Juriën Koster

Juriën Koster is an entrepreneur and strategist who builds ventures at the intersection of horticulture, agri-food, and biotechnology. He focuses on turning early-stage ideas into scalable, commercially grounded businesses, combining technical insight with an understanding of markets, policy, and finance. Over the past decade, he has founded and led initiatives in controlled-environment agriculture, renewable energy integration, and digital crop systems. 

Based in Wageningen and with earlier experience in the Westland, Juriën works closely with growers, researchers, and engineers to bridge innovation and practice. His projects connect horticulture to adjacent fields such as food technology and biomanufacturing, where plant-based systems can deliver both environmental and economic value. 

Why HIC? 

I joined the Horticulture Innovation Centre to collaborate with people who share the drive to turn good ideas into real businesses. HIC brings together practical experience and creativity, and that mix is exactly where I feel at home. I see it as a space to test, learn, and build — to exchange expertise with other entrepreneurs and explore how we can make horticultural innovation both viable and scalable. 

What draws me most is the focus on action: moving from promising research to practical application, and from concept to proof. It’s a place where collaboration can shorten the distance between innovation and adoption — something the sector needs more than ever. 

Key Challenges in Horticulture 

Horticulture is under pressure from rising energy and input costs, labour shortages, and limited access to risk capital. Many businesses face strong market demand but lack the financial or operational space to modernise. A major challenge lies in developing business models that reward efficiency, self-reliance, and sustainability rather than volume alone. Creating room for mid-sized growers to innovate — with accessible finance, shared infrastructure, and knowledge exchange — will be key to keeping the sector competitive. 

What Excites Me Most 

I’m fascinated by how controlled-environment systems can connect agriculture with entirely new industries. The convergence between horticulture, data, and biotechnology opens possibilities far beyond food — from nutraceuticals and natural ingredients to sustainable bioprocessing. I’m drawn to technologies that make production smarter, more modular, and more continuous. 

What excites me most is working with people who want to build those systems — translating research into reality, and designing farms and facilities that are both profitable and regenerative. That combination of creativity and practicality is what makes horticulture such an inspiring field to be in.