featuring articles about materials and energy transition projects, expert opinions, student stories, and company experiences, available for free subscription.
- Lunch & Learn Sessions Monthly online educational sessions held around lunchtime exploring materials and energy transition topics, tailored to beginner, intermediate, or expert levels and open to anyone wanting to stay informed.
- MycoNEXT Conference Biennial conference on mycelium and fungal biotechnology bringing together researchers, innovators, designers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to share developments in mycelium materials, precision fermentation, and applied fungal biotechnology.
- Living Lab Biobased Brazil International collaboration programme connecting Dutch and Brazilian higher education institutions, companies, and governments for education, research, and innovation in the biobased economy and sustainability, with focus on the Minas Gerais region of Brazil.
Quantifiable outcome
- 543+ partners across companies, knowledge institutions, government bodies, and non-profit organisations
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use MNEXT
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MNEXT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
MNEXT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Avans Hogeschool (Avans University of Applied Sciences)coreAvans Hogeschool is one of the two founding/co-hosting institutions of MNEXT. MNEXT is a Centre of Expertise at Avans Hogeschool, with its primary location at the Lovensdijkstraat campus in Breda. The majority of MNEXT's research groups and staff are based at Avans.
- HZ University of Applied SciencescoreHZ University of Applied Sciences is the second co-hosting institution of MNEXT. MNEXT's Joint Research Centre Zeeland is located at HZ in Middelburg. Several research groups and staff, including the Marine Biobased Chemistry lectorate, are based at HZ.
- Universiteit MaastrichtcoreUniversiteit Maastricht (Maastricht University) is a key academic partner of MNEXT, collaborating on multiple research projects including the Totally Nuts project and the HyPRO consortium. Address: Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht.
- TNO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek)coreTNO is a major research partner in the HyPRO project (€34.5M grant), contributing expertise in hydrogen and energy research as part of a large public-private consortium including multiple Dutch universities and industry partners.
- TU/e (Eindhoven University of Technology)coreTU/e collaborates with MNEXT across multiple projects including BioADD 2.0, Totally Nuts, and the HyPRO consortium. Contributes expertise in biochar, biocomposites, and hydrogen technologies.
- Waterschap Brabantse DeltamajorWaterschap Brabantse Delta (Brabantse Delta Water Board) is a government partner of MNEXT. Address: Bouvignelaan 5, 4836 AA Breda. Collaborates on water management and sustainability research.
- Waterschap Aa & MaasmajorWithin the GroenVermogenNL HyUSE project, Waterschap Aa & Maas provides historical energy and process data to enable MNEXT to develop smart energy solutions for water management.
- Waterschap de DommelmajorWater board partner collaborating with MNEXT on sustainability and energy transition research projects.
- Stahl International B.V.majorStahl International B.V. is an industry partner in the GreenCoat project, collaborating with MNEXT on developing biodegradable coatings. Stahl is a leading specialist in process chemicals and coatings.
- PUROCmajorPUROC is an industry partner in the GreenCoat project, working with MNEXT to improve the biodegradability of widely used coatings such as polyurethane and epoxy.
- Totally Nuts Consortium (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, TU/e, Nuts2, Charcotec, NPSP, SABA, Prokol)majorThe Totally Nuts project (September 2022 – August 2026) involves a consortium of knowledge institutions and companies working to develop biobased epoxy thermosets from cashew nut shells. Partners include Avans, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht University, TU/e, Nuts2, Charcotec, NPSP, SABA, and Prokol.
- Biopolymer Application Centre (BAC)coreThe Biopolymer Application Centre (BAC) is a core facility operated by MNEXT/Avans for polymer development, prototyping, and zero-series production. Located at the Breda campus. Supports companies in developing and testing biobased polymer applications.
- CentexbelmajorCentexbel is the Belgian textile research centre and a partner of MNEXT, collaborating on textile innovation and biobased materials for the textile industry.
- HemCell BiopolymersmajorHemCell Biopolymers is a company partner specialising in biopolymer solutions, collaborating with MNEXT on biobased material research.
- BTG Biomass Technology Group BVmajorBTG is a research and consulting firm specialised in biomass and bioenergy, collaborating with MNEXT on biomass valorisation and energy transition projects.
- MycoStoriesmajorMycoStories is a partner in the MycoNEXT 2026 conference and collaborates on mycelium and fungal biotechnology research. Marc Violo from MycoStories is a keynote speaker at MycoNEXT 2026.
- Living Lab Biobased BrazilmajorLiving Lab Biobased Brazil (LLB) is an international collaboration established in 2014 under the leadership of MNEXT, bringing together Dutch and Brazilian higher education institutions, companies, and governments to work on education, research, and innovation in the biobased economy. The focus region is Minas Gerais, Brazil, with partnerships with 7 universities including UFMG, UFV, UFSJ, UFOP, PUC Minas, UFJF, and UFLA.
