FAQ

Why is the EU Inc needed?

The European startup scene is often compared to the US, but this comparison isn't valid.


Unlike in the US, continent-wide investments and collaboration are rare in Europe—less than 18% of first-round investments are pan-European. The complexity of navigating multiple legal systems is a key barrier.


Founders are stuck in national silos, which are limiting opportunities, slowing funding, and hindering innovation.

A pan-European startup entity could standardize investment processes, level the playing field, and unify the ecosystem. Easier collaboration, faster investments and hence more opportunities for founders. It could also harmonize stock options, simplify cross-border employment, and set a standard even beyond the EU.


Europe can become the best place for innovators, and creating a shared startup standard is the first step.

Who is this for?


This is for anyone who wants to make Europe more startup-friendly—founders seeking funding, investors looking for opportunities, policymakers eager to facilitate positive change, or anyone who believes in a thriving innovation ecosystem in Europe.


This initiative is for you.

Why 6 weeks?


On December 1st, the new college of commissioners takes office and sets their agenda for the coming years. The new startup entity must be a priority in their plans.


By uniting the European startup ecosystem, we can make the ‘EU Inc' a reality within the next 5 years.

How likely is this to succeed?


There is strong political will behind this new approach.


"Innovative start-ups should have the opportunity to adopt a new EU-wide legal statute[…] harmonised legislation concerning corporate law and insolvency, as well as a few key aspects of labour law and taxation" – Mario Draghi


"I propose a new EU- wide legal status to help innovative companies grow. This will take the form of a so-called 28th regime to allow companies to benefit from a simpler, harmonised set of rules in certain areas" – Ursula von der Leyen


"[…] a European Code of Business Law would be a transformative step towards a more unified Single Market, providing businesses with a 28th regime to operate within the Single Market." – Enrico Letta


Political will is here, and the need for startups is recognized. However, the ‘EU Inc' is just one of many ideas circulating in Brussels. Even in the Draghi Report, it's barely a page of more than 300.


Politicians aren't founders or investors. We need to unite and clearly show this is not one solution out of hundreds but the #1 solution. If we act now and mobilize the community, the ‘EU Inc' could happen in the next 2-5 years, not 20-50.

How can I help?


Help us ensure everyone in the startup ecosystem signs this—founders, future founders, investors, team members, freelancers, indie makers, press, national startup associations and policy groups.


Support us on Twitter/X and Linkedin, and share our updates and news. Write about this petition – here is our Press Release.


You want to make Europe a better place for startups? This is our chance.

I am a policy-maker and would like to help


Reach out to our policy team via policy@eu-inc.org.

I am from the UK can I also sign?


There is no successful Europe without the UK, Switzerland, Norway and the many other countries outside the EU. This is about Europe not the EU. But to tackle fragmentation, starting EU centric solutions has the biggest leverage.


Sign if you believe in Europe

Why aren't existing company structures suitable for startups?


Current EU company structures like the European Company (SE) are made for public companies and ill-suited for startups due to high capital requirements, complex formation processes, and heavy administrative burdens. A flexible, tailored EU-wide entity for startups will solve these issues.

Who's behind this?


This is a project by the startup community for the startup community. It's spearheaded by founders, non-profit leads and investors.


You can reach us via contact@eu-inc.org.


Led by:


With help from people from the eu-inc Working Group: Luis Cerqueira Silva, Nicolas Delwaide, Evan Testa, Brendan Moran, Benoit Vandevivere, Marvin Baumann, among many others.


We would also like to thank Eric Wahlforss, Christian Reber, Lucien Berm, Gianmarco Carnovale, Michael Jackson, and Isidro Laso, who – among many many others – have been instrumental in securing key signatories through their outreach.


The website is made by the Framer team – thanks for helping us getting this up and running in record time!


Imprint: eu-inc.org, Factory Lisbon,
Av. Infante Dom Henrique 143, 1950-406 Lisboa, Portugal

Why is the EU Inc needed?

The European startup scene is often compared to the US, but this comparison isn't valid.


Unlike in the US, continent-wide investments and collaboration are rare in Europe—less than 18% of first-round investments are pan-European. The complexity of navigating multiple legal systems is a key barrier.


Founders are stuck in national silos, which are limiting opportunities, slowing funding, and hindering innovation.

A pan-European startup entity could standardize investment processes, level the playing field, and unify the ecosystem. Easier collaboration, faster investments and hence more opportunities for founders. It could also harmonize stock options, simplify cross-border employment, and set a standard even beyond the EU.


Europe can become the best place for innovators, and creating a shared startup standard is the first step.


Who is this for?


This is for anyone who wants to make Europe more startup-friendly—founders seeking funding, investors looking for opportunities, policymakers eager to facilitate positive change, or anyone who believes in a thriving innovation ecosystem in Europe.


This initiative is for you.


Why 6 weeks?


On December 1st, the new college of commissioners takes office and sets their agenda for the coming years. The new startup entity must be a priority in their plans.


By uniting the European startup ecosystem, we can make the ‘EU Inc' a reality within the next 5 years.


How likely is this to succeed?


There is strong political will behind this new approach.


