Less than a year ago, 16 European startup associations jointly founded the European Startup Network (ESN). Now, the ESN may already be over: The German Startup Association, a key co-initiator, has left the network.
The goal of the European umbrella organization was to harmonize the European startup ecosystem with regard to legal frameworks and market access. The network also wanted to promote the startup culture in Europe. However, visitors to the website europeanstartups.org are no longer greeted by the European initiative, but rather by a message from the German Startup Association: The association announces its immediate withdrawal from the European Startup Network "due to differing views on corporate governance issues."
The Federal Association of German Startups co-initiated the founding of the ESN and, according to its own statements, supported the development of the network financially and organizationally.
“No organization should work the way this network did”
According to its own statements, the federal association had wanted more transparency from the ESN management regarding remuneration issues. Florian Nöll, Chairman of the Federal Association and former German Vice President of the ESN, says:
"Against this background, further participation in the ESN is no longer possible for us. No organization should operate the way this network has."
Nöll continues to believe that startups need a strong voice in Europe. Therefore, the German Startups Association intends to continue to make its presence felt in European politics.
The European startup study “European Startup Monitor”, previously published by the ESN, will be continued by the Federal Association of German Startups, according to the announcement on the website.
