StartupBlink

StartupBlink is a global innovation economy research platform that offers essential tools for public sector ecosystem developers, corporate startup programs, multilateral organisations, and researchers. The platform provides knowledge and tools for mapping, branding, and accelerating innovation, featuring a global startup ecosystem map that includes over 60,000 startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators. The company works closely with more than 100 government partners and data providers such as Crunchbase and Statista, assisting in the development and analysis of startup ecosystems.

The platform’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report is a key offering, ranking the startup ecosystems of 1,000 cities and 100 countries annually. These reports are widely used by decision-makers across governments and corporations to inform on relocation, investment, and research. StartupBlink also supports the innovation community through ecosystem partnerships, helping ecosystem developers with mapping, promotion, lead generation, and training.

StartupBlink’s research extends to sector-specific areas like fintech and other critical industries, ensuring accurate, publicly accessible data for startup founders. The company’s innovation map, created in partnership with HIEx by UNAIDS, was developed to track innovations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The platform’s business model includes potential premium services, such as sponsored posts and profiles, aimed at enhancing visibility for startups and freelancers. Additionally, StartupBlink hosts a quarterly Startup Ecosystem Summit, providing a forum for experts and leaders to exchange knowledge on fostering entrepreneurship.

StartupBlink was founded in April 2014 in Switzerland by Eli David and Roderick Warren, two entrepreneurs with a vision to create a global platform that maps the innovation landscape. Eli David, an Israel-born entrepreneur, co-founded Lingolearn.com, an online language school, and previously worked for major firms like BDO and KPMG. Roderick Warren, before entering the tech industry, served in the U.S. Air Force, where he undertook assignments in conflict zones such as Iraq and Kosovo.

The initial idea behind StartupBlink was to provide a one-stop platform that catalogues startups, accelerators, coworking spaces, and other components of the startup ecosystem. The goal was to address the challenge of tracking the numerous startups emerging globally by offering a comprehensive map-based platform. By December 2014, StartupBlink launched its full-fledged version, featuring tens of thousands of startups and allowing participants to update and manage their profiles. The platform not only focused on startups but also extended to other key ecosystem players such as freelancers, influencers, and ambassadors, offering features that foster networking and collaboration.

StartupBlink's innovation was further bolstered by its "blinks," a tool enabling startups to post updates on milestones, product launches, market expansions, and funding needs. This differentiates StartupBlink from platforms like CrunchBase and AngelList by concentrating less on major funding rounds and more on fostering connections between small and mid-sized startups and like-minded entrepreneurs, customers, and colleagues.

In its formative years, StartupBlink's growth was self-funded by its founders, supported by friends, and gradually expanded through partnerships with governments, municipalities, and corporate stakeholders. The platform now includes data sourced from partners such as Crunchbase, SEMrush, and SimilarWeb, helping to map more than 60,000 startups globally.

One of the platform’s most notable contributions is its annual Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report. This report ranks the startup ecosystems of 1,000 cities and 100 countries, providing decision-makers with valuable insights on the most promising locations for startups. These rankings are based on a wide range of data, including information from global partners and data providers. The report has been downloaded by tens of thousands of decision-makers worldwide and has received extensive media coverage, further positioning StartupBlink as a key resource in the innovation space.

Additionally, StartupBlink launched the Coronavirus Innovation Map in collaboration with HIEx by UNAIDS, showcasing hundreds of innovations created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort highlights the platform's adaptability and its commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.

StartupBlink continues to expand its services by offering ecosystem partnerships that provide comprehensive tools for ecosystem developers. These include mapping, promotion, lead generation, policy advising, and training. The platform also holds a quarterly Startup Ecosystem Summit, bringing together experts and ecosystem leaders to share knowledge on fostering entrepreneurship.

As of today, StartupBlink's global reach includes partnerships with over 100 governments and multilateral organisations, making it a leading player in the field of startup ecosystem research and innovation mapping. With a growing user base and ever-expanding database, the platform continues to play a critical role in supporting the development of startup ecosystems worldwide.

