1st place winner: BuurBox - Turning unused space into a neighborhood asset
With housing costs rising and space in cities shrinking, BuurBox is tapping into an untapped urban resource: unused storage space. Their peer-to-peer platform connects people who need storage space with neighbors who have room to spare, making storage more affordable, convenient, and community-driven.
Victoria Liao, who started BuurBox as a solo founder, found more than just mentorship in the Startup Booster: “I was pitching for a co-founder during the program and Fabien, one of the AMS mentors, introduced me to Pierre, who’s now my co-founder!”
BuurBox joined the Startup Booster to align with a partner that shares their values of community and sustainability. Through the program, they gained access to invaluable resources, like free legal consulting from Zebra Legal, which helped unlock new partnerships and a network of mentors, VCs, and marketplace scaleups.
Their biggest takeaway?
“Always test your assumptions and fall in love with the problem, not the solution. The program helped us sharpen the way we talk to customers and get more out of those conversations.”
BuurBox
What’s next?
BuurBox is growing its user base and product offering, moving into B2B for both renters and hosts. They're even considering launching their own storage space and expanding into a second city by the end of the year.
Got or need extra space? Head to BuurBox.nl and help your neighborhood become a little more connected.
2nd place winner: BabyLoop - Premium baby gear without the waste or the price tag
Every year, millions of baby products are used for just a few months before being stored away or discarded. BabyLoop is tackling that waste by offering top-quality baby items for rent, saving parents up to 70% of the cost, while reducing their environmental impact by up to 90%.
Founder Ilse joined the Startup Booster to sharpen her vision and grow her startup. She reflects on how the experience transformed both the business and her confidence:
“Instead of relying on a traditional consultancy deck, I learned to craft a story: more personal, engaging, and memorable.”
BabyLoop
The Booster connected her with sustainability-focused mentors and partners, helping refine BabyLoop’s brand and growth strategy.
What’s next?
BabyLoop is looking to raise funding to expand awareness and impact. International expansion is on the radar, starting with Belgium. They’re also open to collaborations, especially with sustainable baby brands and mission-aligned entrepreneurs.
Know someone in this space? Reach out and help BabyLoop grow!
3rd place winner: Meterd - Smarter energy, one building at a time
Meterd helps businesses and public institutions cut energy waste and emissions through real-time monitoring and AI-powered optimization. What started as a university-based startup has now evolved into a solution ready to support cities, logistics hubs, and even libraries in managing their energy better.
The team joined the AMS Startup Booster on a recommendation and quickly found value in the feedback, expert advice, and peer network.
“We assumed we had it all figured out. The program helped us re-evaluate key aspects and narrow our message to what really matters.”
Meterd
Their biggest challenge? Commuting from Tilburg to Amsterdam. “At least we can now drive to Amsterdam with our eyes closed!”
What’s next?
Meterd is expanding to Germany and Poland, aiming to secure 10+ large clients by the end of the year. They’re also exploring EU grants to scale R&D without equity dilution.
And there’s more:
Exclusive for the AMS network: Try their Energy Performance Check tool for free, get a personalized audit in just 5 minutes.
Looking to manage energy in a municipal building or industrial facility? Let’s get your facilities meterd!
Inspired?
Applications for the next batch of the AMS Startup Booster will open this summer and batch #8 is set to start this October. Stay tuned and be part of the next generation of urban changemakers.
Curious what the Startup Booster journey looks like? Watch the video below to get a behind-the-scenes look at the program and Demo Day to learn more about what it means to go from idea to thriving business!