Contact
Sq. de Meeûs 35,
1000 Brussels

[email protected]

Shaping Policy, Empowering Innovation


We ensure startups have a voice where it matters most. By advocating for innovation and crafting a framework for growth, we empower startups to solve the challenges of today and shape the opportunities of tomorrow.

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The Startup
Journey

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The Startup Journey

Startups are the economy’s crash test - if they succeed, so can any business. In 2023, Europe saw 14,000 new startups, but only 10% will survive long-term. At each stage, founders face new hurdles: funding, talent, scaling, and regulations.
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The Idea

Starting is risky. To get past the idea stage, founders need strong innovation clusters to provide research and investment. However, innovation clusters are fragmented and small, with 69% of startups struggling for funding.

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Starting up

By now, 5,600 of the initial 14,000 startups still operate. The challenge? Hiring the right people and securing capital. Europe lags behind the U.S. in talent availability, with 66% of startups citing it as a major roadblock.

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Accelerating

Only 1,400 startups make it here. Growth means navigating complex regulations, but Europe’s incomplete Single Market and overregulation raise costs, making scaling harder.

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Global Expansion

Just 70 startups reach this stage, and global expansion requires funding - lots of it. But Europe’s VC market is not only fragmented, but also weak. EU investors have less money to invest compared to the U.S. and China. This limits the global reach of scale-ups.

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The Exit:
A Make-or-Break Moment

90% of startups fail—but failure drives the next big thing. Efficient exits recycle capital, fueling new ventures. Keep talent and success at home. Ready to turn setbacks into breakthroughs?

Advocating for Policy That Fuels Innovation and Growth

We are dedicated to fostering a policy environment that empowers startups and scaleups to innovate, grow, and thrive. Together, we champion competitiveness, access to funding, talent-friendly frameworks, and innovation-centered policies. By addressing these key areas, we empower entrepreneurs to grow, innovate, and drive economic progress.

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Our Network,
Our Strength

Our membership is made up of a diverse range of organisations, united by a common goal: to empower and support entrepreneurship, streamline the startup journey, and cultivate innovation. Together, we are committed to creating a policy environment where startups can thrive, unlocking opportunities and driving progress across Europe and globally.


Startup Innovation
in Action

Join the conversation where policy meets innovation. Allied for Startups brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders to tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities facing startups today. 

Stay Informed
Stay Ahead

Discover how we change the game. Our news and publications offer an inside look at the policy work driving innovation and change in the startup ecosystem.