Supercharging start-ups for societal challenges: Start-up in Residence NN is back!

Working together to fast-track green and digital solutions for global challenges. That’s part of the TopDutch culture. Take, for example, Start-Up in Residence Noord-Nederland, who has opened registration for the 2023 edition of their accelerator program. This means that fresh entrepreneurs can once again work together with public sector institutions on innovative solutions to various societal challenges: From future-proofing charging infrastructure to finding new ways to document history.

Start-Up in Residence Noord-Nederland is an accelerator program which offers start-ups the opportunity to collaborate with local government, universities and other public institutions from the TopDutch region on solutions for 12 different challenges facing our communities. During the six-month program, the entrepreneurs receive support and guidance from professional coaches to further develop their idea and prototype into a viable product. Once the solution is market-ready, the public sector challenge owners will also act as a launching customer for the most promising products.

Bringing ideas together across the region

The Start-Up in Residence program is an initiative of a number of regions across the Netherlands. In the TopDutch region, Founded in Groningen started an edition in their province in 2018. In 2021, it expanded - in partnership with Founded in Friesland - to cover ideas and institutions from across the whole of the Northern Netherlands.

And it got results. In 2021 and 2022, thirteen start-ups teamed up with a local partner, and the cross-TopDutch program has led to procurement on several occasions. No wonder they’re ready to go again in 2023 with twelve new challenges.

'After successful previous rounds as part of the Startup in Residence, we are participating again this year with two new challenges. We think it's important to give young, innovative companies a chance – it’s a good thing for the whole Northern economy. I can’t wait to see the innovative solutions we’ll be offered this year!' says Friso Douwstra, Minsiter of Economic Affairs in the Province of Friesland

We think it's important to give young, innovative companies a chance – it’s a good thing for the whole Northern economy.

Friso Douwstra, Minister of Economic Affairs, Province of Friesland.

Twelve challenges

The twelve challenges this year are generated from a number of green and digital transitions in our economy. For example, the City of Groningen is asking ‘how can we ensure that a greater proportion of locally produced food is also consumed locally?’ The Province of Drenthe is looking for a smart solution to the EV charging needs of the future. And Campus Groningen and NHL Stenden University of Applied Science are searching for solutions that can bring together research and innovation beyond their physical locations.

'Start-ups are important for the development of the Northern Netherlands. They are important innovators in our economy. By submitting issues that we as a province have to this group, it’s a win-win. Start-ups get their first customer, and we get an innovative solution for a social issue,' shares Henk Brink, Minister of Economic Affairs at the Province of Drenthe.

A comprehensive overview of all challenges can be found on startupinresidence.com/noord-nederland. On 1 February there will be an information meeting where the challenge ownerswill give extra explanations and answer questions. Startups can apply until 1 March. In May, the selected startups will start the program. 

It’s a win-win. Start-ups get their first customer, and we get an innovative solution for a social issue

Henk Brink, Minister of Economic Affairs at the Province of Drenthe.

Partners

Startup in Residence Noord-Nederland is an initiative of Founded in Groningen and Founded in Friesland, in collaboration with the municipalities of Groningen and Westerkwartier, Region Groningen-Assen, Groningen Seaports, NHL Stenden, Campus Groningen, Biblionet Drenthe and the Provinces of Fryslân, Drenthe and Groningen. The accelerator program started as an initiative in Amsterdam to allow startups and governments to work together in an innovative and equal way.