GovStart: a free six month programme to help technology startups transform the public sector
GovStart is a free six month programme to help technology startups transform the public sector. PUBLIC run two GovStart programmes – one in the UK and one in Germany – aimed at startups at different stages and in various sectors, working with products that have powerful public sector applications.
The GovStart programme helps to identify and grow innovative companies working to solve public sector problems, accelerating the pace of digital transformation in areas such as health and social care, transport, public safety, and cyber security.
GovStart brings together promising new technology companies to create an interactive community, creating opportunities to network and problem solve with like-minded startups. The platform will provide six months of dedicated learning content, events and tools – as well as a network of 50 of the best GovTech companies. Through the programme, participating startups will gain a deep understanding of the public sector – from unblocking public procurement barriers to creating a compelling narrative and strategy for selling to the public sector.
GovStart is seeking startups with innovative technology solutions focused on transforming public services, with a particular interest in the following areas:
Privacy, Security & Safety
Innovation solutions for: defence; RegTech; mis/disinformation detection; metaverse for delivery of public services; or application of PETs through differential privacy and/or synthetic data
Climate
Innovation solutions for: promoting investment in climate adaptation; distilling raw data into actionable information; energy transition; or greening supply chains and promoting a circular economy?
Health
Innovative solutions for: rehabilitation, behaviour change and patient empowerment; clinical decision support, artificial intelligence and automation; or digital therapeutics
Justice & Blue Light Services
Innovative solutions for: supporting offender rehabilitation; community policing; or command and control systems
Business Systems
Innovative solutions for: public procurement; payments & finance; grant management; or workflows & collaboration
Social Care
Innovative solutions for: prevention & enablement; coordinating care; or combating loneliness
“GovStart isn’t an accelerator. It is a community, learning and engagement programme designed to provide startups with the networks, knowledge and tools needed to succeed in the public sector. We feel the content we’ve customised specifically for working with the public sector will be relevant to companies who consider themselves beyond the accelerator stage. It is based on the in-depth knowledge we have built up from over five years of working at the heart of the GovTech ecosystem. The programme is designed to be light-touch – we understand how busy life can be for startups!”
A normal month will likely include two webinars, a sector-focused roundtable and a networking event. This will range from 6-9 hours per month, depending on the specific events taking place.