EU Commission launches "EU Inc." - new EU-wide business model for start-ups

22.01.2026

Source: tech.eu

The European Commission has announced the introduction of "EU Inc.", a new, optional EU-wide form of company for start-ups.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the project at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The aim is to make Europe one of the most attractive locations in the world for technology-driven start-ups.

EU Inc., also known as the "28th regime", complements existing national legal forms and creates a uniform corporate structure under EU law for the first time. In future, start-ups should be able to establish, invest and grow more easily across borders, with uniform rules in all member states.

The plans include central EU registration with fully digital incorporation within 48 hours, standardized participation agreements for investors and a uniform employee participation model across Europe. In particular, this is intended to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and special national regulations that have so far slowed down the international growth of European start-ups.

The project is supported by the EU-INC initiative, which is backed by more than 22,000 founders and investors. Representatives of the start-up and venture capital scene welcome the initiative as a potential turning point for Europe as a location for innovation. However, the decisive factor will be how quickly and uniformly the member states apply the new model.