Co-funded by the European Union under EMFAF-2025-PIA-FLAGSHIP, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) jointly with DEEP Ecosystems, Region de Murcia, FMRM, ALDA, Justonearth, Maltaccelerate, Venice Lagoon Plastic Free, Changemakers Agency, CTN, and Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione will lead MED-Hubs—two interregional hubs in Spain and Italy accelerating maritime innovation from idea to market.
Category: Report
Europe’s AI Talent Revolution: Growth, Gaps, and Global Competition
Europe is experiencing a surge in AI talent—but also facing fierce global competition. A newly released report, Shaping the Future of AI Talent in Europe, developed under the StepUp Startups project, explores how the continent is building, attracting, and retaining the next generation of AI professionals. Backed by new data, the study highlights Europe’s record growth in AI expertise, emerging talent hubs like Dublin and Zurich, persistent gender and mobility gaps, and the strategies needed to secure Europe’s leadership in ethical, human-centered AI.
How AI is Redefining Public Services in Europe
AI is no longer confined to private companies—it is reshaping how governments serve citizens. A newly released report, The Opportunity for AI to Enhance Public Sector Services, developed under the StepUp Startups project, explores how AI is transforming healthcare, taxation, justice, and citizen services across Europe. Backed by fresh data and case studies, the study highlights adoption trends, regional divides, key challenges such as data protection and skills gaps, and actionable strategies to scale trustworthy, citizen-centered AI in public administrations.
How AI is Transforming Business Support Processes in Europe
AI in business is no longer confined to core operations—it is transforming the support functions that keep companies running. A newly released report, The Opportunity for AI to Enhance Business Support Processes, examines how AI is reshaping HR, Finance, and Customer Service across the EU, turning these functions into strategic enablers of productivity and innovation. Supported by the European Union, the study highlights adoption trends, investment gaps, case studies, and practical recommendations to accelerate responsible and impactful AI integration in Europe’s business landscape.
Launch of the Startup Heatmap Europe Report 2025
DEEP’s annual flagship report on founder mobility and Europe’s most desired startup locations. Since 2016 the Startup Heatmap Europe report is a trusted source for startups, investors and policy-makers on how founders view the interconnections between startup hubs on the continent.
Unleashing the Power of University Spin-Offs in Europe’s Deep Tech Revolution
University spin-offs are not just startups; they are powerful engines driving Europe’s deep tech ecosystem. A newly released report, Spin-offs: Reinforcing a Vector of Value Creation for EU-27, delves into the crucial role these ventures play in translating cutting-edge research into market-ready solutions, fostering regional economic development, and propelling technological innovation. Supported by the European Union, this comprehensive study uncovers key trends, challenges, and actionable strategies to maximize the success of these vital companies.
The Connectivity of Startup Ecosystems in Europe
Despite Europe’s thriving startup ecosystems, fragmentation remains a major obstacle to growth. Regulatory hurdles, market segmentation, and uneven resource distribution limit the scalability and investment potential of European startups. However, a glimmer of hope shines through: increased founder mobility and emerging interconnected regions are paving the way for a more unified landscape. As part of the StepUp StartUps project, we’ve delved into this connectivity and produced the report, “Beyond Fragmentation: The Connectivity of Startup Ecosystems in Europe.”
Supporting Policy Transformation in Europe
Funded by the European Commission, DEEP Ecosystems jointly with Innova Next SLU (Barrabes.biz), Leibniz IRS, Startup Europe Regions Network (SERN), and EU Startups would lead the Preparatory Action on “European Start-ups 2.0 – Taking European start-up economy to the next level through data-driven insights, research and events”, now branded as StepUP Startups.
Raising Funds & Diversity
With only roughly 13% of Europe’s founders being female, diversity remains a challenge across the board for ecosystems everywhere. Despite progress in recent years, the financing gender gap remains a significant challenge for female entrepreneurs around the world. Read expert’s opinion to explore the causes and consequences of the gender gap in startup financing, check the effectiveness of existing gender parity instruments, and find out strategies for bridging the gap and creating more opportunities for women-led startups to access the capital they need to grow and thrive.
Launch of the Startup Heatmap Europe Report 2023
DEEP’s annual flagship report on founder mobility and Europe’s most desired startup locations. Since 2016 the Startup Heatmap Europe report is a trusted source for startups, investors and policy-makers on how founders view the interconnections between startup hubs on the continent.