The programme is built up in the following phases: 1) Deep dives &Kick-off; 2) Lean Basics; 3) Options & Decisions; 4) Validate & Prototyping; 5) Launching Customer.

1. The first phase is the official opening of the Programme, a first introduction to the public/municipality and the deep dives with the responsible civil servant/mentor/startup. During the deep dives goals are set and expectations are managed.
2. The second phase is all about getting to know each other better and getting to know the lean startup basics. During this period the startup will follow a training programme, have a weekly lunch meeting and a two-weekly meeting with their mentor.
3. The third phase is critical for the rest of the process since this is when the most important decisions on how to proceed are made.
4. Phase four is the ‘Validate & Prototyping’ phase. The prototypes are going to be validated and tested. This phase is based on three key principles: Build – Measure – Learn. This is an on-going process.
5. The last phase is ‘launching customer’. If solutions prove successful, the City of Amsterdam will invest in the startup as a launching customer and thereby significantly kick-start the startup’s career.

We can only act as a visa facilitator if the Startup is a participant of the Startup in Residence Programme. The organisation does not accept requests from non-participating startups.

You can find more information about the startup visa here below (see section 1.5 of the request for tender, the complete tender can also be found on our ‘apply’ section).

1.5 Startup Visa Facilitator
Since 2015, ambitious entrepreneurs can apply for a temporary residence permit for the Netherlands. The residence permit ‘scheme for startups’ affords entrepreneurs one year to launch an innovative business. A prerequisite is that the startup must be guided by an experienced mentor (facilitator) who is based in the Netherlands.

The City is a recognised facilitator and is qualified to guide startups that would like to apply for a startup (residence) permit in the Netherlands. To qualify for the City’s guidance as facilitator, the Startup will have to be a participant of the Programme. When a Startup is selected and accepted to the Programme, it can request that the Startup in Residence organisation act as its facilitator. The Startup in Residence organisation will consider the request and will make the final decision on whether it will take on the role as facilitator.

The City and the Startup in Residence organisation have no obligation to act as a facilitator for Startups participating in the Programme.

For more general information about the residence permit for startups in the Netherlands and the application procedure, see: http://english.rvo.nl/subsidies-programmes/residence-permit-foreign-start-ups.

No, when the City decides to invest in the solution and becomes launching customer, the startup must base itself in the Metropolitan Area of Amsterdam (as you can read in the Tender for Request). 

The selection committee consists of highly skilled and knowledgeable people. There is no fixed amount of committee members, but in general there will be the civil servant responsible for the challenge (client), an expert on innovation, an expert on entrepreneurship and someone from the Startup in Residence Programme.

The application and presentation can be both in Dutch or English.

No, it is not.

This is not the intention of the programme. However, if it’s beneficial for the development of the solution the municipality can decide to help te startup develop the product/solution.

No, the City has the intention to become launching customer at the end of the programme. This all depends on the provided solution of the startup. Intention is not the same as a promise.

1 – 1,5 days per week.

Yes, you can apply for multiple challenges.

Yes, the startup remains 100% owner of the product/service.

The deadline for asking questions is 24 September (23.59pm).

Yes, that is possible.

For each challenge you need to fill in a new application.

You can apply with the same solution for all the three different challenges.

There has to be a business model. This does not have to be the definitive version because further development of the business plan/ business model is part of the Startup in Residence Programme.

The main objective of this programme is not to help startups get seed capital. If it’s beneficial for the development of the solution the municipality can decide to help te startup develop the product/solution.

Yes, this is possible, provided that you meet the requirements for startups as explained on the website.

Very much so. This programme is partner driven. We are always on the lookout for partners and coaches: parties that can help startups and the municipality to make the programme successful.

To the startup as it is registered at the Chamber of Commerce. A one-man business is a possibility.

All of these options are possible. It depends on the participating startups.

The programme will take about 8 to 12 hours per week. Presence on these days is obligatory. For the other days working at a distance is possible.

No, the programme will take about 8 to 12 hours per week.

Yes, there are a lot of connections with scientific institutes such as Amsterdam Metropolitan Solutions and the University of Amsterdam. We have an extensive network to which we can connect not yet participating mentors when a startup has a particular demand for this.

Certainly. Scalability is one of the assessment criteria. The City of Amsterdam can even help you connect to other cities.

Yes, a consortium of natural persons (freelancers, sole proprietorship, general partnership) may participate in the programme as long as you do not have more than ten salaried employees and fulfil all other requirements as stated on the website. You cannot apply as a consortium of legal entities. It is possible to explain how the startup will cooperate with other parties who do not participate in the programme.

No, that’s not a requirement. If the City decides to purchase the product/service of the startup when the programme has finished, it is a requirement that the company or a subsidiary of the company is registered in Amsterdam.

Yes, it is possible to apply for multiple social challenges. For each challenge you need to fill out a new application form.

Startups will focus on one city during the 6-month programme, but SIRA provides opportunities to learn from, share experiences and network with other municipalities.

Schedules will be agreed upon with your partnering department, but at least 1 person from your team must be available in person once per week to meet with your client and participate in all trainings and workshops.

The City will provide work space (access may vary) and the startups will be introduced to strategic accelerator and local co-working space partners.

SIRA is a programme opportunity to test ideas and develop new technology products and services. It is not a substitute for a contract to sell an existing product or service to government. It is the City’s intention to act as launching customer at the end of the programme.

SIRA allows startups to work with city partners to build, refine and/or co-develop products that address critical and meaningful social challenges. It is the City’s intention to act as launching customer at the end of the programme. The 6-month SIRA programme also includes:

• Training/workshops (an incubator programme of the City and its partners) for an average of four hours a week;
• Professional mentoring/coaching;
• Internal content guidance from the City;
• Peer-to-peer learning;
• Workspace (at partners and the City);
• The network of the City;
• Process support;
• Product or service development;
• Access to startup events;
• The City can act as a Startup Visa Facilitator.

SIRA is a 6-month programme. It is the City’s intention to act as launching customer at the end of the programme.

No, the Programme does not provide any kind of bursary or financial support for rent expenses or employees pay etc.

You need to be further than just an idea. The business must own an MVP/prototype/beta version. Not having a physical prototype does not mean that you cannot participate in the programme. It’s also possible to show a prototype of your service. Most important is that you can show what you have to offer and what benefits it brings. Obviously, the SIR-programme helps you to further develop your prototype during the programme.

Any solution is worth talking about.

If you google “Onderzoek VVE Amsterdam” you find research in Dutch.

Yes, but scalability can be an interesting part of the approach.

Yes, but till now using rewards in Amsterdam was not very successful.

We want to stimulate sustainability in both the behaviour of civil servants and the choices they make in their work for Amsterdam. The goals can be found in the coalition agreement and programs of Amsterdam: climate-neutral (in 2030), gas-free, emission-free transport, circularity and car-free city).

Something to profile the city as sustainable during Euro2020 for 4 weeks. For everyone. We will build a fan zone and a football village. This can, for example, be decorated in a sustainable way. It is important that your solution is visible to visitors. Surprise us. Everything is possible. Think out of the box.

Everything is possible, if it shows visitors in a nice way that Amsterdam is sustainable. And the goodie bag is obviously sustainable. Note the criteria that the solution has to be innovative and reusable for other events.

Yes. We are not specifically looking for something related to football. We want to make the city attractive to everyone, and therefore offer something for everyone. Yoga can be an option if it shows that the city is sustainable during Euro 2020 (and beyond).

Free public transport in the city is provided during Euro2020.

It’s not necessarily linked to the Arena, but of course the startup can profile itself in that area. The challenge is about what Euro2020 means for the city of Amsterdam. And not only during sport activities. Your solution can be anything, from behavourial change of visitors to innovative tech solutions at the fan zone.

We want to stimulate sustainability in both the behaviour of civil servants and the choices they make in their work for Amsterdam. The goals can be found in the coalition agreement and programs of Amsterdam: climate-neutral (in 2030), gas-free, emission-free transport, circularity and car-free city).

It is for growing.

Yes, there are many small cafes, restaurants and shops.

Many cafés and restaurants have a lot of organic waste that’s not collected separately. But we are mainly looking for a solution for the nuisance of suppliers and waste collection services. Collecting waste on a cleaner way also means separating more. Separation is difficult for small entrepreneurs in small spaces. Because of hygiene.

The proposal of the startup will be assessed based on the assessment criteria. When selected the municipality and the startup will evaluate how the product or service of the startup can be further developed. The goal of the municipality is become a Launching Customer for the startup.

There has to be a business model. This does not have to be the definitive version because further development of the business plan/ business model is part of the startup in residence programme.

Depending on the specific solution the startup offers, the municipality will make sure that the stakeholder within the municipality will be involved.

Yes.

If you offer a product for which there has to be a prototype, this is a requirement. If you offer a service it is possible to show a prototype of your service. It is important that you can present what you have to offer and what the benefits of your service are.

Not having a physical prototype does not mean that you cannot participate in the programme. It’s also possible to show a prototype of your service. Most important is that you can show what you have to offer and what benefits it brings.