Six Rotterdam-based startups have been included in the 2025 KvK Innovation Top 100, a ranking of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands.
The selected companies in the list operate in sectors such as agriculture, energy, circular economy, health, and digital technology.
The KvK Innovation Top 100 is managed by the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK), the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. The initiative 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.
This year, companies without revenue are also eligible to participate. The platform provides exposure and recognition that can help startups attract investors or partners.
Awards include five category prizes—covering circular economy, energy transition, labour market and society, agriculture, and water and infrastructure—along with an overall winner and five Innovation Promise Awards for early-stage companies.
Voting for the 2025 Top 100 is open until October 21. The winners will be announced on November 14 at the KvK Business Days at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht.
Rotterdam-based startups that made it to the list
Six startups based in Rotterdam are included in the 2025 KvK Innovation Top 100. These companies represent a range of sectors and are recognised for their innovative products, services, and business concepts.
Check them out below!
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Coastruction
Category: Agriculture, Infrastructure and Water
Costruction produces and installs 3D-printed reef structures called Purpose-Built Reefs (PBRs). These structures support underwater ecosystems and reduce coastal erosion. They are created using proprietary powder bed 3D printers that produce porous forms suitable for attachment of algae, mussels, and corals, and allow fish to reproduce.
The printers are mobile, enabling on-site production globally in cooperation with local communities. The approach addresses coral reef decline and coastal damage with a scalable method.
The company’s approach differs from traditional precast concrete reefs. Costruction’s PBRs are printed with natural shapes and porous surfaces, improving the attachment of marine organisms. Unused material is recycled in the process.
Their proprietary printers produce 1 cubic meter of reef in about 5 hours, ready for ecosystem use and wave protection. This method allows local production, circular use of materials, and faster deployment compared to conventional methods.
RoffaReefs
Category: Agriculture, Infrastructure and Water
RoffaReefs develops systems for breeding and feeding marine fish. In partnership with Rotterdam Zoo, it produces plant-based fish food and tests a solar-powered farming system.
The company operates a floating hatchery that hatches fish eggs and raises larvae in open water to study their effect on fish populations and coral reefs. RoffaReefs also collaborates with research partners to develop tools such as A.EI, an AI system for identifying fish eggs.
HuskyAI
Category: Labour Market and Society
HuskyAI developed Lola, an AI career coach that guides job seekers through every step of finding employment. Lola assesses users’ skills, personality, and goals, matches them with suitable jobs and local vacancies, and supports applications with resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation. The tool is used mainly in reintegration and outplacement to help people find work faster.
Unlike traditional career coaching, which can take 20–30 hours per process, Lola completes the process in 2–3 hours and offers AI-driven job matching, smart profiling, and customisable application materials.
Het Volksportret
Category: Labour Market and Society
The Volksportret is software for audience targeting that helps organisations make communication and propositions more inclusive and effective. Using a proprietary clustering algorithm, it represents the Netherlands as 100 communities, each equal to 1 per cent of the population.
With generative AI, users can test how different groups respond to products, messages, or brands within minutes. The tool provides a complete view of the Dutch population and allows direct interaction with simulated communities.
Unlike traditional market research, which is slower and more expensive, the Volksportret uses synthetic target group simulation to include underrepresented voices and unite qualitative and quantitative insights in one platform.
BioFashionTech
Category: Circular economy
BioFashionTech is a biotech company that recycles textile waste through an enzymatic process that converts mixed fabrics into reusable materials such as sugars, recycled fibres, and glycerol.
The method avoids harsh chemicals and works with unsorted and colored textiles, improving recycling efficiency and scalability. The patented technology breaks down complex fabrics, retains synthetic fibres, and prevents microplastics, creating a system that supports circular and bio-based production.
It Goes Forward
Category: Circular economy
It Goes Forward offers a system that redirects product returns directly between consumers, removing warehouse handling.
The company’s API connects with platforms like Shopify and Magento, while an AI model developed with university partners (including Doing the Math, Erasmus University, and VU Amsterdam, among others) sets discounts, calculates CO2 savings, and manages logistics through a decentralised digital warehouse.
Returned items are instantly relisted and shipped peer-to-peer, reducing costs and emissions. Retailers save up to 31 per cent on return expenses, and consumers can choose a ‘Forward’ deal to buy returned products directly, securely, and without sharing personal data.
Showcasing innovative Dutch SMEs
The Kamer van Koophandel (KvK) is the Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands. It operates as an independent administrative body, providing information, advice, and support to businesses. The KvK also manages the Commercial Register.
One of the KvK’s key initiatives is the KvK Innovation Top 100. For twenty years, this platform has highlighted innovations from Dutch businesses. Companies such as tampon brand Yoni Care and clothing brand Labfresh have participated in the past. Starting this year, startup entrepreneurs without revenue can also join the Top 100.
The KvK Innovation Top 100 showcases successful innovations from SMEs in the Netherlands. Since its inception, the platform has presented 1,900 products and services, and it will highlight 100 new innovations in the coming year.
The award does not carry a monetary prize. Its value lies in demonstrating the capabilities of Dutch SMEs and providing recognition in the innovation sector.
