What is Boost je Buurt?
Are you an impact entrepreneur who makes Amsterdam’s neighbourhoods healthier, more inclusive or more sustainable? The City of Amsterdam’s Boost je Buurt challenge includes a business development programme valued at €2,500 and an additional development budget of up to €7,500.
Boost je Buurt (Dutch for Boost Your Neighbourhood) is an initiative of Amsterdam Impact, the City of Amsterdam’s impact entrepreneurship initiative, in collaboration with Amsterdam’s seven city districts and city area Weesp.
Impact Hub Amsterdam delivers the entrepreneurship development programme with Voorjebuurt, Starters4Communities and Innofest, helps scout Amsterdam-based entrepreneurs and offers support during the Boost je Buurt final.
How does Boost je Buurt work?
The challenge partners select three or four impact entrepreneurs for each of the seven city districts (stadsdelen) and city area Weesp. The selection criteria include a clear contribution to a relevant societal issue and a sound revenue model.
Impact Hub Amsterdam supervises the entrepreneurship development programme, which consists of workshops, e-learning modules and coaching sessions. In addition, Boost je Buurt participants get access to the networks of the municipality, Impact Hub Amsterdam, and other challenge partners and receive guidance in exploring these networks.
After completing the programme, the entrepreneurs launch a public campaign to get votes from fellow Amsterdammers. Finally, at the festive closing event, we announce the jury and public award winners, and thus two sets of €2,500, €5,000, and €7,500 prizes.
Who won the previous editions of Boost je Buurt?
The winners of the 2021 public awards were Bijlmer Bookstore (first place), Schrijver in je Buurt (second place), and De Buurtkringloop (third place). Bijlmer Bookstore also won the top jury prize, while Women Skate The World and Spin AI secured the second and third prizes, respectively. Meet the 28 participants of Boost je Buurt 2021.
The winners of the 2022 public awards were Bims Tour Guides (first place), FC Weesp (second place) and LSTNR (third place). In addition, Juiciety, Marie Marie and Bar Bario won the first, second and third jury prizes, respectively. Meet the 30 participants of Boost je Buurt 2022. Meet the 30 participants of Boost je Buurt 2022.
