The creation of ESNA goes back to March 2021 when 24 EU member states signed the declaration on Startups Nations Standard of Excellence. The Standard of Excellence is intended to ensure best practices across all member states to improve the ecosystem for all start-ups and scale-ups. The member states have committed to several action points that include establishing a clear EU-wide reference point of key features of a start-up, highlighting sustainable growth as central to the future global successes, sharing best practices and establishing a “Startup Nations’ Hub” with a common data platform for all member states.
Institutionalized support
ESNA will support all member states with their efforts to become start-up nations and monitor progress. Headquartered in Lisbon, ESNA has just appointed an interim manager and is in the process of recruiting a board of directors. Core ESNA tasks include the improvement of national policies, the promotion of a strong European brand statement and the implementation of a platform covering data on EU entrepreneurship ecosystems.
Second Annual Forum at Web Summit 2022
After the creation of ESNA had been announced at Web Summit 2021, the second annual forum with 17 member states representatives, the European Commission and its associate members took place during this year’s Web Summit. The German government announced its intention to join in June of this year and will soon become an official member.
