All Hail the Startup Culture!
The startup culture has taken the biz world by the storm and is certainly showing no signs of slowing down. 2017, in fact, is ripe with opportunities for several of these to rise and flourish. Given the positive impact startups have on economies, it’s no surprise that they’re becoming a huge hit with young entrepreneurs who have creative ideas to deliver on. And yet it’s not as if this applies universally. Not all countries have conducive environments for setting startups. The level of ease at which business can be done, the quality of labor, how tech-ready and supportive a country is, availability of venture capital and so on, are some of the important factors that determine not just the life but also the possibility of a startup. If this is so, then what’s the best country to incorporate a startup in?
The Land of Palms – Brazil
The fact that its history is smeared with instability hasn’t really been an obstacle to the recent growth of startup culture in Brazil. In fact, according to the Brazilian Startup Association, the land has 10,000 startups in the sphere of technology alone. People invest billions in the startup scenario and therefore, the country is brimming with immense business potential. Investments are easy to bag and therefore the environment is conducive for such endeavors. Government institutions such as Startup Rio and SEED invest a huge amount of money along with other private partners in startup ventures.


Image courtesy : Christian Haugen

Although red-tapism is a major issue, the government is simplifying the process to a large extent. But otherwise, usually if a person wants to start say, a Limited Liability Company (Limitada in Brazil) he/she needs minimum 2 shareholders, a director (of any nationality) as well as a Brazilian who is legally responsible for the entity. The company could be started within 20 weeks. Most importantly, here you don’t have to face any restrictions on the kinds of business activities you wish to pursue.

Some Startups to look up: Peixe Urbano, LikeStore
The Jewel in the Crown – India
The land of prayers is increasingly becoming a budding hub for startup ventures. Whether it’s social entrepreneurship or small businesses, all find a comfortable home in the country. New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai are some of the major cities favorable to setting startups. This is even more pronounced in terms of getting funds or investment deals. The total funding of several Indian companies, backed by venture capital, runs into billions. In fact, India has become the third largest and most hospitable nation after US and UK, in terms of hosting or providing a startup environment.


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The Indian Prime Minister in 2016, allocated $1.5 billion fund to boost the startup culture involving new tax breaks for companies as well as their investors. The icing on the cake however, is that soon one can set up companies in a day through an app!

Some Startups to look up: Capital Float, ID Foods
The Fine country – Singapore
With a small population of about 5.5 million alone, Singapore is establishing itself as one of the top spots for startups in the world. Its innovative policies and a largely conducive startup ecosystem have made it the best country to incorporate a startup in. The government provides huge tax subsidies to tech startups in the country which boosts such companies and ensures their sustainability. In 2010 startups in Singapore raised $0.08 billion while in 2015 this grew to $1.1 billion. This marks the enormous growth of startup culture in the country which makes it even more favorable to such ventures.


Image Courtesy: Jakub Michankow

Politically and economically stable, the country also boasts of a strong labor force. It imposes no dividend or capital gains taxes. It harbors a strong investment and trade culture and offers cheap travel to surrounding countries making the process of setting up and doing business easy and flexible.

Some Startups to look up: HonestBee, Ryde
Deutschland – Germany
The country’s startup scene is young and maturing rapidly. Quite interestingly, this culture isn’t restricted to some major cities like Berlin or Hamburg. It is happening across cities in the entire nation! This definitely makes Germany the best country to incorporate a startup in. What’s unique about Germany is the availability of affordable office spaces for people to incorporate their businesses in. This is one of the major reasons as to why the country is soaring with startup possibilities. Statistics tell us that every year, around 760,000 startups are incorporated in the country.


Image Courtesy: Thomas Depenbusch

Apart from this, there’s no dearth of investors and accelerators that enables easy availability of huge funds for young entrepreneurs. About $11 billion is invested in the country to boost its startup scenario every year. In fact, the government has also committed to investing several billions into such enterprises over the next decade. It’s also the best country for LLC (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, GmbH) since the procedure is imbued with flexibility and few obligations.

Some Startups to look up: Crate, OneFootball
The Land of the Dreamcatchers – United States of America
The United States of America has one of the world’s largest and most flourishing startup ecosystems. Austin, Miami, San Francisco, Las Vegas etc. figure in the list of world’s top cities for incorporating young business ventures. Approximately, 500,000 startups are established in the country of dreams every year. One only has to look at the Silicon Valley- the startup capital of the world- to come to terms with the enormously facilitating milieu in the USA for fresh companies. It has a skilled and diverse workforce while there’s no doubt that it’s recognized as a leader in research and innovation. Moreover, funding sources are in plenty whether it’s angel investors, venture capitalists or investment firms.


Image Courtesy: Patrick Naouhailler

The US government budget for tech startups is gargantuan. For instance, in 2016 alone, they spent $82 billion on the IT sector. Although the laws governing setting up of LLC differ across states, most of them are quite flexible, carrying forward the nation’s culture of encouraging startups. The government’s endless support in terms of grants and tax incentives makes it easier to start a business in the US than many other nations.

Some Startups to look up: Bumble, CotoPaxi
The Land of Hope & Glory – United Kingdom
UK has really proven to be the land of hope and subsequent glory for fresh startup ventures. With roughly 80 new startups an hours, the rate at which its startup culture is growing is unprecedented. London, in fact, is Europe’s foremost tech capital with startups pertaining to technology reigning supreme. Its startup ecosystem is the world’s second largest with a huge output emanating from startups alone. It houses several global corporations


Image courtesy: Hans Jurgen

Needless to say, there are several opportunities for young entrepreneurs to build their own companies given the many benefits provided by the UK government for the same. Whether its tax incentives or loans, governmental extends its support by all possible means. