About us

ABOUT KEYGENE

Technology innovation for crop improvement

Founded in 1989, KeyGene is the go-to plant research company for technology innovation for crop improvement. With our intellectual capital, solution-driven approach, and collaborative spirit, we work for the future of global agriculture, with and for partners in the AgriFood sector.

We develop breakthrough breeding technologies and trait technologies and tailor and implement them in crop improvement, for and with our partners.

Learn about our business locations:

KeyGene the Netherlands

KeyGene USA

KeyGene India

KEYGENE & SOCIETY

"We are driven by innovation to make a difference by harnessing plant science and translating it into solutions that really matter. In that light we find it important to contribute to the big societal challenges at all levels".

Arjen J. van Tunen - CEO KeyGene

Big societal challenges

Global challenges demand for better adapted, disease resistant crops. Also, consumers want high quality, affordable and safe food. Read more about KeyGene’s contribution.

Our local and regional connection

Major societal challenges have both a global and local dimension. We find it important to be actively involved in both. Read more about our support to local initiatives.

keygene management

Arjen van Tunen

CEO

Harrold van den Burg

VP Innovation for Crops

Walter Nelson

CEO KeyGene USA

Nathalie van Orsouw

VP Technology Development

Roeland van Ham

VP Bioinformatics & Modeling

Fedde Visser

VP Finance & Control

Thea van der Wijk

VP Intellectual Property & Head of Legal Affairs

Remco Gertsen

HR Manager

Marleen Zilstra

Secretary to the Board

Strategic shareholders

KeyGene was founded in 1989 by a number of Dutch seed companies

Their goal was and is to create synergy and higher efficiency in their molecular genetic research programs and thus improve their breeding efforts.

At the time of its foundation, KeyGene employed three people. Since then KeyGene has grown continuously and expanded its facilities considerably several times.

Today, KeyGene has some 150 employees originating from 10+ countries and is owned by four strategic shareholders active in the field of vegetable breeding.