The third edition of the nlgroeit annual event will take place on Wednesday, March 28. During this event, an overview of the 250 fastest-growing Dutch companies will be presented. Queen Maxima will be present and will speak at the 'Gouden Groeier' award ceremony about the importance of small business growth for employment and innovation. She will also engage in conversation with the entrepreneurs in attendance.
Nlgroeit is a multi-year program created by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Chamber of Commerce, and NLevator to increase the growth potential of SMEs. It focuses on coaching, mentoring, capital, and networking. This gives entrepreneurs with growth ambitions the opportunity to meet top entrepreneurs.
Queen Maxima is a member of the Dutch Committee for Entrepreneurship and Financing. This committee was established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and is committed to strengthening the growth potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Research by the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) and the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE) shows in which sectors and regions the fastest-growing Dutch companies are active and what their impact is on the Dutch economy.
From 2013 to 2017, 250 companies collectively created more than 16,000 jobs. The company that created the most jobs last year will receive the 'Golden Grower' award on March 28.
This year, Nlgroeit has chosen SugarFactory as the location for its annual event. The industrial history of the former sugar factory now provides the backdrop for the growing companies of the future. On behalf of SugarFactory, Luigi Prins, director of the Cobraspen Group and owner of the SugarCity site, will welcome Queen Maxima to the former sugar factory. He will form the welcoming committee together with State Secretary Mona Keijzer, Pieter Zwart (CEO Coolblue), and Harold Goddijn (CEO TomTom).
During the annual event, attendees will be informed about new growth opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. The importance of this is underlined by the presence of the King's Commissioner, Mr. Remkes, and the mayor, Mr. Heiligers. The more than 300 attendees will then discuss these growth opportunities and how CEOs of various companies can act as coaches or mentors for new innovative and growing businesses. After the presentation of the Golden Grower Award, these discussions will be translated into concrete agreements for more growth, innovation, and employment during the networking reception.
In this way, this annual event organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Chamber of Commerce, and NLevator contributes to further economic development in the Netherlands.
