Innovation Day 2026: Imagination and Academic Entrepreneurship
What happens when imagination, research, and entrepreneurship come together?
Join Innovation Day 2026, the annual event where academic entrepreneurship takes center stage. Meet RUG and UMCG innovators and discover how research and innovative ideas can create meaningful impact in society.
Every year, Innovation Day celebrates academic excellence and impactful valorization in the Northern Netherlands.
This year’s theme is Imagination and Academic Entrepreneurship. And there’s even more to celebrate: 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of RUG Ventures!
The program starts at 10:00. Lunch will be served from 12:00, with time to network and exchange ideas with academics, entrepreneurs, investors, and other like-minded people.
Why should you participate?
- Get inspired by engaging keynote speakers and Academic Inspiration Sessions
- Discover innovative work and ideas from across RUG and UMCG
- Celebrate innovation during the Impact Innovator Excellence Award ceremony
- Connect with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and other innovators
Take a look at the programme
- 09:30 - Walk in with coffee
- 10:00 - Welcome and opening of 30 years RUG Ventures
- 10:45 - Impact Innovator Excellence Award ceremony
- 11:15 - Keynote by Hamed Sadeghian, Nearfield Instruments, with Q&A
- 12:00 - Lunch, networking and stands of startups and partners
- 13:00 - Entrepreneurship 101: Rethinking What It Takes to Build a Successful Startup, by Innokite and Founded
- 13:30 - Three founders take the stage, followed by a Fireside Chat
- 15:15 - Closing
- 15:30 - Drinks and toast to 30 years RUG Ventures
- 16:30 - End
Ready for a day full of ideas, inspiration, and connections? Space is limited, so don’t wait too long to register!
