Govtech and Civictech: Technology Aimed at Citizens and Governments

Innovation is not confined to the private sector; it is also revolutionizing the public sector through initiatives such as 'govtech' and 'civictech'. These approaches aim to modernize administrations, improve efficiency, and strengthen the connection between governments and citizens. Notable companies in this ecosystem include ImpactE, Serimag, and eAgora.

Govtech: Modernization and Digitization of the Public Sector

The term 'govtech' encompasses a range of technologies designed to modernize and digitize the public sector. Everyday examples include topping up transport cards via mobile apps or filing tax returns online. According to a recent report by Absolute Reports, this sector reached a market value of over $480 billion in 2022, projected to surpass a trillion dollars by 2028.

Idoia Ortiz de Artiñano, CEO of the Gobe platform, emphasizes the importance of 'govtech' in bringing entrepreneurial innovation to public administration. Key technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and blockchain can drive the digital transformation of governmental institutions.

Civictech: Empowering Citizens for Transparency and Collaboration

'Civictech,' or civic technologies, focuses on strengthening the relationship between the population and the administration from the citizen's perspective. Pablo Martín, CEO of Political Watch, highlights the positive impact of these initiatives on transparency and collaboration in both public and private institutions. Citizens actively engage in decision-making, fostering a more informed and participatory society.

The trend towards digitization and the adoption of new technologies in governments is a global reality. The European Commission and the BID Lab have launched platforms related to 'govtech,' promoting the adoption of digital solutions in institutions. Cities like Madrid and Bilbao in Spain also support this movement with various initiatives.

Advances on a Global Scale

Companies like ImpactE use artificial intelligence and data analytics to optimize municipal energy policies. Their goal is to facilitate the energy transition by assessing the social and environmental impact of communities. Serimag, on the other hand, focuses on automation to make internal processes of public administration more efficient, improving the quality of citizen services.

eAgora, founded by Martín Garrido, aims to connect citizens and administration, offering comprehensive solutions to improve communication and citizen participation. The platform emerged in response to the lack of preparedness of administrations during the pandemic, with the objective of addressing participation and communication challenges.

Digitization at All Levels

Modernizing the public sector extends beyond communication and energy transition; it also encompasses the digitization of electoral processes. Startups like Scytl focus on digitizing electoral procedures while maintaining the transparency and security of the traditional model. Kuorum, on the other hand, offers secure and versatile 'online' voting solutions for various organizations.

Companies like Citibeats, in99, and Muni Digital continue to innovate in the 'civictech' and 'govtech' sectors. Despite advancements, there is a highlighted need to expand digitization to areas yet untouched and provide training to public officials. The modernization of the public sector, supported by innovative companies and startups, stands as crucial for advancing this transformation.