Startup Europe

About

Startup Europe is the European Commission’s flagship initiative to strengthen the EU's deep-tech and digital startup ecosystem through networking, funding, and policy coordination. It brings together startups, scaleups, investors, accelerators, and corporate partners, universities, public administrations, and media to foster pan‑European innovation. It is supported by a portfolio of EU funded projects and policy actions such as the Startup and Scaleup Strategy, EU Startup Nation Standard (ESNA), Innovation Radar, and the Digital Innovation and Scale-up Initiative (DISC). It is also fully aligned with the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) strategy of the European Commission. 

Startup and Scaleup Strategy

The Startup and Scaleup Strategy of the European Union, updated in 2025 under the “Choose Europe to Start and Scale” initiative, aims to transform the EU into the most attractive global destination for launching and growing innovative companies. It addresses long-standing challenges such as fragmented legal frameworks, limited access to late-stage funding, and talent mobility barriers.

The key actions aim to create a supportive regulatory environment for innovation, enhance access to funding, speed up market entry and growth, attract and retain top talent, and improve access to essential infrastructure, networks, and support services.

StepUp StartUps

The EU funded 'StepUp Startups' initiative aims to accelerate the growth, and impact of Europe's startup ecosystem by delivering evidence-based recommendations for policy makers. The initiative delivered data-driven deep dive policy reports on key issues and challenges facing the EU's Startup ecosystem. 

Funding opportunities

Funding opportunities will be available from 2027. Stay tuned!