Vertico Wins Sustainability Challenge

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FIS and Vertico-3D Concrete Printing Winners of Sustainable Challenge Amersfoort 2018

Entrepreneurs help turn their ideas for circular urban planning into business ventures. This is the goal of the Sustainable Challenge Amersfoort development trajectory, which aims to accelerate sustainability in Amersfoort. During the closing event on February 14, alderman Willem-Jan Stegeman announced FIS (Facade Identification System) and Vertico-3D Concrete Printing as the winners of the Sustainable Challenge Amersfoort.

Both projects received an encouragement award of €5,000. FIS makes it possible to identify physical building elements throughout their entire lifecycle and link the associated information to the product. Vertico aims to achieve large-scale 3D printing with a focus on construction and architecture. They do this by connecting with partners and developing machines to print concrete and plastic on a large scale.

Advice from the Municipality and Investors

In addition to FIS and Vertico 3D-Concrete Printing, six other projects participated in the Sustainable Challenge Amersfoort: Flexapartment, Climate Plant Zone, Collaboration Workplace 2.0, Solid WorkMAAT, The Green Workplace, and Urban Solei. "All participating projects contribute to a better Amersfoort, some from a social-societal approach, others from the physical side of sustainability," says alderman Willem-Jan Stegeman. The panel evaluating the participating projects at Pitch Night consisted of representatives from Real Estate Company Heijligers, ABN AMRO, and K4 (informal investors), in addition to alderman Willem-Jan Stegeman. Based on the pitches, the panel provided (financial) advice, with the potential for future investment.

Development Trajectory Sustainable Challenge Amersfoort

To participate in the Sustainable Challenge Amersfoort development trajectory, projects were selected based on three criteria: contribution to circular urban planning, a connection with Amersfoort, and the presence of a new idea. These were also the criteria used in the assessment. The development trajectory began in January 2018 and included inspiring lectures, a business model training, a pitch training, and interim support. The Urbanism Knowledge Lab organized the trajectory on behalf of the Municipality of Amersfoort.

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Yesterday was the conclusion of the Pitch competition Sustainable Challenge Amersfoort 2018. Organised by the municipality, this 3 session pitch training culminated in a live-pitch to a jury consisting of persons from Heilijgers, ABN AMRO, K4 private investment and the municipality.

At the end of an inspiring evening the Jury decided that the Vertico pitch was worthy of the (joint) number one spot in the ranking. Even though the training itself was prize enough, the winners were awarded €5000 each.

We want to thank the municipality and the organisation for this opportunity. It was a great evening.

February 15, 2018