Government and policy

watch-live:-esa’s-jupiter-bound-space-mission-is-launching-today

Watch LIVE: ESA’s Jupiter-bound space mission is launching today

Deep tech, Government and policy, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /
Watch LIVE: ESA’s Jupiter-bound space mission is launching today

Siôn Geschwindt

Update (14: 03 CEST, April 13, 2023): Due to poor weather conditions, the launch has been rescheduled till tomorrow (Friday, 14 April) at 14: 15 CEST.  

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission — ‘Juice’ — is ready to embark on its journey to the solar system’s largest planet.

Juice is scheduled to launch today, April 13, at 14: 15 CEST (13: 15 BST) from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. 

Juice will make the 8-year, 6.6 billion km trip to study three of Jupiter’s moons: Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. Each of these worlds has an ocean of water hidden underneath an icy shell — an important target for astronomers searching for life beyond Earth.   

ESA will stream the launch live on its website and on its YouTube channel which you can view below. French viewers can access ESA’s Web TV Two.

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And as simulations of human tissues, organs, and cells become ever more sophisticated, they could open new frontiers for testing of vaccines, personalised treatment of symptoms, and help doctors to explore the effects of an infection on the entire body.

Digital twins could also expedite the search for candidate vaccines for the big families of animal viruses that are at risk of spilling over to the human population, said Highfield.  

Coveney and Highfield believe that these advances are laying the groundwork for digital twins of the entire human body.

Virtual you

Computational models of patients would not only look like their human counterparts but behave like them too.  

Creating a virtual you requires the collection and analysis of enough personal data to provide a realistic representation. This could come from any number of scans of your body and its organs, as well as genomic, biochemical analysis, and wearable devices.  

“These digital twins can inform what action a surgeon takes, what drug you get prescribed, or even what kind of life you choose to live,” said Coveney.   

Your physician could run a number of scenarios through your digital twin — how you might respond to a certain drug or disease, for instance — without ever touching you (if you hate visits to the doctor, take note).  

“Virtual patients could potentially save and extend your life.

Your digital twin could accurately predict your risk of disease and recommend drug, diet, and lifestyle changes, potentially saving, and extending, your life.  

According to the European Commission, around 200,000 people die each year in Europe from drugs prescribed to them, partly because these therapies are generic and not designedspecifically for the patient.

The same goes for treatment of disease: doctors are forced to make decisions based upon similar but non-identical patients in similar but non-identical circumstances in the past. 

“Modern medicine is like driving a car while looking in the rearview mirror — it’s always looking back to try to figure out what is happening now,” said Highfield. “The hope is that digital twins will enable healthcare to become forward-looking, truly personalised, and predictive, removing much of the guesswork.”

Perhaps less consoling is the idea that your twin could be used to predict when you will die, to a fairly high degree of accuracy.

Moving on.        

So, when will I get a virtual me? 

Before you get too excited (or petrified) — let’s do a quick stock take.

Oxford University professor, Denis Noble, developed the first model of a beating heart cell in 1959. A few years later his work was scaled up to the level of patches of cells, and by the 1990s models of the whole heart, powered by the earliest supercomputers, began to take shape. Now, programmes like Alya Red are enabling simulations of almost any part of the human body. 

That’s the point where we find ourselves right now. To date, a digital twin of a whole human has never been created.

We asked Midjourney’s AI bot to create an image of a ‘healthcare digital twin’ — here’s what it came up with.

There are still “massive technical hurdles” to overcome, said Conveney.

Simulations of this complexity will require access to incredibly powerful computers, such as Frontier, the world’s first and fastest exascale supercomputer. These computers are still few and far between, and require large amounts of energy to run. 

Another “huge challenge”, he says, is stitching together all the codes for each part of the virtual body. Each part of the digital human, like a cell or a heart, is technically a separate simulation. There are also multiple scales for the simulations: one model for a cell and another for the whole organ require different codes and run at different speeds. Getting all of these codes to load at once and at the same speed is no easy feat. 

