The HZ Changemaker Event is an annual event organised by the HZ Knowledge Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. During this inspiring event, entrepreneurs, researchers, students and professionals come together to share knowledge, gain new insights and jointly build towards future-proof entrepreneurship. Innovation, societal impact and collaboration are central to this.
Each year, a current issue in entrepreneurship takes centre stage. Think of themes such as innovative business models, sustainable ecosystems, technology and social earning potential. With keynotes, interactive sessions and encounters between education and practice, the event offers ample room for inspiration and new connections.
HZ Changemaker Award
A recurring highlight of the event is the presentation of the HZ Changemaker Award. With this award, the knowledge centre puts the spotlight on people who demonstrate an exceptionally entrepreneurial commitment to HZ's societal mission: contributing to a better world. In 2026, Salim Ben Sellam won the Changemaker Award. With Oase Jeugdhulpverlening (Oase Youth Care), he shows what is possible when you look not at problems, but at potential. By connecting education, sport and care, he gives young people perspective, structure and opportunities to grow.
Changemaker Magazine 2026
In het Changemaker Magazine 2026 worden inspirerende verhalen, innovatieve projecten en changemakers uitgelicht die bijdragen aan toekomstbestendig ondernemen en maatschappelijke impact. Read it here.
Previous winners
Previous winners of the award are:
- Ocean Ceramics (2024): sustainable entrepreneurs and alumni who develop tableware from Zeeland mussel shells
- Vincent van der Veen (2025): impact manager at IVN who is committed to social change and sustainability
What is a Changemaker?
A changemaker is someone who contributes to positive change in society in an entrepreneurial way. Within HZ, this refers to students, alumni, lecturers and staff who, driven by passion, take initiative, bring people together and work on creative and sustainable solutions to societal challenges in Zeeland and beyond.
HZ Changemakers …
- … contribute to HZ's social mission in a particularly entrepreneurial way
- … take positive action based on their passion
- … work together and forge connections with others
- … realise creative, sustainable solutions in the context of broad prosperity, within Zeeland and beyond
Social mission
HZ's mission is to “contribute to a better world”. Its institutional plan sets out how it intends to do this: 'HZ contributes to a better world ...
- by training the professionals of the future as a personal university of applied sciences
- by working with partners to find solutions to issues in the areas of water, energy and vitality as a University of Applied Sciences
- by supporting developments in the region as a regional partner for the Zeeland delta.
HZ Knowledge Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The HZ Knowledge Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation conducts practice-based economic research into what is needed to support entrepreneurs in making the transition that leads to improving economic and societal earning potential.
