Start-up

Two key players, ImpactCity The Hague and Startupbootcamp launched a joint initiative focusing on increasing the growth of sustainable start-ups in The Netherlands and strengthening the position of The Hague as the leader in building the impact ecosystem in Europe.

The ImpactCity Accelerator program is open to impact innovators already based in or those planning to establish themselves in The Hague.

“The city invests in an attractive climate for start-ups and has acquired a recognizable economic profile with ImpactCity,” says Saskia Bruines, alderman at the Municipality of The Hague.

Ten selected start-ups will get the chance to work on de-risking their value proposition and find the best way to solve a problem while also focusing on their growth strategy to scale their model.

Introduction of the ImpactCity Accelerator

The intense hybrid program will take place mainly online but will also use the facilities of ImpactCity The Hague for in-person activities.

Mercedes de Miranda, Director of Business Development at Startupbootcamp see The Hague as an outstanding place ‘when it comes to the number of impact start-up entrepreneurs who work for a better world.”

She highlighted that they came on board as partners based on their overwhelmingly positive experience at the ImpactFest in 2021, the flagship event of ImpactCity and the largest event in Europe where sustainable, innovative parties come together.

Application is open until 11th March, and sessions will be held from April to the end of June.

Throughout the three months, entrepreneurs are matched with mentors and get the chance to access a worldwide network.

At the final Demo Day event, participants get to present their work to ImpactCity, investors, potential partners and other stakeholders.

Headline image: ImpactCity The Hague

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Dating app for vegans and vegetarians breaks record with over half a million users

Business Spirit News reporting — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 17:28:59 +0000

Dating app for vegans and vegetarians breaks record with over half a million users

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Specialised dating app taps into growing plant-based diet trends to reach over two million pair matching.

Veggly, a global dating app designed for vegans and vegetarians, has revealed that they doubled in size since late 2020, reaching over 500,000 users worldwide.

The unique matchmaking platform was created to help people prefer a plant-based diet to find love or simply connect with like-minded peers.

Commenting on the new user milestone, Founder of Veggly, Alex Felipelli, said: “It is the best time in history to be a vegan looking for love!”

Felipelli believes that one of the reasons behind their success is the continued global growth of veganism.

“So many of us want to be with someone who shares the same love for animals, so it’s no surprise we have hit the 500,000 user mark so quickly!”

he adds.

Veggly is set to continue its rapid growth and launched an enhanced 2.0 version with many extra features to make the matchmaking process even more effective and fun.

Veggly, a global dating app designed for vegans and vegetarians; Image: Veggly

The new version will offer users a cleaner and smoother experience with fresh visuals while maintaining the familiar style of the app.

The new range of improvements is based on user feedback from around the world and includes new customisation settings to enhance further the app's ability to find the best match.

They also re-launched a new series of blog posts sharing heart-warming success stories of couples who met on the app.

One of the stories is about a Brazilian couple who welcomed their first baby thanks to the match made on the platform.

Thanks to their active volunteer base, the app has been made available in Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Italian, Danish and Polish, with many more languages on the way.

At present, this is the only vegan and vegetarian dating app available on mainstream digital stores.

Headline image: Photo by Ba Tik from Pexels

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December 2021

Early-stage startups in Berlin can apply for business award

Business Spirit News reporting — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 11:11:00 +0000

Early-stage startups in Berlin can apply for business award

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The Berlin Newcomer Startup Award is open for business ideas that are not yet on the market.

The Berlin Newcomer Startup Award 2021, managed by Singa Business Lab, is looking for newcomers with great business ideas who are not yet on the market.

Early-stage businesses that are on the verge of turning their concept into reality, but who may still be lacking capital, contacts or advice can apply for the award to receive support and get recognised.

With digital event formats ranging from Q&A sessions and networking events to the pitches at the award show, organisers want to enable more people to get involved.

The winner of the award can access up to 10.000€ seed capital, and additional coaching budgets, while the amount of seed capital in total is 27.500€ to be split between finalists.

Besides finalist projects get to enjoy more visibility and opportunities for networking and co-creation sessions.

Applications can be submitted online by the end of 2nd November.

Eligibility criteria to apply for the Berlin Newcomer Startup Award:

Live in Berlin, Germany.
Moved to Germany within the last 8 years, i.e. in 2013 or later.
The applicant has the nationality of one of the countries from the DAC List of ODA Recipients.
Aged over 18 years.