There are also ethical considerations. The ability to predict almost anything about your health is a powerful tool for healthcare professionals, but potentially dangerous in the wrong hands.  

Within the limits of current technology, creating your own virtual twin right now is only be within the reach of billionaires, says Conveney.  

Even the most powerful computers conceivable in the distant future will not have sufficient capacity to analyse you in full molecular detail. You, my friend, are too complicated, even for the smartest computer.

But Coveney and Highfield do make a convincing case that incomplete digital representations will still be an extremely useful tool for advancing medical science and individuals’ health. As the late British statistician George Box opined, “All models are wrong. Some are useful.” 

The authors are also hopeful that the computing requirements of these twins can be reduced using, you guessed it, artificial intelligence. 

“AI and machine learning can replicate some of the code and enable the whole digital twin to load at the kind of speeds needed for effective medical decision making,” said Highfield. AI could enable virtual humans to be run on much smaller machines. 

While there are many hurdles to overcome, and definitely some ethical issues to iron out, fully functioning virtual patients, that offer healthcare professionals insights they can actually act on, are not as far off as you might think. 

Conveney, one of the foremost global experts on the topic, believes virtual patients could be available for practical medical uses in about five years’ time.  

Digital twins could save your life. Here’s how Read More »

spain-launches-space-agency-in-big-boost-for-local-startups

Spain launches space agency in big boost for local startups

Ecosystems, Government and policy, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /

Spain has officially launched its own national space agency, at a time when Europe looks to establish itself as a global space industry leader.

Plans for the Spanish Space Agency, or Agencia Espacial Española (AEE), were first announced in May 2021, and finally got the political thumbs up last month.

The agency will be based in Seville, near the Arenosillo launch facility in Huelva, which was built in the 60s as part of a collaboration between the Spanish government and NASA. Initially, around 75 personnel will be based at the site. 

The agency will serve to “guarantee Spain’s strategic action in the field of space, both from the point of view of its technological development and the use of space in areas such as security, Earth observation, geolocation, and telecommunications,” according to a statement from Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation. 

“Space is a priority and strategic area, essential to help and protect our society in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, navigation, the fight against climate change, or the monitoring of phenomena such as drought or fires,” the statement continued. 

Minister for Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, has allocated the new agency an initial budget of more than €700m in 2023. 

The minister has also made €45m available to fund the development of a domestic microlauncher. This class of launch vehicle, Morant said, is “the commercial future of the space sector.” 

Currently, the most likely contender to receive the funding is PLD Space. Founded in 2011, the Spanish startup has developed a suborbital microlauncher, named Miura 1, that will be capable of delivering commercial payloads to space and back. It is set to launch as early as this month.

Spain has a long history in the space industry. It is one of the founding members of the European Space Agency (ESA) and has a thriving spacetech ecosystem. As of 2019, 12% of the total 400+ investors in the global private space industry — dubbed ‘new space’ — were based in Spain.

In addition to frontrunners PLD Space, startups to watch include Barcelona-based Zero 2 Infinity, which has developed a balloon-borne launcher, Madrid-based ienai GO, a space industry software provider, and Bilbao-based SATLANTIS, which is developing AI-enabled payloads for microsatellites. 

The launch of the Spanish Space Agency is undoubtedly a major boost to these startups and the country’s spacetech industry as a whole, and comes as Europe looks to catch up with the US, Russia, and China in the global space race. 

Spain launches space agency in big boost for local startups Read More »

paris-bids-‘au-revoir’-to-e-scooter-startups

Paris bids ‘au revoir’ to e-scooter startups

Ecosystems, Government and policy, Next Featured / /

Parisians overwhelmingly voted to ban e-scooters on Sunday, in a hotly-debated referendum that has divided the French capital.

Voters were given two choices: “for” or “against” a city-wide ban on shared e-scooters.

89% voted in favour of the ban, but the overall turnout was low, with only 7.5% of eligible voters casting ballots.  

