Policy Observatory
Startups Policies in Europe
ICT startups are often seen as a key for transformation of the current economy and society, but also as a major driver for new and innovative jobs especially for the younger generation. The European Union has included in the Digital Agenda for Europe the Start Europe project that aims to strengthen the business environment for web and ICT entrepreneurs so that their ideas and business can start and grow in the EU.
This section is looking to national initiatives in relation to startups and tries to identify whether there are national projects aimed at encouraging innovation, competitiveness and market growth by supporting ICT and web startups.
| Country | National legislation/policies supporting startups and entrepreneurs | Startups associations | Startups Incubators / Accelerators | Major Startup competitions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Neugründungs-Förderungsgesetz (NeuFöG) reduces taxes and social insurance fees for first-time entrepeneteurs. | Startups are members of the chamber of commerce, which supports Startups and SMEs with various activities. | |||
| Bulgaria | Policies: National Strategy for Encouraging Small and Medium Enterprises: Small Business Act Legislation: Small and Medium Enterprises Act On the 9th May 2016 a public discussion on a Draft Act of Innovations was initiated by the Bulgarian Ministry Council. The legislative act aims to boost competitiveness and innovative potential and thus create a knowledge-driven sustainable economy. Specific measures for the implementation of the aforesaid objectives include: tax reductions and direct financial aid for innovative enterprises; increase in job numbers in the sector; enhancing the cooperation between education, science and business entities and others. Nonetheless, the draft has not yet been proposed for adoption by the Bulgarian Parliament. |
ABLE Bulgaria National association of the Bulgarian startup entrepreneurship society (set up on 14 September 2017) | PowerUp (major start up competition) | ||
| Czech Republic |
| CzechInvest – Investment and Business Development Agency | Some minor calls and competitions are organized by the Start-up accelerators. Major competitions with a support of three main telcom companies: | ||
| France | In addition to FrenchTech, the Tech 40 label supports innovative start-ups (not only French, European wide) by enhancing their visibility and providing specific assistance during a year. The setup of an “Innovation cluster” three years ago, put CNIL in contact with start-ups in order to ensure optimal advise on data protection from the earliest stages of product design. Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir Call for proposal for investors through the operator Bpifrance - EUR 200M investment capacity | Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA - 160 French startups and companies present
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| Germany | “Existenzgründerzuschuss”: unemployed people who decide to become an entrepreneur will receive support for the first six month, § 93 SGB III | EXIST programme for start-ups in the science field |
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| Italy | Law D.L. 3/2015 – Investment Compact, which includes the possibility to establish a new kind of SME: the Innovative SME. Law 18 October 2012, no. 179 and in particular the articles 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. A synthesis of the Italian law on start-up is available here. CONSOB regulation on Equity Crowdfunding, with important changes made on February 2016 for start ups funding (recognition of the role of “business angel”) – Resolution no. 1950 del 25 febbraio 2016. Minister for Economic Development – updating of synthesis of Italian legislation on innovative start-ups (May 2016) On December 2016 seven associations of startups and investors met together and proposed a manifesto for supporting the ecosystem of innovation and innovative startups. On July 2016 the Ministry of Economic Development started the first census of Italian startups: StartupSurvey On December 2016 a group of organizations, head by the Ministry of Economic Development opened the online patent office. On December 2016 the Ministry of Economic development evaluated the state of implementation of the law 179/2012 on innovative start-ups 4 years after it came into effect. On January 2017 the University Bocconi of Milan published a report on the capacity of start-ups to get funds. | Politecnico di Milano: Osservatori.net Università degli studi di Trento LUISS EnLabs – the Startup Factory, based in Rome. Italia Startup | Trentorise – Societal Innovation rooted in Research and Education REGIONE LAZIO - Lazio regional government, through Roma Casilino Incubator and Tecnopolo Tiburtino High-tech Incubator Wind - Training Platform for start-up Best Programme 2015, issued by the USA Embassy in Italy Startupper School Academy of the Lazio regional government (training for 2000 boys and girls in the year 2015-2016) Emilia Romagna Startup – La rete per la creazione di impresa innovativa Napoliest Incubator | “Made in Italy. Eccellenze in digitale”, made by Google, Unioncamere and 64 Chambers of Commerce based in Italy. La Repubblica delle Idee WindforFund – crowfundg platform promoted by Wind and DeRev Lazio Regional government, The last competition was: “Fondo per la creatività” aimed at supporting innovative startups Best Programme 2015, issued by the USA Embassy in Italy Emilia Romagna Start-up – competition for innovative startups; call for startups within Programma operativo regionale Fesr 2014-2020 Fondazione Cariplo: Cariplo Factory for promoting innovation and supporting start-ups Vodafone Foundation: Digital for social Digital 360 Awards Samsung App Academy Giornata della generatività sociale | |
| Malta | JCI - Best business plan competition | Chapter 463 (2003, as amended in 2013) Malta Enterprise Act | |||
| Netherlands | General innovation policy for startups covers also foreign companies operating inside the NL including IT sector. The English introduction is available here, or the Startup NL Manifesto.
Official communication documents between Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Dutch of Representatives. |
| Startupdelta supported by the Dutch government http://startupdelta.com.web148.hostingdiscounter.nl/
Dutch private Hubs:
| SIDN Funds to finance projects promoting innovation, research, education, security and trust | |
| Romania | Business Angels Law - a law granting fiscal benefits to investors (an English synthesis new law is available here) Start Up Romania - project of the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business Relations |
Risky Business - acceleration fund
| Innovation Labs - a pre-acceleration program that advances tech creativity and entrepreneurial drive among young professionals and students | ||
| Spain | Law of Physical Persons Income Tax (IRPF) Article 42.2 f) which stipulates up to 12.000€ tax-free stock options for employees, a measure aimed to help companies attract talent ENISA: a Spanish government institution providing funding in the form of “participative loans” (a blend of traditional loan and venture capital) for innovative projects for startups and other SMEs. CDTI: (Center for Industrial and Technological Development), a Spanish government institution for promoting and funding technical innovation and development for companies | Asociación Española de Startups Sonar Ventures | Emprendedor XXI | Startup event/competition: http://startupole.eu
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| Switzerland | Ordinance on the Federal coordination of policies in favour of SMEs
| Comprehensive map of the tech startup community in Switzerland with filters for incubators and accelerators | Best of Swiss Web Swiss award for e-business and internet Top 100 Start up Award Award for the 100 best Swiss start-ups. |
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| United Kingdom | The UK Digital Strategy is policy Entrepreneurs setting up in UK provides guidance Further policy and guidance publications, including sector specific, can be found here Techworld provides a summary of government support, including funding, support, visas, broadband and mentoring | Some of the examples: The Start Up Award and KPMG Presents: The Best British Mobile Startup 2017 More examples at: The Entrepreneur Handbook & at Startup Competition Guide
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Last updated 28 February 2018.
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