As an early-stage startup, it might be challenging to get your foot through the door at local governments. At the same time, governments might find it tricky to connect to innovators to test solutions. To streamline this process, the city of Amsterdam developed its Startup in Residence programme. Does your city need a similar initiative to boost innovative ideas? A new toolkit details exactly how to build your city’s own Startup in Residence programme.
Startup in Residence toolkit
The toolkit is released by the City of Amsterdam’s Startup in Residence programme. The initiative started in 2015 to connect early-stage startups with the local government in the Dutch capital. Selected startups enrol in a six-month programme in which they receive guidance and training by mentors and experts and can use the network of partners of the local government. The city meanwhile gets to test-drive new products or services to improve the quality of life in the city. If all goes well, the startup and government might engage in cooperation for the longer term.