This year, the NXT HeroFestival, seeded by HortiHeroes, RoboCrops by NXTGEN, and Division Q, is all about INNOVATION IN ACTION: today.together.to grow. Together with our impact partners: World Horti Center, HortiScience Innovation Center, and Holland High Tech, a unique innovation ecosystem is being brought together. This event is supported by Holland High Tech's MIT Network Activities (MIT NA) program.
What to expect
Hands-on sessions: work on concrete real-world challenges, from energy and labor to plant health and revenue models.
Innovation in action: live demos, startups, changemakers, and practical examples.
Keynotes & inspiration sessions: on how technology, people, and cultivation reinforce each other.
Concrete agreements: this festival isn't just about talking, it's about doing! Together, we'll work on action points that will be followed up tomorrow.
Two parts: part 1 features interactive sessions with growers' challenges, focusing on active contribution and connection. Part 2 includes insights from part 1, a keynote by Danny Makkelie that everyone will be talking about, innovator pitches, and tech demos that will leave you wanting to learn more.
For whom
The NXT HeroFestival is designed for entrepreneurial "heroes" in the Food & Flower sector: ambitious talent, young professionals, startups, entrepreneurs, and organizational innovators working on innovation, technology, and sustainability. It brings together professionals and the next generation of decision-makers to tackle current challenges related to topics such as technology, labor, energy, plant health, and revenue models.
Programme
12:00 PM: NXT HeroFestival Part 1 reception with lunch
12:30 PM: NXT HeroFestival | interactive sessions
16:00 PM: NXT HeroFestival Part 2 | keynote Danny Makkelie, highlights part 1, pitches HortiHeroes startups & professionals
17:45 PM: networking drinks with tech demo’s
19:00 PM: end
When and where
Date: 29 Januari 2026
Time: 12:30 PM - 19:00 PM
Location: Kas Woerden, De Bleek 13 Woerden
More information and registration
For further information and registration, please visit the HortiHeroes website: