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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

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Hackathon for Good - The Hague 

Hackathon for Good is an open invitation to anyone who is interested in solving societal challenges by using data and AI.

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Next Valley targets purpose-driven ventures that want to elevate their businesses and act globally. By offering twelve months of tailored support and mentorship, Next Valley prepares startups to get ready for the Dutch and other European markets. This is facilitated by validating the product-market fit and meeting with potential customers and partners. The programme helps you build bridges within the Dutch startup ecosystem. We can also help international companies obtain a startup visa.

The Netherlands is a hub for startup success, from creating multiple unicorns per year to leading in emerging deep tech technologies. This success is fuelled by a healthy business climate, an established financial industry, high-ranking academic institutions, and superior infrastructure.

Next Valley aims to bring your startup or scaleup as close as possible to your desired market. This is made possible by constant check-ups with one of the WorldStartup support managers, dedicated mentorship, expert office hours, online academies & individual training, monitored progress, and last but not least, peer-to-peer support within our network of founders.

: Our programme lasts for 12 months from the moment of a positive response from IND about your Startup Visa, which usually takes about 6-8 weeks for IND to make the decision.

session to discuss your current stage of development and draw a roadmap (Day One);

Dedicated mentorship for a period of 12 months;

Progress monitoring tools and personalised reports on your progress;

Access to our own and/or partners' events;

Exclusive meetups for peer-to-peer learning among impact-driven founders;

Opportunity for co-creation projects with our business partners;

Reduced fee to participate in Market Readiness training (organised multiple times throughout the year);

For international companies: startup visa for a period of 12 months (possibility of prolonging if you are successful in The Netherlands).

Purpose-driven entrepreneurship (social impact + motivated team);

Innovative solution and scalable business model fit to prosper in the Dutch market;

For international companies: proof of funds (16K or 21K euros in savings) is necessary for a startup visa application.

This is a non-equity paid programme that implies:

One-time fee for visa support (if needed) of €500 or €750;

Access to one of the hubs from The Hague - Rotterdam area (price & conditions may vary);

A monthly fee of €500,- for 12 months for which your startup will get:

mentoring, training, and intensive networking;

access to the community and network of WorldStartup.

This relationship contains no investment from WorldStartup.

A 12-month programme for startups and scaleups with an opportunity to obtain your startup visa in The Netherlands.

Ventures aiming to scale up to the European market

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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. 

Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. To celebrate this occasion, we met up with an ambitious female entrepreneur from our WorldStartup community to get to know more about her entrepreneurial journey. Her name is Zina Abboud. 

Zina is the co-founder of the startup ‘Syrian Roots’, commonly known as ‘Leaves by Roots’. Zina and her co-founder, Rami Masri, seek to reduce income inequality, unite cultures and people and improve the food system through their business. Building a network and ecosystem that is advantageous to individuals and the community is crucial in order to appreciate diversity and tell a story.

Leaves by Roots offers Mediterranean cuisine through tasty and environmentally friendly meals. In April, you will be able to taste their meals for yourself, as they will be opening a shop in Almere Central Station, with plans to expand to other train stations in the coming years. But what story does Leaves by Roots want to tell? They tell a story of passion for food, inclusivity, new beginnings, giving back, and aspiring further. 

I am very happy that I followed my passion.  

Co-founding a food chain was not an initiative Zina had envisioned for her future. She graduated from Aleppo University with a degree in Business Management and began her marketing career for the next 11 years. Zina didn't really discover her passion for cuisine until she moved to the Netherlands in 2015. She realized that through food, it would become simpler and quicker for her to acclimate to Dutch society. Yet Zina was confronted with a challenging decision: continue working as a marketer or start a new business in the Netherlands, where she had no prior connections and knew neither the language nor the culture. She took a leap of faith and launched her own catering business. 

For eight years, Zina dedicated her time to growing her catering business. The difficulty: Zina was a lone wolf. Still, she persevered and saw her company succeed to the point where she published her own cookbook on Syrian cuisine in 2018. It was so successful that the Dutch PM Mark Rutte invited her to The Hague for an award ceremony in honour of her book, she was repeatedly invited to cook for the Royal Dutch Family, and she recently won two important awards: the ‘Viva400 award - category Zaken wonders’ and the ‘Beste newcomer 2023 - category founders.’

Fast forward to 2021, the idea of Leaves by Roots was lingering in co-founder Rami Masri’s mind. The original idea was: ‘a Syrian food chain run by newcomers’. When Rami originally asked Zina whether she wanted to work with him on this project, Zina said no. Yet, the idea of introducing Syrian cuisine in an international setting and having the restaurant chain run by newcomers like herself persisted in her mind. This initiative would give talented chefs the opportunity to prove themselves. Soon after, Rami got a call from Zina saying, 

. That day, Leaves by Roots set off on its adventure. 

“It is exciting times for Leaves by Roots,” 

says Zina. Their team, consisting of 12 members, was assembled only last year due to the pandemic. All members come from various backgrounds but are united by a common passion: their love for food. Together, they will help Zina and Rami bring to the Dutch table the original taste of Mediterranean cuisine.

We are at a point where we can say, ‘We are ready!' 

If you spot Leaves by Roots at Almere Central Station, you will notice that the menu, the decorations, and the atmosphere, are all a fusion of Dutch and Syrian culture. You might wonder, why a mix and not a fully Syrian version? 

“In the Netherlands, there is no difference between you and me. The Netherlands is about unity and inclusivity,

” explains Zina, and that is what Leaves by Roots wants to portray to its audience.

“Every day, we set goals, and if we succeed with one goal, we are satisfied,” 

explains Zina. Within the next three years, Leaves by Roots plans to open five additional stores at train stations in other Dutch cities. The long-term objective is to hand over ownership of these businesses to their present staff members, who are also newcomers to the Netherlands. With this in mind, co-founders Rami and Zina are fulfilling their vision of giving an opportunity to talented individuals. The present staff is receiving practical shop management training so that they are prepared to take over when the time comes. 

Leaves by Roots pursues an impact-driven goal rather than a profit-driven one. ‘Care for the people’ and ‘Care for the environment’ are the company's two guiding principles. By offering a workplace for newcomers and assisting local farmers wherever possible rather than purchasing from supermarkets, Leaves by Roots successfully incorporates the human element. They have a ‘zero-plastic’ policy, meaning that all of their packagings are made of cardboard, which demonstrates their concern for the environment.

“It is not only about promoting Syrian Roots, but also about helping people in need who are back in Syria,”

 explains Zina. Their most recent campaign, known as ‘the 10,000 meals challenge’ consists of selling 10 '000 meals within 2 months, where 100% of the profits will go to individuals impacted by the recent earthquake in Syria. By visiting their 

, you may learn more about this initiative and how you can contribute.

In the Netherlands, there is no difference between you and me. The Netherlands is about unity and inclusivity.

Several lessons were gained along the way as Leaves by Roots grew to where they are now:

The initial plan for Leaves by Roots was to have a completely vegetarian menu. However, before taking the decision to open a shop in Almere, both Rami and Zina began researching the city’s potential. They realized that the Netherlands as a whole can be considered a cultural hub where various nationalities thrive and coexist. They would have lost out on a sizable customer segment if they had advertised a vegetarian-only menu.

“You cannot say, ‘I know everything,’”

 says Zina. If you find yourself in a new setting with a business idea, study your new environment. Even after working for many years in the food industry, Zina continues to further her culinary education by enrolling in classes from a range of cuisines. There is no limit to education, every new skill you acquire expands your knowledge.

Despite the grand successes she achieved, Zina’s involvement in the 'one-person team' taught her that one shouldn't attempt to accomplish everything on their own. The quality of the task is always higher when there is teamwork. Zina's decision to participate in Leaves by Roots was significantly influenced by this insight.

We want to have meals that everybody can enjoy. This project is for everybody, not just for us.

This International Women's Day, we caught up with one of our female entrepreneurs from the WorldStartup community. Her story is as inspiring as her venture - Leaves by Roots. Discover how they're tackling income inequality, building bridges across cultures and improving the food system.

The Roots of Flavour: Exploring Culinary Traditions with Zina Abboud 

If you’re new to the concept of a ‘regenerative economy’ and curious about what it entails, you’re in good company! At WorldStartup, we believe that an inclusive and regenerative economy is the way forward for a sustainable future. Let us walk you through the basic concepts for a better understanding. 

The term was coined relatively recently, by the economist John Fullerton in 2015, and it is slowly gaining popularity as a required paradigm shift to the exponential growth our finite world is experiencing. 

Currently, we live in a time of exponential population growth, rising social inequality, resource depletion, biodiversity loss and global warming temperatures. According to the Worldometer, there are 8 billion people in the world as of 2023. The resource consumption of this growing consumer base follows the normalised “take-make-use-dispose” behaviour which requires the exhaustion of the planet’s limited natural capital.

Our current model of economic development cannot sustain our growing society, and this is quickly becoming apparent as materials have been largely depleted and increasingly cost more to extract. The truth is: our current way of doing business poses a threat to the world’s long-term future. It is degenerative by nature, and we keep pushing the boundaries of our planet's capacity, expecting the ecosystem to remain fruitful for many generations to come.

For decades, companies of all sizes have aspired to contribute to a sustainable economy. Proposed initiatives range from emitting less carbon, polluting less, or extracting less new materials. However, the results have been slow to be seen. Many companies are focusing only on doing less harm to the environment instead of rethinking their old ways of working and pursuing a mindset shift. The clearest contrast to a linear economy is a circular one. 

There is no single definition for ‘regenerative economy’. In short and simple words, a regenerative economy focuses on restoring and rebuilding by following the principle of circularity, rather than exploiting and destroying. The idea is to promote life without diminishing capital by finding a balance where nature and society can prosper simultaneously. 

A regenerative or ‘circular’ economy encourages us to reconsider our current take-make-use-dispose system. Instead, it suggests using and reusing our products and materials for as long as possible to allow our natural systems to regenerate. Changemakers around the world have already begun promoting this new concept of economic thinking, and the concept of a circular economy has become more widely accepted as an attractive way forward. 

To achieve a circular economy, we need to:

Redesign our economic and behavioural systems

Have the willingness to adopt new practices.

The idea of “waste” is human-made; it is the outcome of product design choices. Many of the everyday items we use are meant to be thrown away. They have no further purpose at the end of their lifecycle; they cannot be recycled, composted, or reused. These products have “waste built-in”. In nature, the idea of waste does not exist. The circular economy attempts to mimic nature, where all resources re-enter the system after being used and serve as raw materials for the production of new goods.

Attempting to redesign the behavioural (individuals), corporate (firms), and economic systems represents both one of the major challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. For products to be circulated back into the system, they need to be designed with their eventual circulation in mind. To align with this approach, companies around the world are starting to reconsider how they design, manufacture, and remake their products. But many are also not moving away from the linear benchmarks. 

Switching to a regenerative economy has two significant advantages: 

It has the potential to effectively tackle the pressing challenges society is facing today - climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and social inequality. 

It introduces social benefits. A regenerative economy seeks to create a society that is more equitable and just, with opportunities for all people to participate in the economy and benefit from its growth. 

With an economy centred on the values of regeneration, renewal, and restoration, we will be able to better support natural processes while also feeling more connected to and empowered by the environment in which we live. 

The overall purpose of a regenerative economy is to make a positive impact on both nature and society. It will become simpler to accomplish this when both small and large businesses begin to embrace change. 

Recognising that every choice we make should consider the long-term well-being of nature, is the first step towards preserving the long-term welfare of humanity too. For further reading on the subject, we recommend the book “Regeneration: Ending the climate crisis in one generation” by Paul Hawken. An inspiring read that transmits hope and emphasises that it is not too late to take action. 

Let’s embrace a regenerative economy as an opportunity to build a better future!

https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/podcasts/regenerative-economics-a-necessary-paradigm-shift-for-a-world-in-crisis

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/regenerative-capitalism-industry-explainer/

https://capitalinstitute.org/8-principles-regenerative-economy/

https://circulab.com/regenerative-economy-definition/

https://www.southface.org/the-regenerative-economy-sustaining-societys-future-by-design/#_edn4

Regenerative Economy is a relatively new concept that is gaining popularity as the solution to the exponential population growth we are experiencing. It focuses on restoring and rebuilding by following the principle of circularity, which aims to minimise waste and maximise resource use efficiency. For those new to the concept, let us walk you through the basic concepts for a better understanding.

Going Full Circle: The Ultimate Guide to a Regenerative Economy

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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. “

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