#AFS

Allied For Startups

Our Mission

Allied for Startups is a worldwide network of advocacy organisations in 5 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 advocacy organisations in 5 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.

33
Countries
5
Continents
45
Advocacy Organisations
4
Continents
33
Countries

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 & PRESIDENT OF THE ADVISORY BOARD
MICHAEL McGEARY
INTERIM CEO
INES MORENO-ALONSO
EU DIRECTOR
DANIEL DALTON
SENIOR ADVISOR
NATALIA OLEDZKA
COMMUNICATIONS & ADVOCACY OFFICER
MAXIME RICARD
POLICY MANAGER
DAVID DE BAKKER
JR. CAMPAIGNS OFFICER
LUDOVICA RIZZO
JR. HEALTH POLICY OFFICER

Continental Council "The Management 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.

Tomasz Snażyk
CEO, Startup Poland
Peter Kofler
CEO and Chairman, Danish Entrepreneurs
Agata Hidalgo
European Affairs Manager, France Digitale
Csongor Biás
Managing Director, Startup Hungary
Kayla Isabelle
CEO, Startup Canada
Camilla de Coverly Veale
Policy Director, Startup Coalition
Lucien Burm
Chairman, Dutch Startup Association
Gianmarco Carnovale
Chairman, Roma Startup

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
ROBERT MADELIN
Senior Strategist at FIPRA
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
SIMON SCHAEFER
Founder & CEO Factory