The Top 10 Insights from the EU Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report 2024

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The EU Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report 2024 marks a significant milestone in tracking Europe's progress toward creating a more startup-friendly ecosystem. Published by the European Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA), this report evaluates the implementation of eight critical standards across 24 European countries.

The EU Startup Nations Standards Report 2024 represents a substantial effort to measure implementation of startup-friendly policies across Europe.

Its mixed-method approach combining survey responses, external indices, and evidence verification demonstrates a commitment to methodological rigor.

However, the heavy reliance on self-reported data, inconsistencies in evidence verification, and methodological changes between reports introduce significant reliability limitations.

A Startup Founder's Perspective: When Research Misses the Mark

As a founder who's been in the trenches building startups across Europe for the past decade, I find it incredibly frustrating to see another glossy report about startup ecosystems that doesn't actually involve talking to startups themselves. The recently released Startup Nations Standards Report 2024 is a perfect example of this disconnect. ESNA received a cool million euros of EU taxpayer money to create what essentially amounts to a bureaucratic scorecard that measures policy implementation without measuring actual impact on founders.

Here's what these reports consistently miss: policies look great on paper, but the lived experience of navigating them as a founder is entirely different. Take Malta's supposed 100% implementation of "fast startup creation" - sounds impressive until you're actually stuck in administrative limbo for monthly despite the "one-day" promise. Or consider the 72% implementation rate for "access to finance" across Europe when most founders I know are still struggling to secure early-stage funding outside a handful of hubs. These disconnects exist because researchers aren't sitting with founders to understand how these policies translate to reality. And trust me when I say that funding is often promised but then never actually delivered to startups under very ethically dubious pretenses, but I will write about this in a different article.

What's particularly frustrating is how research like the MIT study on disagreement predicting startup success reveals something actually useful about evaluating early-stage ventures, yet policy frameworks continue to focus on standardization rather than embracing the messy reality of innovation. If ESNA had allocated even a fraction of that million euros to establishing founder feedback loops or creating mechanisms for startups to report their actual experiences with these policies, we might have something actionable. Instead, we're left with another top-down assessment that measures what's easy to measure, not what actually matters to building successful companies in Europe.

But that's just my personal opinion. Below is, however, a thorough examination of the actual report.

Let's see what data says.

Enjoy the read,

Violetta

Executive Summary: EU Startup Nations Standards Report 2024

The EU Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report 2024, published by the European Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) in February 2025, provides a comprehensive analysis of Europe's startup ecosystem through the lens of eight critical standards. This report, the third in the series following the foundational 2022 Baseline and 2023 reports, evaluates 24 European countries (up from 21 in the previous edition) on their implementation of startup-friendly policies.

Overall Implementation Progress

The implementation level of the eight Standards across all Signatory Countries has reached 61%, representing a significant increase of seven percentage points compared to 2023's 54%. This positive trend demonstrates Europe's growing commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, though considerable disparities remain between standards and countries.

Standard-by-Standard Performance

Access to Finance (Standard 6) emerges as the best-performing standard with a 72% implementation level, showing a substantial increase of 16 percentage points since last year. Belgium, France, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine achieved perfect 100% scores in this category. Notably, 14 countries are implementing tax incentives for Business Angels, 14 are using Recovery and Resilience Funds to enhance startup access to venture capital, and 21 countries are utilizing the European Investment Bank (EIB) to bridge the VC investment gap.

Fast Startup Creation (Standard 1) and Digital First (Standard 8) both achieved 70% implementation. For Standard 1, this represents a six percentage point increase from 2023, while Standard 8 actually decreased by five percentage points. In 17% of countries, entrepreneurs can establish a business online within one day for €100 or less. Digital documents from foreign entities are accepted in 19 of the 24 surveyed countries.

Attracting and Retaining Talent (Standard 2) showed remarkable improvement, growing to 64% implementation (a 14 percentage point increase). Cyprus, Malta, and Romania achieved 100% implementation in this area. In 61% of surveyed countries, visa application processes for founders and experienced workers typically take only one month.

Stock Options (Standard 3) achieved a 62% implementation level, showing progress in creating more favorable frameworks across Europe. Five countries (Cyprus, Estonia, France, Portugal, and Ukraine) have fully implemented this standard. Only 11 of 24 countries (46%) tax stock options as capital gains, while 19 countries (79%) offer the possibility to issue stock options with no voting rights.

Innovation in Procurement (Standard 5) achieved a 55% implementation level, a decrease of six percentage points from 2023. Only ten countries have set up incentives for public buyers to procure from startups, though 16 countries report having no legal impediments that disadvantage startups in procurement processes.

