European Startup Village Forum

 

 

Research and innovation play a key role in tackling challenges and reap opportunities for wellbeing and growth in rural territories.

The European Startup Village Forum facilitates the exchange of knowledge and expertise on how to promote startup-driven innovation in rural areas.

This initiative is part of the European Commission’s long-term vision for the EU’s Rural Areas, which includes a specific flagship action on research and innovation for rural communities.

What is a startup village?

A startup village is a place (or a network of small places) that embraces innovation and ambitious entrepreneurship as a way to unlock development potential and support wellbeing in rural areas. By combining local place, people, and purpose with external knowledge, resources, and markets, the Startup Village strives to provide favourable conditions for entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystems to flourish.

What are the enabling conditions of a startup village?

Institutions Formal institutions:

• Does the village have access to institutional support for innovation and entrepreneurship? Are the administrative, legislative and regulatory frameworks supportive for innovation and startup creation?
• Informal institutions
• Does the village have a supportive informal institutions and culture for innovation and entrepreneurship? Does the village have established local knowledge networks? Are there opportunities to build extra-local networks? Is there a community of innovators?

Resources Physical resources:

• Does the village have an appropriate infrastructure for business (e.g. incubators, co-working spaces)? Is the village an attractive place to live and work? Can local resources help create new opportunities?
• Financial resources
• Will entrepreneurs in the village have access to finance? Can the village access the financial resources to provide business support or improve infrastructures?
• Leadership
• Does the village have leadership structures that are willing/able to support innovation and provide momentum? Do local entrepreneurs have role models?
• Human capital
• Does the village have existing talent, or could it attract talent? Do residents have entrepreneurial skills, knowledge, and experience? Can potential innovators access appropriate training?
• Knowledge
• Can the village access and broker knowledge from local and external networks and organizations
• (e,g. higher education and research organisations, technology transfer centres and service providers)? Does the village have existing businesses that are willing/able to share knowledge?
• Demand
• Will entrepreneurs in the village be able to access demand in external markets? If there are potential barriers, can these be reasonably overcome, and will there be support for doing so?
• Intermediate services
• Are there business services (such as postal facilities) in the village, or nearby? Will entrepreneurs in the village be able to access legal and financial services?

 

Startup Village Mapping Tool

Understanding how innovation functions in rural areas is central for effective public and private sector’s initiatives aimed at strengthening these territories. In February 2023, a rolling call for expression of interest was launched for all those European villages that intend to be Startup Villages. The map below will show the villages that have identified themselves as Startup Villages, and the information they provided. As the call remains open, the map will continue evolving.

If you represent a local authority and you think your village could qualify as a Startup Village, fill in the questionnaire.