PlaceTech: Enevo cited in "GovTech Revolution"

Will startups and scale-ups lead the charge in the multi-billion euro digital transformation of government services, rather than the often larger incumbent suppliers? Govtech investor Public certainly thinks so. In a recent report, the organisation says there are around 2,000 govtech firms across Europe seeking to change traditional service delivery models, and transform the way states engage with their citizens, in areas such as health and social care, public transport, policing, and infrastructure. With spending in this area in Europe already at €21.8bn, it looks like these companies could well be knocking on an open door. In fact, in the ‘Govtech, Europe’s next opportunity’ report, professional services firm Accenture says 51% of governments report positive gains from the use of “intelligent technologies.”

Here, we take a look at a handful of the 150 companies showcased by Public, in the European Digital City Index, a list that ranks places by how well they support digital entrepreneurs.

London

Londoners can plan their routes, using Citymapper’s integrated data

Public says the UK capital’s govtech market benefits from a “thriving startup and growth funding ecosystem,” adding London hasn’t only been successful in attracting European funding for tech firms, but that it’s also home to many incubators and accelerator programmes.

Ones to watch:

Apolitical, which has developed an “international knowledge platform for public servants”, allowing them to find and share solutions to common public problems in more than 140 cities. Funders and partners include the Cabinet Office, the Government of Canada, and the European Commission.

Citymapper has brought to market a smart transport mapping platform that uses data to optimise public transport routes and journey planning in places including Manchester, Boston, Milan and Stockholm.

Stockholm

As the fourth largest European destination for technology investment in 2017, the report says 18% of the city’s workforce is directly employed in tech.

Ones to watch:

With customers including Cumbria-based Institute for Outdoor Learning and land management company Svensk Markservice, DPorganizer says it helps companies manage personal data for easy GDPR compliance.

GLOBHE collects, analyses and visualises aerial drone images allowing emergency services to improve the delivery of aid in some of the world’s most inaccessible areas, and says it’s creating models for flooding in Tanzania, disease outbreak in Malawi and agricultural monitoring in India.

Swedish privacy management software DPorganizer helps companies map and manage processing of personal data

Amsterdam

Public says Amsterdam has firmly established itself as one of Europe’s leading govtech cities, underpinned by one of the smartest urban infrastructures in Europe, which includes smart benches and street lamps powered by connected solar panels that emit localised wifi networks and act as charging ports for citizens.

Ones to watch:

EclecticIQ is a cybersecurity company that allows clients, including governments, to collate and analyse cyber threats.

Ridesharing app Toogethr uses smart tech to match commuting colleagues with one another, reducing costs on fuel and parking. Customers include Accenture, professional services firm PwC, Dutch bank ABN AMRO and international utility company ENGIE.

Finnish capital Helsinki is tabled as one of the smartest cities in Europe

Helsinki

The city seems to be positioning itself as Europe’s testbed for urban innovation, and consistently ranks as one of the smartest cities in Europe, helped by programmes such as the Six City Strategy for sustainability in Finland’s big cities.

Ones to watch:

Enevo uses sensors and IoT technology to monitor and analyse how much waste is generated to schedule the most appropriate refuse collection schedule. In the Isle of Man, for example, this meant a 50% reduction in collections, allowing one of two litter trucks to be redeployed to other duties.

Chaos Architects has developed a city planning tool that allows governments, citizens and third parties to work together to produce smart city solutions. And it’s already being used in Finnish cities Hämeenlinna and Helsinki.

Paris

Fluicity provides a channel for Parisians to tell the government their ideas for solving problems

Public says the French capital is “proactively taking the lead to create an open, connected and innovative urban environment.” This reputation was cemented when it was confirmed as the destination for Europe’s first govtech summit last year.

Ones to watch:

Fluicity is a citizen engagement app that allows users to propose and vote for ideas, report issues and participate in consultations. Customers include the national assembly.

Plume Labs has developed a smart air quality tracker application to map pollution levels in real time. The company also recently launched personal sensors for citizens. These are currently being used across the US and Europe including in Glasgow and Manchester.