The vote was non-binding but city authorities have vowed to “abide by the decision”, said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

The streets of Paris will be cleared from shared e-scooters by September 1, the mayor said. That’s when the contract with Dott, Tier, and Lime — the three e-scooter providers currently operating in the city — will expire.  

The ban will not have an effect on the e-bikes offered by shared micro-mobility companies, which will remain in the city.    

Despite welcoming e-scooters with open arms in 2018, Paris’ local government has progressively tightened its grip over the past five years, enforcing designated parking zones and speed limits, and restricting the number of operators. 

But despite the regulations, concerns over safety, following several fatal accidents, and complaints about scooters blocking sidewalks and disrupting other commuters, brought the issue to a head, with many calling for an outright ban. 

Mayor Hidalgo agreed, saying the e-scooters were a “source of tension and worry.” But instead of banning them outright, she brought the decision to the people. 

In January, the mayor announced what she described as a “public consultation”, to settle the issue ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

The e-scooter operators quickly launched a counter-offensive, offering free rides to all users that vote in their favour, and employing social media influencers to back their cause. But to no avail.

With the results now in, Paris is now set to become the first European capital to ban the mode of transport.       

Berlin-based Tier Mobility, Amsterdam-based Dott, and San Francisco-based Lime said they were “disappointed” by the news.

The operators said in a joint statement that the deployment of only 21 ballot stations and no option to vote digitally led to “an extremely low turnout, heavily skewed toward older age groups.” 

In 2022, Paris recorded about 20 million trips on 15,000 shared e-scooters — 71% of these users were under 35. Many riders are also tourists, who don’t get to vote.   

Some would have preferred a middle ground in the voting process. 

Transport Minister Clement Beaune supports a continuation of e-scooters in Paris, but with more rules. He pointed to statistics that suggest e-scooters have replaced up to one in five journeys that would otherwise have been made with emissions-producing vehicles. 

Mayor Hidalgo, on the other hand, called the result “a victory for local democracy.”   

Hadi Karam, general manager for France at Lime, told AFP last week that Paris was going “against the current” in seeking to ban rental e-scooters.   

Elsewhere in France, the mayor of Lyon, France’s third largest city, has just agreed to a four-year extension of its contract with Tier and Dott. 

Further afield, New York, London, and Madrid are all expanding the use of e-scooters in a bid to decarbonise their transport systems.   

It remains to be seen whether Paris’ ban on e-scooters will encourage other cities to follow suit, but it does represent a major blow for Dott, Tier, and Lime, who have now been barred from operating in one of the world’s largest shared micro-mobility markets.

Paris bids ‘au revoir’ to e-scooter startups Read More »

why-third-party-app-stores-are-good-for-apple’s-users-—-and-the-company

Why third-party app stores are good for Apple’s users — and the company

Ecosystems, Government and policy / /

With the passage of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) in 2022, online platforms, including Apple, with EU revenues of 75 billion euros or more and at least 45 million active monthly end users must open up their devices to third party app stores.

The DMA aims to end unfair practices by large online platforms that hold a high degree of market power and function as so-called digital “gatekeepers,” providing key gateways between consumers and business users. The goal of the DMA is to make it easier for small and mid-size tech companies to enter markets currently dominated by the large tech giants.

Under one provision of the law, Apple must allow third-party app stores, such as Setapp, a subscription-based service from MacPaw for iOS and MacOS applications, Steam, a popular distribution platform for video games from Valve, and AltStore, a third party app installer, on its platform. In addition, Apple must also permit sideloading, i.e., allowing users to install software that they download from the Internet.

A number of popular gaming apps have found themselves cut off from the platform.

Although Apple has raised privacy and security concerns about allowing alternative app stores and sideloading on its platform and has not officially stated it will abide by the law, the company is reportedly developing software to comply with European Union requirements scheduled to go into effect in 2024, according to Bloomberg.

“This is all about more competition in the digital sphere,” said Maciej Marek, a senior associate at Dentons’ competition and antitrust division. “There is this perception that digital giants have grown too big and there is not enough competition in this area.”

