European startup policy took centre stage in Brussels today, 26th January 2026, as founders, investors, and innovation leaders gathered for the third European Startup and Scaleup Forum
Eight months after the adoption of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, stakeholders came together to assess what has been delivered so far and what still lies ahead.
Launched in May 2025, the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy hopes to make Europe the best place in the world to start and grow technology-driven companies. The Forum, created earlier this year, has become a key platform for monitoring progress, exchanging feedback, and aligning public and private actors around shared goals.
Turing strategy into action
Discussions at the Forum focused heavily on implementation. While early optimism around Europe’s startup environment had been fragile, the past months have seen several real milestones that signal movement from ambition to delivery.
One of the most concrete developments is the launch of the European Business Wallet in November 2025. Designed to simplify cross-border operations, the digital wallet provides businesses with a single digital identity, reducing administrative burden and easing expansion across EU member states. For startups looking to scale beyond their home markets, this represents a step towards a more integrated single market.
Another major signal came with the Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget, which foresees a tripling of funding for the European Innovation Council. If adopted, this increase would significantly strengthen access to finance for high-potential startups and scaleups, particularly in deep tech and breakthrough innovation.
Progress is also underway on building stronger local and regional ecosystems. A call for proposals has been launched to establish a network of European Startup and Scaleup Hubs. These hubs are intended to connect entrepreneurs with investors, corporates, and research institutions across borders, with the winning consortium expected to be announced at the European Innovation Council Summit in June 2026.
What comes next for Europe’s innovators
Looking ahead, the Commission outlined several initiatives expected to further reshape the European startup landscape. Among them is the European Innovation Act, alongside the so-called “28th regime”, which aims to make it easier for companies to start, operate, and scale across Europe under a more harmonised legal framework.
A major financial pillar is also on the horizon with the planned launch of the Scaleup Europe Fund. This multi-billion-euro fund will target the most promising European companies in strategic deep tech sectors, addressing the long-standing challenge of late-stage financing and helping firms remain and grow in Europe.
The Commission plans to develop a European Innovation Investment Pact with institutional investors to mobilise more private capital, as well as an Action Plan for Women in Research, Innovation and Startups. This looks to tackle persistent gender disparities across Europe’s innovation ecosystem, from research careers to entrepreneurship and access to funding.
Building Europe’s startup future
The EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy rests on a broad set of actions, from innovation-friendly regulation and improved access to finance to talent attraction and infrastructure support. While many challenges remain, the Forum highlighted a shift from planning to execution, with early results now visible.
