Altum AI wins Innovation Award Zoetermeer 2025
During the Entrepreneurs Festival 'Groeien doe je zo!' on Nov. 18, the Innovation Award Zoetermeer 2025 was awarded to Altum AI. The company was chosen by the professional jury and the public as Zoetermeer's most innovative company.
The award was presented by jury chairman Alderman Jan Iedema during the festive conclusion of the Entrepreneurs Festival 'Groeien doe je zo!' at Dekker Zoetermeer. "The winner shows how courage, ideas and ambition lead to real innovation. Companies like this make visible what Zoetermeer stands for: progress and entrepreneurship with impact," said Jan Iedema. Tijmen de Gelder, founder and owner of Altum AI, expressed complete surprise. "I find it enormously honorable that we have been awarded the prize and am very grateful for the exposure we were able to receive just for the nomination."
Innovation with impact
The expert jury judged the entries on criteria of originality, innovation and value. According to the jury, Altum AI cleverly combines geodata and grant logic for housing-related sustainability advice with great added value for stakeholders. In addition to the expert jury, the public was also able to vote. A total of nearly 1,300 votes were cast. These votes weighed into the final verdict.
Entrepreneurs Festival 'Groeien doe je Zo!'
The Entrepreneurs Festival 'Groeien doe je Zo!' attracted over 200 entrepreneurs from Zoetermeer and surrounding areas. The event focused on growth, connection and innovation. Visitors could participate in inspiring sessions organized in cooperation with various knowledge partners and experts. There was also a Growth Square with growth coaches with whom visitors could discuss concrete challenges faced by entrepreneurs. The evening ended with Olympic swimming champion Maarten van der Weijden and the festive presentation of the innovation award.
Local and regional cooperation
The initiative of the innovation award comes from the municipality of Zoetermeer in cooperation with Ondernemers Netwerk Zoetermeer and Dutch Innovation Community. In addition to the above organizations, the Entrepreneurs Festival has been made possible by Rabobank, VNO-NCW West region The Hague, MKB Digiwerkplaats, Mijn Zaak Zoetermeer, SEBO-Netwerk, NLwerktaanwerk, nlgroeit and Bureau Citymarketing Zoetermeer. In collaboration with Innovation Quarter, Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland and Platform Veilig Ondernemen regio Den Haag, among others. The festival was also widely supported by local SMEs and intermediaries, including Zoetermeerse Zakenvrouwen, Open Coffee Zoetermeer and Stichting Ondernemersklankbord.
