ESPO Award 2020 Shortlisted Projects: Port of Amsterdam

29 October 2020

The ESPO Award 2020 will go to the port managing body that has developed a successful strategy to attract innovation and local start-ups to the port and thus matches supply and demand for innovative solutions for the port and its stakeholders. The winning port will demonstrate to what extent this strategy has led not only to stimulating innovation in the port, but also making the port ecosystem an attractive place for innovative ideas and local young start-up talents.

The four projects that are shortlisted for this year’s Award are the projects of Algeciras Port Authority (Spain), Port of Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Port Authority of Lisbon (Portugal) and Puertos del Estado (Spain).

ESPO is proud to present the shortlisted projects before the winner is announced during a special virtual event on 10 November. Register here to be the first to know the winner.

Port of Amsterdam

Prodock

ESPO: Congratulations! You have been shortlisted for the ESPO Award 2020! Could you briefly describe your project?

Prodock is an initiative by the Port of Amsterdam and Prodock is all about innovation! It strives to provide the space and environment needed to allow new products, services and processes to be developed, tested and implemented in a modern port and industrial area. Many start-ups have already surpassed the laboratory phase and are looking for a physical space to construct a testing and/or demo facility; Prodock offers this space.

ESPO: How does your project contribute to improving your relationship with the port citizens and does it succeed in directly reaching out to the local community?

Prodock uses the network, the expertise, and the resources of the Port of Amsterdam for their citizens. It represents an international network of companies, knowledge institutes, incubators, and investors; a crucial network that can provide a push for promising businesses. The team of Prodock opens doors that otherwise remain hidden or closed.

ESPO: Could you describe the original and innovative character of your project?

Prodock is the first accelerator in Amsterdam that offers a unique and flexible combination of indoor and outdoor working spaces for production, testing products, constructing machines, and setting up pilots to help start-ups and scale-ups accelerate the realisation of their vision. Prodock connects forward-thinking parties and people with each other. This enables people to help and strengthen one another in the development of new products, processes and services. The exchange of knowledge and information is a key feature of Prodock and forges a strong connection between innovation and business.

ESPO: Why do you think your project deserves to win the ESPO Award 2020?

We believe that our project deserves to win the ESPO Award 2020 because Prodock creates an added value for both the port and the city of Amsterdam.

ESPO: How has your project contributed to encouraging innovators and local start-ups to be part of the port ecosystem? Could you tell us more?

One of the requirements for companies to rent out a place in Prodock is that they have to create value for the port and/or the city. The aim is that these companies grow and eventually establish themselves in another location in the port. In this way, we can continuously offer space to new, local start-ups.




"Innovation is key to make our port smarter, faster and cleaner. Prodock is therefore essential to us. Together with all Prodock entrepreneurs, we are building the sustainable port of the future, with new products and services."

Koen Overtoom, CEO of the Port of Amsterdam


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