In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, European governments face significant challenges in modernising public services to meet the demands of their citizens. From achieving ambitious environmental sustainability goals, to making public services more accessible, the public sector must embrace innovation to stay ahead. Funded by the European Commission, the GovTech Connect project is designed to address these pressing issues by fostering the digitisation of the public sector through an innovative European GovTech Platform. 

Over the past two years, GovTech Connect has selected and promoted impactful digital solutions that tackle key public sector challenges like digital infrastructure, sustainability, and urban development, through a series of innovative boot camps. These boot camps, spread across Europe, equip startups and SMEs with the essential skills, tools, and networks they need to navigate public sector markets with confidence. Participants receive training on topics like public procurement, innovative business models, pricing strategies or fundraising, while co-designing solutions with citizens and experts. By using design thinking, the programme ensures that developed solutions are not only innovative but also meet the real needs of citizens and civil servants. Roundtables with local authority and Government representatives are organised to provide startup participants with field information and valuable feedback to commercialise their solution in the public sector.  

So far GovTech Connect has carried out three boot camps with a fourth one ongoing: 

Boot Camp 1 : Achieving Net Zero 

With global temperatures soaring and harmful substances still in use for energy production, there's an urgent need for innovative digital solutions to boost transparency and efficiency in sustainable government projects. The startups selected in this bootcamp target open sustainability data, energy efficiency of buildings and sustainable tourism in order to help public authorities to support the green transition of public services. One pressing issue tackled at our recent bootcamp was the UK’s freshwater emissions, which exceed 1 billion tonnes annually. OpenHydro offers a cutting-edge solution with its SaaS platform, streamlining emissions data and helping clients develop and monitor actionable plans. 

Boot Camp 2 : Next Generation Digital Infrastructure: 

Digital technology offers great opportunities to reach and engage with the greatest number of citizens, but tech development must be inclusive and accessible to all. The second bootcamp explored digital solutions to ensure essential public services are fully accessible online for everyone, including those with disabilities, and enhance interoperability for a seamless user experience. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, who number 466 million globally, often struggle with public transportation announcements. To address this, SignAvatar developed TransportSign, an AI-powered tool that translates these announcements into sign language, bridging the communication gap. 

Boot Camp 3 & 4 : Reimagining Cities: 

As cities grow denser, they hold the greatest potential for impactful change, making them ideal testbeds for innovative technologies. Boot camps 3 & 4 focus on Smart Solutions addressing urban key challenges such as energy efficiency, mobility, and community engagement. It aims to identify and boost cutting-edge solutions that can transform urban environments into more sustainable, livable spaces. At the Boot Camp 3 pitch day, Winner Street Co impressed with their vision for urban accessibility, proposing 100% accessible multimodal routes using real-time data to assist all residents, regardless of mobility needs. These innovative courses drive digital development, encouraging companies to think creatively and prioritise sustainable, cost reducing, citizen-centric solutions.  

Over the course of two years, the GovTech Connect programme gathered 101 applications, selected 54 startups and engaged with over 70 experts. The mentoring and training provided by the program were key to guide the startups to effectively work with the public sector. 

"Workshops on the different types of procurement processes within the EU were of great value to us. We knew we wanted to work in the public sector but the Boot Camp taught us how."- Timothy Tavarez, Founder of Combine DAO   

Pitch days of the first three boot camps convened an international network of 200 attendees including  investors, government and local authorities representatives and Govtech stakeholders. These key moments have created new opportunities for collaboration between the public sector and startups, and discussions are underway in several countries. 

With the last Boot Camp in motion, the programme will culminate with a final event set to be an unmissable occasion with Boot Camp 4 Pitch Day and the startup winners from each Pitch Day taking the stage to share their innovative ideas of how to improve public services. 

The Finale: GovTech Connect Assembly 2024  

Set for November 28 2024, in Brussels, The GovTech Connect Assembly offers a unique platform to engage with European leaders, policymakers, and innovators at the forefront of public sector transformation.  

Through interactive panels, fireside chats and pitching sessions, participants will get insights on the transformative potential of generative AI, explore strategies for building an Interoperable GovTech Ecosystem, debate how to scale GovTech startups across Europe, and discover groundbreaking technologies available to public administrations. What to expect:  

• Connect with GovTech innovators and discover how their cutting-edge solutions can help solve Europe's pressing challenges. 
• Engage in insightful discussions: Debate what has and hasn't worked well in GovTech and gain insights on key policy recommendations to boost innovation in Europe.  
• Connect with the GovTech Community: Engage in panels, workshops, and networking sessions with European leaders, policymakers, and GovTech innovators. Build connections to provide valuable opportunities for collaboration and join a global GovTech community seeking to harness the power of technology for the public good. 

Don’t miss this  chance to be part of shaping the future of European public services. Join us in Brussels on 28 November 2024, as we celebrate this milestone and set the stage for the future of GovTech innovation in Europe.  

Explore our agenda and speakers by visiting our website, and register your interest today!