Christmas, community and kilometres: Campus Groningen kicks off marathon year
Campus Groningen wrapped up the year in true Christmas spirit during Campus Café – The Christmas Edition. On Tuesday 16 December, the community came together to connect, look ahead and, above all, celebrate what has been built within the campus ecosystem over the past year.
There was plenty to celebrate. Campus Groningen recently marked its tenth anniversary, while twenty leading companies signed the Chemport 10x10x10 covenant, committing to a shared ambition of €1 billion in private investments in green chemistry. In addition, 2025 saw the first half marathon on campus, and from today registrations are open for the full Marathon Groningen, powered by Campus Groningen. More than enough reason for a festive Christmas gathering at Campus Café – The Christmas Edition, hosted at the Avebe Innovation Center.
A warm welcome at the Avebe Innovation Center
In the festively decorated atrium of the Avebe Innovation Center, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and professionals filled the space for an afternoon of inspiration and campus warmth. Following a welcome by Edward van der Meer, Director of Campus Groningen, Joost Frenken, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Groningen), opened the programme with an inspiring outlook on developments around Nijenborgh 4 (NB4). He outlined how the renewed complex is set to boost education, science and entrepreneurship on campus in the years ahead.
From enzymes to mobility
Once again, the afternoon highlighted how innovation thrives on campus. Marc Laus, Director Market Innovation at Avebe, demonstrated in Ho Ho H₂O: enzymes in action how enzyme technology is paving the way towards a more sustainable future. This was followed by Marijn Molema (University of Groningen and NOM), who presented his latest book on innovation in the potato starch industry to Avebe’s longest-serving employee—a symbolic gesture showing how tradition and innovation reinforce one another within the campus network.
The final contribution of the content programme came from Michael Myles, programme coordinator for mobility measures at Groningen Bereikbaar. He took the audience “by sleigh ride” into the mobility of tomorrow, sharing concrete insights into smart, future-proof solutions for the campus.
Raising a glass to the new year
From 4:45 pm onwards, it was time to raise a glass. With festive bites, drinks and plenty of Christmas cheer, guests looked back on a year full of collaboration, innovation and growth. While the official programme concluded at 6:00 pm, conversations continued well beyond.
Campus Groningen looks back on an inspiring and festive Christmas Edition and thanks everyone for contributing to its vibrant ecosystem. Here’s to a new year, full of fresh steps and shared ambitions.
