The ESNA Startup Ecosystem Outlook 2026 contributes to a shared, evidence-based understanding of Europe’s startup economy. Drawing primarily on the ESNA Data Platform, it brings together a decade of comparable information on company creation, growth, employment, valuation and venture capital across the EU, benchmarked against major global ecosystems such as the US, the UK, China, India, Israel and Singapore.

The report highlights Europe’s substantial startup base while identifying progression to scale as a key structural challenge. Designed as a practical tool for policymakers and ecosystem leaders, the report establishes a consistent baseline for assessing the ecosystem’s current position, evolution and areas for further progress over time.