Social Inclusion and Diversity (Standard 7) remains the second-lowest performing standard at 51%, despite showing the most dramatic improvement from 30% in 2023. France, Lithuania, and Luxembourg achieved 100% implementation. While 21 countries have created national awards to promote startup role models, only eight have schemes to support founders from underprivileged backgrounds.

Innovation in Regulation (Standard 4) is the lowest-performing standard at 43% implementation. Only 11 of 24 countries (46%) demonstrated clear evidence of implementing the "Think Small First" principle, and just five countries showed evidence of offering compliance exemptions specifically for startups. Regulatory sandboxes are in place in 15 countries (63%), with Lithuania leading with five established sandboxes.

Country Performance

The report reveals significant variations in implementation levels across countries. France leads with a 93% implementation rate, followed by Spain (91%) and Lithuania (82%). Belgium (74%), Malta (73%), and Ukraine (73%) also demonstrate strong performance. Overall, 14 of the 24 countries surveyed surpass the average implementation level of 61%, while ten fall below this threshold.

Methodology Enhancements

The 2024 report features methodological improvements, including a more efficient survey (reduced from 73 to 46 questions with 43 sub-questions) and the establishment of a dedicated Steering Committee. The report combines desk research and survey responses, with scores ranging from 0 to 100 measuring implementation levels.

This comprehensive analysis provides policymakers with valuable insights into Europe's progress toward creating a more startup-friendly ecosystem, highlighting both achievements and areas requiring further attention to strengthen Europe's position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Access to Finance Leads the Way

Standard 6 (Access to Finance) emerged as the best-performing standard with a 72% implementation level, showing a substantial increase of 16 percentage points since last year. This reflects European countries' prioritization of reducing the financial gap through various funding instruments, including direct investments, VC funds, and tax incentives for investors.

Digital Transformation Achievements

Standards 1 (Fast Startup Creation) and 8 (Digital First) tied for second place with 70% implementation levels. The high performance of these interconnected standards indicates significant progress in digitalizing administrative processes, making company formation faster and more streamlined across Europe.

Talent Attraction Improvements

Standard 2 (Attracting and Retaining Talent) showed remarkable improvement, growing to 64% implementation (a 14 percentage point increase). This reflects more efficient visa processes and better programs to attract international tech talent, with Cyprus, Malta, and Romania achieving 100% implementation in this area.

Stock Options Framework Evolution

Standard 3 (Stock Options) achieved a 62% implementation level, showing progress in creating more favorable stock option frameworks across Europe. Five countries (Cyprus, Estonia, France, Portugal, and Ukraine) have fully implemented this standard, offering tax benefits and flexible options for startups.

Regulatory Innovation Challenges

Standard 4 (Innovation in Regulation) remains the lowest-performing standard at 43% implementation. Despite efforts to implement the "Think Small First" principle, there's still a significant lack of support for startups through regulatory exemptions and sandboxes, highlighting a critical area needing improvement.

Social Inclusion Progress

Standard 7 (Social Inclusion, Diversity and Protecting Democratic Values) showed the most dramatic improvement, rising from 30% to 51% implementation. However, it remains the second-lowest performing standard, indicating that more efforts are needed to support founders from underprivileged backgrounds and increase diversity in startup ecosystems.

Country-Level Implementation Disparities

The report reveals significant variations in implementation levels across countries. While 14 of the 24 countries surveyed surpass the overall average of 61%, the remaining ten fall below this threshold, highlighting persistent regional disparities in startup-friendly policies.

Visa Processing Efficiency

In 61% of the surveyed countries, visa application processes for founders and experienced workers typically take only one month, demonstrating progress in removing administrative barriers for international talent mobility in the European startup ecosystem.

Public Procurement and IPR Challenges

Standard 5 (Innovation in Procurement) achieved a 55% implementation level, showing that while progress has been made, challenges remain in creating startup-friendly procurement processes. Only ten countries have set up incentives for public buyers to procure from startups, and intellectual property rights retention remains a significant issue.

