Wittenborg Spotlights Entrepreneurship at the 2025 Apeldoorn Business Awards

05.11.2025

Wittenborg Celebrates Local Excellence at Theatre Orpheus

The Apeldoorn Business Awards 2025 took place on 16 October at Theatre Orpheus, bringing together the city’s most inspiring entrepreneurs and organisations. Wittenborg took part in this prestigious evening celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and local excellence.

Wittenborg was well represented at the event, with Rector Ron Tuninga and a delegation including Sinem Dosdogru, Sophia Faraji, Kriszta Kaspers, Fjorentina Muco, Ava Mehrani, Maulik Barot, Mykhailo Huba, Nicoleta Salaru, Eunice Cheung, Patience Orukpe, Amal Abi Orm and Allegra Zazzaro attending.

As one of the event’s sponsors, Wittenborg featured in a special video presentation highlighting the Starters Award category. Tuninga and CEO Maggie Feng appeared in the video to share why supporting entrepreneurship in the region is so vital. The category celebrates promising new businesses that serve as role models for Wittenborg’s students and the wider Apeldoorn community.

Reflecting on the evening, Sophia Faraji, External Relations & Events Manager at Wittenborg, said the event encapsulated what makes Apeldoorn’s business ecosystem so dynamic. “It was an inspiring evening that brought together the heart of our region’s entrepreneurial community. For us, the highlight was seeing how innovation, sustainability and people power converge through local companies making a real difference. Being part of the start-up category sponsorship, and witnessing emerging talent alongside established businesses, makes us even more committed to equipping our international students and alumni to contribute right here in Apeldoorn and beyond.”

During the ceremony, Tuninga was also invited on stage to speak about the importance of nurturing emerging talent in the business world. He highlighted Wittenborg's diverse and international community and encouraged the Apeldoorn business community to embrace international talent.

“We have more than 100 nationalities at Wittenborg,” he said. “We need international talent in the region. The Starters Award is especially inspiring, as business students can play a valuable role in driving innovation within the city. It’s also about visibility — or ‘zichtbaarheid’ — showing how new entrepreneurs make their mark and contribute to Apeldoorn’s growing reputation as a hub for creativity and enterprise.”

The Apeldoorn Business Awards selection process is known for its rigour. Each year, an independent nomination committee and jury assess companies across categories such as Retail, Industry and Technology, Tourism and Hospitality, Wholesale and Services, Starters, Social Organisations and Students. Criteria include innovation, sustainability, collaboration and contribution to Apeldoorn.

This year’s winners are: