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Border Sessions - Out of Chaos edition

The Border Sessions Out of Chaos edition is an in-person event at The Grey Space in the Middle in The Hague on Nov. 2.

Technology is key to keeping pace with the growing need for a strong and trustworthy relationship between the government and the public. We believe that we can unite all parties in a dynamic collaboration to stimulate civic connection. The GovTechNL programme accelerates the development of new products, systems and concepts for bright and positive cooperation in the public domain. We strive to play a leading role and are highly motivated to grow the best possible community for civic innovation.

GovTechNL is full of events and activities for different types of collaboration! We brought the community together at The Hague Tech on September 13 for an interactive session where all participants had a chance to share their ideas and collaborate with others who are enthusiastic about tech in government.

The objectives of the last interactive session were: 

Bring people together to further develop the GovTechNL community

Articulate the purpose, function and what is possible for GovTechNL

The session was facilitated by Matt Barnaby and Svitlana Khrystenko, who led the crowd through a series of activities to foster brainstorming and active interactions between participants.

The session began with the quick speed networking. Participants were tasked to find a partner and talk on a certain topic for 2 minutes, then switch to another participant. The questions included: 

If you were to implement a new law what could it be?

All your non-work related apps vanish - what is the first one you reinstall and why?

After an energetic start the crowd divided into several small groups to ensure active participation. They now brainstormed on these questions: 

How can we make sure that GovTechNL is the worst possible thing you've been involved in?

What do we need to do as a community to prevent it from happening?

At the end of the exercise, they presented their outcomes. Several important outcomes were:

Throughout the session participants also created inspiring messages to themselves as they were writing them 2 years later. What was achieved during these 2 years at GovTechNL? What are we proud of? What lessons did we learn along the way that we'd like to advise our current 2022 selves on? You can find the full cards on 

 where we collected all the results from the in-person session. 

The challenge that GovTechNL faces now is in bringing the public and the government together to accelerate the development of new products, systems, and concepts for bright change in the society. The last activity helped participants think about this challenge from the perspective of opportunities. With how might we questions, they turned challenges into opportunities. With what if we questions, they continued thinking about possible solutions and dropped some valuable ideas on how to go about pursuing these opportunities.

This session was a first step toward creating an innovation hub dedicated to collaboration between the public and the government. According to the steering committee on the initiative, which will meet in the coming weeks, many more announcements are forthcoming, including news of the official launch of a new brand identity, participation in the GovTech summit and more. We look forward to hearing your thoughts about this initiative and hope that you will participate in its development.

GovTechNL is full of events and activities for different types of collaboration! We brought the community together at The Hague Tech on September 13th  for an interactive session, where all participants had a chance to share their ideas and collaborate with others who are enthusiastic about tech in government.

Co-creation is key to innovation

Daniël Steginga and Alwin Veldboom have supported the Municipality of The Hague with formulating a Challenge for Startup in Residence with the Worldstartup Challenge Discovery & Definition process. Startups can now register until 12th of May 2022 with a solution to the question: how can we make it easier for people with occupational limitations to find a suitable job and to fill it in a sustainable way?

The Municipality of The Hague wants to help more people with occupational limitations find work. There are approximately 25,000 job seekers in the Municipality of The Hague. These are people who ask the municipality for help and receive financial support. More than 10,000 people with occupational limitations are still looking for a job.

Social issues can be complex, solutions cannot only be conceived and developed internally within a single organization. There is a need for collaboration with outside parties, such as start-ups or scale-ups. To recruit and select the right parties, the first step was to clarify and formulate the challenge. For this reason, the Challenge Discovery & Definition trajectory was introduced. In Discovery sessions, we discussed the various challenges surrounding an inclusive labor market in The Hague, with various groups of colleagues within the municipality. A shortlist of topics was made, based on certain criteria, which were used as the focus during each Definition session. Possible challenge questions were formulated, the scope and the innovation objective was determined, solution criteria and success factors were devised, stakeholders identified and an extensive Challenge briefing was drawn up.

Successful innovation projects start with a clearly defined (social) challenge and involvement of internal and external innovators. Looking for a good start to your innovation project or program? WorldStartup and Outside Inc. are very happy to support you further.

Daniël Steginga and Alwin Veldboom have supported the Municipality of The Hague with formulating a Challenge for Startup in Residence with the Worldstartup Challenge Discovery & Definition process.

Governments' innovation starts with understanding your challenges

Book a call with Alice

Entrepreneurship can drive a sustainable and inclusive economy by cultivating an impact-focused mindset in the startup/scaleup scene. Feminine values play a crucial role in promoting progressive business practices. Values like collaboration, empathy, and flexibility prioritize zebras over unicorns, emphasize long-term thinking over short-term gains, and align profit with purpose instead of at its expense.

Under Regenerative Capital Room x Capital House, Women in Ventures aims to address two goals within the Dutch impact-focused startup/scaleup landscape:



1. Spark dialogue on balancing feminine and masculine values

 in the startup ecosystem, prompting investors and startups to rethink their practices and roles.



2. Improve access to capital and resources

 for women entrepreneurs and investors through curated programs, events, and opportunities for learning, connecting, and investing.

Workshops at 4 conferences sparking conversations on feminine values in business and impact capital models.

 Boost investor readiness by hosting 4 startup pitch trainings.

6+ matchmaking events with 20 attendees each showcasing women-led startups to investors.

Facilitate knowledge sharing by hosting 1 entrepreneurship incubator (WorldStartup) and 1 business investor course (The Angel Initiative).

Supporting gender diversity and impact entrepreneurship by promoting feminine values in entrepreneurship and investment.

Engagement and recognition in the community, events, and programmes.

Advocate for (more) women in the financial world.

Strategic investment in diverse leadership.

Join us in 2024 to collectively accelerate Women Impact Entrepreneurs and Investors!

Opportunity Lead

Women in Ventures

Accelerating Feminine Values by Empowering  Women Entrepreneurs and Investors

Meetup Page

The Urban Sensing Lab is a physical location at the GovTech NL space, situated at The Hague Tech. It is a program that empowers citizens to engage with technology, allowing them to conduct research, collaborate on city challenges, and develop solutions using available technology. Smart Citizens are granted a seat at the design table of the Smart City.

The Urban Sensing Lab welcomes all urban enthusiasts and citizens of The Hague who are eager to experiment, test their skills, and create innovative solutions for Smart Cities. There is no age limit. However, all communication and sessions will be conducted in English, fostering an inclusive environment. Note the programme is facilitated in Dutch.

The local municipality wants to involve smart citizens into building the future of the city. This program is made to attract proactive citizens to work together. Have you thought about measuring the air quality in your neighbourhood or what type of birds migrate to your garden during summer or how clean is grass in a park next door? With Urban Sensing Lab you can measure anything you want in the city and get insights that are not only useful for you but for your neighbours and event the city.

As a participant, you will learn how to identify challenges, develop solutions, prototype and test your concepts. Throughout the program, participants will receive a budget to build their solutions and present them at the end.

Our bustling online community on WhatsApp is the perfect place for smart citizens and enthusiasts. Here, you'll have the opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in your field of interest. Whether you're passionate about technology, science, art, or anything in between, you'll find a welcoming space to connect, learn, and grow. Don't miss out on the chance to be part of our vibrant community – 

join us today and unlock a world of endless opportunities

We gather regularly to meet, learn and engage with the community. You can join our meetups anytime and free of charge. We gather at The Hague Tech (Wilhelmina van Pruisenweg 35, 2595 AN Den Haag). Read more about the meetups on 

. Note that the meetups and the communication is in Dutch.

Dates

Urban enthusiasts and citizens of The Hague

For whom

Language

Urban Sensing Lab

In a world where technology is rapidly transforming our urban landscapes, it is essential to recognise and celebrate the individuals who are at the forefront of this digital revolution.

Autumn 2023

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Basecamp

Exploration phase startups

Apply for Basecamp

Are you ready to join our community of successful changemakers?

Reach out

Do you want to know more?

Basecamp is for

Purpose-driven startups who strive to change the world for better join Basecamp Incubator!

