Rockstart, AMS Institute and the City of Amsterdam launch the Amsterdam Circular investor readiness program

Amsterdam, February 16, 2023: Rockstart, early stage VC-accelerator, announces its partnership with the Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute) and the City of Amsterdam to launch Amsterdam Circular investor readiness program, a new program designed to strengthen Amsterdam’s early stage circular economy startups and their funding efforts. The program is designed to support early stage circular startups from the Amsterdam metropolitan area developing circular solutions in food, energy, mobility, digitization, biobased and circular construction, and climate resilience. The program runs from mid-April until the end of June. Circular startups can apply now until March 15, 2023.

Amsterdam Circular is a two month, cost-free program held via a hybrid format designed to support startups at the beginning of their journey. With both in-person and online events, founders can expect to spend four to eight hours per week participating in workshops, training sessions, and other deep dives into building a lasting business. With training, mentoring, and network support customized to the startup’s needs, Amsterdam Circular will culminate with the Amsterdam Circular Investors Day where participants can connect with key stakeholders operating in their domain. 

The Amsterdam Circular program focuses on post-revenue startups in the circular urban domain that aim to expand beyond Amsterdam and into the international market. Teams must include at least three members and be actively looking for funding. 

Founded in Amsterdam more than 10 years ago, Rockstart has run over 30 programs dedicated to startups innovating in tech, energy, and agrifood in partnership with institutional and corporate partners. To date, Rockstart has leveraged an international network of investors, mentors, experts, and corporate partners to support over 300 startups who have raised more than €200m of funding. Rockstart invests in early stage startups from its AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Tech funds.

For more information about the program, please visit the Amsterdam Circular website. 

To apply to the program, please visit the applications webpage. 

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About AMS Institute 

Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute) is the joint knowledge institute of TU Delft, Wageningen University & Research and MIT. In close collaboration with the City of Amsterdam, the institute tackles urgent urban challenges through science-based urban experimentation, education and entrepreneurship. By this, we propel innovative solutions to bring about livable, sustainable, resilient, and just metropolitan areas across the world.

Working from the Marineterrein innovation hub in Amsterdam, our world-leading scientific researchers, scholars and up-and-coming entrepreneurs continually interact with the institute, our partners and the city that we approach as a socio-ecological system. The ecosystem we foster enables continuous learning and propels innovation for the cities we pursue. At AMS Institute we call this: re-inventing cities.

About Startup Amsterdam

StartupAmsterdam is a programme initiated and run by the Municipality of Amsterdam between 2015-2022. In these 8 years, the programme started and supported over 50 projects, initiatives and campaigns - all aimed at strengthening Amsterdam’s business climate for innovative and impact-driven entrepreneurs. Ultimately, it helped the Dutch capital become a major player in the global startup scene. Currently the team is sharpening the focus even more and working on a new programme.