Europe Advances Unified Startup Framework as 2026 Implementation Timeline Accelerates

2026-01-26 community

Brussels, Monday, 26 January 2026.
Commissioner Zaharieva reveals that the majority of EU startup strategy measures will be implemented in 2026, marking a decisive shift from planning to execution. The ambitious timeline includes launching the 5 billion euro Scaleup Europe Fund by spring 2026 and introducing EU Inc., allowing 48-hour digital company registration across all member states.

Strategic Implementation Gains Momentum

The third European Startup and Scaleup Forum, hosted in Brussels on January 26, 2026, marked a pivotal moment in European innovation policy [1]. Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva emphasized the transition from discussion to delivery, stating that “the vast majority of measures will be implemented in 2026” [3]. This represents significant progress since the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy was adopted in May 2025, with the Forum itself launched in February 2025 [1]. The timing demonstrates an accelerated implementation schedule, with only 8 months having passed since the strategy’s adoption when the Forum convened to assess progress.

Multi-Billion Euro Funding Initiative Takes Shape

The Scaleup Europe Fund represents the most substantial financial commitment within the startup strategy, targeting a total volume of 5 billion euros [4]. More than half of this ambitious target has already been committed by the EU Commission, with potential founding investors including Novo Holdings, EIFO (Export and Investment Fund of Denmark), CriteriaCaixa, Santander/Mouro Capital, and APG Asset Management on behalf of the Dutch pension fund ABP [4]. The fund will concentrate on strategic technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and agricultural technology [4]. Negotiations with selected fund manager candidates are planned for March 2026, with selection expected in April 2026 and the fund’s launch scheduled for spring 2026 [4].

EU Inc. Framework Promises Regulatory Unification

The EU Inc. initiative, formally unveiled by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the World Economic Forum in Davos, aims to establish a unified corporate framework across the 27 member states [5][8]. This “28th regime” would operate alongside national systems, allowing entrepreneurs to “register a company in any Member State within 48 hours – fully online” [5]. The initiative addresses a fundamental challenge facing European startups, as Lennard Kooy, founder and CEO at Lleverage, explained: “Anyone who’s built a company in Europe knows the fragmentation problem intimately. You launch in the Netherlands. Great. Now you need a new legal entity in Germany. New lawyers. New accountant. New everything” [8]. The European Parliament agreed on a supporting report on January 20, 2026, with a broad majority [8].

Industry Response Reflects Growing Optimism

The startup ecosystem has responded positively to these developments, with EU-INC having gathered over 16,000 signatures from across the startup world and support from hundreds of European venture capitalists [7]. Andreas Klinger, partner at Prototype Capital and a key figure behind EU-INC, acknowledged the significance: “Adopting the name itself is a very strong signal. Now it’s about living up to that name” [7]. The initiative’s impact extends beyond European borders, with Giorgio Mariano, head of investor relations at France-based Renaissance Fusion, noting that “for deep tech in particular, like fusion, where companies need to raise large, long-term rounds, this is very good news” [8]. Commissioner Zaharieva acknowledged the collaborative effort, thanking “the startup community, investors, researchers, and Member States for your energy, ideas, and constant push to do better” [3], emphasizing how stakeholder contributions are shaping the policy framework’s evolution.

Bronnen

European innovation startup policy