The DMA is the EU’s largest legislative effort to date to crack down on the monopolisation of the industry by Silicon Valley’s tech giants. While the EU has typically handled each antitrust issue individually, the DMA introduces comprehensive reforms intended to address widespread issues in the entire sector. But the key question is, how will these new regulations really impact Apple, its users, and the EU’s app market moving forward?

Benefits for Apple, users, and developers

Apple’s App Store comes preinstalled on all iOS devices and, as it was the only app store available on iPhones and iPad devices, the tech giant has been able to set the rules for the distribution of apps to users of its devices. Additionally, Apple generates a huge profit from its App Store, taking up to 30% (15% for those with less than $1 million in annual net sales) commission on all App Store transactions and regular subscriptions (subscription fees drop to 15% after the first year).

Although Apple may be somewhat resistant to the requirements of the DMA Mykola Savin, Setapp’s product lead, believes this might actually benefit the company by enabling it to offer its customers more choices, new innovations, and an overall better experience. “We have seen cases like this before, for example, with the new regulations in banking that came with Payment Services Directive 2,” he said.

Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), which went into full effect on Sept. 14, 2019, forced banks to release their data in a secure and standardised form to more easily share it with third-party providers (including fintechs offering new financial services). At first, banks were resistant to this idea because of security issues but later found that open banking enables them to offer a wider range of services to their customers and facilitates partnerships with startups offering new solutions.

“They were dealing with a lot of sensitive data in terms of bank accounts and transactions but, when it was properly regulated and opened up, now we see a lot of really useful products for budgeting, asset management, and peer to peer payments. So it’s a whole new industry and, again, this translates to a better experience,” Savin explained.

Likewise Savin pointed out that competition can often help push a business to innovate. He cited the famous US antitrust case against Microsoft in the 90s that forced the company to allow other browsers on Windows, rather than simply its own Internet Explorer.

“When it was done properly, and to the courtesy of Microsoft they’ve done it correctly, it was a clear choice for users which browsers to use as a default. This really helped Chrome and other browsers to rise up again because it wasn’t about the product, it was about allowing users to choose the best service. Now Microsoft pivoted to Edge and they’re integrating OpenAI because they were forced to compete and forced to innovate,” Savin said.

It should be up to the user where they get their apps.

Ioannis Kokkoris, director of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at Queen Mary University of London, pointed out another benefit to Apple.

“There is a benefit to Apple having more than one app store on its platform,” he said. “Maybe there are certain applications that aren’t available on the Apple App Store because the developers only made them for the Google Play Store. By placing the Play Store on its platform, customers who would have purchased [Android] phones will now be more likely to buy iPhones because they can access those other apps.”

For example, a number of popular apps, especially in the lucrative gaming sector, have found themselves cut off from the platform due to Apple’s stringent App Store rules. Fortnite, one of the most popular games, was banned from Apple’s App Store in 2020 because its parent company, Epic Games, attempted to lead users to purchase virtual currency on its own website, breaching Apple’s terms and conditions.

Interestingly, stats show that, while iOS vs Android users are split roughly 50/50 in the US, in the EU iOS users currently represent only 34% of total market share vs 64% Android users.

Additionally, the DMA will create a lot of opportunities for smaller independent developers to experiment and find out what works for users, enabling them to create better products and try new business models and distribution channels, Savin said. For example, Setapp works on a subscription basis meaning that app developers may be able to capture an audience that might not be searching for their app directly but would consider using it as part of a productivity suite.

Allowing more competition in the market benefits users because they have more choice as to the app store they want to use, according to Kokkoris. “And more choice is always better for consumers because there will be lower prices, more innovation, and higher quality because you have more competition,” he said.

Security and privacy concerns are legitimate

Marek acknowledged that Apple’s issues around security and user privacy are legitimate, adding that the DMA also recognizes those concerns.

“The DMA clearly states that the gatekeeper can take actions that are necessary and proportionate to ensure that sideloading and third-party apps stores won’t endanger its integrity and security,” Marek said. “But, of course, the question is how exactly to address those concerns when you implement the requirements [of the DMA].”

