From HTX student to entrepreneur: A career with opportunities and microgreens
In the summer of 2023, Jens Peter Neergaard Andersen graduated as a student at HTX at Techcollege, where he had studied robotics. However, it is not in robotics that his career on the other side of the education takes root. Today, he is self-employed and owns JP-Grønt - a company that produces and sells microgreens and herbs to restaurants and cafes around North Jutland. A change that may not seem obvious, but which nevertheless makes sense - education and career are both choices that are based on personal interest and career opportunities.
An education with immersion and opportunities
When it was time to choose an education, Jens Peter had no doubt that HTX would offer him the best opportunities. It was where he could best pursue his interests.
“I have always been very interested in developing and innovating, so HTX was a natural choice for me, as I felt that it professionally matched my scientific interests.”
The field of study was Robotics, as it both embraced his interests and at the same time opened the doors to many career opportunities subsequently. Jens Peter believes that HTX is an obvious choice if you are interested in science and want to delve into the many branches that an education at HTX can offer. A high school diploma from HTX can, for example, be fertile ground for a working life centered on microgreens.
Microgreens under the coffee table
While Jens Peter was still studying at HTX, his interest in microgreens began. Here he was first introduced to pea shoots, which captured his interest – and his taste buds. After that, experiments began to be carried out to be able to grow microgreens himself - including pea shoots - that tasted good and were also of high quality. A budding interest in microgreens combined with seeds from jem & fix, soil from the garden and a small 3D-printed planter box was therefore the starting point for the company, which is today called JP-Grønt.
Once interest was aroused, it took off, and the process of finding the best set-up to grow uniform microgreens of good quality began. Experiments were made on how best to grow uniform microgreens, and at one point the set-up could even be found under a coffee table in the teenage room. Eventually, however, Jens Peter found a set-up that increased and streamlined production, and that allowed for resale to local cafes and restaurants.
“I wanted to give it a real shot, because I still thought it was a really exciting project. That's why I'm founding JP-Grønt ApS on January 30, 2023. I bought a container, which I gradually started to move the production into. Now it really started to look like something. Water, heating, electricity and internet are being installed in the container. However, it would take about six months before the container was really finished and ready for proper production.”
HTX prepared for life as an independent worker
It may be difficult to see how a high school diploma with a focus on robotics leads to a company that grows and sells microgreens, and Jens Peter also admits that it is not the most direct path to take. Nevertheless, he believes that his time at HTX has given him a solid toolbox that comes into daily use when he goes to work at JP-Grønt. In particular, systematic workflows and the ability to be critical of sources are tools that are used daily in life as a self-employed person, and these are tools for which he can thank his high school diploma and time at HTX.
At JP-grønt, Jens Peter is constantly focused on quality assurance of his products, and in this regard has used his knowledge of systematic workflows to streamline the process for optimal results. That is why he collects data on all aspects of his production in order to always be able to improve.
“I still collect an incredible amount of data, and have done so from the very beginning. This means that today I have a completely data-driven production, where everything from production planning to purchasing is planned based on my data. This helps ensure that my products are of the same quality every week.”
It may be difficult to see how a high school diploma with a focus on robotics leads to a company that grows and sells microgreens, and Jens Peter also admits that it is not the most direct path to take. Nevertheless, he believes that his time at HTX has given him a solid toolbox that comes into daily use when he goes to work at JP-Grønt. In particular, systematic workflows and the ability to be critical of sources are tools that are used daily in life as a self-employed person, and these are tools for which he can thank his high school diploma and time at HTX.
At JP-grønt, Jens Peter is constantly focused on quality assurance of his products, and in this regard has used his knowledge of systematic workflows to streamline the process for optimal results. That is why he collects data on all aspects of his production in order to always be able to improve.
“I still collect an incredible amount of data, and have done so from the very beginning. This means that today I have a completely data-driven production, where everything from production planning to purchasing is planned based on my data. This helps ensure that my products are of the same quality every week.”
Enjoy your time in high school
Besides HTX being a good place to pursue your interests, it is also a good place to be as a student. Jens Peter has no doubts when it comes to giving good advice to young people who are considering starting at HTX.
“Remember to enjoy high school, because it goes by very quickly once you get started.”
Today Jens Peter works full time at JP-Grønt, supplying microgreens and herbs to restaurants and cafes in North Jutland. If you would like to read more, you can visit his website here: Microgreens from JP-Grønt - Microgreens add versatility to your dishes with sustainability