Organization · Community
European Startup Network
The European Startup Network (ESN) is a non-profit organization based in Brussels, Belgium, that serves as an umbrella network for national startup associations across Europe. It focuses on enhancing the startup ecosystem through research, advocacy, and networking.
Overview
What European Startup Network does
What European Startup Network is
The European Startup Network (ESN) is a non-profit organization based in Brussels, Belgium, that serves as an umbrella network for national startup associations across Europe. It focuses on enhancing the startup ecosystem through research, advocacy, and networking.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2016
- Approximate age
- About 10 years
- Structured capabilities
- Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- April 2, 2026
Official channels
Find European Startup Network elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
European Startup Network as a community
Community overview
The European Startup Network (ESN) is an international non-profit organization founded in 2016 and based in Brussels, Belgium. It acts as an umbrella for national startup associations across Europe, aiming to enhance the startup ecosystem by providing a unified voice for startups and advocating for their interests at the European level.
Community focus
ESN focuses on research, advocacy, and networking for national startup associations. It publishes insights into the European innovation ecosystem, represents its members to European policymakers, and facilitates the exchange of best practices among national associations.
Member value
Members benefit from a unified voice in advocacy, access to research and insights on the European startup ecosystem, and networking opportunities with other national associations and policymakers.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- February 1, 2025
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Fund Managers · Operators
- Benefits
- network-access
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- Europe
Community activity
Events and activity
ESN hosts various events including the Live Member Meeting at SuperNova scheduled for March 27-28, 2025, in Antwerp, Belgium, which will feature networking opportunities and discussions with policymakers. Additional events include ESN Event 6 on February 5, 2025, and ESN Event 5 on February 1, 2025, both in Brussels, Belgium.
Notable members
ESN collaborates with various national startup associations, including France Digitale, Startup Verband (Germany), Austrian Startups, BESCO (Bulgaria), Cro Startup (Croatia), Danish Tech Startups, Startup Estonia, and the Swiss Startup Association.
Capability profile
European Startup Network as an event host
Event focus
The European Startup Network (ESN) focuses on research, advocacy, and networking for national startup associations. It publishes insights into the European innovation ecosystem, represents its members to European policymakers, and facilitates the exchange of best practices among national associations.
Format and cadence
- Startups can present
- No
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
- Next recorded event
- February 1, 2025
- Next event location
- Brussels, Belgium
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Corporate Innovators
- Regions
- Europe
Common questions
What to know about European Startup Network
Upseed classifies European Startup Network under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 2, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.