Core Pillars

Mentorship

Knowledge Platform

Community

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Altitude

Validation phase startups

Ivana Dvořáková, founder of Terraz Food

Experiences

Keep me updated

How to apply?

Altitude is for

An all-inclusive support programme of 3+ years, from entering the market to sustainable growth.

Why join Altitude?

Tailored support

Training programmes

Peer-to-peer learning

Next Valley

All startups

What can I expect?

Making it Possible: Drones with X-ray Vision

Previous Alumni

Next Valley is for 

A 12-month coaching programme, created for ambitious founders looking for guidance without the typical pressure of an all-in startup programme.

The 3 Pillars of the Programme

Dedicated coach

Kick-off session

Ongoing, tailored coach meetings

Expert Talk #2 - Master the art of storytelling

Learn how to improve yourself and your startup from straightforward meetings with real experts.

Startup Tuesday with GovTech NL

Startup Tuesday is a monthly event to inspire and connect like-minded entrepreneurs. This edition is a collaboration with GovTech NL. 

My name is Margot and I’m the Project Manager for ImpactView. Besides working at ImpactView/WorldStartup, which is my student job, I’m currently doing my Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering at TUDelft. Daily, I explore the world of materials, from ‘how does a beam react to any type of force?’ to more in-depth quantum mechanics, ‘what does an electron do?’ or ‘where do the atoms go?’. I enjoy learning new ways of thinking too, which I can later apply in my job at WorldStartup and see the impact it has in a real-life work experience.

Apart from studying and working, I play professional field hockey. I began playing when I was 9 or 10 years old and now I play in the highest league of The Netherlands, the Hoofdklasse for the first ladies team of HDM. I learned a lot from field hockey, from working in teams to accepting criticism and knowing what you need to improve. It’s not only helped me as an athlete but as a person as well. Playing field hockey is my biggest passion, becoming a better player everyday.

What’s the most important thing you’re working on right now and how are you making it happen?

I’m currently working on the ImpactView Startup site. We have two sections: the

I’m focusing on creating a startup model based on the combination of ImpactView’s and WorldStartup’s databases that will allow us to expand within Europe. With the help of a colleague, I’ve made progress on the investors’ list where we’re figuring out how to combine spreadsheets. We’re planning to start expanding in November!

 that will be published later this August. We will incorporate ecosystems, accelerators, and co-working spaces to the list so startups can easily find these if needed and we can also provide them with extra help other than on the fundraising side.

Tell us more about the function of ImpactView.

The start of ImpactView was pretty simple, there were two lists. One featuring impact-driven startups and the other showcasing impact investors. After the merger with WorldStartup, the goal expanded. Now, we’re using all the data both companies have gathered throughout the years and mixing them to connect with more investors while providing them with a wider range of impactful startups.

What sets us apart is that our main focus lies on impact-driven startups and impact-related topics. ImpactView is a platform tailored to those making a positive difference. Unlike some competitors who deal with all types of startups, we only feature companies, investors and incubator programmes that are impact-driven.

Also, we’re able to showcase specific subcategories upon unique investor preferences. For instance, if an investor is interested in impact-driven startups in the aviation industry, we can scan our database for them and easily display them in a separate list.

Where did the idea of ImpactView come from?

ImpactView was founded by Paul Musters. He found a gap. He began speaking with multiple investors from the startup ecosystem and discovered that they were looking to invest in impact-driven startups. The catch: these investors couldn’t find these startups easily as there existed no readily accessible list with the names of these ventures. That’s where the idea clicked.

How has ImpactView developed over the years?

They published the first list which already included both startups and investors around  September 2020, and then I joined in February 2022. Pretty fast I was within the team and began looking for new startups to contact, from that moment onwards our exposure just kept on growing. Our latest release happened  this past April. It is clear how more investors and startups are showing interest in receiving the lists. They’re seeing its value and that’s pretty cool!

For instance, when I reached out to startups after joining ImpactView, I didn’t receive many responses. It was normal for them not to engage with me when I checked their LinkedIN profiles. Nowadays, I think half of the people that I reach out to on LinkedIN, respond expressing an interest in learning more about ImpactView. We’re getting much more exposure and now people are realising how handy the list can be!

Why is now the time for ImpactView to exist?

