PLNT Leiden lives
The perpetual vibrancy of PLNT Leiden no longer comes as a surprise to many Leiden-based entrepreneurs and residents. Furthermore, during the past summer, the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship remained highly active. The expansion of the facility to include the ground floor has resulted in both new and refurbished multifunctional spaces. Additionally, PLNT is embarking on an exciting new initiative for Leiden-based startups and business angels.
Building Expansion
On May 1, 2023, PLNT Leiden took possession of the keys to the ground floor. The addition of nearly 1800 square meters of extra space accommodates not only new startups and scale-ups but also established companies that can further bolster the community with their expertise, such as Wessel Juristen and Randstad Uitzendbureau. Furthermore, the university's Leiden Learning & Innovation Centre (LLInC) has also found its home within the premises, promoting innovation within higher education.
The expansion has also resulted in the creation of new spaces. Among them is a new meeting room named "Out of the Box," as well as the versatile space known as "The Workshop." The latter can be adapted to suit various types of gatherings, ranging from intimate meetings to plenary presentations, and from workshop sessions to receptions. Thanks to the bar within the space, the in-house caterer, Midi, ensures that everyone is treated to delectable refreshments.
Elsewhere within the facility, several rooms have been revitalized, and a new meeting area, "The Reflection," has emerged. It serves as the perfect place for cultivating fresh perspectives. These newly designed spaces are intended to stimulate creativity, foster innovation, and promote collaboration.
Leiden Angel Club
Despite its status as a leading knowledge hub, Leiden has lacked an organized network of venture capital to support early-stage startup ideas. The initiators of PLNT aim to change this by establishing a network of angel investors - the Leiden Angel Club - with the hope of enhancing financing and growth opportunities for local, innovative startups. PLNT is being assisted in this endeavor by experienced investor Bernd Mintjes, known for his appearance on the TV program 'Dragons Den.' The launch is scheduled for September 28, 2023.
Learn more about the developments at PLNT by visiting http://http://www.plnt.nl.