Public challenges, entrepreneurial solutions: The Netherlands’ Startup in Residence Intergov wins at EEPA 2025

The first award to be announced, in Category 1: Improving the Business Environment and Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit, went to Startup in Residence Intergov (Netherlands) — a programme that’s redefining how governments and startups collaborate to solve real-world challenges.

The category, recognises initiatives that promote an entrepreneurial mindset — especially among young people and women and helps to embed creativity, confidence, and curiosity into communities. Startup in Residence Intergov, a national programme where ministries, cities, and regions collaborate to source startup solutions for real public challenges. By helping startups access contracts and not just grants, the programme gives them a path to growth through procurement.

This distinctive approach connects startups directly with civil servants, ensuring innovation finds a home in public administration. It’s a model that could be replicated across Europe, showing that entrepreneurship can make governments more open, efficient, and forward-looking.

The jury recognised the initiative’s sizeable impact and replicability and its new angle on traditional instruments that brings fresh energy to Europe’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Watch their highlights video⬇️

Learn more about the initiative.