These insights demonstrate that while Europe has made substantial progress in creating a more favorable environment for startups, significant challenges remain, particularly in regulatory innovation, social inclusion, and procurement practices. Addressing these gaps will be crucial for Europe to strengthen its position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Top 10 Countries According to the EU Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report 2024

The European Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) recently released its Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report for 2024, evaluating 24 European countries on their implementation of eight critical standards for fostering startup-friendly ecosystems. Here's a detailed look at the top 10 performing countries according to this comprehensive assessment:

1. France - 93%

France maintains its position at the top of the ranking for the second consecutive year, increasing its implementation score from 87% in 2023 to an impressive 93% in 2024. The country excels across all eight standards, particularly in fast startup creation, access to finance, and digital-first initiatives. France's strategic focus on innovation-friendly policies has cemented its leadership position in Europe's startup ecosystem.

2. Spain - 91%

Spain has made remarkable progress, achieving a 91% implementation rate, up from 87% in 2023. The country has established itself as a formidable startup hub, with particularly strong performance in creating favorable conditions for entrepreneurs through streamlined business creation processes and robust financial support mechanisms.

3. Lithuania - 82%

Lithuania has shown dramatic improvement, jumping to 82% implementation from 65% in 2023. This Baltic nation ranks third in Europe for VC investment per capita and has experienced extraordinary growth in its startup ecosystem, with the combined enterprise value of Lithuanian startups growing 16.8x between 2017 and 2022. The country particularly excels in fintech development, being recognized as the 10th country globally for fintech advancements.

4. Belgium - 74%

Belgium has improved its implementation rate from 70% in 2023 to 74% in 2024, securing fourth place in the rankings. The country demonstrates consistent performance across the standards, with particular strength in access to finance, where it achieves a perfect 100% implementation score.

5. Malta - 73%

Malta has achieved an impressive 73% overall implementation rate, placing it fifth in the rankings. The island nation scored a perfect 100% in several metrics, including fast startup creation and smooth market entry. Malta's strategic focus on creating a digital-friendly environment has contributed significantly to its high ranking.

6. Ukraine - 73%

Despite challenging circumstances, Ukraine has emerged as a strong performer with a 73% implementation rate, surpassing the European average by 12%. Ukraine excels in several areas, achieving maximum points for speed of online business creation through its Diia platform, access to funding through the Ukrainian Startup Fund, availability of digital government services, and favorable stock options and tax environment through Diia.City.

7. Portugal - 70%

Portugal has improved its implementation rate from 61% in 2023 to 70% in 2024. The country performs exceptionally well in three key standards: Stock Options, Access to Finance, and Digital First. Portugal has established a favorable tax regime for stock options and created a special legal framework for employee stock options, while also excelling in digital-first national policies and processes.

8. Romania - 68%

Romania has increased its implementation rate from 60% in 2023 to 68% in 2024. The country has demonstrated commitment to supporting startups through initiatives like the Startup Nation scheme, which provides substantial grants to entrepreneurs. In 2024, Romania allocated €400 million from European Union funds to support startups, offering eligible micro-enterprises and SMEs grants of approximately €40,000 for investments.

9. Germany - 67%

Germany secures ninth place with a 67% implementation rate. As Europe's largest economy, Germany continues to provide a solid foundation for startup growth through its well-established innovation infrastructure and strong industrial base, though specific details about its performance across individual standards were not provided in the search results.

10. Estonia - 66%

Estonia rounds out the top ten with a 66% implementation rate, up from 63% in 2023. Known for its digital-first approach to governance and business, Estonia has long been recognized as a pioneer in creating a favorable environment for tech startups and continues to build on this reputation.

The 2024 SNS Report reveals that Europe has reached an average 61% implementation rate of startup-friendly policies, with these top 10 countries leading the way in creating environments conducive to startup growth and innovation. The report highlights particular progress in access to finance (72% implementation) and digital-first initiatives (70% implementation), while identifying areas for continued improvement across the continent.

The EU Startup Nations Standards Report: Comparing Results and Inconsistencies

The EU Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report has shown varying implementation rates across different reporting periods, revealing some notable inconsistencies in the data.

Implementation Rate Discrepancies

The most recent SNS Report from February 21, 2025, indicates a 61% implementation rate of startup-friendly policies across 24 European countries. This represents progress in creating environments favorable to startups, with particular advancement in access to finance and talent attraction. However, when comparing this to earlier reports, we can identify some inconsistencies.

The March 2024 report cited a 55% level of compliance with the Standards of Excellence, suggesting a 6 percentage point increase in implementation over approximately 11 months. This rapid improvement raises questions about the methodology and measurement consistency between reports.

Standard-Specific Performance Variations

The 2025 report highlights Access to Finance as the best-performing standard with a 72% implementation rate across surveyed countries, with seven countries achieving 100% implementation. Fast Startup Creation and Digital First both reached 70% implementation, while Attracting and Retaining Talent achieved 64% implementation.

