Advertise on podcast: Startup Ecosystem Podcast

Building a successful startup ecosystem requires more than supporting founders through investment, grants, or accelerator programs. In this episode, StartupBlink CEO Eli David Rokah and co-host Aleksandra Ilieska explore how corporations contribute to startup ecosystems as customers, partners, investors, buyers, and gateways to expertise, infrastructure, and larger markets. The episode also examines why corporate-startup partnerships can be difficult, how differences in decision-making, procurement, risk, and timelines can affect collaboration, and what governments, policymakers, and ecosystem developers can do to create stronger, more balanced, and mutually beneficial connections between startups and established companies. StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations, and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map includes hundreds of thousands of startups, coworking spaces, accelerators, and other innovation stakeholders, creating a robust sample of startup activity worldwide. Find out more here!

Building a successful startup ecosystem requires more than launching accelerators, distributing grants, or organizing events. In our latest episode, StartupBlink CEO Eli David Rokah explores what the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index reveals about the policies, business conditions, and entrepreneurial mindset that help innovation ecosystems grow. The episode also examines how governments, policymakers, and ecosystem developers can use the Global Startup Ecosystem Index alongside the Innovators Business Environment Index to identify ecosystem gaps, improve founder conditions, and avoid interventions that create dependency rather than sustainable growth. StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations, and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map includes hundreds of thousands of startups, coworking spaces, accelerators, and other innovation stakeholders, creating a robust sample of startup activity worldwide. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify For questions and feedback, contact us.

Artificial Intelligence is becoming an integral part of every startup ecosystem. In our latest episode, Eli David Rokah explores how governments, policymakers, and ecosystem developers can ensure their ecosystems are ready for the rise of AI. StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center, working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

Comparing a giant like China, with more than a billion people, to Estonia, with just over a million, shows why raw startup numbers only tell part of the story. In this episode, host Andrej Vaklinski and StartupBlink CEO Eli David Rokah explore the Absolute Power of Startup Ecosystems Report. Unlike the Global Startup Ecosystem Index, this ranking does not adjust results by population, revealing new insights into the scale of ecosystems and the difference between large and small nations. Download the Absolute Power of Startup Ecosystem Report StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center, working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

In this episode, StartupBlink CEO Eli David Rokah joins host Andrej Vaklinski to explore the growing global trend of Startup Acts. They discuss what these acts are, why some countries adopt them, and whether they truly boost startup ecosystems. The conversation covers when Startup Acts work, when they risk doing more harm than good, and why improving the broader business environment is often the most impactful move governments can make. StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center, working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

In this episode, StartupBlink's CEO Eli David Rokah dives deep into most interesting trends in the global startup ecosystem in 2025, driven from our research in Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025. Download the full report here! StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center, working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

In this episode, I sat down with StartupBlink CEO Eli David Rokah to talk about the launch of our Corporate Startup Activity Index. We discussed what corporate startup activity really means, how the Index was built, and some of the most surprising findings from the rankings. StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center, working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

In this special episode, we revisit a conversation between our CEO, Eli David Rokah, and Igor Madjov, Founder of Startup Macedonia, recorded during Eli's visit to North Macedonia, 2 years ago. They explore how Skopje is emerging as a tech hub, the city's transition from service-based agencies to product-driven innovation, and what ecosystem builders everywhere can learn from this journey.   StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center, working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

In this episode of the Startup Ecosystem Podcast, we're traveling back in time by revisiting an old recording to explore the state of Bulgaria's startup ecosystem in 2022. This episode features an interview by Eli David Rokah, CEO of StartupBlink, with Momchil Vassilev, the Managing Director of Endeavor Bulgaria, discussing how different stakeholders' involvement transformed the Bulgarian startup scene. StartupBlink is an innovation economy research center, working with more than 100 government entities, multilateral organizations and corporations. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

In this episode, our host, Plamen Ivanov, welcomes Norman Musengimana, the Business Development Manager of Kingston Economic Development Corporation, to discuss best practices for building a startup ecosystem in a small city. The Canadian city of Kingston, with a population of less than 500,000, serves as an inspiring example, demonstrating how such challenges can be overcome to rank your city in the top 15% of 1,310 startup ecosystems. StartupBlink is the startup ecosystem map and research center, working with more than 100 government entities. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups,

In this episode, our new host, Plamen Ivanov welcomes the CEO of StartupBlink, Eli David Rokah to discuss the latest findings from the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Index. Released on May 30, 2024, the Index ranks 1,240 cities and 119 countries, highlighting the latest trends in the global startup ecosystem. StartupBlink is the startup ecosystem map and research center, working with more than 100 government entities. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally.

Discover the secrets of attracting foreign startups to your city, with lessons learned from Vienna Business Agency. In this episode, Mahmod Shamsil welcomes Gabriele Tatzberger, Head of Startup Services at the Vienna Business Agency diving into Vienna's formula of attracting foreign startup to the city. StartupBlink is the startup ecosystem map and research center, working with more than 100 government entities. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally.

The secret of a successful startup ecosystem lies not just in the ideas or investments but significantly in the platforms that bring together its diverse players. This is where Slush, a leading startup conference. In this episode, Mahmod Shamsi welcomes Natalie Lingwood, Head of Expansion at Slush to discuss how they managed to organize a top startup conference. StartupBlink is the startup ecosystem map and research center, working with more than 100 government entities. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

In the competitive environment of startup ecosystems, how to scale your startups globally is a billion-dollar question. This interesting topic was the highlight of the 41st episode of the StartupBlink Ecosystem Podcast, where Mahmod Shamsi, Partnerships Manager at StartupBlink, engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Eli David, the CEO of StartupBlink. StartupBlink is the startup ecosystem map and research center, working with more than 100 government entities. Its global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify

In the heart of Africa, the Republic of Chad is currently undergoing a transformative wave in its startup ecosystem. This episode features a an interview with Hamid Khayar, a visionary ecosystem developer actively contributing to the development of Chad's startup ecosystem. StartupBlink is the startup ecosystem map and research center, working with more than 100 government entities. Its global startup ecosystem map has tens of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally. Find out more here! Listen in Itunes Listen in Spotify