A Sifted article, drawn from a session at the Sifted Summit, tackles a persistent paradox in public-sector innovation: governments say they need startups, but startups find it very difficult to sell to them. The piece asks why this is the case and what it means for both sides.
The article highlights the growing expectation that startups will help governments modernise services and adopt new technologies. Yet the reality for many founders is that navigating public procurement is a daunting task, and the process can be a deterrent even for those with promising products.
The stakes are high. If the disconnect is not addressed, governments risk losing access to the very innovation they say they want. The Sifted piece suggests that the current state of affairs is unsustainable, though it does not offer easy answers.