Delft-based Tree Composites won the 20th KVK Innovatie Top 100, with other category winners also announced.
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Delft-based Tree Composites has won the 20th edition of the KVK Innovatie Top 100, a ranking of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands. With this result, the company is recognised as the “most innovative SME in the Netherlands for a year”.
Tree Composites earned the distinction for developing a composite-and-resin joining technology designed for steel structures in offshore wind turbines.
Eline Speck, COO of Tree Composites, says, “What a tremendous honour. It is fantastic to receive confirmation from the KVK Innovation Top 100 jury. It feels like recognition for our hard work and all the research we have done. We have to scale up; more wind turbines have to go out to sea. With our innovation, we can contribute to making it cheaper and faster. We innovate.”
“Tree Composites’ innovation is a textbook example of how leading science and innovative SME entrepreneurship come together. It is a hard, scalable innovation with direct social value,” adds Ruud Koornstra, chairman of the main jury.
KVK announced the ranking during the annual event, which highlights business innovations across Dutch SMEs. Tree Composites now joins the list of previous winners that introduced new technologies to the Dutch market.
Best innovations as per category
Alongside the announcement of the overall winner, KVK also announced the best innovations per category in the Innovation Top 100.
Tree Composites won the Energy Transition category. The winners in the other four categories are:
Agriculture, infrastructure and water
The Great Bubble Barrier, based in Amsterdam, works to stop plastic pollution in rivers before it reaches the ocean. The company uses a diagonal air bubble screen that guides plastic to the side of a waterway for collection without affecting ship traffic or aquatic life.
Since 2017, it has partnered with governments and water authorities to deploy this system in several locations in the Netherlands and abroad, including Amsterdam, Katwijk, and Harlingen.
Circular economy
Baril Coatings, based in Den Bosch, produces bio-based coatings with a low CO2 footprint. The company develops industrial coatings and construction paints for sectors such as steel construction, mechanical engineering, the maritime sector, and professional and DIY users. Baril Coatings plans to obtain B-Corp certification in 2025 and aims to make all paints from renewable resources by 2030.
Labour market and society
Ink Invent, based in Nieuwegein, has developed RheoLight, a pigment technology that enables retroreflection in paint and varnish to improve visibility and road safety.
The technology uses tiny spherical glass particles that can be added to paints for vehicles and infrastructure. These pigments reflect light back to its source, similar to reflective signs, while allowing application in thin, freely designed layers. This addresses a major challenge in the mobility sector by enhancing how well road users, including both humans and automated systems, can be seen.
Health and nutrition
Whispp, based in Leiden, uses AI speech technology and a mobile and desktop app to convert whispered or impaired speech into a clear, natural voice without noticeable delay. The app supports people with severe stutters, vocal impairments from conditions such as throat cancer, vocal cord paralysis, Parkinson’s, or ALS. For other users, Whispp allows silent and confidential phone and video calls.
KVK introduces Innovation Promise awards
This year, KVK presented five Innovation Promise awards. The awards recognise startups that do not yet have a proven revenue model but offer an innovation with potential.
Meet the startups here:
Agricultural, infrastructure & water
Bionomic, based in Oegstgeest, is a biotech startup developing biological crop protection to address plant pathogens. The company works with farmers to ensure its solutions fit daily farming practices and participates in Wageningen University & Research’s StartLife program to test innovations and refine its strategy. Bionomic aims to increase crop resilience and support reliable agricultural production.
Circular economy
Human Material Loop, based in Geleen, transforms human hair waste into materials for the textile and interior design industries. The company uses patented biotechnology to extract keratin from hair and produce fibres and composites as an alternative to synthetic and animal-based materials.
Energy transition
Currentt, based in Leiden, is a startup developing a local energy management system for sustainable energy. The system addresses issues such as grid congestion, changes to net metering, and cyber threats.
Labour market and society
Scherp in Veiligheid, based in Heerenveen, provides consultancy on public order and safety, crisis management, events, local bylaws, and special laws. The company offers integrated advice to help organisations manage risks in the (semi-)public safety domain.
Health and nutrition
Saturn Pelvic Health, based in Uden, is a MedTech/FemTech startup developing technology for pelvic floor care. The company focuses on solutions to support people with pelvic floor disorders and aims to improve quality of life and autonomy worldwide.
Brief about the KvK Innovation Top 100
The KvK Innovation Top 100 evaluates SMEs on innovation through a combination of expert jury assessments, which account for 80 per cent of the ranking, and public votes, which account for 20 per cent.
The initiative is managed by the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK), the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