These figures show significant progress compared to previous assessments, particularly in Access to Finance which demonstrated the steepest progression according to the latest report.

Methodological Considerations

The apparent inconsistencies between reports could stem from several factors:

Evolving methodology: The measurement criteria may have been refined between reporting periods
Different country samples: The 2025 report covers 24 countries, which may differ from previous reports
Policy acceleration: European countries may have rapidly implemented new startup-friendly policies
Reporting bias: Different stakeholders involved in data collection might apply varying interpretations

Contextual Developments

The January 2025 "StepUp Startups" report from the European Commission identified ongoing challenges in Europe's startup landscape, including regulatory inconsistencies, funding gaps, and limited cross-border cooperation. This suggests that despite the improved implementation rates reported in the SNS Report, significant hurdles remain.

The apparent disconnect between the improving implementation statistics and the continuing challenges identified in parallel reports indicates that quantitative measures of policy implementation may not fully capture the qualitative experience of startups operating within these ecosystems.

Intellectual Property Rights Considerations

The March 2024 report specifically highlighted intellectual property rights retention, noting that 76% of countries allowed startups to retain ownership of their intellectual property. This specific metric isn't prominently featured in the 2025 report summary, making direct comparison difficult and potentially indicating shifting priorities in what aspects of startup ecosystems are measured and reported.

The varying emphasis on different standards across reports makes it challenging to track consistent progress in specific areas over time, potentially masking areas where implementation has stalled or regressed.

However, there seems to be limited discussion of potential limitations or caveats to the findings in the press releases and executive summary.

6. Overall Reliability and Usefulness

The report provides a structured framework for assessing Europe's startup ecosystem across eight standards, with detailed metrics and comparisons. This structured approach enhances its usefulness for policymakers and stakeholders

The use of multiple data sources and the request for evidence to support claims help improve reliability. However, the self-reported nature of much of the data, along with methodological changes between editions, raises questions about the overall reliability of the findings, particularly for trend analyses

The report's usefulness is also enhanced by its actionable insights and identification of best practices and areas for improvement. For example, it highlights specific countries that have achieved 100% implementation in various standards, which could serve as models for others

Additional observations:

The report is prepared by ESNA, which has a stated mission to "propel the European startup ecosystem to global leadership". This mission-driven approach could potentially introduce an optimistic bias in the analysis and presentation of findings

The executive summary and press releases emphasize positive findings (improvements in implementation) more than limitations or areas of concern, which could create an impression of greater progress than the data actually supports

There seems to be a disconnect between the overall implementation rate (61%) and the continuing challenges identified in other reports, such as the January 2025 "StepUp Startups" report mentioned in the human query, which identified ongoing regulatory inconsistencies, funding gaps, and limited cross-border cooperation

A Critical Analysis of the EU Startup Nations Standards Report 2024

The European Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) released its Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report 2024 in February 2025, providing a benchmark assessment of startup ecosystems across 24 European countries. This analysis examines the report's methodology, findings, and overall reliability as a policy-guiding document.

Methodological Framework and Evolution

The SNS Report 2024 represents the third iteration in this series, following the 2022 Baseline and 2023 reports. This edition employed a refined methodology combining desk research with survey responses from participating countries. Notable methodological changes include:

Reduction from 73 initial questions to 46 questions with 43 sub-questions
Expansion of coverage from 21 countries in 2023 to 24 countries in 2024
Establishment of a dedicated Steering Committee specifically for this report
Implementation of more stringent evidence requirements for country claims

These methodological refinements demonstrate ESNA's commitment to improving data collection processes. However, these same changes create significant challenges when attempting to make year-over-year comparisons, as some variations in scores may reflect methodological adjustments rather than actual policy changes.

Data Collection and Verification Limitations

The report relies heavily on self-reported data from participating countries, supplemented with external metrics like the OECD Talent Attractiveness Index and the eGovernment Benchmark. While the report indicates that evidence was requested to support country claims, the verification process appears to have limitations:

The report frequently notes implementation scores being reduced due to "limitations identified in the evidence provided"
Several indicators show countries scoring 50% when answering "yes" but providing "no clear evidence"
The subjectivity involved in evaluating evidence quality isn't thoroughly addressed

This verification challenge raises questions about the objectivity of implementation assessments, particularly for standards that are more difficult to quantify.

Sampling and Representativeness Issues

While expanding to 24 countries represents progress, the report still doesn't cover all European nations. Notable absences include Greece (present in the 2023 report) and several other EU member states. This selective coverage limits the report's representativeness of the European startup ecosystem as a whole.

