Startup Ecosystem Podcast

Epizódy

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  EP 53: How to Build a Strong Startup Ecosystem: Lessons from StartupBlink's Ecosystem Index 06.07.2026 24min

  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.  
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  EP 52: Is Your Startup Ecosystem Ready for AI? 13.10.2025 20min

  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
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  EP 51: Does Population Size Matter for Startup Ecosystems? 08.09.2025 23min

  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
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  EP 50: What Governments Should Know About Startup Acts 14.08.2025 22min

  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  
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  EP 49: Global Startup Ecosystem Trends in 2025 06.06.2025 34min

  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
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  EP 48: How We Built the Corporate Startup Activity Index – and What We Found 24.04.2025 17min

  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
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  EP 47: From a Service-Based to a Product-Based Economy - Lessons from North Macedonia 11.04.2025 33min

  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    
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  EP 46: Stakeholder Engagement in Startup Ecosystems - Lessons from Bulgaria 20.02.2025 19min

  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
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  EP 45: Best Practices for Building a Startup Ecosystem in a Small City 16.01.2025 48min

  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,
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  EP 44: Global Startup Ecosystem Trends in 2024 20.06.2024 35min

  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.    
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  EP 43: How to Attract Foreign Startups to Your City - Lessons from Vienna 12.03.2024 36min

  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.
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  EP 42: Slush's Massive Success as a Top Startup Conference 18.01.2024 39min

  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
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  EP 41: How to Scale Your Startups Globally? 04.01.2024 48min

  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
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  EP 40: The Development of Chad's Startup Ecosystem with Hamid Khayar 18.12.2023 46min

  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
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  EP 39: YSpace & The Development of Markham's Startup Ecosystem with David Kwok 25.09.2023 35min

  In this episode of the Startup Ecosystem Podcast series, Martin Jordana welcomes David Kwok, the Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at YSpace —a university run community innovation hub nestled in Downtown Markham — to discuss Markham's startup ecosystem and YSpace's role in its development. 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
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  EP 38: Where are the Startup Ecosystems of Future? 08.09.2023 35min

  In this episode of the Startup Ecosystem Podcast, Eli David and Martin Jordana go further to discuss the cities of the future for startups. Tune in now to learn their predictions on how the global startup ecosystem will evolve over the next 20 years. StartupBlink is the world's most comprehensive 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
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  EP 37: The Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2023 Key Insights 26.07.2023 30min

    In this episode, Eli David and Martin Jordana delve into the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Index, discussing its highlights. Tune in to discover how startup ecosystems have evolved in 2023 with insights on microeconomic and macroeconomic trends. StartupBlink is the world's most comprehensive 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 Stitcher (Android)  Listen in Spotify
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  EP 36: Emerging Startup Ecosystems in Central & Eastern Europe: An Interview with Irina Obushtarova, CEO of The Recursive 16.06.2023 35min

  In this episode, Martin Jordana welcomes Irina Obushtarova, CEO of The Recursive, as she shares insights about the emerging startup ecosystems in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Tune in to uncover the progress made by CEE ecosystems and explore the exciting developments shaping the region's entrepreneurial landscape. StartupBlink is the world's most comprehensive 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 Stitcher (Android)  Listen in Spotify
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  EP 35: How to Determine the Right Ecosystem for Your Startup 28.04.2023 40min

  In this episode, Martin Jordana and Eli David discuss how to determine the right ecosystem for your startup. If you want to learn what are the factors that indicate if your ecosystem isthe right place for your startup, tune in and get more insights. StartupBlink is the world's most comprehensive 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 Stitcher (Android)  Listen in Spotify
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  EP 34: Optimal Characteristics and Mindsets of Entrepreneurs to Grow an Ecosystem 11.04.2023 35min

  In this episode, Martin Jordana and Eli David discuss the optimal characteristics and mindsets of entrepreneurs to grow an ecosystem. If you want to learn about what it takes for  entrepreneurs to accelerate the growth of a startup ecosystem, tune in and get more insights. StartupBlink is the world's most comprehensive 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 Stitcher (Android)  Listen in Spotify