These Amsterdam startups are helping students prepare for the new study year

Education is evolving just like any other sector in the world touched by technology.  The digital age has successfully disrupted the education sector, and while technology can’t replace teachers, it offers a range of tools to make learning easier for everyone. 

The Netherlands has one of the top education systems in the world. And the capital city, Amsterdam, is at the forefront of this movement with many new edtech startups springing up to offer tools that enhance education for teachers and students. 

According to a report, the edtech sector in the Netherlands has grown by over 90 per cent in the last five years. Since 2016, Edtech startups have jointly raised more than €110M of venture capital at more than €800M valuation. 

We have listed a few Amsterdam startups that help students prepare for the new study year.

Anywyse

Founder/s: Julien Jukema

Anywyse is an Amsterdam-based audio learning platform where everyone can become a creator. The platform provides students with audio modules, called Wysers, with a duration of 10-15 minutes. These modules are written and voiced by selected students and voice actors. The Wysers are built on a format created primarily for memorising material rather than the more “linear listening” found in podcasts.

The company was formed during the acceleration programme of the Humanities Lab, University of Amsterdam. The Humanities Lab offers a platform for education about entrepreneurship and is aimed at staff, Ph.D. students, students, and alumni.

Hello Mentor

Founder/s: Quincy Dalh, Eline Stapel 

Hello Mentor is a recruitment platform that connects tech students with mentors from tech companies such as Adyen, ING, ASML, and PwC. 

Once onboarded, Hello Mentor leverages its matchmaking capabilities to match mentors to mentees based on interests, skills, and learning goals. 

The Dutch startup charges a subscription fee to companies in exchange for access to the platform, social media, and tailored events to widen companies’ employer branding and awareness. 

Minite 

Founder/s: Micky Chen and Linky Chen

Based out of Amsterdam, Minite is a Students-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider. The platform connects vetted top student freelancers with companies to perform CV-building work in digital marketing, sales, market research, data, IT, analytics, and (graphic) design. 

Hospi Housing (Honourable mention)

Founder/s: Joost Bokkers, Daan Donkers, Maurits Barendregt

Hospi Housing is a social housing company that helps international students find a room with hosts or host families. The platform matches supply and demand, and connects students to a host based on their preferences through its matching system. 

For hosts and host families, the service is free, however, students pay a one-time fee. Currently, the company is active in Utrecht and Leiden, and has a network of over 200 hosts and host families, and 5000 students.

For international students, this presents a social solution in their search for housing, for hosts an added source of income, and for both a unique exchange of culture and language.