Europe Startup Nations Alliance launched

The Minister of State, Economy and Digital Transition, Pedro Siza Vieira, launched on the Web Summit main stage in Lisbon the Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA). The Minister shared the stage with Eoghan O´Neill, from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. 

The Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) is the first body with the mission of supporting European governments with improving structural conditions for startups in order to make sure they can grow in any stage of their life cycle. 

The launch of ESNA, which will be permanently represented in Lisbon, sets the start of the new EU Startup Nations of Excellence (EU SNS) implementation. 

At the press conference following ESNA’s launch, the Minister claimed this initiative stems from "an effort made by all European countries – which began during the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union – so that Europe can become a continent of startups and unicorns". 

Set up in March 2021, the EU SNS has been signed by 27 countries – 26 EU Member States and Iceland. It comes from a political agreement throughout European on eight necessary "standards" to ensure that European startups enjoy more favourable conditions to grow during all the phases of their life cycle. 

ESNA will also have a role focused on action and supporting member states in becoming a startup nation. Its operations include the active Exchange of best practice and offering technical support to the ESNA member states’ governments. ESNA will also monitor the progress of member states in implementing best practice.