I think the yearning for making an impact and especially in regards to sustainability is so high at the moment. Especially in the growing economy we’re experiencing. We can't go around it anymore. Five years ago ‘sustainability’ wasn't a trending topic and I can see how now, in almost every conversation you have, whether it's about building a product or having a business idea, sustainability is one of the first questions that comes to mind.

Can you highlight one achievement of ImpactView that you are proud of?

There’s not just one big moment, but mainly being told from third parties how meaningful ImpactView can be. When I started, I saw it simply as a spreadsheet. Of course, there was a lot of data in it but I’m not a data analyst, I’m an engineer and I questioned myself “What am I going to do with this much raw data?”

Soon enough, I realised that by looking into possible locations where startups could potentially grow, I was creating opportunities for them through a spreadsheet! Colleagues began coming to me interested in learning more about the list or trying to find ways that I could help them using it. That was very rewarding, I began feeling like an asset to the company.

What are the plans for ImpactView 5 years from now?

Oh that’s a good question! For sure, the expansion into Europe from the startup’s side. On the investor’s side, we’ve already slowly begun. More into the future, our expansion worldwide! We really want to explore potential locations where there is opportunity for startup ecosystems to develop. It would be really cool to have one go-to place in the world that is tailored for impact-driven startups and investors.

What have been both your favourite and least-liked parts of working in ImpactView?

Favourite? Definitely learning about all the startups! I have a background in Industrial Design Engineering, so to see all those crazy ideas and reading how people come up with them is super cool!

Usually, you’ll see me sitting behind my laptop thinking “Oh wow, this is a great idea!” and suddenly, I’m way too deep into the details. At times, I have to remind  myself that I need to gather raw data and put it into the spreadsheet, which is my least favourite part. I guess they go hand-in-hand.

Perhaps it’s the athlete in me, but talking to the founders and learning how they came up with the idea is super inspiring! They are such driven individuals, working 24/7 to improve their product. It’s just like in hockey, to succeed you have to want it and be constantly willing to improve.

Curious to know more about ImpactView? Check out it's landing 

 and enter the world of impact entrepreneurship!

Meet Margot, a Materials Science student, professional field hockey player, and Project Manager at ImpactView. Discover the captivating world of purpose-driven startups, as we introduce to you ImpactView—a platform that connects investors with game-changing ventures! In a captivating conversation, Margot shares her journey, the goals of ImpactView, and its role on the startup ecosystem.

Exploring ImpactView: A conversation with Margot van Hecking Colenbrander

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, one pressing issue that often remains unaddressed is the challenges faced by mothers in balancing their careers with the demands of motherhood. Angela Fusaro, founder of Every Mother Knows, recognised the urgent need to bridge this gender and talent gap. With a mission to empower moms and connect them with family-friendly job opportunities, Angela’s Amsterdam-based organisation is revolutionising the way companies approach employee recruitment and create inclusive work environments.

In this interview, she shares her inspiring journey, sheds light on the issues faced by mothers in the job market, and highlights how Every Mother Knows is making a difference for working mothers in The Netherlands. This is only the beginning. Ready to be empowered?

Motherhood can bring immeasurable joys, but also often entails a ‘penalty’ in the job market. Women, upon returning to work after their maternity leave, often face numerous challenges. “They are not only employees anymore, they are working moms. A different type of support is required”, says Angela.


Back in 2018, the Dutch recruitment process was highly competitive and unfortunately, often overlooked candidates who had career gaps on their CVs. Oftentimes, this gap was the result of motherhood. “There was an untapped pool of talent hidden in the playground”, Angela affirms. She recognised the struggle all too well. Motivated by her own experience of feeling unsupported upon returning to work after her first maternity leave, Angela embarked on a mission to find solutions for mothers seeking to navigate their professional paths, both new and experienced.

These are women who made the conscious decision to settle down in the Netherlands and grow their careers and families. It is important to help them connect with job opportunities.

Soon enough, in 2018, Every Mother Knows was launched as a freelance career coaching practice. Clients were approached on an individual basis, providing them with tools to enhance their CVs, optimise their LinkedIn profiles, and master the art of interview preparation. As word spread about the impact of Every Mother Knows, within only three months, Angela’s workshops began to attract an ever-growing number of eager participants.

