Europe Startup Nations Alliance announces new Advisory Board 2025-2026
Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) strengthens its mission with a new Advisory Board. Comprising 22 experts from across the startup ecosystem -including ecosystem builders, founders, investors, and former policymakers - the board will serve a two-year term, offering diverse insights to guide ESNA's strategic direction.
Lisbon, 27 February 2025 – Europe Startup Nations Alliance announces the formation of a new Advisory Board, comprised of a distinguished group of leaders and experts from across various sectors.
This group brings together a range of experience and expertise from across the European startup ecosystem, from public policy and digital innovation to investment and entrepreneurship.
The Advisory Board’s mission is to build upon the strong foundation laid by the outgoing group of advisors, continuing to serve as the "voice of the market" by offering valuable insights and strategic guidance to ESNA and its member nations. Their collective expertise will support ESNA’s ongoing efforts to foster better policymaking for startups, strengthening Europe’s competitive edge in the global innovation race.
Arthur Jordão, Executive Director of Europe Startup Nations Alliance, shared: “Today, we welcome a distinguished group of experts to our Advisory Board. Their combined expertise in government, investment, and entrepreneurship will be crucial as we work to build a more connected and dynamic European startup ecosystem. With their dedication and visionary insight, ESNA will be better equipped to support the collective desire to position Europe at the forefront of global innovation and the startup ecosystem.”
Europe Startup Nations Alliance is at the forefront of building a stronger, more inclusive startup ecosystem across Europe. As a hub for collaboration between governments, ESNA plays a crucial role in shaping policies that foster innovation and support the next generation of European startups.
Members of the Advisory Board 2025-2026:
Paulo Andrez, Bestselling Author and Investor
Carme Artigas, Former Secretary of State for Digitalization and AI of Spain
André de Aragão Azevedo, Former Secretary of State for Digital Transition of Portugal
Ana Barjasic, Board Member, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)
Serena Borbotti-Frison, Director General, Allied for Startups
Sam Eshrati, COO and Chief Engagement Officer, TechBBQ
Martina Fitzgerald, CEO, Scale Ireland
Ricardo Greenfield, Member of Management Board, EurA AG
Sabrina Gülck, Founder and Managing Director, Undiced
Vit Horky, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board, Czech Founders
Egle Markeviciute, Former Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, Lithuania
Omar Kandil, Head of Public Policy EMEA, Stripe
Egle Markeviciute, Former Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, Lithuania
Sacha Michaud, Co-Founder, Glovo
Thaleia Misailidou, Angel Investor
Padraig Nolan, COO, ETPPA
Thijs Povel, CEO and Founder, Dealflow.eu
Clark Parsons, CEO, European Startup Network (ESN)
Markus Raunig, Chairman, Austrian Startups
André Sapir, Former Economic Advisor to the European Commission
João Trigo da Roza, Vice-President, Business Angels Europe
Tatjana Zabasu Mikuž, Managing Partner, South Central Ventures
Greta Žėkienė, Head of Intellectual Property Management, Kaunas University of Technology