Spontickets wins Startup Hero Journey 2024
On Wednesday 16 October 2024, the final of the Startup Hero Journey 2024, organised by UPALMERE, took place at De Nieuwe Bibliotheek in Almere. Seven promising startups, who had honed their ideas after six months of intensive preparation, presented their innovations to an expert jury. Among the participants were Business Channel One, Spontickets (part of ConCode), EveRceipt, Globadyme, Master Your Influence, No Rest and Stone Paper. All companies had worked on strengthening their business models during the process, with a particular focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Stimulating growth and innovation
The Startup Hero Journey, which took place for the second time, offered participating startups the chance to further develop their ventures through a program of master classes, workshops and mentorship. This six-month journey not only helped the startups refine their ideas, but also made valuable contacts with investors and potential customers.
During the finals, Alderman Maaike Veeningen emphasised the importance of such initiatives for Almere's economic future: "Startups and scale-ups play a crucial role in economic development. They help find solutions to social issues. With the Startup Hero Journey, we strengthen innovation in Almere, a city where there is room for new ideas and businesses with a vision for the future can flourish."
Spontickets crowned winner
After carefully assessing the pitches, the jury chose Spontickets as the winner of the Startup Hero Journey 2024. Spontickets, co-founded by Ryan Mekelenkamp and Arjen Guichelaar and part of ConCode, developed a platform that makes last-minute tickets for events more accessible. The jury, comprising experts such as Yeni Joseph (TNW), Marie-Jeannine Citroen (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland) and Joey Moreau (Startupbootcamp), praised the company for its innovative approach and the platform's social impact.
Ryan Mekelenkamp reacted enthusiastically to winning the award: "The Startup Hero Journey helped us concretise our concept and put us in touch with customers and potential investors. The master classes provided us with the insights we needed at exactly the right time to strengthen our proposition."
Besides the title of winner, Spontickets received an incentive voucher worth €1,000 to support the further growth of the company.
Looking ahead to 2025
After the success of the 2024 edition, UPALMERE is looking ahead to the Startup Hero Journey 2025. Ambitious entrepreneurs with innovative ideas can register for the new program from 1 December 2024. Participants will have access to workshops, mentorship and the chance to present their concept to an expert jury.
Information on signing up will be available in due course at www.upalmere.nl or send an email to: upalmere@almere.nl. The number of available places is limited, so prompt registration is recommended!
