The Start-up Europe campaign – backed by a consortium of powerful figures in the technology sector – has launched a 22-point manifesto to improve the chances of success for the next generation of web entrepreneurs setting up businesses in the EU.
The points include rolling out a pan-European start-up visa, making it easier for high-growth companies to go public, awarding tax cuts to investors and encouraging university students to set up a business before they graduate.
The Start-up Leaders Club put the manifesto to the European Commission yesterday and it has already received 1,011 signatures.
The Club is an independent group of entrepreneurs assembled by vice president of the European Commission, Neelie Kroes. It was established to help shape policies relating to entrepreneurship and the internet economy and consists of nine entrepreneurs including co-founder of Skype, Niklas Zennström, Spotify founders Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, and head of the Tech City Investment Organisation, Joanna Shields, among others.
The 22 recommendations are categorised under seven themes: Education & Skills; Access to Talent; Access to Capital; Data Policy, Protection & Privacy, and Thought Leadership. The Leaders Club worked with the Founders Forum in London to formulate the plan.
“We need to address the fact that continental Europe currently doesn’t create new businesses destined for growth as well as other parts of the world,” reads the introduction to the manifesto.
The Start-up Leaders Club now wants entrepreneurs, investors, advisors and stakeholders to sign the manifesto and share their views on the proposed actions before the end of September.
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