Testing is necessary before any actual security solution is implemented.

Although the DMA does not include any criteria for determining whether third-party app stores are secure, the European Commission will decide on the criteria based on the views of Apple as well as on the recommendations of technical experts, Kokkoris said.

“Apple knows how to address these security issues,” he said. “And I think Apple could introduce some proper rules and guidelines for third-party stores to follow. And there should also be some general user awareness about security.”

Savin agreed that it’s important for users to be aware of security risks so they can make informed decisions about which applications they can trust.

“Let’s leave the choice to the user. We’re grownups, we make our own choices every day. On the web, we choose what bank to trust, where to purchase our groceries, and I think that should also be true for our data and for where we decide to get our apps.”

Marek added that the European Commission has to ensure the safety and integrity of Apple’s ecosystem or users will likely lose trust in it, “And everyone would be worse off. Not only Apple but also developers and users,” he said. “They must be very careful when implementing the provision because there will be some regulatory dialogue between the Commission and Apple about how to exactly interpret this provision and exactly what they should do to implement it and what safeguards they should implement.”

Consequently, testing is necessary before any actual security solution is implemented — testing on the side of an app, Marek said. He added that after implementation, the Commission should probably reassess the solution to ensure the safety and integrity of the third-party app stores.

“And I think that the Commission should be careful in the sense that they should take it one step at a time when implementing the solution. They should err on the side of safety and then reassess [the solution] periodically. I think it would really be a shame if this just reduces quality for the user.”

The DMA has the potential to further reduce the dominance of big tech within the EU and increase competition. But, as mentioned, this may not be such a bad thing for all parties involved. While the direct impact of the DMA on the business models of these large platforms is still unclear, it may cause others to adopt similar legislation. In fact, there are already examples of laws aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices in Germany and South Korea. Whatever happens, it’s certain that the DMA will make the EU’s app market an interesting one to watch for developers, users, and big tech alike.

Why third-party app stores are good for Apple’s users — and the company Read More »

swedish-startup-takes-commuting-by-boat-to-new-heights-—-literally

Swedish startup takes commuting by boat to new heights — literally

Government and policy, Next Featured, Startups and technology, Sustainability / /

Is it a boat or is it a plane? Put your glasses on! This is clearly an electrically-powered hydrofoil passenger ferry. 

The brainchild of Swedish startup Candela, the P-12 Shuttle is set to become the fastest and longest-range electric passenger vessel in the world when it launches this summer. 

Founded in 2014, Candela has spent years perfecting its design on recreational boats, and now, fuelled by a $20m cash injection, is looking to scale up production and bring hydrofoil passenger boats into the mainstream. 

The startup is currently building the first two vessels at its new factory in Stockholm, and is in discussions with 180 potential operators around the world, it told TNW in a written statement. 

Hydrofoils function similarly to aeroplane wings. As the water flows over the surface of the foil it creates an upwards force, lifting the boat out of the water. This doesn’t just look cool, it reduces drag and allows the boat to travel faster. It also makes the craft more energy efficient.

However, electric hydrofoil boats are inherently unstable. To overcome this problem, Candela spent five years developing computer-controlled hydrofoils that adjust 100 times-a-second using data from sensors that gauge wave height and wind speed. This balances the boat and reduces seasickness — the unsavoury side of many seafaring journeys.   

The P-12 Shuttle uses computer-controlled hydrofoils to keep it stable even in rough seas. Credit: Candela

Candela claims that the P-12 Shuttle will have a top speed of 30 knots (55km/h) and a range of 110km on a single charge. What’s more impressive is that it is slated to use 80% less energy than traditional vessels, slashing emissions. A recent analysis by the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm showed that the shuttle emits 97.5% less carbon dioxide over its lifecycle than an equivalent diesel vessel.  

