Europe’s Innovation Ecosystem Unites to Call For a Bold Reform and a True 28th Regime

Together with EU Inc., the European Startup Network, and various associations from across Europe’s innovation ecosystem, we have issued a joint statement calling for bold reform and a true 28th regime.

For years, Europe’s startup and innovation ecosystem has been calling for a true 28th regime: a single, digital, pan‑European company form that eliminates legal fragmentation and empowers startups to scale from day one.

But the draft report from MEP Repasi falls far short. It reinforces outdated national frameworks and misses what may be the single most important structural reform needed to unlock Europe’s entrepreneurial potential.

Despite claiming to support scale‑up ambitions, the draft report:
– Preserves legal fragmentation by relying on a directive, not a regulation.
– Favors legacy and family businesses over high‑growth startups.
– Ignores founder realities by excluding startup voices from the process.
– Focuses on outdated fears like “killer acquisitions” instead of enabling scale.
– Tries to prevent relocations rather than make Europe the best place to build.

This is not bold reform. It is a missed opportunity.

For that reason, together leading voices representing Europe’s innovation and startup ecosystem, we are calling for:
– A true 28th regime: a single, pan‑European legal entity.
– A fully digital, uniform incorporation process that simplifies scaling.
– A system that eliminates legal complexity and cost, enabling startups to treat Europe as one market from day one.
– A framework shaped with founders, not just legacy incumbents.

The time for half‑measures is over. If the EU wants global champions, it must play to win. Let’s deliver a real 28th regime—not 27 versions of the same problem.