In 2025, it will be exactly 80 years since the end of World War II. The Netherlands has been a free country for a lifetime now. This calls for a celebration at various times and places throughout the land. But what does freedom mean and how is it valued in the Netherlands?

A single tear can reveal more than just emotions - it can hold the key to diagnosing diseases. Dr. Marlies Gijs, a biochemist at Maastricht UMC+ and known as ‘the tear doctor,’ is uncovering the hidden potential of tears as a diagnostic tool. Her world-first research focuses on using tear fluid to detect diseases like Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, offering a new, non-invasive alternative to procedures like spinal taps.

Dutch health-tech startup OASYS NOW is revolutionising the healthcare landscape. After launching their first product, GRIP, at Slush 2023, the company returned to the prestigious event in 2024 and walked away with the Slush 100 competition win. 

On the Zeeland coast of the Netherlands, where land meets the sea, The Kingfish Company is redefining the future of aquaculture. Their land-based aquaculture model focuses on sustainability, using 100% renewable energy to raise premium Yellowtail Kingfish without antibiotics. This approach helps reduce overfishing and carbon emissions. By shifting production to land, The Kingfish Company is reducing the pressure on overfished oceans, ensuring that future generations can continue to rely on seafood.

In the heart of Amsterdam, where creativity meets sustainability, Growy is redefining the future of farming. This innovative company is using AI-driven, fully automated vertical farming technology. Turning urban spaces into high-efficiency food-producing hubs. This approach addresses global food security challenges with local, sustainable solutions. With a mission to make fresh, organic food accessible to all, Growy is helping shape a greener, self-sufficient future for cities around the world.

In a world facing complex global challenges, technology holds the key to transformative solutions. From climate change to energy efficiency, from secure digital infrastructures to next-generation healthcare, innovation is at the heart of shaping a better tomorrow. With the economic mission to Japan having just taken place around the World Expo in Osaka, it’s a great moment to highlight Dutch innovation in a sector where innovation has become the daily norm: the high-tech and digital industries. 

Digital communication is the backbone of modern missions, but what happens when connectivity fails? Dutch start-up LiveDrop has developed an innovative solution to ensure secure, untraceable data exchange, even when there’s no network.