Wittenborg Champions Entrepreneurship at Ninth Apeldoorn Business Awards

21.10.2026

Renewed Partnership and New Connections Mark a Standout Evening at Orpheus

On 15 October, the spotlight was firmly on Apeldoorn's entrepreneurial spirit as the Apeldoorn Business Awards took place at Theater Orpheus.

As a Premium Founder and one of the event's main sponsors, Wittenborg helped kick off the evening with the presentation of the Wittenborg Starters Award, won by Retro Empire Gaming.

The event also marked an important milestone for Wittenborg, following the recent extension of its sponsorship agreement with the Apeldoorn Business Awards for a further three years.

Before the awards ceremony, Wittenborg's Karen Penninga, Maike Zürcher and Aydan Holtrigter represented Wittenborg at a new VIP networking dinner, bringing together entrepreneurs, sponsors and community leaders from across the region. Guests changed tables between courses of the three-course meal, creating opportunities to meet new people, exchange ideas and build new connections.

New conversations, new opportunities

For Holtrigter, the networking format was one of the highlights of the evening.

"It was the first event of its kind organised as part of the awards and I thought it worked very well. I particularly enjoyed the keynote speaker, who gave a short training on communication.

"I also made new contacts and discovered opportunities to work with local partners to increase the impact of Wittenborg's Knowledge Hub."

Those conversations were just the start of an evening focused on celebrating the people and organisations helping to shape Apeldoorn's future.

Celebrating Apeldoorn's best

This year's winners reflected the strength and diversity of the region's business community:

Retail: Sandmann Optiek
Wholesale & Services: Talen Vastgoedonderhoud
Industry & Technology: SPL
Hospitality & Tourism: Teun Apeldoorn
Social Organisation: Parc Spelderholt
Wittenborg Starters Award: Retro Empire Gaming
Student Encouragement Award: Get Nailed JMC
Audience Award: Parc Spelderholt

A room full of pride

For Penninga, however, it was not only the winners that made the evening memorable.

"During the evening, the atmosphere was excellent, and it was inspiring to see so many successful local businesses being recognised.

"What stood out for me was the pride and enthusiasm of the entrepreneurs and employees alike, all celebrating their organisations and achievements.

"In the Wittenborg Starter Award category, there were some outstanding nominees who will undoubtedly continue to thrive and further develop their businesses in the years ahead.

"I also felt that Parc Spelderholt was a very deserving winner of both the Audience Award and the Social Organisations category. Congratulations to all the winners and organisers for a fantastic evening."

Beyond the awards themselves, the event also highlighted a defining characteristic of Apeldoorn's business community: its ability to balance international ambition with a strong local connection.

Global impact, local roots

Zürcher said that it was wonderful to see the variety, quality and diversity of businesses in Apeldoorn.

"I think as a city we can be very proud that we have many companies doing business globally while at the same time they are very connected to the local community, often family-run and modest rather than flashy.

"It was also very nice to see that many companies have a social component and intentionally run their businesses in a way that contributes to the community, too. The venue was a very nice setting with lovely music and entertainment."

Looking Ahead

Wittenborg was also represented throughout the evening by Nicoleta Salaru, Allegra Zazzaro, Sean Machaya, Anastasija Kok, Erene Roux and Raymond Rothengatter, owner of Rayflex.

As the evening drew to a close, attention was already turning to the future.

The 2026 event marked the ninth edition of the Apeldoorn Business Awards, with organisers now gearing up for a major milestone: the 10th Apeldoorn Business Awards in 2027.