AMS Start-up Booster: Creating a better city by turning ideas into start-ups

The Amsterdam InChange team is getting ready for one of the most exciting events of the year! From November 5 until November 7 The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) will take place - the ultimate gathering for innovators and visionaries from across the globe. Held annually in Barcelona, this event is all about shaping the future of urban life through innovative ideas and collaboration. The Amsterdam InChange team will join the Dutch delegation, hosting inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and sessions as we connect with partners and explore new opportunities to build better and more sustainable cities.

In collaboration with partners from the Amsterdam InChange network, including Amsterdam Trade & Innovate (municipality of Amsterdam), the Green Innovation Hub (municipality of Almere), Gemeente Haarlemmermeer (municipality of Haarlemmermeer) Spie, BTG, and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, we are organizing various activities on and around the expo. Find an overview of the programme below and keep an eye on this post for further updates leading up to the event.

Sunday - 3 November

Welcome drinks Amsterdam Region (16:30 – 18:00) (invite only) with the Green Innovation Hub, Amsterdam Trade & Innovate and Amsterdam InChange.

Official Dutch kick-off reception (from 18:30) organised by DMI-Ecosystem (only for participants of the Dutch mission).

Informal dinner with Amsterdam InChange and partners (20:30).

Monday – 4 November

Smart City Business Day: 'The Next Step in Smart City Development' (09:00 – 17:00). International program featuring sessions, pitches, workshops, and excursions (only for participants of the Dutch mission).

Smart Ports Excursion to the Port of Barcelona and Roundtable with SPIE.

Next Level/Changemakers International Dinner (20:00 – 22:00). In collaboration with other organizing cities (including the City of Amsterdam), with both national and international attendees.

Tuesday 5 November

Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00).

Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion “The Future of Mobility” to EIT Urban Mobility Network (11:00 – 12:00).

Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion about “Digital Twins” to Forum Virium, Helsinki (13:00 – 14:00).

International Peer Review Session on “Zero-Emission Urban Logistics” at the Microsoft booth (14:00-15:30)

Official opening of the Dutch Pavilion by the Ambassador and delegation leaders, followed by a networking reception (from 16:00).

International Impact-Making Dinner organized by the DMI-Ecosystem and Amsterdam InChange (19:00 – 21:00) (invite only - participants of the Dutch mission).

Wednesday 6 November

Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00).

Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion about “Net Zero Cities & ATELIER” at the European Commission (11:00 – 12:00).

Keynote: "The Tech Answers Making Cities Go Green" with Leonie van den Beuken, Amsterdam InChange, Congress: Green Room (11:40 – 12:25).

Thematic Roundtable: "Decarbonizing the Future one Building at a Time", with Jorrit Vervoorveldonk, Metabolic, Congress: Tomorrow.Building Room (15:45 - 16:30) (partner event)

Agora Event: Community Energy Sharing in the City for the Energy System of the Future, with Hugo Niesing, Resourcefully, Hall 2, Green Agora (partner event)

Thursday 7 November

Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00)

Thematic Roundtable: “Collectively Moving Cities Forward” with Francien Huizing, Amsterdam InChange, Congress: Green Room (13:55 – 14:40).

Are you also in Barcelona and do you want to join us for any activities? Please contact Sophie at sophie@amsterdaminchange.com. We’re looking forward to meet you there!

𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 '𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐈'– 𝐖𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐠 𝟏𝟑 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

Ben jij actief binnen het MKB en wil je meer leren over hoe je AI eenvoudig en betaalbaar kunt inzetten om je bedrijfsprocessen te verbeteren? Kom dan naar ons volgende Innovation Dinner!

Dit keer met André Gerver als spreker. André is expert op het gebied van technologische innovatie, machine learning en artificial intelligence, vervult de rol van kwartiermaker voor het kernlectoraat Smart Industry én is programmaleider voor EDIH Digital Hub Noordwest.

Tijdens deze avond deelt hij praktische inzichten over:
✅ Toegankelijke AI-tools voor automatisering van repetitieve taken
✅ Inspirerende voorbeelden van bedrijven die al succes boeken met AI
✅ Manieren om je team te ontlasten zonder groot budget of technische kennis
✅ Hoe AI kan helpen om productief te blijven in een snel veranderende digitale wereld

Het Innovation Dinner is speciaal voor directeuren, ondernemers, HR-managers en leidinggevenden die de arbeidsproductiviteit binnen hun organisatie willen verhogen.

Wil je je aanmelden? Ga naar onze website of stuur een mail naar sem@bouwlab.com.

📍 Locatie: 3D Makers Zone/BouwLab R&Do, Oudeweg 91-95, Haarlem (gratis parkeren)
🕒 Tijd: Inloop vanaf 17:30 uur, diner van 18:00 – 20:00 uur

Let op: deelname is beperkt, we maken een selectie om ervoor te zorgen dat deelnemers optimaal profiteren van relevante connecties.

Amsterdam is set to relocate its iconic Red Light District from De Wallen to Europaboulevard, marking a significant shift in the city's approach to sex work and urban development.

This move aims to create a more structured and safe environment for sex workers while addressing concerns about over-tourism and its impact on local communities. We analyzed available data online to understand the hottest topics from affected groups.

<strong>See data insights on Playground Journal. Or listen to a short 5-minute podcast on this here.</strong>

This is your opportunity to engage in the conversation. Your insights and opinions matter in shaping a future that respects the city’s rich history while addressing the challenges and hopes of its diverse inhabitants.

The significance of this relocation lies in its potential to reshape Amsterdam's cultural and social landscape. It reflects the city's commitment to balancing the needs of residents, tourists, and sex workers, ensuring that the new Erotic Centre aligns with contemporary values while preserving the district's historical essence.

As this transformation unfolds, community input is vital. Residents, business owners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to contribute their thoughts and ideas to help shape the future of the new Red Light District. Your insights can influence the new facility's design, amenities, and safety features.

While communities can influence many aspects—such as building design, types of amenities, and community engagement processes—certain elements are fixed. The location of the new RLD has already been determined, as are existing laws and regulations governing sex work. Additionally, the core concept of the Erotic Centre and project timelines remain unchanged.

Let’s ensure that the new Red Light District reflects the values and aspirations of all who call Amsterdam home. Your voice matters!