Furthermore, the report doesn't address potential self-selection biases—countries with stronger startup ecosystems might be more willing to participate, potentially skewing overall implementation averages upward.

Inconsistencies in Results Reporting

The report presents an overall implementation level of 61%, representing a seven percentage point increase from the 54% reported in 2023. However, this progress narrative contains some concerning inconsistencies:

Standards 4 (Innovation in Regulation), 5 (Innovation in Procurement), and 8 (Digital First) all show decreased implementation levels from 2023
The explanation for these decreases often attributes them to "methodology improvements" rather than actual policy regression
Increases in other standards (particularly Social Inclusion, from 30% to 51%) seem disproportionately large for a one-year period

These inconsistencies raise questions about the validity of the reported improvement trajectory and suggest that methodological changes may be influencing results more than actual policy changes.

Country Performance Disparities and Verification

The report reveals significant variations in implementation levels across countries, with France (93%), Spain (91%), and Lithuania (82%) leading the rankings. However, the verification of these high scores warrants scrutiny:

France maintains a perfect 100% implementation in several standards, which seems improbable given the complexity of startup ecosystems
The dramatic improvement of Lithuania (from 65% to 82%) would represent extraordinary policy implementation in a single year
The report provides limited critical analysis of these high-performing outliers

Such exceptional scores merit more rigorous verification and explanation than the report appears to provide.

Statistical Framing and Presentation Bias

The report's presentation of statistics often emphasizes positive findings while downplaying limitations:

The 61% implementation average is highlighted, yet 10 of 24 countries fall below this threshold
"Best practices" are extensively documented, while specific implementation barriers receive less attention
The executive summary emphasizes percentage increases more than absolute implementation levels

This presentation approach creates an impression of greater progress than a more balanced statistical framing might suggest.

Practical Utility and Strategic Alignment

Despite its limitations, the report offers valuable insights for policymakers. Its structured framework across eight standards provides a consistent vocabulary for discussing startup ecosystem development. The identification of specific implementation gaps—particularly in Innovation in Regulation (43%) and Social Inclusion (51%)—highlights priority areas for policy intervention.

The report also aligns with broader European strategic initiatives, including the Digital Markets Act and the New European Innovation Agenda mentioned in the ESNA's 2024 Compendium. This alignment enhances its relevance for coordinated policy development.

The Reliability of Data Sources in the EU Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report 2024

The EU Startup Nations Standards (SNS) Report 2024, while comprehensive in scope, presents several methodological considerations that impact the reliability of its findings. An examination of the report's data sources, collection methods, and verification processes reveals important insights about the strengths and limitations of its evidence base.

Primary Data Collection Methodology

The SNS Report 2024 relies on a mixed-method approach combining self-reported survey data with external metrics. The core methodology underwent significant refinement from previous iterations, including:

Reduction from 73 initial questions to 46 questions with 43 sub-questions
Expansion of coverage from 21 countries in 2023 to 24 countries in 2024
Establishment of a dedicated Steering Committee specifically for this report
Implementation of more stringent evidence requirements for country claims

These methodological improvements demonstrate ESNA's commitment to enhancing data quality. However, these same changes create challenges for year-over-year comparisons, as variations in scores may reflect methodological adjustments rather than actual policy changes.

Self-Reporting Limitations

The report's heavy reliance on self-reported data from participating countries creates inherent reliability concerns. Throughout the document, there are frequent references to implementation scores being reduced due to "limitations identified in the evidence provided." The scoring system often assigns countries 50% when they answer "yes" but provide "no clear evidence," revealing inconsistencies in data verification.

For example, in the assessment of virtual helpdesks for regulatory issues (Indicator 1.2.3), six countries reported having remote support platforms but couldn't provide the required evidence to support their claims. These verification challenges raise questions about the objectivity of implementation assessments, particularly for standards that are more difficult to quantify.

External Data Sources and Integration

To supplement self-reported data, the report incorporates several external indices:

eGovernment Benchmark 2024 (for cross-border services assessment)
OECD Talent Attractiveness Index 2023
Not Optional's country rankings (for Stock Options evaluation)
WIPO Global Innovation Index 2024

While these external sources add credibility, their integration presents challenges. The OECD Talent Attractiveness Index, for instance, lacks data for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, and Ukraine, creating gaps in the analysis. Additionally, the report acknowledges that the OECD and ESNA consider different factors when assessing countries, potentially leading to inconsistent evaluations.

