Announced: Nominees for the 2026 Horticultural Entrepreneur Award

On Tuesday, January 13, the nominees for the 2026 Horticultural Entrepreneur Award were announced. Chairman Peter Maes surprised Ronico from Hem in North Holland, Limgroup from Horst in Limburg, and KP Holland from Naaldwijk in South Holland. Maarten Prins, program manager at Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek and co-organizer of this year’s Theme Award, visited the three nominees for the Theme Award “Collaboration & Cohesion”: De Eerste Duurzame Generatie (The First Sustainable Generation), Broekpolder 2040, and 100% Groen Geteeld (100% Grown Green).

“What outstanding examples of horticulture I’ve had the pleasure of congratulating today for the 40th presentation of the Horticultural Entrepreneur Award. True frontrunners who demonstrate how entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability go hand in hand in our wonderful sector,” said Peter Maes. “With the three inspiring initiatives nominated for the Theme Award, we are shining the spotlight more on the softer side of entrepreneurship: connection with one another and with society. That aspect, too, is increasingly well-anchored in our sector and deserves recognition.”

Watch the aftermovie here. On Wednesday, March 11, we will announce the winners during our event at Keukenhof, in Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek.

Nominees Entrepreneurship Award 2026

Limgroup (Horst)

A breeding company from Limburg that develops new varieties of asparagus and strawberries. For 60 years, it has been a leading force in asparagus breeding.

Ronico (Hem)

A grower, forcer, and packer from West Friesland producing more than 250 million tulips per year. The company was founded in 1939 and is now run by the third generation.

KP Holland (Naaldwijk)

A breeder, propagator, and producer of Spathiphyllum, Curcuma, and Kalanchoë. A Westland family business that has been around for 75 years.

The First Sustainable Generation

“The First Sustainable Generation” is a communication platform focused on an optimistic, forward-looking perspective in which growers, thinkers, and doers work together to build a world where prosperity and sustainability strengthen each other.

100% Grown Green

Growers, marketing cooperatives, and suppliers are working together on a resilient cultivation system that operates entirely on green and biological resources, supplemented by smart technological solutions.