The GovTech Connect project encompasses a variety of initiatives convening and mobilizing the GovTech innovation ecosystem. It aims at bringing together startups and SMEs, public and private GovTech gamechangers, investors, civil society, academia and NGOs to exchange information and create solutions with lasting impact.

Thus, one of the main objectives of the project is to create and animate a GovTech community, and it does so through a wide range of activities.

As we approach our Project’s Final Event, we invite you to join us in celebrating the progress made within this community and to explore the impact that has been generated from our initiatives. 

Establishing and engaging a European GovTech community presents various challenges, as highlighted by lessons learned throughout the project. 

A primary issue is defining the community’s boundaries. Indeed, the GovTech Connect community encompasses LinkedIn followers, members of the GovTech Connect Collection on the Interoperable Europe Portal, and individuals engaged through project activities. Yet, these groups often lack cohesion and synchronization, which could complicate community building efforts.

Moreover, the Interoperable Europe Portal, while useful for sharing knowledge on European interoperability issues and solutions, is not optimized for community-building purposes. Consequently, members often take a passive role, and initiatives to onboard users and encourage active participation face significant hurdles.

For this reason, our approach to attract new members to the community has shifted towards personalized interactions, such as introductory calls, rather than relying solely on email communication. This method helps us better understand stakeholders’ strengths and interests, tailor their involvement, and expand our network. 

LinkedIn has proven to be a key tool for building and nurturing the community, while other platforms like Twitter/X have had less impact. In particular, maintaining engagement requires consistent and compelling content. 

Collaborations and synergies with other projects and initiatives have emerged as key elements in maximizing impact. For instance, integrating the GovTech4All project within our Interoperable Europe Portal Collection led to increased visibility and new members acquisition. Another example was the Webinar organized in collaboration with the Public Sector Tech Watch Project, that allowed us to reach a broader audience.

These insights have helped us refine our approach, resulting in significant impact. Our LinkedIn audience has grown to over 2,500 followers, and we’ve gathered 355 members on the Interoperable Europe Portal. However, the most notable and concrete impact from a community building perspective has come from the Boot camps.

The GovTech Connect Boot camps are the first EU-wide startup support programs, aimed at helping early-stage tech startups create innovative solutions for public sector challenges. Conducted online over four to five weeks, with one training day per week, the Boot camps included masterclasses, expert sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. These programs helped participants gain the skills and knowledge needed to address specific public sector issues, culminating in a final pitch session where startups presented their solutions to experts, government officials, and investors.

In total, 53 startups were selected from 88 applicants to participate in the Boot camps, with over 50 experts, including members of the GovTech Connect consortium and external specialists from public administrations, EDIHs and other institutions providing guidance throughout the sessions. The Western and Eastern Europe Boot camps also introduced a mentoring component, where mentors were paired with startups to offer tailored support.

While the project is still ongoing, early feedback from the Boot camps participants has been positive, indicating that the programmes have significantly aided startups in understanding how to collaborate effectively with the public sector. Many participants reported progress in navigating public procurement and the tender process, which are critical for engaging with government entities.

Early achievements from the GovTech Connect Boot camps include attracting an international audience during two Pitch Days, featuring investors and public sector representatives. Notably, one startup initiated talks to create a GovTech community in Serbia with the support of the government. Additionally follow-up meetings between startups and investors are being arranged, and some startups are exploring joint project opportunities with city councils like Vienna.

These preliminary results highlight the impact of the GovTech Connect Boot camps in fostering meaningful connections between startups and key stakeholders in the public sector and investment communities. The upcoming GovTech Connect final event will provide an excellent opportunity for all participating startups to pitch their solutions and engage in networking, further fostering collaboration and creating real impact.

In conclusion, the GovTech Connect project has made significant strides in building and nurturing a dynamic GovTech community across Europe. Through a combination of strategic communication, personalized engagement, and collaboration with key stakeholders, we have laid the groundwork for a thriving ecosystem that connects startups, public sector innovators, and investors. The Boot camps have played a pivotal role in this effort, serving as a bridge between early-stage tech startups and the public sector, fostering collaboration, and generating concrete outcomes.

As we approach the GovTech Connect Assembly, we invite all interested parties to join us and register to attend, to meet this vibrant community, and witness firsthand the innovative solutions that have emerged through the program. This event will not only provide an opportunity for startups to pitch their ideas but also serve as a platform for meaningful networking and collaboration, further solidifying the lasting impact of the GovTech Connect initiative.