Technology and entrepreneurship are often considered separate entities, but they have more in common than you might think. In recent years, we’ve seen a trend of businesses using their innovations to improve society and the environment.
These businesses are identified under various labels, from Impact businesses to Social enterprises. This is done by leveraging the unique qualities of technology (for its efficiency and ability to reach a broad audience) and entrepreneurship (for its creativity, adaptability, and drive).
Well, there’s no denying that social enterprise tech startups are on the rise, and for a good reason.
Amsterdam is one of the front runners in Europe when it comes to bolstering the ecosystem of impact/social enterprise entrepreneurship.
Unlike traditional businesses, social enterprises are laser-focused on solving social or environmental problems, which means they have the potential to make a tangible and positive impact on the world around us.
These social tech startups use their profits and resources to help do good globally through various means such as sustainability, charitable work, or by helping to empower underprivileged communities.
In this article, we have listed Amsterdam-based startups that are on a mission to strengthen the communities and neighbourhoods. Do take a look.
Makers Unite
Makers Unite is a textile-based creative agency with a big social mission. The Dutch company aims to support newcomers with access to the job market through the collaborative design and production of sustainable products. In addition, the company offers a platform for social inclusion, providing equal opportunities to newcomers and locals by making products with a story that matters.
Deedmob
Deedmob is a social-tech enterprise founded at the University of Oxford in 2017. Based out of Amsterdam, Deedmob is an online volunteering platform connecting volunteers, charities, and government institutions to boost collaboration and maximise social impact.
The social tech enterprise aims to leverage the impact of volunteering by facilitating better matches between organisations and volunteers. Additionally, they also help companies with social marketing, corporate social responsibility, and corporate volunteering.
Oma’s Soep
Oma’s Soep is on a mission to battle loneliness among the elderly in a sustainable way. The company does this by frequently organising jolly cooking days during which young and older people make soup (or hotpot) together.
As per Oma Soep’s claims, the soups are made with fresh vegetables and herbs based on the recipes of the grandmas and grandpas.
The cooking days are organised at multiple locations in the Netherlands.
To reduce food waste, Oma’s Soep picks up leftover vegetables and herbs at supermarkets and greengrocers every week and uses them during the cooking days.
Local Heroes
Local Heroes offers an e-commerce platform for local establishments and businesses, thereby creating an online presence to compete with big online players. Through the e-commerce platform, users can support local businesses by ordering from them online and getting deliveries at home.
However, the Amsterdam company has ceased its operation temporarily due to the lack of financial resources. The company’s founder Maarten Coumans said he plans to pivot its business into a SaaS solution — Local Heroes Click & Collect.
Cybersoek
Based out of Amsterdam, Cybersoek is a platform for learning digital skills for free and under the guidance of professionals. In addition, the platform offers thematic programs around digital society based on questions from different angles. With its activities, Cybersoek aims to contribute majorly to the neighbourhood’s social cohesion.
