Nominees for the 2026 Horticultural Entrepreneur Award announced

The finalists for the 2026 Horticultural Entrepreneur Award were announced today. Chairman Peter Maes surprised KP Holland from Naaldwijk, Limgroup from Horst and Ronico from Hem. Maarten Prins, programme manager at Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek and co-organiser of this year's Theme Award, visited the three nominees for the “Cooperation & Cohesion” Theme Award: (translated) The First Sustainable Generation, Broekpolder 2040 and 100% Groen Geteeld (translated: Grown Organically).

‘What outstanding figures in horticulture I had the pleasure of congratulating today at the 40th presentation of the Horticultural Entrepreneur Award. Absolute frontrunners who demonstrate how well entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand,’ said Peter Maes. ‘With the three wonderful initiatives nominated for the Theme Award, we are putting the spotlight on the softer side of entrepreneurship: connection with each other and with society. Because that too is increasingly embedded in our sector and deserves a platform.’

Three nominees for the Horticultural Entrepreneur Award

The independent professional jury has nominated:

• KP Holland (Naaldwijk): A Westland-based breeder, improver and producer of Spathiphyllum, Curcuma and Kalanchoë. A family business that has been in existence for 75 years. According to the jury, a steadfast top company with a strong strategy and vision. Now with a fresh, young executive board that is shaping cooperation and sustainability in the supply chain through a modern approach. KP Holland is a member of Royal FloraHolland.
• Ronico (Hem): A West Frisian grower, propagator and packer of more than 250 million tulips per year. The company has been in existence since 1939 and is currently run by the third generation. According to the jury, it is a leader in its field. It was one of the first companies to start tracking the footprint per tulip. The company is strongly committed to innovation with high-tech cultivation and robotisation in a sector that is under social pressure and in need of solutions.
• Limgroup (Horst): A Limburg-based breeder that develops new varieties of asparagus and strawberries. It has been a leader in asparagus breeding for 60 years. According to the jury, it is a wonderful company with a great deal of drive and innovative strength. Limgroup has set up a disruptive F1 hybrid strawberry programme, making it a driver of transition.

Three nominees for the Cooperation & Cohesion Theme Award

Together with Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek, this year's Cooperation & Cohesion Theme Award will be presented, which focuses on meaningful horticulture through the power of social cohesion. The independent professional jury has nominated:

• 100% Groen Geteeld: growers, marketing cooperatives and suppliers collaborate on a resilient cultivation system that runs entirely on green and organic resources, supplemented by smart technological solutions. Jury's verdict: Knowledge is actively shared within this initiative. What is innovative here is that risks are also shared, which is a bold step! This is particularly relevant for both food horticulture and floriculture, as well as for society.
• The First Sustainable Generation: a communication platform focused on an optimistic, future-oriented perspective in which growers, thinkers and doers work together to build a world where prosperity and sustainability reinforce each other. Jury's verdict: The manifesto is a helping hand to society, created in an innovative and attractive way and covering the various horticultural sectors.
• Broekpolder 2040: an association of entrepreneurs who want to contribute to the development of horticulture-related businesses in this Westland polder. Jury's verdict: It is not easy to give an existing horticultural area a new purpose and layout in collaboration with entrepreneurs and citizens. This creates space for the next generation of green and with a licence to operate.

About the Horticultural Entrepreneur Award

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 11 March 2026 during the 40th extra festive award ceremony in Keukenhof. By presenting the awards, the foundation aims to raise awareness and generate interest in the positive and innovative developments in the Dutch horticultural sector. The Horticultural Entrepreneur Award is therefore the sector's premier entrepreneurial award, presented by the Horticultural Entrepreneur Award Foundation. Royal FloraHolland, Flynth advisers and accountants, Glastuinbouw Nederland, Interpolis, Rabobank and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature are partners in the foundation. And this year, Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek has also joined. More information can be found at tuinbouwondernemersprijs.nl.