“A perfect plan without entrepreneurial spirit leads nowhere. A plan that is reasonably achievable and pursued with a strong dose of determination is far more likely to succeed.”
With these words, Harry van den Kroonenberg expressed his vision of entrepreneurship in 1992. As Rector Magnificus of the University of Twente, he laid the foundations for what would later become known as the “entrepreneurial university”.
To showcase the entrepreneurial strength of the University of Twente to the Netherlands and the wider world, the Van den Kroonenberg Award has been presented annually since 1984. The award recognises a University of Twente alumnus or current/former staff member who has distinguished themselves through successful entrepreneurial achievement at an early stage of their career.
This year, the University of Twente celebrates its 65th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the award ceremony will take on a special character. This year, the University will present the Van den Kroonenberg Oeuvre Awards to the driving forces behind four unicorns: privately held companies that have grown to achieve a valuation of more than one billion US dollars.
These lifetime achievement awards honour entrepreneurs who have not only achieved exceptional success, but who also demonstrate how the entrepreneurial spirit of the University of Twente can grow into an impact of global significance.