Driving impact & growth: First insights from the Operators for Impact program

At Impact Hub Amsterdam, we see that scaling impact takes more than a strong vision. It also requires execution, structure, and the right people alongside founders as they grow. That is exactly what Operators for Impact was designed for. This initiative by the City of Amsterdam’s Impact & Innovation Ecosystem team provides targeted growth support to 11 impact scale-ups. Now, halfway through the program, that intention is beginning to take form in meaningful ways.

Operators for Impact connects impact entrepreneurs with experienced Operators—seasoned builders who work hands-on within the organisation over a six-month period, with a focus on execution and scale. It’s the kind of senior expertise that is often difficult for a scale-up to finance, but can make a real difference in practice. In other words: not a high-level advisory track, but practical, embedded support that strengthens the foundations for sustainable growth.

Now that the program has been running for a few months, we are already seeing encouraging early results: operational improvements, stronger growth preparation, and valuable new connections. Below, we highlight three collaborations that show what kind of support participating entrepreneurs receive—and how programs like this can accelerate growth and impact.

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NoWa x Fer Kitzen (Generous Minds)

Strengthening the operational backbone for circular growth

NoWa is a circular jewellery brand that recycles gold and silver from old mobile phones to create timeless jewellery. By turning electronic waste into valuable products, NoWa contributes to reducing e-waste and building a more circular economy.

Within Operators for Impact, co-founder Joyce Lemmens is collaborating with operator Fer Kitzen, whose expertise lies in technology and systems. Together, they are working on the company’s operational backbone, including processes, systems, and infrastructure, to prepare NoWa for further scaling in the Netherlands and beyond.

A particularly strong element in this collaboration is how system choices are being approached. NoWa is actively involving fellow impact entrepreneurs when selecting the right tools and systems to integrate. That speaks to something larger than one company’s growth: a culture of openness and peer support in which founders help each other make smarter decisions … faster.

A strong example of how scaling impact often starts behind the scenes, by building the right operational foundations and drawing on the collective intelligence of the ecosystem.

Twinpact x Eva Teekens & Michelle Steggerda (Generous Minds)

Building the financial narrative to unlock growth

TwinpacT is a social enterprise and a one-stop shop for impact-driven procurement. They connect organisations with impact enterprises, making social and sustainable purchasing easier, more efficient and scalable.

In the Operators for Impact program, twinpacT is working with two operators from Generous Minds on funding strategy and growth preparation. A key focus is developing strong investment propositions for the next stage of growth. Bardia Alaee, one of the founders, emphasises that work goes beyond presentation materials. It is about sharpening the financial narrative, clarifying positioning, and translating the company’s value into a compelling growth story for potential funders and investors.

For many impact ventures, access to funding remains a major barrier to scaling. This collaboration highlights how targeted operator support can help founders build the strategic tools and confidence needed to pursue capital more effectively.

Zwarte Vrouwen voor Technologie x Sabine Beuk (Generous Minds)

Partnerships & sales strategy for sustainable impact

Zwarte Vrouwen voor Technologie works to increase the representation and inclusion of Black women in technology and tech-related sectors.

Through Operators for Impact, founder Marianne Dorder-Servet is working with an operator on partnerships and sales strategy. The collaboration focuses on building stronger partnerships and developing sustainable revenue streams that can support long-term growth and broaden the organisation’s reach.

This is an important reminder that scaling impact is not only about product development or technology. It also depends on strong commercial structures, strategic relationships, and the ability to build long-term resilience. By focusing on partnerships and sales, this collaboration highlights a critical but sometimes overlooked dimension of growth for impact organisations.

What we are seeing so far

These first collaborations show the breadth of what operator support can enable:

stronger internal systems and operational readiness
better funding preparation and strategic positioning
more intentional partnership and revenue development

Just as importantly, they also show the power of connection. Many scaleups cannot pay senior experts to contribute to their team, despite clearly needing that expertise. It’s a great opportunity offered by the City of Amsterdam to make this expertise available and help strengthen impact scale-ups, not only with advice and talks, but by getting the work done together. In addition, the program is tailor-made to each entrepreneur’s specific needs, as each Operator focuses on the particular challenges of their entrepreneur.

We look forward to sharing more lessons and stories as the six-month collaborations continue. Curious about Operators for Impact or interested in future editions?

Strengthening the operational backbone for circular growth

Building the financial narrative to unlock growth

Partnerships & sales strategy for sustainable impact

What we are seeing so far

Partners of Operators for Impact