Even though these are difficult and uncertain times, the Groningen community is coming together to deal with the consequences of the Coronavirus. For some uplifting news, here are a few companies and entrepreneurs trying to make a difference. Did we miss anyone? Let us know and we’ll update accordingly.
Klippa
Software scale-up Klippa is donating some of its server capacity to the folding@home project of Stanford University. By simulating the complex process of protein folding, the researchers are trying to use computing power to find new treatments for the COVID-19 virus. These calculations require massive computing power, so companies can donate their unused server capacity to help out.
”We’re a young software company and we don’t feel like sitting around and doing nothing”, says Klippa co-founder and CEO Yeelen Knegtering. “We’re not active in the medical industry, so we can’t contribute directly to finding new vaccines, but we want to do everything we can. That’s why we decided to join the folding@home Graphics Processing Units project.”
Dropper
With bars and restaurants closed, Dropper is helping affected local hospitality entrepreneurs with food deliveries. The delivery startup also launched #appjedrop, where people who are sick or less able can use Whatsapp to order and pay for everyday groceries. A Dropper courier will do the grocery shopping for you and deliver it to your doorstep.
Omapost
Nursing homes are on lockdown to help protect the elderly, but that also means increased social isolation. Omapost allows you to send an easy and quick postcard to your grandma, grandpa or any other person you love using your cell phone or our website. Omapost also launched cor.omapost.nl, which also lets you ‘adopt’ a grandparent and send postcards and brighten up their day.
Bereslim
Non profit company Bereslim creates and publishes animated picture books and adaptive, evidence based video games for toddlers & preschoolers. Bereslim offers digital picture books to stimulate language development, from well known Dutch authors like Max Velthuijs and Yvonne Jagtenberg, with some of the animations made by John Croezen, two time Golden Calf Winner (the most prestigious Dutch film award). And because schools are closed, Bereslim now offers books free of charge.
Begeman’s Retro Food
Begeman’s sells organic ice cream known as ‘steekijs’, which was a popular Dutch ice cream version before the rise of Italian gelato. Founder Marc Begeman announced a big switch in production though. It turns out, the machines used by the company can also be used to make medical grade disinfectants, so Begeman decided to use his machines to help hospitals in dire need.
Stadscafé-Restaurant 't Feithhuis
Recent supermarket hoarding has not only caused delivery problems, it has also caused severe food bank shortages. Some food banks around the country even had to close, leaving a very vulnerable group of people without food and supplies. Restaurant 't Feithhuis had to close, but they decided to keep on cooking food for the local food bank.