• The European Startup Network (ESN), an umbrella organisation representing close to 50 national and regional startup associations, welcomes the EU’s new strategy for startups and scale-ups
• The freshly unveiled strategy marks a step in the right direction to help Europe regain its global competitiveness level in technology, science and innovation
• ESN acknowledges the positive elements within the plan while urging for pan-European ambitions to remain at the highest level in its implementation

The European Startup Network (ESN), an international non-profit organisation that serves as an umbrella for nearly 50 national and regional startup associations from across Europe, is gratified with the release of the EU’s newly unveiled Startup and Scaleup Strategy.

The eagerly awaited proposal marks a step in the right direction for the European Union to regain its footing within the global innovation ecosystem, empower entrepreneurs to establish and scale stronger technology companies, and ultimately benefit Europe’s economic growth.

ESN has worked closely with its members, the European Commission and relevant agencies, a number of other organisations and associations, as well as directly with startup and scale-up founders to contribute constructively to the proposed strategy, which was advantageously also informed by a broad public consultation.

ESN commends Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, as well as her cabinet, for the efforts made in entering into dialogue directly with the industry and many representative organisations. 

These roundtables and discussions have contributed to a strong, detailed plan that will level up the EU’s ability to adequately support entrepreneurs willing to take risks to start, lead and grow the companies that will define the future.

More needs to be done to empower them, and change is needed to do this effectively and at the speed and scale that they deserve. 

The European Startup Network therefore urges the European Commission to be bold in its ambitions to turn these solid ideas into reality, continue its discourses with the startup and scale-up industry and the organisations that represent them.

As other elements of the EU’s long-term reform agenda take shape – such as the planned specific proposals for a 28th regime, capital markets union, or Innovation Agenda – the ESN reaffirms its commitment to work closely with its member organisations to continue contributing to a robust environment that enables startup and scale-up founders to thrive.

The EU’s Startup and Scaleup Strategy can be consulted here. 

David Hanf, co-founder of the German Startups Association and President of the European Startup Network, said: „The Startup and Scale-up Strategy is a strong testament to the European Commission’s commitment to making the EU the hub for innovation. It’s an ambitious plan — and if even a third of its measures are successfully implemented, it will mark a significant step forward.“

Marianne Tordeux, Director of Public Affairs at France Digitale, a founding member organisation of the European Startup Network, commented: 

“The startup strategy just announced by the European Commission is the recognition of the decisive role of startups in Europe’s society and economy. Startups are the key towards Europe’s strategic autonomy, and the Commission is willing to enable the creation of European tech champions. This is a major achievement for France Digitale and what we have been asking for several years. Now, we need to move from talk to action! We are looking forward to seeing ambitious and concrete initiatives, such as a European Company Regime, a European preference in public procurement and the mobilisation of private capital to invest in innovation.”

About the European Startup Network

European Startup Network (ESN) is an international non-profit organization acting as an umbrella for nearly 50 national and regional startup associations from across Europe. 

ESN, founded in 2016 and based in Brussels, prides itself in being independent (from big tech companies and governments), neutral (towards all political parties and movements) and member-centric (ensuring that startups from all corners of Europe have a voice).

Learn more about ESN’s mission to turn Europe into the powerhouse for innovative entrepreneurship it deserves to be on our website: https://europeanstartupnetwork.eu

Media contact: Clark Parsons, CEO of European Startup Network – clark.parsons@europeanstartupnetwork.e