Last week, Paris was announced as winner of the iCapital Award 2018 and elected as the new capital of innovation in Europe. The city follows in the footsteps of Amsterdam, that was iCapital of Europe during the past two years. Amsterdam received this award by what is called the 'Amsterdam approach', in which bottom-up innovation by city makers and startups is connected to the strategic innovation policy of the city.
The prize money was invested in the people of the city, with the 'Amsterdammers, make your city!' campaign, that supports city makers in realising their initiatives. Besides that, a network and knowledge platform was established by the partners Pakhuis de Zwijger, Kennisland, Waag, the city of Amsterdam, the Economic Board and the AMS Institute.
