SEP publishes first report on ICT Exits in Europe
SEP issues latest edition of SEP Monitor:
About 100 Euro startups expected to achieve business exits in 2014
Venice, 8 July 2014 — Today, in occasion of “Digital Venice 2014”, Startup Europe Partnership (SEP) presented the latest issue of its SEP Monitor, which reviews the European scaleups in the ICT sector that were able to achieve a business exit via a corporate acquisition or an initial public offering (IPO). More than 200 exits were reported in Europe in the last 3 years. Approximately 30 companies were acquired each for more than $100M, with two – Autonomy and Supercell – each breaking the $1B barrier.
Five European companies had initial public offerings of common stock (IPOs) each with more than $1B in valuation. In 2013 the number of exits in Europe increased by some 80% (from 30 to 54), and the first half of 2014 has already witnessed 67 acquisitions. If the trend continues, the report concludes, one may expect more than 100 European companies achieving an exit this year.
The UK and Germany are the countries with the highest number of exited scaleups. 25% of the exited companies were from the UK, 22% from Germany and 11% from France. Not surprisingly, the largest portion (47%) of all acquirers was from the United States. The United Kingdom, Germany and France represented the respective share of 11%, 9% and 5% of all acquirers.
“If we look at the startup ecosystem, there’s still a huge gap between the United States and Europe“, said Alberto Onetti, Chairman of Mind the Bridge Foundation and Coordinator of Startup Europe Partnership. “The main difference is due to the number of startups that are able to scale-up and have an exit. Our SEP Monitor reports more than 1,000 scaleups and 200 exits in the last three years. These figures, although not yet comparable to US benchmarks, are a solid base to build upon a viable European startup ecosystem. Startup Europe Partnership is committed to support this effort.”
Digital Venice 2014
Digital Venice 2014, from July 7th to July 12th, brings together the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi, with policy makers, industry and innovation leaders to shape the future of a growing Digital Europe. Held in conjunction with the start of the Italian Presidency, the event underscores the critical importance the Italian government places on digital innovation toward creating sustainable economic development and quality employment.
On July 8th the opening event convenes five workshops focused on a number of crucial economic issues facing Europe, and aimed at providing valuable proposals to be taken in account for future EU policies on the Digital Agenda. The workshops are intended to elaborate on the high-level vision set by the Venice Declaration and to create a Working Document.
The outcome of Digital Venice 2014, represented by the Venice Declaration and the Working Document, will be tabled at the November Digital Council. Chaired by Alberto Onetti, Workshop #3 Start Up Europe! is aimed at analysing different options to support the growth and sustainability of European startups, and to plan actions that can help scaleups to compete and raise funds at the international and global level.
Ten prominent speakers representing the different components of the startup ecosystem (startups, corporates, venture capital, business angels, European Commission, research and universities, tech blogs) contributed to the discussion. Following the talks 50 participants selected among the most notable influencers from all over Europe were divided into four discussion groups. Each group’s topic was chosen based on twitter interactions with the 50 people attending the workshop and the rest of the world. (Hashtags: #DigitalVenice #DVWS3).
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