On 28 May 2025, the European Commission unveiled the EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy, “Choose Europe to Start and Scale,” as part of President von der Leyen’s broader “Choose Europe” initiative. This strategy aims to make Europe the leading destination for global technology-driven start-ups and scale-ups.
Recognising the pivotal role of start-ups in driving innovation, job creation, and sustainable growth, the Commission acknowledges existing challenges: too many companies face obstacles growing from research to real market success within the EU.
To address this, the Strategy sets out actions in five main areas:
- Fostering an innovation-friendly environment with simplified regulations and less fragmentation; a European Innovation Act is planned for the first quarter of 2026;
- Driving better financing through expanded venture capital and institutional investor involvement;
- Supporting market uptake and expansion via new Lab to Unicorn initiatives and hubs connecting universities and start-ups;
- Attracting and retaining top talent by improving access to skills, simplifying employee stock options, and promoting fast-track schemes for non-EU founders;
- Facilitating access to infrastructure by harmonising conditions for using technology and research networks.
With regard to science and research, the Communication outlines the EU’s efforts to create an innovation-friendly environment, aiming to improve the translation of research into economic growth and societal benefit. Key measures include harmonising regulations to reduce administrative burdens and facilitate cross-border operations for research-driven startups, notably via the upcoming European Innovation Act and the 28th regime. Regulatory sandboxes, simplified insolvency laws, and streamlined approval processes should support faster uptake of new technologies.