StartupBlink

📈 Medellin climbs 6 spots in the 2024 StartupBlink Index, representing about 22% of Colombia’s startups. This growth is supported by initiatives like Ruta N Medellin, which drives innovation by promoting science, technology, and entrepreneurship in the city. For more insights, check the link in the comments.

 🎙️ In our latest podcast episode, Plamen Ivanov interviews Norman Musengimana from Kingston Economic Development Corporation. Learn how Kingston, with under 500K residents, became a startup ecosystem among the global top 15%. Listen now (link in the comments)!

Baku climbs an impressive 68 spots in the StartupBlink Index, recording the largest climb among the Caucasus cities. ASAN Service is driving this growth with initiatives such as Azerbaijan 500 ASAN Startup program, which aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of local startups and improve their access to investors. For more insights, check the link in the comments. #Startups #Baku #Azerbaijan #Innovation

📅 Join our online monthly pitch event February 5 at 5 PM (CET). Present your startup, receive real-time feedback from mentors and the audience, and win prizes such as SaaS discounts and promotion in our 50K-subscriber newsletter. Not interested in pitching? Participate as a listener to vote for your favorites and you might land on the Top Mentor Leaderboard by giving feedback every month. Sign up now using the link in the comments. #pitching #startups #startuppitch #onlinepitch #pitchevent #pitchday

Seven of Europe's top ten cities in AI outperform their general ecosystem rankings, with Bucharest, Cambridge, and Oslo ranking 83, 45, and 38 places higher, respectively. Additionally, Amsterdam has entered the top ten AI cities in Europe, replacing Bristol. Download the full report for more insights (link in the comments). #Europe #Artificialintelligence #AI #Startups

VCs going after founders and trying to seize their personal assets is just beyond words. (Source: Financial Times) A few years ago, if you'd asked me about the best way to grow a startup ecosystem, I would have debated between crucial economic reforms and attracting foreign entrepreneurs. But recent experiences have revealed the real winner: Avoid doing crazy, destructive stuff. That’s it. Every year, we see startup ecosystems actively undermining themselves. Norway shocked many with its exit tax, driving entrepreneurs away. The UK followed suit with increased taxes and social security burdens. But the latest news from China– VCs pursuing founders' personal assets – takes the cake. This is actually great news for anyone trying to grow an ecosystem. Want to win? You don't necessarily need resources, money, strategy, focus, or even active work. Just avoid making obvious mistakes, and your city or country's startup ecosystem will eventually grow.

📢 Mark your calendar: The Startup Ecosystem Awards take place on January 28. Join governments from around the world as we celebrate their achievements in the StartupBlink algorithm by awarding them on different levels, such as industries, regions, and worldwide. Secure your spot now using the link in the comments. #StartupEcosystemAwards #StartupEcosystems #JanuaryEvent #Awards #Startups

Home to 76% of Somalia’s startups, the capital, Mogadishu climbs 15 spots in the StartupBlink Index. The city ranks 8th in Eastern Africa for the second year in a row. For more insights, check the link in the comments. #Somalia #Mogadishu #Startups #Innovation

Colombia moves up to 38th place globally in the StartupBlink Index 2024, with 80% of its top startup ecosystems rising. In the top 3: 🏆 Bogota leads the Colombian startup ecosystems and also ranks 3rd in Latin America. 🥈 Medellin continues its upward trend since 2022, jumping 43 spots in total and now ranking among the top 15% of the StartupBlink Index. 🥉 Cali made its debut in the Index in 2020, rising 49 spots since then and now ranking in the top 25% of the StartupBlink Index. For more insights, check the link in the comments. #Colombia #Startups #Bogota #Medellin #Cali #GlobalStartups 

✅ Join our online monthly pitch event on January 8 at 5 PM CET. Present your startup, receive real-time feedback from mentors and the audience, and win prizes such as SaaS discounts and promotion in our 50K-subscriber newsletter. Not interested in pitching? Participate as a listener to vote for your favorites and join the top mentor leaderboard by giving feedback every month. Sign up now using the link in the comments. #startuppitch #onlinevent #startups #mentors #startup #pitchevent #innovation #globalstartups