The six finalists preselected by the jury will be presented on the award's website for 2 weeks where public can vote on their favorite project.

Winner of the public voting will we rewarded with an extra prize of 5.000€ and 2.500€ additional budget for coaching and consulting.

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November 2021

Guinness Enterprise Centre

Szilvia Szabó — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 16:21:04 +0000

Guinness Enterprise Centre

Location

Ireland

https://www.gec.ie/

Reach

Europe

By providing a world-class entrepreneurial environment, the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC) empowers businesses to grow and scale their enterprises. Our vision is to be one of Europe's leading entrepreneurial superhubs and we were named the #1 University Associated Business Incubator in the World!

The GEC is the best place for ambitious and innovative companies. We provide a modern, spacious and flexible working environment supported by the best-in-class business support services.

Focus

Platform :: Partner categories

Funding | Supports

Networking | Events | Community

Berlin-based start-up brings upcoming African brands to the European market

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 17:33:17 +0000

Berlin-based start-up brings upcoming African brands to the European market

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Unlocking the potential of impact-driven African enterprises

The coolest and most exciting brands from the African continent will be available on the European market, thanks to German online retailer, MANUYOO.

The company aims to provide an innovative, sustainable and inspirational marketplace that promotes local manufacturers from all 55 African countries. Their first range of available products includes running shoes, beauty products, palm liqueur, chocolates – all representing mission-driven entrepreneurs.

Jan-Marc Lischka , Founder, MANUYOO

"We want to sell brands that cannot be found in any European shop.

These products are far away from the usual Africa clichés.

We believe in the trade, not aid philosophy which allows these small scale business to grow stronger and create value on multiple levels”, says Jan-Marc Lischka , founder of the online retailer platform, MANUYOO.

"We are in close contact with our partners on the field, and we know the personal stories, the plans and dreams behind these young brands", says Lischka.

The recently launched MANUYOO platform also works with industry experts, trendsetters and influencers to bring new products to the online store.

Beside the actual online selling point, they provide extra communication opportunities to their partners to share their story through digital channels and a self-published magazine with insights on production, people and impact.

The MANUYOO team has launched an online crowdfunding campaign in September 2020, intending to introduce their first range of products and raise capital to improve the online shopping experience for their customers.

According to their plans, pop-up stores will follow shortly, and the product range will grow step by step.

“We strive to offer a great variety of products as we want our customers to discover something new with MANUYOO continuously", says Lischka.

'Africa your time is now' - Fashion for mission statement

The financing target with their campaign on Startnext for the first round is 15,000 euros, which will be used to expand the online shop and prepare next products for market launch.

Almost reaching their target before the closing round proves that there is a segment of customers who want to join the movement and willing to pay for these high-quality, value-driven brands.

The team has set out the second round of fundraising to expand their offers by involving more enterprises and gain more ground on the European market.

Female led cosmetics manufacturer in Ghana - Kaeme brand

One of MANUYOO's first partners is Kaeme, a cosmetics manufacturer in Ghana.

The small enterprise processes Shea Butter and Black Soap, Ghana's traditional skin care products. Company founder Freda Obeng-Ampofo and her small team manufacture the products themselves, the raw materials come from a women's cooperative in Ghana's north.

Obeng-Ampofo wants to make Kaeme a world-famous brand, which will be on the shelves next to the global cosmetic brands.

"Kaeme will be a success story that will change the image of Ghana, and the image of Africa for the better", says, Obeng-Ampofo.

She adds that the cooperation with MANUYOO is a huge opportunity for Kaeme to gain a foothold in the European market.

" We want a paradigm shift in our relations with Africa.

For us, Africa is a continent of new beginnings, of innovation, of opportunities. A continent with courageous, imaginative, committed entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to trade with them at eye level in a fair and transparent manner.” says Lischka about why they started MANUYOO together with four colleagues.

"We aim to make it easier for African manufacturers to access the European market – which would be out of reach for single entrepreneurs - and present their products attractively”, says Lischka.

According to MANUYOO, currently, the trade between EU countries and countries of Africa is unbalanced.

A good 70 per cent of EU exports to Africa are industrial goods. In contrast, industrial goods account for only seven per cent of EU imports from African countries, and more than 65 per cent of EU imports from Africa are unprocessed raw materials.

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November 2020