Tag Archives: wageningen university

WUR Remains Best Agricultural University Worldwide

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For the fifth time in a row, Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is ranked as the best agricultural university worldwide, according to the 2021 edition of the Shanghai Ranking. In addition to the number one position in agricultural science, the WUR is ranked 2nd in geography, 3nd in food science & technology and 4nd in ecology.

The Shanghai Ranking, officially known as the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), is regarded as one of the most influential and widely observed university rankings. ARWU rankings are based on the quality of scientific research at those institutions. The ranking is appraised for its objectivity and methodology.

From a selection of 1,200 universities, the best 500 are determined by 6 indicators. These indicators are:

  • alumni winning prizes,
  • staff winning prizes,
  • highly cited researchers,
  • number of papers,
  • publications in journals, and
  • per capita academic performance.

The list is headed by Harvard University from the United States. Utrecht University (rank 50) is one of two European universities that take a spot in the top 50. WUR is ranked as one of the best 150 universities in the world. Check the full Shanghai Ranking 2021 list and the scores of Wageningen University & Research.

How to connect your startup with WUR?

We our very proud of the academic achievements of WUR, that is also one of the co-founders and lead partners of StartLife. We also take great pleasure in connecting startups with WUR researchers and students to support their business development and growth.

If you are a startup in the food & agri space and want to connect with WUR, make sure to reach out to us.

 

p.s. Stay up to date with the latest news about and for agrifood startups, scale-ups and more via StartLife’s Linkedin or Twitter account or via the StartLife newsletter (8x a year).

Wageningen University & Research Joins International Foodshot Global Network

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Foodshot Global

Wageningen University & Research joined Foodshot Global, an international capital investment network of funding bodies, banks, businesses and knowledge institutions that provides credit to startups and other new businesses in the field of innovative food systems. Foodshot Global also organizes competitions whereby it hands out cash prizes to nominated individuals with a proven track record.

Researchers and startups that operate under the flag of Wageningen University & Research can benefit much from the Foodshot Global network. It offers them an opportunity to obtain funding for innovative concepts or to establish a new company. In the coming year, for example, $10 million has been made available for startups involved in innovative food systems.

Ecosystem approach

Foodshot Global functions as an ecosystem of world-class venture capital funds, banks, companies and knowledge institutions. Together they are looking for answers and solutions to achieve a sustainable food system that is healthier, more resilient and fairer than the current system. The organization focuses on scientifically proven and scalable concepts with a potentially major global impact and supports the selected projects with cash and access to its network to facilitate further development and practical application of the concept.

Foodshot Global is an important strategic opportunity for Wageningen University & Research to bridge the gaps between science, valorization, startups and early funding opportunities for scale-ups. Current and future research projects at the University can also greatly benefit from access to the knowledge generated by the ecosystem. Wageningen University & Research is Foodshot Global’s leading knowledge partner in Europe, with much the same role as co-founder UC Davis has for the network in the US.

Foodshot Global Competitions

Researchers who have been nominated by their institution can participate in annual competitions known as Foodshot Challenges. The theme of the latest edition is ‘Precision Protein’, for which outstanding individual researchers in this field can receive a GroundBreaker Prize of up to $500,000. More information about the competition is available at www.foodshot.org.

In 2019, Wageningen soil biologist Gerlinde de Deyn won the first edition of the GroundBreaker Prize.

 

p.s. You can also follow StartLife on Linkedin, Twitter or stay up to date with the latest news about and for agrifood startups, scaleups and more via the StartLife newsletter.

5 student teams pitch during the Entrepreneurship for Sustainability programme finals

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Together with Green Office Wageningen we organised the evening programme Entrepreneurship for Sustainability for Wageningen University students who want to set up a sustainable business or initiative. After 12 weeks, 5 newly formed startups presented their business in front of the jury. Konsultan won the competition.

Konsultan

Konsultan will focus on sharing plant and seed knowledge with local farmers in Indonesia via an app. Micha Micha Gracianna Devi, founder of the company, presented her idea very clearly and convinced the jury of her expertise and the extended relevant network she has. The company received a StartLife microcredit of 1000 euro to boost the first steps in realising this business.

Sunbarter, runner up


Sunbarter received the second price and received a free workshop on prototyping. The runner up wants to sell fruit and vegetable drying machines that can be used in Africa. This will help farmers deal with the peaks in yield. She proved the jury that there is already a local demand and sales opportunities.

Entrepreneurship for sustainability


With organising this programme together with Green Office we aim to inspire and support students to set up their own sustainability initiative that will have direct positive impact on the campus and beyond.

Incubation Manager Jannet de Jong, one of the jury members: “All of the startups had propositions that were really close related to their network and their own experience. This is a powerful start for these companies”.

Photos by: Sven Menschel