About | ESNA

About

Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) is an organisation dedicated to propelling Europe to the forefront of the global startup ecosystem

Founded as a direct result of the EU's "Startup Nations Standard" declaration in March 2021, ESNA is committed to transforming Europe's startup landscape by fostering a robust, interconnected, and competitive entrepreneurial environment that drives innovation and economic prosperity across the continent.
The establishment of ESNA is a pivotal step towards creating a well-coordinated and competitive startup ecosystem in Europe. By aligning with the EU's strategic vision, ESNA ensures the implementation of best practices that enable quick and cost-effective startup formation, streamlined visa processes for international talents, and optimized tax conditions for stock options.
These measures aim to reduce fragmentation and enhance the cohesion of the European Digital Market, thereby supporting startups in scaling and competing globally. ESNA operates as a new and permanent organisation headquartered in Lisbon, guided by the European Commission and supported by Portugal’s Next Generation EU program. ESNA also serves as the collective voice in ongoing dialogues with the European Commission regarding entrepreneurial policies.
By promoting the EU-wide adoption of the Startup Nations Standards of Excellence, ESNA strengthens the European startup ecosystem's global position and continually benchmarks and develops new best practices.

Ministerial Declaration

Clear political mandate to a new entity that creates a common platform to Member States and startup ecosystem stakeholders

Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) was created from a critical political mandate recognising the need for a unified European entity to advance the startup agenda. Startups are essential to driving innovation, creating jobs, and ensuring the EU's economic resilience. The European Commission, in collaboration with Member States, identified the necessity of a common platform to support and accelerate the growth of startups across the continent. This vision was crystallised in a foundational declaration, setting the stage for a coordinated approach to foster a growth-friendly environment, enabling startups to evolve into successful enterprises. ESNA now serves as this crucial platform, promoting best practices, sharing knowledge, and ensuring that European startups have the conditions needed to thrive globally. By uniting efforts across the EU, ESNA is central to building a sustainable, digital, and resilient economy, ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of global innovation and entrepreneurship.

Declaration

ESNA's proposed Vision defines Europe's desired future position, which will be achieved through a robust and ambitious Mission

Vision

ESNA's proposed vision defines the desired future position of bringing Europe to the lead of the global Startup ecosystem

Mission

To accelerate the growth of European entrepreneurship by improving national policy frameworks of the ESNA Member countries on the common standards agreed upon in the Startup Nations Standard Declaration, and to continuously identify and develop best practices into deployable policies based on analysis of data gathered from members on a digital platform, providing up-to-date key information of the ecosystem

ESNA Standards

The eight standards of excellence serve as ESNA's benchmark for evaluating countries' performance in creating and developing startup-friendly policies

These standards that define a Startup Nation are crucial for advancing both the nation's and the European Union's competitiveness in the global market. By adhering to the SNS, countries can ensure they are fostering an environment that supports innovation, encourages entrepreneurship, and attracts investment. This approach not only bolsters the individual country's economic growth but also enhances the overall competitiveness of the EU on the global stage.

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