GovStart seeks tech startups to transform public sector

by Startacus Admin

GovStart, a six month growth programme run by PUBLIC, to help tech startups transform the public sector is back and looking for its latest cohort.

Launched last year, with a first year cohort including Ask the Midwife, Adzuna, Red Sift, and Cera, £8.1 million in valued contracts signed, and 6 public sector pilots already agreed, we took a look over all the key details a startup would need to know.

The global GovTech market is worth an estimated £320bn, but startups historically struggle to access it. Step forward PUBLIC, who bridge that gap, by helping tech startups transform public services, providing capital, networks, insight and support.

Led by former Deputy Head of the No.10 policy unit, Daniel Korski, and venture investor, Alexander de Carvalho, the PUBLIC team aim to build an individual programme for every startup joining the 6-month long GovStart programme depending on their product, market, knowledge gaps and time commitment. GovStart take tech startups of all sizes and industry sectors and provide them with the tailored support, strategy and networks they need to succeed in the public sector market.

Startups taking part in the London-based GovStart programme can benefit from a series of unique advantages, including:

Unparalleled networking with key government decision-makers, in-house product development expertise, a core PUBLIC team with experience from across government, technology and investment, and support from PUBLIC’s mentor pool, which includes Bill Crothers CB (Former UK Chief Procurement Officer, Former Ex-Head of Crown Commercial Service), James Stewart (Former Deputy CTO, UK Government), Correy Voo (Former CTO, UBS), and Steve Heidukewitsch (Former Oracle Sales Executive).

Providing a range of support, from identifying key public sector problems, supporting product development and market-fit, through to ensuring startups are ‘public sector ready’, it’s fair to say that the GovStart programme offers tech startups a fantastic opportunity.


Hannah Harvey, Founder of Ask the Midwife, an award winning health advice app run by Midwives, had this to say about her experience on the programme:

“The help and support I received from the whole PUBLIC team was second to none. I learnt so much about selling to the public sector and have a network of amazing, incredible people.”

Richard Trainor, VP Commercial for Pockit, a startup who are on a mission to make financial services available to all, regardless of circumstances, goes on to say:

“GovStart have taken us from a company with general ideas of how we might be able to work with Government, to one with a clear set of opportunities and the means to pursue them.”

Only last month, Adzuna, a search engine for job ads, who also took part in the first GovStart programme was awarded the contract to replace the UK government’s job search platform, Universal Jobmatch - a massive win for Adzuna and further validation for the GovStart programme itself.

GovStart, amongst other key attributes, look for tech startups that have a tested and technically defensible product and runway to sustain the six month programme - Adzuna being a good example of just that.

Applications for the latest GovStart programme close on the 30th April 2018, with the programme then running from 25th June through to 21st December 2018.

Best of luck to all that apply and visit the PUBLIC GovTech page for more details or to apply head straight here.

 

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Published on: 16th April 2018