Recognising that a community was slowly being built, Angela took the initiative to organise community events that would serve as a gathering point for mothers, foster a sense of belonging and offer a lifeline in their quest to secure their next job. Angela reflects, “I wanted to let mothers know that we existed and that there was support available to help them navigate their career journeys.”

Driven by the desire to make a broader impact, Every Mother Knows has evolved into a fully functioning AI-driven recruitment platform as of 2022. This platform goes beyond traditional job search methods. First, it grants home-based mothers unlimited access to a wide range of job opportunities and freelance jobs within the Dutch job market. Second, it facilitates direct connections between companies and candidates, giving companies the chance to discover and engage with potential hires in a more streamlined manner. Lastly, they developed a bias detector which helps companies assess the inclusivity of their job vacancy descriptions. “Before job postings are published, companies can go through Every Mother Knows for feedback and suggestions on a more inclusive language,” explains Angela.

“From the beginning, I rolled up my sleeves and focused on making it happen”

“At the beginning, I didn’t see myself as an entrepreneur. It wasn’t my professional identity,” Angela admits. Considering her lack of business background, to grow her business, she had to take the leap and learn all the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, even if it meant making mistakes and navigating challenges along the way.

Initially, she didn’t envision the company she is now running. Her initial idea had a different vision and focused on other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). However, looking back, Angela realises that Every Mother Knows naturally transformed and grew in a very organic way. In June 2023, Riccardo Pallaoro officially joined the company as a co-founder and CTO to help Angela with the development of their digital talent platform and will be leading their innovation and growth in tech.

They have sealed successful partnerships with renowned international companies such as Rituals and Workiva, diversifying the recruiting talent and contributing to a more inclusive society. A most rewarding experience was the implementation of the “Returnship Programme” in the Netherlands. This initiative offers a path for experienced professionals who have taken a break from work to reenter the job market. The kickoff led to successful hirings and permanent positions for several mothers, making it a significant accomplishment for the company.

Angela and Riccardo celebrating the start of their official collaboration and cheering for a prosperous future together.

Every Mother Knows envisions becoming the go-to platform for mothers worldwide, offering a diverse selection of work opportunities and freelance roles at the touch of a button. Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Angela acknowledges both the joys and challenges she has encountered. She has embraced each one as an opportunity for growth, resilience, personal and professional development.

As a mother of two who has personally navigated the process of returning to her corporate job after maternity leave, Angela shares three valuable tips for mothers seeking to reenter the workforce:

Nurturing self-confidence is essential for professionals planning to resume their careers after a break. “Brush up your skills, network, and stay informed about your industry’s trends. It will boost confidence and enhance professional identity,” she explains.

Taking care of yourself ensures you can effectively manage the demands of work and motherhood. Remember you are the driving force behind your professional life. Take breaks, disconnect from socials, and invest in your own recovery.

Angela understood the importance of recognising that the market is constantly changing. She knew that being flexible and adaptable in adjusting her solutions was crucial to play a role in driving change. So, let go of preconceived notions and be open to the evolving needs of the market.

By leveraging technology and cultivating meaningful partnerships, the team behind Every Mother Knows is committed to reshaping the future of work, where motherhood and career advancement co-exist. Discover more about Angela and her business through their educational 

, found on Spotify. Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive professional environment for all.


Motherhood can bring immeasurable joys, but also often entails a ‘penalty’ in the job market. Discover Angela Fusaro’s mission to bridge the gap between motherhood and career advancement. Her venture Every Mother Knows is slowly revolutionising the job market. Join the movement!

From Maternity Breaks to Career Success: Reshaping the Narrative of Working Mothers with Angela Fusaro

Partners of the GovTech NL

These and many other companies work together to ensure the hub is achieving its objectives.

Contribute to the transition. Join the community

GovTech NL

Centre for Civic Innovation

Join us now! 

Do you think your startup is a match? 

Opportunity for startups

Find us here

About GovTech NL

GovTech NL is set to contribute to the innovation of our public sector.

