Have Your Say: Shaping the EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy

Start-ups and scale-ups play a vital role in strengthening the EU’s competitiveness by introducing groundbreaking innovations that address societal challenges. However, their expansion remains constrained by several obstacles, including limited access to private capital within the EU and challenges in operating seamlessly across the single market. 

The European Commission (EC) is developing an EU start-up and scale-up strategy aimed at enhancing the framework conditions for these businesses. This strategy aligns with the priorities outlined in President von der Leyen’s 2024-2029 Commission Political Guidelines, which focus on simplifying the regulatory environment, reducing administrative burdens for innovative companies, and ensuring that EU start-ups have access to the necessary capital to scale up within the EU. The strategy will also build on previous initiatives, such as the SME Relief Package and the 2022 New European Innovation Agenda. Additionally, it responds to the calls from EU leaders in the 2024 Budapest Declaration on the New Competitiveness Deal, aiming to unlock the potential of the EU single market as a key driver for innovation. The strategy outlines a broad range of measures designed to support EU start-ups and scale-ups, with a particular focus on innovative ones.

Additionally, the strategy will be shaped by a broad consultation with stakeholders, and as part of this process, the European Commission has launched a public consultation.

 Deadline: 17 March 2025.