- HAS Green AcademymajorHAS Green Academy is a partner in the Protein of Columbus project, contributing expertise in plant-based protein and agricultural sciences alongside MNEXT and other consortium partners.
- BioBase Europe Training CentermajorBioBase Europe Training Center is a partner providing training and knowledge dissemination in the biobased economy domain, aligned with MNEXT's educational mission.
- Circular Biobased DeltamajorCircular Biobased Delta is a regional ecosystem initiative focused on accelerating the transition to a circular biobased economy in the delta region of the Netherlands, partnering with MNEXT on shared objectives.
- HyPRO Consortium (Total Energies, Shell, LYB, Johnson Matthey, Braskem, RWE, Vattenfall, Eneco, Bosch, and 50+ others)coreThe HyPRO project (€34.5M grant + €15.7M contribution, until March 2029) brings together over 60 partners from across the hydrogen value chain including universities, research institutes, and industrial companies such as Total Energies, Shell, LYB, Johnson Matthey, Braskem, RWE, Vattenfall, Bosch, VDL, and many others. MNEXT contributes through the Renewable Energy Carriers research group.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MNEXT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Swedish applied research group covering materials, energy, and circular economy. Operates a similar hub-and-lectorate model serving industry and government partners across sustainability themes, with comparable headcount scale to MNEXT.
- Danish Technological Institute (DTI): Danish applied research institute delivering practice-oriented R&D in materials, energy, and circular economy. Closely comparable in operating model, with similar lectorate-style research groups serving industry and public-sector clients.
- VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research): Belgian applied research organisation working on sustainable chemistry, materials, energy, and circular economy. Closely comparable in mission and operating model — publicly funded applied research with industry and government consortia — making it the most direct peer organisationally.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish applied research centre with strong portfolios in biobased materials, energy systems, and circular economy. Comparable in operating model and thematic coverage, particularly relevant given Nordic leadership in bioeconomy and hydrogen.
- SINTEF: Norway's largest applied research organisation with extensive programmes in materials, energy, and bioeconomy. Comparable in the practice-oriented research model, multi-lectorate structure, and consortium-based delivery to industry and public-sector partners.
Broad incumbents
- Fraunhofer Society: Germany's leading applied research organisation with institutes covering bioeconomy, energy, materials, and construction. Comparable in the bridge-between-academia-and-industry model, but operating at substantially greater scale and thematic breadth.
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch national applied research organisation with significant programmes in energy transition, circular economy, and biobased materials. Comparable to MNEXT as a publicly funded applied research partner for Dutch industry and government, but operating at materially larger scale and broader thematic scope.
- Wageningen University & Research (Wageningen UR): Dutch university and research organisation with deep specialisation in biobased resources, food, and circular economy. Overlaps with MNEXT on biobased building blocks, fermentation, and biomass valorisation, but is far larger and academically deeper.
Emerging players
- BTG Biomass Technology Group: Dutch research and consulting firm specialised in biomass and bioenergy. Direct thematic overlap with MNEXT's Biobased Resources & Energy and Renewable Energy Carriers lectorates; listed as an MNEXT industry partner, indicating active collaboration.
Regional players
- Circular Biobased Delta: Regional Dutch ecosystem initiative accelerating the circular biobased economy in the delta region (Zeeland, West-Brabant). Co-located geographically and thematically with MNEXT and listed as a partner, focused on the same biobased transition agenda.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MNEXT social profiles
Digital presenceMNEXT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MNEXT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
MNEXT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MNEXT 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 MNEXT
What does MNEXT do?
MNEXT is a Centre of Expertise that conducts practice-oriented research on the materials and energy transition, serving entrepreneurs, businesses, governments, researchers, and students. Its core offering is collaborative research project services delivered across seven research groups covering biobased resources & energy, biobased building blocks & products, biobased construction, biobased transitions, marine biobased chemistry, smart energy, and renewable energy carriers. The centre supplements research with student involvement, access to specialist laboratories (e.g., Biopolymer Application Centre), educational programmes (Lunch & Learn, Master MET), publications (Future Rethinkers Magazine), and community events.
Is MNEXT a public or private company?
MNEXT is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MNEXT founded?
MNEXT was founded in 2014. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is MNEXT based?
MNEXT is headquartered in Breda, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does MNEXT make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Research Project Funding and Grants are the primary driver. The others are educational Services and Student Projects.
Who are MNEXT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Danish Technological Institute (DTI), VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and SINTEF. Broad incumbents are Fraunhofer Society, TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) and Wageningen University & Research (Wageningen UR). BTG Biomass Technology Group is listed as an emerging player. Circular Biobased Delta is listed as a regional player.
Does MNEXT have an API?
No public API is recorded for MNEXT.