The aim of this action is to update the common methodology and indicator framework of the ESSS 2026 for the collection of data and analysis of startups, scale-ups and their ecosystem in the European Union. This action provides the basis for a regular update of the European Startup Scoreboard to monitor, measure and benchmark the innovation performance of the EU’s start-up ecosystem.
Kick-off meeting required at T0 + 1 week (and T24 + 1 week for renewal) — location and mode unspecified Regular and specific progress meetings throughout the contract (T0 + Month 1 to Month 24) — location and mode unspecified Final meeting at T0 + Month 24 for validation of the final report — location and mode unspecified Workshop to take stock of feedback received after publication (T0 + Month 10 and T24 + Month 10) — contractor to organise, location and mode unspecified Participation in meetings with Member States to present key findings ahead of official publication of the scoreboard — location and mode unspecified Services may be performed online (Section 1.5 explicitly lists 'online' as a permitted place of performance) Remote service delivery permitted from contractor premises or home office located in an EU Member State (Appendix 3, Section 2.1)
Tenderers can be natural or legal persons. Tenderers are not obliged to take a specific legal form in order to submit their tenders. Tenderers do not need to prove specific legal and regulatory capacity to perform the contract. In addition, involved entities and all subcontractors, including those which do not need to be identified in the tender, must not be subject to EU restrictive measures adopted under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) or Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) that constitute a legal impediment to perform the contract.
Tenderers must prove the necessary economic and financial capacity to perform the contract.
The tenderer must prove experience in the field of comparative analysis of innovation ecosystems, startup and scaleup development and related public policies. In this regard, they must also prove prior experience with the development of relevant composite indicators including the collection, processing, quality control, analysis, interpretation, contextualisation and dissemination of economic data as well as the application of advanced statistical and econometric methods.
The tenderer must demonstrate experience in drafting reports and policy recommendations related to innovation policy or startup and scaleup development including advisory services to regional or national or European public authorities.
The tenderer must prove experience in developing and maintaining interactive online tools presenting numeric data in a graphical view.
The tenderer must prove experience in communication activities, including the production of visuals and infographics, as well as the organisation of workshops facilitating methodological and policy discussions.
At least 1 Project Manager with relevant professional experience. The contractor shall ensure that the staff members listed in the technical offer are effectively available when the contract begins and during the contract performance period. A team member can only be replaced with consent of the contracting authority which verifies that the replacement staff affords an equivalent level of expertise.
At least 1 Senior Expert in data collection/processing, statistical analysis and indicators development.
At least 1 Expert in innovation policies, innovation ecosystem at EU, EU startup, scaleup and deep tech ecosystems.
At least 1 Senior JavaScript Developer.
At least 1 Language Quality Reviewer/Editor and 1 Graphic Designer.
Published 29 June 2026 · rebuilt nightly from the official notice.