The goals and purpose of StartupBlink are centred around fostering innovation and supporting the development of startup ecosystems worldwide. The platform's key objectives and mission include:

• Mapping the global innovation ecosystem: StartupBlink aims to provide an accurate, up-to-date map of the global startup landscape. By cataloguing tens of thousands of startups, accelerators, coworking spaces, and ecosystem players, the platform offers a comprehensive tool for understanding innovation hubs globally.
• Empowering ecosystem developers: The platform supports public sector ecosystem developers, corporate startup programs, multilateral organisations, and researchers with essential data and tools to brand, promote, and grow their innovation ecosystems. This includes services like lead generation, policy advising, promotion, and training.
• Providing reliable insights for decision-making: StartupBlink strives to supply accurate, publicly available information to key stakeholders in the global startup ecosystem. Its data-driven reports help entrepreneurs, investors, and governments make informed decisions about location, investment, and ecosystem development.
• Promoting global innovation through research: One of StartupBlink’s core purposes is to produce the Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report annually. This report ranks 1,000 cities and 100 countries based on their startup ecosystems, offering valuable insights for governments, corporations, and decision-makers to promote and benchmark innovation.
• Facilitating networking and collaboration: Through its platform features, such as "blinks" for posting updates and its mapping tools, StartupBlink fosters networking opportunities for startups, freelancers, and ecosystem participants. The goal is to create meaningful connections between entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals or potential collaborators.
• Addressing global challenges: StartupBlink also aims to contribute to global problem-solving through initiatives like the Coronavirus Innovation Map, which highlights innovations developed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating its ability to adapt and address urgent global needs.
• Supporting Economic Growth: Ultimately, StartupBlink’s purpose is to help expand and accelerate innovation ecosystems, contributing to economic development through entrepreneurship, research, and innovation.

The impact of StartupBlink has been significant in the global startup ecosystem and innovation landscape. Here are some of the key areas in which StartupBlink has made an impact:

• Global ecosystem development: StartupBlink has helped numerous cities and countries understand and grow their startup ecosystems through its Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report. By providing an annual ranking of 1,000 cities and 100 countries, it offers valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of these ecosystems, allowing governments and organisations to make informed decisions to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Data-driven decision making: StartupBlink’s comprehensive database and research tools have empowered entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem developers to make location-related decisions based on reliable data. This has supported startups in choosing the best environments to thrive and has guided investors in identifying promising markets for investment.
• Collaboration and networking: The platform has fostered collaboration between startups, accelerators, coworking spaces, and other key players in the innovation space. Through features such as "blinks" and its networking tools, StartupBlink has created a space where startups can share updates, achievements, and opportunities, helping them connect with potential partners, customers, and investors globally.
• Support for government and corporate ecosystem programs: StartupBlink's partnerships with over 100 governments and major corporations have had a direct impact on how startup ecosystems are developed and supported. By offering services such as ecosystem mapping, lead generation, and policy advising, the platform has been instrumental in helping cities and countries position themselves as innovation hubs.
• Response to global challenges: The platform's creation of the Coronavirus Innovation Map in collaboration with HIEx by UNAIDS exemplifies its ability to mobilise resources in response to global crises. By cataloguing innovations aimed at addressing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, StartupBlink has contributed to global efforts to find solutions and adapt to new realities.
• Media and industry recognition: StartupBlink’s reports and insights have received thousands of mentions in global and national press, influencing public policy and corporate strategy. Its Global Startup Ecosystem Index is widely used by decision-makers and has become a trusted source for understanding the innovation landscape, further enhancing the visibility of the startup ecosystems it ranks.
• Promoting innovation at all levels: Unlike other platforms focused primarily on large funding rounds and big players, StartupBlink places a strong emphasis on supporting small and mid-sized startups. By promoting these startups and connecting them with local and global networks, the platform has played a crucial role in fostering innovation at various levels, from grassroots to large-scale initiatives.