Allied for Startups is a worldwide network of over 45 advocacy organisations in 4 continents focused on improving the policy environment for startups. We are working together to create a consensus on policies that can positively impact startups and grow digital entrepreneurship and the digital economy at large. Our mission is to ensure that the voices of startups are heard in government.
Allied For Startups
Our Mission
Allied for Startups is a worldwide network of over 45 advocacy organisations in 4 continents focused on improving the policy environment for startups. We are working together to create a consensus on policies that can positively impact startups and grow digital entrepreneurship and the digital economy at large. Our mission is to ensure that the voices of startups are heard in government.
45
Advocacy Organisations
4
Continents
33
Countries
45
Advocacy Organisations
4
Continents
33
Countries
Our Story
On June 11th, 2014 twelve startup organisations came together with one mission: to speak with one voice on behalf of startups worldwide in politics and government – Allied for startups was formed. Over the past 6 years, Allied for Startups has grown remarkably. Our Membership has quadrupled, our advocacy network is now active in 33 countries and 4 continents and our Brussels office team is expanding.
Since then, we have been part of a global startup explosion. The startup economy created $2.8 trillion in value between 2016 and 2018 , more than double than what it was five years ago. In turn, our advocacy with startups now covers data privacy, data flows, net neutraility, copyright, AI, platform governance, startups visas and more.
Startups are the number one drivers for jobs, innovation and economic growth. We are as convinced as ever that they, therefore, need a strong voice at the table with decision-makers.
Startups do not grow proportionally, they grow exponentially. We want to design ad scale policies that enable exponential startup growth. Startups have so much potential for every aspect of our daily lives. We live in a time when our own conceptions of what’s possible are challenged by startup entrepreneurs. It’s a privilige and a great opportunity to he bringing their ambitions and ideas to the policy debate.
Melissa Blaustein. Founder & CEO Allied for Startups
Our Story and Values
On June 11th, 2014 twelve startup organisations came together with one mission: to speak with one voice on behalf of startups worldwide in politics and government – Allied for startups was formed. Over the past 6 years, Allied for Startups has grown remarkably. Our Membership has quadrupled, our advocacy network is now active in 33 countries and four continents and our Brussels office team is expanding.
Since then, we have been part of a global startup explosion. The startup economy created $2.8 trillion in value between 2016 and 2018 , more than double than what it was five years ago. In turn, our advocacy with startups now covers data privacy, data flows, net neutraility, copyright, AI, platform governance, startups visas and more.
Startups are the number one drivers for jobs, innovation and economic growth. We are as convinced as ever that they, therefore, need a strong voice at the table with decision-makers.
Startups do not grow proportionally, they grow exponentially. We want to design ad scale policies that enable exponential startup growth. Startups have so much potential for every aspect of our daily lives. We live in a time when our own conceptions of what’s possible are challenged by startup entrepreneurs. It’s a privilige and a great opportunity to he bringing their ambitions and ideas to the policy debate.
Melissa Blaustein. Founder & CEO Allied for Startups
Our Values
Our values define us. They govern the way we work internally as a team as well as externally with our members, policy makers and other ecosystem stakeholders.
Positivity
In policy you’ll always meet twice. You will have a point of agreement with everyone. Our messaging is resolutely positive & optimistic.
Transparency and Accountability
Open and honest with each other about concerns, issues and questions with honesty and compassion.
Solution Oriented
Don’t ask how something can’t work, ask how it could work . If there is a problem, think of two solutions and approach a team member with it.
Always Learning
If you honestly tried your best and followed up, there’s only learnings. Being willing to fail to get it right.
We are Innovators
There’s no other company like this one! We’re innovators in the policy space, blazing the trail for startups around the world. We’re doing things differently - in the best possible way.
Commitment
We’re not just executing orders, we’re thinking things through. We are reliable.
Empathy & Integrity
We’re a small team, we’re all helping each other and if something new comes up, chances are that we’re doing it for the first time.
Diversity and Inclusion
As a basic mindset - we don’t join manels. Diversity brings better ideas. Gender balance matters.
Empowerment
Take time to reflect if your activities are making you grow. Set up regular feedback meetings. 360 degree feedback on a quarterly basis.
Teamwork
We are a team for the good and the bad.
The Dream
The Dream
MELISSA BLAUSTEIN
FOUNDER & CEO
DANIEL DALTON
SENIOR ADVISOR
INES MORENO
OPERATIONS & GROWTH DIRECTOR
LAURA BROEK
HEALTH PROJECT OFFICER
ALEJANDRA PLASCHINSKI
DIRECTOR FOR LATAM
NEREA OLARTE
JR. POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
MIGUEL VALBUENA
JR. POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board guides the activities of Allied for Startups on a strategic level, raises awareness of critical issues, and functions as a sounding board for new ideas and policy objectives for the organisation. It provides expert analysis to better identify, advocate and influence the issues affecting digital startups.
The Advisory Board does not partake in day-to-day advocacy work or lobbying of any kind and are not remunerated.
KAT BORLOGAN
Head, Le French Tech
KATHRYN C. BROWN
President and CEO of the Internet Society
SALMA JALIFE
Chairperson Centro México Digital (CMD)
FRANCES BURWELL
Distinguished Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council
EVA KAILI
Member of the European Parliament
ROBERT MADELIN
Chairman of FIPRA International Ltd
MATHEW TSAMENYI
Executive Director, China European International Business School, Ghana
MARIE EKELAND
Founder Daphni Fund and 2030 Fund
DR. HOUDA GHOZZI
Founder and CEO of Open Start Up
Board
Our Board is formed by leaders and CEOs of Allied for Startups’ members. They are elected and voted in by our members for a period of two years. Their role is to advise on strategy and priorities.
MELISSA BLAUSTEIN
Founder & CEO
JOHANA EINSIEDLER
Operations & Think Tank Lead, Austrian Startups
IVAN VASILEV
Vice Chairman of BESCO
AGATA HIDALGO
European Affairs Manager, France Digitale
MARTINA FITZGERALD
CEO Scale Ireland
DASH DHAKSHINAMOORTHY
Founder & CEO, Startup Malaysia
KAYLA ISABELLE
CEO, Startup Canada
DOM HALLAS
Executive Director, COADEC
GILLES AMETEPE
Senior Partner, Policy & Institutional Relations, Ghana For Startups
Industry Council
We are proud to be sponsored by our Industry Council. It supports our activities, as selected by our members, but has no voting rights.
