"The Sustainability Award gave us much more than just a prestigious title"

Greater visibility, new customers, media coverage and extra energy to keep innovating. A year after winning the Royal FloraHolland Sustainability Award, Fleur Bruinen of Little Spider looks back on what the award has brought her company. Her message to other innovative growers? “Seize that opportunity.”

Last year, Little Spider won the Sustainability Award. What has that brought you?
“Actually, more than we’d expected beforehand. Of course, it’s lovely to receive recognition for what you do every day, but the impact goes far beyond that.”

“Thanks to the award, we started collaborating with Druktemaker. Together, we looked at our positioning and marketing. As a result, we’ve further developed our website, improved our corporate video and revamped various marketing materials.”

“The publicity has also been very beneficial. Through channels such as Royal FloraHolland’s members' newspaper, we received many requests from new growers. This ultimately led to some great new customers. You really notice that an award like this, and the publicity surrounding it, provides a huge boost.”

What other doors did the award open afterwards?
“Partly thanks to the award, we came into contact with *Innoverend Nederland*, a television programme we were invited to take part in. That broadcast then led to further coverage by *AD Westland*. We’ve also been featured in various trade magazines, and I’ve had the opportunity to give several presentations to study groups.”

“We also took the award to trade fairs such as GreenTech and Flora Spring Expo. The prize attracted a lot of attention and made it easier to strike up conversations. That’s when you realise that the ball just keeps rolling.”

How do you view innovation these days?
"We’re actually never standing still. We’re constantly trying to further develop our product so that our customers can achieve the best possible results. At the moment, for example, we’re conducting trials involving the release of live spiders instead of spider nests. We’re also well advanced in breeding spiders in a completely sealed environment."

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult for growers to produce high-quality crops using the available crop protection products. That’s precisely why it’s so rewarding to see our customers’ results improving all the time thanks to our spiders. This year, too, we’ve managed to avoid many spray applications.”

What do you personally consider to be the best result?
“That has to be the moment when you visit a customer and realise they’re just as enthusiastic about the results as we are. That’s when you know you’ve achieved something together. Ultimately, innovation isn’t just about a good idea, but above all about the impact you make with it.”

Finally: what would you say to growers who are hesitating to enter the Sustainability Award?
“Just go for it. The award offers much more than just a trophy. It provides visibility, brings new contacts, secures valuable support and helps you tell your story.”

“Over the past year, we’ve seen just how many doors can be opened. For that reason alone, I’d recommend that every entrepreneur with a sustainable innovation should enter.”

Enter the Sustainability Award 2026
Are you working on an innovation that contributes to a future-proof floriculture sector? Then this is your chance to bring your idea to the sector’s attention.

Enter the Sustainability Award 2026