European Startup Network is joining hands with EU Inc, Allied For Startups and scores of national and regional startup associations – many of them ESN members – to call for more ambition when it comes to the ’28th regime’.

The EU has a real shot at replacing the 27 separate national incorporation regimes with a single, unified, digital-first system and registry that will allow for the next generation of European technology companies to start, scale and succeed.

Yet, a draft report from the European Parliament that’s currently circulating in Brussels, and will be presented to MEPs tomorrow (Wednesday), risks resulting in a ‘solution’ that benefits no one except for legacy and family-owned businesses, and drive more talent and high-growth startups and scale-ups away.

The report proposes a framework harmonised at EU level but rooted in national corporate laws. While aiming to simplify cross-border business, it rejects the idea of a single, autonomous European company form, instead favouring nationally adapted versions with harmonised elements.

That amplifies the problem of fragmentation plaguing European startups and investors, instead of solving it.

What’s needed is meaningful, impactful, and bold reform: a true ’28th regime’ with a single central digital incorporation platform and registry that reduces fragmentation and costs while ensuring equal opportunities for founders across the EU.

Read the joint statement from ESN, EU Inc and Allied For Startups here.

A big thank you also to:

351 Portuguese Startup Association, ACT – The App Association, AustrianStartups, Cro Startups, Czech Founders, Czech Startup Association, Danish Entrepreneurs, Dutch Startup Association, Estonian Founders Society, France Digitale, Italian Tech Alliance, InnovUp, Latitude59, Local Foundation Rise Europe, Roma Startup, ROTSA, SAPIE, scale-ups.be, Start:up Slovenia, Startup Disrupt, Startup Greece, Startup Hungary, Startup Valencia, SISP, Startup-Verband, Techosystem Ukraine, Unicorns Lithuania.