Support entrepreneurial changemakers from Wageningen
Contribute with your expertise, network or capital
Wageningen University & Research is intensifying its commitment to entrepreneurship and startups built on WUR’s expertise, while actively engaging its global alumni network. Through the establishment of an alumni-based investment fund in partnership with Graduate Ventures, WUR provides spin-offs and startups founded by students and researchers a strong foundation for growth. Alumni can contribute with their expertise, networks, or capital. “Together, we are building the next generation of impactful ventures from Wageningen,” says Sebastiaan Berendse, Director of Value Creation at WUR. “There is a lot of enthusiasm among alumni; several have already committed their support.”
Entrepreneurship as a strategic pillar
WUR is internationally renowned for its knowledge and innovative capacity in the fields of food, agriculture, sustainability and the living environment. This expertise is increasingly leading to the creation of new startups. Students are launching companies during or shortly after their studies, while researchers and entrepreneurs are bringing innovations to market through spin-offs. Approximately ten start-ups and spin-offs are founded each year, and around 180 scale ups and SMEs are currently based on Wageningen Campus.
Alumni can contribute by sharing their time, networks, and expertise. It is possible to donate to the pre-seed fund, providing startups with early-stage financing and helping promising ideas grow into investment-ready ventures. Additionally, alumni can invest directly in the seed fund, enabling promising start-ups to reach market introduction.
Alumni fostering entrepreneurial changemakers
Two committed WUR alumni, Drees Peter van den Bosch and Jos Lamers, are playing a very active role in initiating this movement and encouraging fellow alumni to become involved. Van den Bosch in his capacity as a board member of UFW, and Lamers in his leading role among donors and investors.
Drees Peter van den Bosch: “Wageningen holds a unique position in the world. Students are trained to develop solutions to global challenges. As alumni, we also take responsibility for giving young entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring their solutions into practice. This fund, connects knowledge, networks and capital.”
Jos Lamers adds: “Many alumni feel the need to give something back to Wageningen but are looking for a concrete and impactful way to do so. This initiative offers the opportunity to contribute time, expertise or financial resources in order to directly support entrepreneurial changemakers in Wageningen.
Help shape the future of Wageningen innovation
Are you interested in contributing as a mentor or investor? Please contact Sebastiaan Berendse, Director of Value Creation & Impact at WUR, via email: valuecreation@wur.nl
Are you interested to donate in the fund? Please contact Guus Loomans, of University Fund Wageningen via e-mail guus.loomans@wur.nl
Explore here some examples of spin-offs that are using Wageningen expertise to develop sustainable innovations with global impact.
Three ways to contribute
Alumni can become involved in three ways:
1. Donate to the pre-seed phase
Through donations, more companies can be launched and more teams can take their first steps, from proof of concept to initial market validation. Donations are invested by the pre-seed fund in promising startups founded by students, researchers and alumni. Having first completed the incubation programme, these ventures are well prepared to apply for this funding. Financial returns will be reinvested in Wageningen startups continuously.
2. Invest in the seed fund (with potential return)
Alumni may also participate as investors in the seed fund (Graduate-seed2). This fund intends to support startups and spin-offs that are further advanced in their entrepeneurial pathway. They are working with a strong team and well-developed plan towards achieving product-market fit, building a customer base, and scaling their markteting efforts. The fund offers investors the prospect of financial returns. By investing, alumni are asked to support the pre-seed phase as donors, giving promising startups the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their potential.
3. Contribute time and expertise as a mentor
This may involve mentoring, coaching, introducing startup teams to your network, or providing practical solutions to support their development. Your experience can make a tangible difference for early-stage entrepreneurs. Many alumni are already involved in our incubator; engaging with young startup teams can be very rewarding.
In this way, a powerful ecosystem emerges in which investing, donating and mentoring go hand in hand.