12 Jan 2026
Study looks at drivers of relocation by innovative EU startups and scaleups
A new study by the European Investment Bank (EIB), carried out together with the European Commission under the InvestEU Advisory Hub, explores what drives innovative startups and scaleups in the EU to shift activities abroad, and outlines ways to help Europe keep more of its high-potential companies. Drawing on a targeted survey of founders and C-level executives, the study offers direct insights into why, how and under which circumstances firms choose to relocate parts of their operations outside the EU.
The study shows that relocation decisions are influenced by a similar set of factors across different industries and countries. Companies tend to move activities to locations where they find:
- easier access to venture capita
- closer proximity to large, integrated markets
- a more favourable and predictable regulatory framework
- a stronger pool of experienced commercial and sales professionals.
However, relocation is usually not a complete withdrawal from the EU. Most firms opt for a partial relocation strategy. This often means shifting legal headquarters or central management functions abroad, while maintaining key activities such as research and development (R&D) and engineering within the EU. In some cases, investor demands—particularly from investors based in the United States—act as a key trigger for such moves.
The study can be downloaded here:
Drivers of relocation by innovative EU startups and scaleups
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