StartupBlink’s Innovators Business Environment Index (IBEI) 2026

StartupBlink’s Innovators Business Environment Index (IBEI) 2026 just came out, ranking the Netherlands #7 globally and #3 in Europe for its startup business environment: a strong position given the level of competition across the region. It’s based on 30+ indicators, ranging from regulation and access to capital to taxation, digital infrastructure, and international mobility.

Currently, the dominant narrative across founders in NL is critical about the access to funding, the environment to scale beyond the early stage, the abundance of rules and regulations, etc. What I find interesting is that the report ranks us relatively high on exactly those points: regulation and access to capital. I guess that says something about how different the system can look from a distance versus from inside a growing company - especially when comparing it to other countries.

This report is a useful reminder that we are still genuinely competitive on a global scale and that we have a strong foundation to keep building on 🚀.