"Innovative start-ups should have the opportunity to adopt a new EU-wide legal statute[…] harmonised legislation concerning corporate law and insolvency, as well as a few key aspects of labour law and taxation" – Mario Draghi


"I propose a new EU- wide legal status to help innovative companies grow. This will take the form of a so-called 28th regime to allow companies to benefit from a simpler, harmonised set of rules in certain areas" – Ursula von der Leyen


"[…] a European Code of Business Law would be a transformative step towards a more unified Single Market, providing businesses with a 28th regime to operate within the Single Market." – Enrico Letta


Political will is here, and the need for startups is recognized. However, the ‘EU Inc' is just one of many ideas circulating in Brussels. Even in the Draghi Report, it's barely a page of more than 300.


Politicians aren't founders or investors. We need to unite and clearly show this is not one solution out of hundreds but the #1 solution. If we act now and mobilize the community, the ‘EU Inc' could happen in the next 2-5 years, not 20-50.


How can I help?


Help us ensure everyone in the startup ecosystem signs this—founders, future founders, investors, team members, freelancers, indie makers, press, national startup associations and policy groups.


Support us on Twitter/X and Linkedin, and share our updates and news. Write about this petition – here is our Press Release.


You want to make Europe a better place for startups? This is our chance.


I am a policy-maker and would like to help


Reach out to our policy team via policy@eu-inc.org.

I am from the UK can i also sign?


There is no successful Europe without the UK, Switzerland, Norway and the many other countries outside the EU. This is about Europe not the EU. But to tackle fragmentation, starting EU centric solutions has the biggest leverage.


Sign if you believe in Europe.

Who's behind this?


This is a project by the startup community for the startup community. It's spearheaded by founders, non-profit leads and investors.


You can reach us via contact@eu-inc.org.


Led by:


With help from people from the eu-inc Working Group: Luis Cerqueira Silva, Nicolas Delwaide, Evan Testa, Brendan Moran, Benoit Vandevivere, Marvin Baumann, among many others.


The website is made by the Framer team – thanks for helping us getting this up and running in record time!


Imprint: eu-inc.org, Factory Lisbon,
Av. Infante Dom Henrique 143, 1950-406 Lisboa, Portugal

Why is the EU Inc needed?

The European startup scene is often compared to the US, but this comparison isn't valid.


Unlike in the US, continent-wide investments and collaboration are rare in Europe—less than 18% of first-round investments are pan-European. The complexity of navigating multiple legal systems is a key barrier.


Founders are stuck in national silos, which are limiting opportunities, slowing funding, and hindering innovation.

A pan-European startup entity could standardize investment processes, level the playing field, and unify the ecosystem. Easier collaboration, faster investments and hence more opportunities for founders. It could also harmonize stock options, simplify cross-border employment, and set a standard even beyond the EU.


Europe can become the best place for innovators, and creating a shared startup standard is the first step.


Who is this for?


This is for anyone who wants to make Europe more startup-friendly—founders seeking funding, investors looking for opportunities, policymakers eager to facilitate positive change, or anyone who believes in a thriving innovation ecosystem in Europe.


This initiative is for you.


Why 6 weeks?


On December 1st, the new college of commissioners takes office and sets their agenda for the coming years. The new startup entity must be a priority in their plans.


By uniting the European startup ecosystem, we can make the ‘EU Inc' a reality within the next 5 years.


How likely is this to succeed?


There is strong political will behind this new approach.


"Innovative start-ups should have the opportunity to adopt a new EU-wide legal statute[…] harmonised legislation concerning corporate law and insolvency, as well as a few key aspects of labour law and taxation" – Mario Draghi


"I propose a new EU- wide legal status to help innovative companies grow. This will take the form of a so-called 28th regime to allow companies to benefit from a simpler, harmonised set of rules in certain areas" – Ursula von der Leyen


"[…] a European Code of Business Law would be a transformative step towards a more unified Single Market, providing businesses with a 28th regime to operate within the Single Market." – Enrico Letta


Political will is here, and the need for startups is recognized. However, the ‘EU Inc' is just one of many ideas circulating in Brussels. Even in the Draghi Report, it's barely a page of more than 300.


Politicians aren't founders or investors. We need to unite and clearly show this is not one solution out of hundreds but the #1 solution. If we act now and mobilize the community, the ‘EU Inc' could happen in the next 2-5 years, not 20-50.


How can I help?


Help us ensure everyone in the startup ecosystem signs this—founders, future founders, investors, team members, freelancers, indie makers, press, national startup associations and policy groups.


Support us on Twitter/X and Linkedin, and share our updates and news. Write about this petition – here is our Press Release.


You want to make Europe a better place for startups? This is our chance.


I am a policy-maker and would like to help


Reach out to our policy team via policy@eu-inc.org.

I am from the UK can i also sign?


There is no successful Europe without the UK, Switzerland, Norway and the many other countries outside the EU. This is about Europe not the EU. But to tackle fragmentation, starting EU centric solutions has the biggest leverage.


Sign if you believe in Europe.

Who's behind this?


This is a project by the startup community for the startup community. It's spearheaded by founders, non-profit leads and investors.


You can reach us via contact@eu-inc.org.


Led by:


With help from people from the eu-inc Working Group: Luis Cerqueira Silva, Nicolas Delwaide, Evan Testa, Brendan Moran, Benoit Vandevivere, Marvin Baumann, among many others.


The website is made by the Framer team – thanks for helping us getting this up and running in record time!


Imprint: eu-inc.org, Factory Lisbon,
Av. Infante Dom Henrique 143, 1950-406 Lisboa, Portugal