Startup in Residence (SiR) is an incubation and procurement programme that connects startups and scale-ups with urban and societal challenges defined by city governments. Founded in Amsterdam in 2015 by the City of Amsterdam, the programme invites both Dutch and international entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for pre-defined public sector challenges in collaboration with municipal departments.
The Amsterdam programme runs an intensive six-month residency. Selected startups receive an intensive training programme, professional coaching and mentorship from municipal officials, working space, and direct access to city data, infrastructure and networks. Crucially, startups get the opportunity to pilot their solutions in real urban environments, with the municipality acting as a potential launching customer. Entrepreneurs retain full ownership of the solutions they develop.
Since its launch, SiR Amsterdam has addressed challenges across sustainability, mobility, circular economy, housing, digital inclusion and city logistics. Each programme edition defines specific challenge briefs — past themes have included emission-free recreational boats, circular renovation, inclusive mobility and local food logistics — as well as a wildcard challenge for entrepreneurs with solutions not covered by the listed themes.
The model has proven highly replicable. Following Amsterdam's success, the programme expanded to five regional editions across the Netherlands, and the concept was adopted by other public bodies including the Ministry of Defence. The programme is now coordinated through the Innovatiepartners (Innovation Partners) platform, which serves as the national hub for startup-government collaboration.
For smart city practitioners, Startup in Residence represents an innovative procurement method that allows cities to source and test new urban solutions while giving startups a structured path into the public sector market.