Steering Committee Oversight

The establishment of a dedicated Steering Committee represents a positive step toward ensuring methodological rigor. The committee includes representatives from respected organizations including:

Joint Research Centre
Nova IMS
Index Ventures - Not Optional
World Bank
IPSOS-APEME

This diverse expertise likely enhanced the report's methodology. However, the report provides limited information about how the committee's insights specifically improved data reliability or addressed potential biases in self-reporting.

Sampling and Representativeness

The expansion to 24 countries improves representativeness but still leaves gaps in European coverage. This selective sample potentially introduces bias, as countries with stronger startup ecosystems might be more willing to participate. The report doesn't address whether non-participating countries might systematically differ from participating ones, limiting generalizability to the broader European startup ecosystem.

Evidence Verification Process

The report implements a tiered scoring system based on evidence quality:

100% for "yes" answers with clear evidence
50% for "yes" answers with no clear evidence
0% for "no" answers

This approach acknowledges the importance of evidence verification. However, the subjectivity involved in determining what constitutes "clear evidence" isn't thoroughly addressed, potentially introducing inconsistency in assessments across different countries and standards.

Consistency Across Reporting Periods

One of the most significant reliability concerns emerges from inconsistencies between reporting periods. For example, Standard 7 (Social Inclusion) showed a dramatic increase from 30% to 51% implementation in a single year, while other standards showed decreases attributed to methodology changes rather than actual policy regression. These inconsistencies make it difficult to determine whether reported trends reflect genuine policy developments or merely methodological artifacts.

Conclusion: A Useful but Imperfect Benchmark

The SNS Report 2024 represents an important contribution to understanding Europe's startup ecosystem development. Its comprehensive framework and detailed analysis of implementation levels provide valuable guidance for policymakers. However, methodological limitations, self-reporting biases, and inconsistencies in year-over-year comparisons necessitate caution when interpreting its findings.

For maximum utility, stakeholders should view the report as one input among many for policy development, rather than a definitive assessment of startup ecosystem health. Its greatest value lies in identifying specific policy gaps and implementation opportunities within the structured framework of the eight Startup Nations Standards.

FAQ About the EU Startup Nations Standards Report 2024

What are the EU Startup Nations Standards?

The EU Startup Nations Standards are eight benchmarks established in the EU Startup Nations Standard of Excellence Declaration to guide countries in creating startup-friendly policies. They cover areas from fast startup creation to digital transformation and social inclusion.

How many countries participated in the 2024 SNS Report?

The 2024 SNS Report covers 24 countries, an increase from the 21 countries included in the previous year's report.

Which Standard showed the most improvement since last year?

Standard 7 (Social Inclusion, Diversity and Protecting Democratic Values) showed the most dramatic improvement, rising from 30% to 51% implementation, though it remains the second-lowest performing standard overall.

Which countries are leading in implementing the Standards?

While no single country leads across all standards, several countries demonstrate strong performance in specific areas. For instance, Cyprus, Malta, and Romania achieved 100% implementation in Standard 2 (Attracting and Retaining Talent), while Belgium, France, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine reached 100% in Standard 6 (Access to Finance).

What is the "Think Small First" principle mentioned in the report?

The "Think Small First" principle advocates for considering startups and SMEs' interests when framing policies, recognizing that one-size-fits-all regulations often disadvantage smaller businesses. It implies that measures impacting businesses should be created from an SME's perspective.

How do regulatory sandboxes benefit startups?

Regulatory sandboxes provide designated spaces with special legal frameworks for testing innovative solutions. They allow startups to experiment with new technologies in controlled environments while helping regulators understand how to adapt regulations to technological advancements.

What are the main challenges in Stock Options implementation across Europe?

The main challenges include fragmented tax systems across Member States, varying reporting obligations, and complex requirements. Only 11 of the 24 surveyed countries tax stock options as capital gains, which is the recommended approach.

How does the report measure implementation of the Standards?

The report uses a methodology combining desk research and survey responses from member countries, with scores ranging from 0 to 100 measuring the implementation level of each Standard and substandard.

What role does the Digital First principle play in startup ecosystems?

The Digital First principle implies that services should be designed to be carried out digitally. It's crucial for streamlining administrative processes, reducing bureaucracy, and enabling faster company formation and operation.

How does public procurement impact startup growth?

Public procurement represents approximately 14% of EU GDP (around €2 trillion yearly). When startups can access these opportunities, they can implement their innovative solutions at scale and contribute to solving public sector challenges while growing their businesses.