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:

Website HortiHeroes