Start-up Ecosystem
Unlocking the power of ideas
At REC Impact, we believe in the entrepreneurial and innovative potential of students and alumni. This section displays a list of programmes, scholarships and courses set up to support the creation and development of start-ups in terms of funding and support.
Start-up Funding
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Supported by the UvA and VU, Amsterdam Academic Angel Fund, or 3xA Fund, offers financial support to startup initiatives from their students and young alumni. The selected, very early-stage projects get a 10,000€ initial investment, and convertible loans are also available.
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The Amsterdam Student Investment Fund (ASIF) supports and invests in student-led start-ups in Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Affiliated with the UvA and VU, ASIF has many partners and is an excellent way to kick-start your innovative idea. Students and recent graduates can benefit from the funding and support of the ASIF community.
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Every quarter, the Law Hub’s Start-up Fund takes applications from students or researchers of the UvA who need support on a start-up or innovation creation. To be eligible for the 2,500€ financing, the project should solve a justice or legal problem and be viable. The funded projects also get free mentoring through the Market Impact Programme.
Education and support
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ACE is the university incubator of the UvA, VU, HvA and Amsterdam UMC. Located in the Science Park, this unique creative centre is the best place for students, researchers and academics to develop science-based business ideas. ACE includes programmes and training on starting and growing a business, mentors, advice, many contacts with industry players, companies, investors, and an incredibly supportive community.
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Enactus is an international non-profit organization connecting students, higher education, and business leaders. It comprises more than 500 students in the Netherlands, supporting each other in setting up social enterprises. At Enactus, you meet an active and supportive community of students and benefit from professional input and knowledge during workshops. The start-up should be a social enterprise and participate in tackling social, economic, and ecological problems.
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During the Justice entrepreneurship courses, students are supported in developing legal solutions for a just society. From defining a problem to creating a prototype, students run the first steps towards their own company during this course.
The course won the Innovative Legal Education Award from the Gouden Zandlopers in 2021.
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Startup And Running is a platform based on networking. Here, students can connect with a large pool of voluntary mentors and match and connect with other entrepreneurs or potential co-founders. By uploading an initiative on this platform, entrepreneurs gain exposure and opportunities to create a social network supporting them in their projects.
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The UvA and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) jointly coordinate this programme. Targeted at learning how to be entrepreneurial and lead an organisation, this programme combines innovative and challenging knowledge with practical education, with real-life cases and an internship.
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The Minor Entrepreneurship is a full-time 30 ECTS programme completed in 1 semester, open to all Bachelor students from the UvA (all faculties) offered by The Faculty of Economics and Business. Three courses make up the minor: Cases in entrepreneurship (6 ECTS), Startup Psychology (6 ECTS), and Entrepreneurship in Practice (18 ECTS).
The Entrepreneurship in Practice course is the core course of the minor and lasts 3 blocks. This course is similar to an accelerator programme: student entrepreneurs benefit from industry expert guest lectures, weekly tailored coaching sessions, and mentoring from seasoned entrepreneurs. They also can participate in various pitching and networking events during the semester.
Since its creation in 2007, the Minor Entrepreneurship has brought to life hundreds of startups, many of which have become profitable businesses. During the intensive 5-month programme, students develop a product or service and prepare it to enter the market. Around 20-25 startups are created each year, most of which are registered with the KvK, reaching several hundred customers and generating cumulative sales of over €15,000.
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The Amsterdam Law Hub Incubator Programme is the only place in the Netherlands where students are supported in entrepreneurship in the field of legal innovation. The focus here is on the development of startups or NGOs that want to solve a legal or judicial problem.
The programme offers selected startups an interest-free loan of €2,500 and includes training by legal professionals, free guidance and skill building for one year, a network of mentors who can support you, and more.
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The Start-up & Stichtingen Law Clinics helps start-ups and NGOs with legal advice needs. The Law Hub collaborates with law firms, legal advisers, academics and law students from the UvA to connect start-ups to the most relevant professional.
Contact us for any additional information and guidance.
REC Impact is available to guide and inform students, professors, researchers, external organisations and partners.