Partners of Sustainable Aviation

This hub is a part of the Airport Technology LAB (ATL). ATL is supported by EFRO/ Kansen voor West.

Contribute to the transition. Meet RHIA or view our projects

Sustainable Aviation

Together We Make Innovation Fly

We innovate for

The future of aviation. To make it more sustainable and easier. 

” The idea for the company surfaced during his Masters where he worked on a project for Indonesia. During this project Rushabh was working on how to use plastic waste, which was abundant in Indonesia, and how to solve the issue of unsafe constructions. That is where he decided to design a brick that can be manufactured anywhere and people can use it, making it a solution for both problems. He saw a great potential for the project to be applied, strengthened by the positive feedback he received from his peers and professors. “

If there is a possibility of this happening, I want to take it up right now.

” Rushabh recalls his mentality being at the time. Seeing as he had just graduated his Masters, he had more time, less responsibilities, and he was very passionate about this project. “

I see a big necessity for such a project.

” Rushabh grew up in Mumbai, India. He studied to become an architect, and was deeply afflicted by how a majority of the city’s population lived in squatter settlements, and why architects or the architectural profession were not able to cater to these people. “

Besides it having been a successful project during my Masters, it is also the emotional side of knowing the context of where I grew up that motivates me.

” He came to The Netherlands in 2016, where he did his Masters at TU Delft. “

I hadn’t planned much in advance, but I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, so things just happened the way they happened.

It’s not just ment as a product, but something that enables people to unlock their capability of building their own house, and being able to afford their own house, while also being a hope for reducing pollution, and in that way also creating jobs.

In July 2019, Rushabh came into contact with WorldStartup. This happened coincidentally as his business partner Frans Taminiau knew Hub Jongen, the Startup Support Director at WorldStartup. WorldStartup saw the potential in “Conscious Designs”, and their views on impact were aligned. Rushabh mentions that the things that WorldStartup helped him the most with were making them feel comfortable as entrepreneurs, being patient with them, while also giving them really good training and mentorship. “

They followed up on us, and made sure that we were focused on the impact that we wanted to create.

” They gave them the tools to make their approach sharper. “

WorldStartup was more about lifting us rather than protecting us.

” is how Rushabh describes his company’s value. Not just as a product, but something that enables people to unlock their capability of building their own house, and being able to afford their own house, while also being a hope for reducing pollution, and in that way also creating jobs. “

Something that can serve people by helping people help themselves.

” The brick prototypes that Rushabh’s company currently produces in Rotterdam are made from waste plastics that they get from partnerships. One of their biggest partnerships is with a textile manufacturing company that has around 300 kilos of plastic waste every month. Currently they are doing a project in Ghana. Despite wanting to implement this project in Mumbai, Rushabh has done some analyses and came to the conclusion that it requires a lot more planning, as land is expensive and there are more challenges to overcome. That is why he thinks that before implementation in Mumbai, they will most likely develop their project in some smaller cities in India. Besides their project in Ghana, they have also explored ideas of bringing the project to Kenya, Malawi and Mexico, but they have decided to focus on one community first. The way they get plastic waste in African countries is different from in Europe, In Ghana, they are going to be working with informal waste recycling organisations in Accra to source their plastic waste, while supporting the local informal economy.

Rushabh is inspired by people who are less fortunate. A lot of people have the skills to help the people in need, but they either lack the motivation to use their skills in those sectors or circumstances hold them back. “

If I really want something to change, and I become the first domino to fall, I just need to do that once successfully and then the rest can follow.

” When asked about his greatest achievement thus far, Rushabh said that it has been about inspiring people, and being able to speak about these issues of waste plastic and affordable housing on global platforms. “

A lot of people have said that it is nice that younger people are taking up the fight against these problems.

All Impact-first startups at a glance

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Our goal is to support impact startups in order to create positive change in the world.

Our goals

Impact Investing Discovery

Impact Startup Community

Grant and Government Support

Stories

Exploring ImpactView: A conversation with Margot van Hecking Colenbrander

From Maternity Breaks to Career Success: Reshaping the Narrative of Working Mothers with Angela Fusaro

Going Full Circle: The Ultimate Guide to a Regenerative Economy

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