Reflecting, looking ahead, and pub quizzing: well-attended New Year’s Café a great success

On Monday evening, January 19th, the Utrecht Science Park New Year’s Café was held. It was wonderful to see so many different partners represented. An interactive pub quiz with questions from various partners thoroughly tested the guests’ knowledge of Utrecht Science Park.
Who followed the news most closely about the “Wennink Report,” the Genmab-Merus acquisition, and the investments in Ombion? Who was the all-knowing expert on sporting events at Utrecht Science Park? Who knew the most about developments at Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven and Zeist? That turned out to be Jan Willem van Ginkel of GinCo Biotech Solutions. He was rewarded with two vouchers for a Dom Tower climb!
The examples in the quiz and the valuable discussions during the evening once again demonstrated the importance of partnerships between all Utrecht Science Park partners, as well as with partners in the city and region. Groundbreaking research and its application cannot occur in isolation. The concentration of knowledge here at Utrecht Science Park creates a unique ecosystem where we can more efficiently deliver economic and social added value together.
We are therefore looking forward to this new year with great pleasure and confidence! Thanks to all who attended and especially to those who asked questions: André van Schie, Wilma Scholte op Reimer, Judith Oprins, Ton Logtenberg, Louis Bont, Krischan Hagedoorn, Walter van Dijk, Karlijn Snijders, Eva Oosters, Joost Kok, Hans Brug, Jan Henk van der Velden and moderator Mieke de Bruin.



Betweter Festival during Utrecht Science Week 2026: your idea for an experiment is welcome!
Utrecht Science Week kicks off this year on Friday, September 25th. The Betweter Festival at Tivoli Vredenburg is the ever-popular opening night event. This year marks the tenth edition of the Betweter Festival. This art and science festival, where visitors immerse themselves in a unique mix of talks, music, film, interactive installations, and live research, is inviting participants to submit ideas for experiments during the festival.

Princess Máxima Center to expand with innovation wing thanks to partnership between the Foundation and Rabobank
The Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology will be able to start expanding the center later this year with a five thousand square meter innovation wing. This has been made possible by a multi-year strategic partnership between the Princess Máxima Center Foundation and Rabobank. The new innovation wing will provide space for pioneering research, innovation in care, and collaboration programs. This expansion supports the development of better and more effective treatments for children with cancer.

New Year’s promotion: all-in sports with a generous discount at Sportcentrum Olympos
Employees of Utrecht University, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (HU), UMCU, Hubrecht Institute and Westerdijk Institute can temporarily enjoy an extra 20% discount on all-in sports at Olympos!

Wennink plan: Life Sciences and biotechnology are important growth drivers for the earning capacity of the Netherlands
The Dutch Life Sciences and biotechnology sector can make a much larger contribution to the Netherlands’ economic strength. This is shown in a new growth strategy presented today as part of Peter Wennink’s advisory report. The report also highlights Utrecht Science Park as one of the key innovation locations and sources of progress and growth.