Lars Jörnow, Partner at investor EQT Ventures, which co-led the funding round, believes the P-12 offers a “climate friendly and low-cost” solution that will be a “game-changer” for passenger water travel. 

Candela hasn’t just attracted investors, but city planners, too. In 2021, the startup signed a deal with the Swedish Transport Administration to build and trial the shuttle as a potential replacement for Stockholm’s fleet of 60 diesel ferries. 

The government has financed half of the project, with Candela covering the other half. The partners look to complete the P-12 at the end of 2023, and begin trialling the vessel in 2024, to connect the rapidly expanding suburb of Ekerö and the city centre. 

Ekerö residents currently have to undertake a 55-minute trip by bus, subway, or conventional ferry. The Candela P-12 Shuttle will cover the 15km route in 25 minutes — saving commuters 50 minutes a day.  

Maritime traffic is already Stockholm’s most popular public transport, but the current fleet is outdated and a significant source of emissions, says Gustav Hemming, vice president of the Regional Executive Board in Stockholm.  

“There’s a broad political support to replace more ferries in Stockholm, as the acting politicians’ outspoken goal is not only to reduce emissions from current vessels, but also transfer commuting from land-based to waterborne traffic,” Candela told TNW. The shuttle’s flying ability and subsequent lack of wake have allowed it to gain an exemption from Stockholm’s 12-knot river speed limit. 

Candela funding round for flying boat Sweden hydrofoils
The P-12 Shuttle will be trialled on a route between the rapidly expanding suburb of Ekerö and Stockholm city centre. Credit: Candela

“Opening up urban waterways for high-speed electric transport can revolutionise commuting in cities such as San Francisco, Seoul, or Amsterdam – at a very low cost,” said Gustav Hasselskog, the founder and CEO of Candela. “There’s no need to build new infrastructure.”   

In addition to city commuting, Candela envisions inter-city and even international travel. On Sunday, it made the first ever high-speed crossing in an electric vessel between Malmö, Sweden, and Copenhagen, Denmark. According to company spokesperson Mikael Mahlberg, the trip took just 30 minutes and cost €3 in electricity.   

Key to Candela’s viability, it says, is affordability. “Most traditional battery powered or hydrogen vessels not only lack the speed and range of diesel vessels they’re intended to replace, but they’re also very expensive to purchase and operate,” Candela told TNW. 

Since conventional high-speed vessels use so much energy, they require large battery banks and charging infrastructure at the dock. Thanks to its hydrofoil tech, the P-12 uses much smaller batteries that can be charged using less expensive infrastructure.

Candela’s biggest challenge now is scaling up production to meet demand, said its CEO. Across the coastal and urban segments of vessels, Candela estimates the total addressable market for their electric watercraft to be almost €30bn.  

From London to Copenhagen to Amsterdam, many of the world’s biggest cities are water-based, making electric ferries an attractive option for clean, efficient transport.

Sweden’s neighbour Norway is considered to be leading the charge on electric ships globally, with over 60 electric ferries in operation, out of its total fleet of 200. 

Earlier this year, shipping was added to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (a ‘cap-and-trade’ system that limits the amounts of emissions per sector), which should accelerate the electric ship transition.

Currently, in the EU, passenger ferries are responsible for 7% of shipping emissions, making up 0.2% of the bloc’s total emissions.  

Swedish startup takes commuting by boat to new heights — literally Read More »

deliveroo’s-dutch-supreme-court-ruling-provides-little-clarity-for-the-sector

Deliveroo’s Dutch Supreme Court ruling provides little clarity for the sector

Future of Work, Government and policy, Next Featured / /

Riders working for Deliveroo are employees, not freelancers, the Dutch Supreme Court ruled on Friday, in a potentially precedent-setting case for the country’s platform economy.

The case was brought to trial by trade union FNV, which has been engaged in a legal battle with Deliveroo since 2018. The dispute started when the British firm announced it would discontinue work contracts for its delivery drivers, instead offering them the option to continue as freelancers. FNV immediately filed a lawsuit, arguing that the drivers deserved the legal protections afforded to permanent staff members. 

