Amsterdam’s Panel bags €160K from Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland to build tool for inclusive collaboration

Amsterdam-based Panel, a spin-off from the University of Amsterdam, announced that it has secured a €160K convertible loan from Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland. 

Panel says the funding will enable it to continue building an innovative tool for inclusive participation processes. 

Panel: Offers inclusive working and approach

Founded in 2021 by the University of Amsterdam and digital agency Unc Inc, Panel offers a unique method designed by the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences of the University of Amsterdam. 

The tool enables people to collectively generate, interpret and converge qualitative data. In all phases of the research cycle, this maintains the quality of various points of view and connects insights.

According to Panel, the public participation processes are not effective, and residents often feel they are left out. Consequently, it leads to a decrease in trust in government and organisations. 

The company’s methodology seeks to address this issue by creating an inclusive way of working and approach. 

And that is done through stacking, where people are given the opportunity to transparently see, interpret, and categorise others’ qualitative data. 

The Dutch company supports the process of co-creation of residents, professionals, and other participants to come together towards an inclusive way of working and approach.

Jeroen Ooijevaar, CEO of Panel, says, “As a sociologist and former board member, I see that social developments require a different approach to participation processes. Panel offers this approach and thus provides an inclusive way in which input from all participants is of value.”

Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland: Provides convertible loans

Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland is an initiative of the Province of Noord-Holland, University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, and Sanquin. 

The Fund supports entrepreneurs in the province of North Holland to finance innovation in the Proof-of-Concept phase by providing convertible loans.

The Innovation Fund North Holland manages two funds: a fund for innovative startups supported by the RVO, and a fund for academic startups.

Wouter Keij, Fund Manager at Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland says, “Panel’s software makes an impact in the different layers of various sectors, by contributing to transparency and inclusion, effectively increasing participation. This reveals new insights that connect with different groups.”