UG and UMCG explore establishment of joint valorization organization

The Board of the University of Groningen and the Executive Board of the University Medical Center Groningen have appointed Anne Been as quartermaster for exploring the establishment of a joint valorization organization.

With this step, the UG and UMCG, together with regional partners and stakeholders, want to explore how to focus even more strongly on achieving societal and economic impact through valorization. Such valorization processes play an essential role in solving societal challenges in fields such as health, energy, circularity, and digitization. Moreover, they have a crucial function in strengthening the economy in the region.

Focus on achieving societal and economic impact

Groningen is increasingly successful in converting scientific research into innovations (valorization). For example, last year, IMChip, MimeCure, and QT Sense ended up in the top 10 of the Academic Startup Competition for the most promising academic start-ups of the Netherlands. As a quartermaster, Been is tasked with exploring how the new organization, with its strong roots in both science and the innovation ecosystem in the region, can best be structured. The emphasis lies on pooling existing knowledge, experience, and networks, improving support for researchers and entrepreneurs, and strengthening cooperation with public and private partners in the field of valorization.

Anne Been brings extensive experience in the field of innovation, valorization, and organizational development within knowledge-intensive environments. In his role as quartermaster, he will, in consultation with the UG, UMCG, and regional stakeholders, issue advice on the most effective structure, positioning, and working method of the joint valorization organization.

Collaboration across organizational boundaries

‘Strengthening the valorization power in the Northern Netherlands requires collaboration across organizational boundaries,' says Wiro Niessen, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences and member of the Executive Board of UMCG. ‘By appointing Anne Been as quartermaster, we are taking an important step towards further strengthening the structure for knowledge utilization.’

Hans Biemans, Vice President of the Board of the UG, says: Research outputs from the UG and UMCG harbour great innovation potential for solving societal challenges. The innovative start-ups that emerge from this process represent an important opportunity to strengthen the region's economy. It is therefore a logical step for the UG and UMCG, together with regional stakeholders, to explore how we can further improve this process together.’

The exploratory phase will run until mid-2026, after which a proposal for the structure of the joint valorization organization will be presented based on the findings.