FNV deputy president, Zakaria Boufangacha, said that, as freelancers, Deliveroo’s employees had virtually no say over pay rates and working conditions. “As a result, they have to pay and arrange their own insurance, days off and pensions. And they don’t do it, because the pay is far too low,” he said. 

In 2019, the Court of Amsterdam supported the union’s stance, ruling that delivery workers were pseudo-freelancers because there was an established authority relationship between Deliveroo and its drivers. The company, judges argued, could monitor what the employees were doing, workers were not completely free to work when they wanted, and they had no say in the drawing up of their contracts, as freelancers would. The Supreme Court has now confirmed those rulings, putting an end to the years-long dispute. 

Even though Deliveroo left the Dutch market last year, the ruling could have major implications for businesses that operate in a similar manner in the Netherlands, regardless of their sector, predicts FNV union leader Anja Dijkman.

”This Supreme Court ruling matters to hundreds of thousands of self-employed workers,” she said. Dijkman says she has been concerned for years about the position of self-employed workers in the platform economy (those who work for online platforms like Amazon, Uber, and Airbnb). 

The ruling, she said, will make it harder for companies like Deliveroo to try to claim their staff members are actually freelancers just because it is a cheaper way to operate a business. “It will be case law that others can fall back on,” she added.   

There are currently some 1.2 million self-employed workers in the Netherlands, and that number is growing daily. For years, the government has been working on new rules to clearly differentiate an employee from a self-employed person, but there has been little concrete progress to date. Trade unions and politicians are concerned about this legal grey area, and they say a clear definition is needed. 

Margreet Drijvers, director of the interest group Platform Independent Entrepreneurs (PZO), believes that Deliveroo’s judgment does not provide this clarity. “The Supreme Court has actually left everything as it was — no new criteria have been introduced to precisely define what exactly is or isn’t a self-employed person,” she said. 

Not all delivery drivers are happy with the verdict, either. “I lost my job because of FNV,” said former Deliveroo delivery driver Eddy. As a self-employed person, he can choose which rides he drives and how many hours he makes, he said. Now he works for Uber Eats. 

In potentially good news for drivers like Eddy, employment lawyer, Joyce Snijder, also believes that the Deliveroo ruling will have little influence on similar cases — such as those involving taxi service Uber and temp agency Temper — which are currently before the courts. 

Whether the case sets a precedent or not, one thing is for sure — as more and more workers enter the platform economy, the need for legal clarity for self-employed workers is becoming increasingly urgent.

Deliveroo’s Dutch Supreme Court ruling provides little clarity for the sector Read More »

7-unmissable-highlights-of-tnw-valencia

7 unmissable highlights of TNW València

Corporates and innovation, Ecosystems, Government and policy, Insider, Investors and funding, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /

Ladies and gentlemen, the moment has almost arrived: TNW València is next week! 

In case you’ve been living under a rock (or frequenting another tech site, you traitor), we’re taking our cherished festival on the road. After 16 glorious years in Amsterdam, we’re bringing the show to Spain’s Mediterranean coast — and you’re all invited.

We’re not only there for the sun, sea, and sand — far from it, in fact. València has the fastest-growing innovation ecosystem in Spain, and the most startups per capita in the country. On March 30th and 31st, we’ll showcase the best tech in the region to over 2,000 guests.

Across the two days, attendees will enjoy inspirational talks, networking events, learning opportunities, and the same festival vibes as our Amsterdam flagship. The entire editorial team will also be there, awaiting your company, ideas, and, of course, abuse.

València has become one of the world’s most exciting tech hubs
València is one of the world’s most exciting tech hubs.

In total, we’re hosting over 100 speakers, 75 investors, 90 exhibitors, and 3,000 meetings. Admittedly, this has created one big problem: you simply can’t catch them all. To help find your way through the jam-packed agenda, here are eight highlights at TNW València.

1. The official opening ceremony and party

While the main agenda kicks off on March 30, the fun starts a day earlier, at our opening party.

