Science- and tech-based incubator ACE and entrepreneurship school Team Academy are teaming up with entrepreneurs with a refugee background that have joined Refugees Forward (RF). As a first project, the three partners aim to run a 4-month intensive incubation program starting the 9th of April for 15 newcomers at ACE’s Startup Village at Amsterdam Science Park and Team Academy’s B. Amsterdam. ACE and Team Academy will facilitate locations, mentoring networks and trainers.
Fostering integration through entrepreneurship
Diederick van der Wijk, director at RF: ‘The Amsterdam Center for Entrepreneurship and Team Academy prove 2 highly exciting partners and give newcomers access to 2 very dynamic startup ecosystems. We strongly believe in the value the interaction of newcomers with Dutch students, mentors and other innovative entrepreneurs. ACE’s Startup Village delivers exactly that and as such helps newcomers to understand the dynamics of starting a business in the Netherlands. At Team Academy our entrepreneurs become part of one the most creative and innovative work spaces out there. Besides, the involvement of ACE and Team Academy in the delivery of RF programs and coaching of our entrepreneurs ensures we provide cutting-edge entrepreneurship education and support.
Building a community
Erik Boer, director at the Amsterdam Center for Entrepreneurship: ‘To ACE and to me personally it is important to advocate diversity in entrepreneurship and to stimulate entrepreneurs in vulnerable positions. We want to show our belief in migrants entering our communities, by providing them access to a great network of experienced coaches and trainers, as well as of like-minded locals facing similar challenges in entrepreneurship. I am very curious how this will turn out and to see the progress of newcomer entrepreneurs in August, and I am confident that these new/cultural interactions within our Science Park ecosystem can become a valuable asset to Startup Village’.
Educating a diverse, entrepreneurial generation
Michel Arends, CEO Team Academy: ‘we support and work with Refugees Forward because we believe that it is important for our students to be firmly planted in the middle of society. By working together with newcomers, they can learn from their perseverance and cultural perspectives. Team Academy is all about building Character as an entrepreneur, and for this bringing people from very different backgrounds together is essential. If we really want to create conscious entrepreneurs that pursue growth and impact, we have to adopt an open and inclusive perspective. We simply have to work together.’