Our guestlist contains a range of political heavyweights. They include Diana Morant, Spain’s Minister of Science and Innovation; Sandra Gomez, Deputy Mayor of València; Arcadi España García, Minister of Finance of the Generalitat Valenciana; and Borja Sanjuán, Vice Mayor of Economic Development at the City of València.

Join them (and us) for drinks, bites, and networking from 19: 00 at Zeus València. To register for the party, click here.

2. A game of padel

The opening party is one of 10 side events, offering a healthy mix of learning, networking, and partying. On March 31, you can even join a padel tournament at the València Tennis Center. I’ll be waiting on the court, so you better bring your F-game.

3. Unmissable speakers

We’ve assembled a dazzling array of keynote speeches, fireside chats, panel discussions, and workshops. With more tech luminaries than a PayPal reunion, it’s hard to rank the speakers — but here are five of my favourites:

Heini Zachariassen, Founder and CEO of Vivino

Zachariassen built the world’s most-downloaded wine app and largest online wine marketplace. His company has made wine more accessible — and I speak from experience. My use of Vivino has become alarmingly frequent, but at least it’s finding me quality plonk at bargain prices.

TNW Valencia
Our speakers will shine lights on sustainability, AI, deep tech, and much more.

Katica Roy, Founder and CEO of Pipeline Equity

An award-winning economist and former Global 500 executive, Roy founded Pipeline Equity in 2017. At València, she’ll discuss how to close the innovation gap.

Miguel Ángel Leal, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at LaLiga

As a digital chief at LaLiga, Ángel injects innovation into a  legendary football league. His role combines the best of both tech and sports, which sounds like a dream job for me — other than my position at TNW, of course.

Jen Carter, Global Head of Technology at Google.org

Carter leads the pro bono initiatives at Google.org, the Big G’s philanthropic arm. Having spent six years at the organisation, and a decade in Google’s Trust and Safety team, Carter has a unique understanding of using tech for good.

Alex Roca, Ambassador at FC Barcelona

It’s not only tech leaders that are taking the stage. One of our most intriguing speakers is Alex Roca, who recently became the first person with a 76% physical disability to complete a marathon. At TNW València, he’ll give his first public speech since achieving the feat. 

4. The FT Power Hours

Our beloved overlords at the Financial Times are bringing their best brains to València. At a series of sessions dubbed FT Power Hours, they’ll discuss tech’s hottest business trends with industry leaders.

5. The Startup Pitch Battle

It’s not all fun and games. While we don’t condone violence at TNW, we do love a pitch battle — and this one’s sure to be fiery. Some of the world’s most exciting startups will be presenting their ideas to our distinguished jury.

As well as Beckett's workshops, TNW Valencia will feature a startup pitch battle.
The startup stakes will be high.

The challengers will compete for the attention of top investors, a collection of prizes, and — most importantly of all — a profile by your favourite editorial team. I mean us, by the way.

And if you need to sharpen your skills, check out the startup pitching workshop at 12: 30 on Thursday.

6. A ride on the TNW Ferris wheel

It wouldn’t be a TNW festival without our cherished Ferris wheel. As well as offering fun rides and stunning views, the carriages are the perfect place for private meetings — partly because your interlocutor can’t leave.

7. A stroll through the business floor

Our exhibition floor has racked up a vibrant mix of ideas and products.

The 92 organisations in the business hall encompass big brands such as Mercadona, Hubspot, and Helloprint; Valencian tech players like Sesame HR, Social Nest, and Delivers.AI; and government agencies including Spain Up Nation, Valencia Activa, Generalitat, Invest in Valencia.

There’s a lot to see, but our floor plan can smooth your route through the space.

TNW València Digital Floorplan
The arena is dotted with stages, exhibitors, and lounges

I could go on and on, but my schedule is already bursting at the stems. Hopefully, these seven tips are enough to help your enjoy the festivities.

If they’re not, feel free to give me feedback at the bar. I’ll have an Aigua de València, por favor.

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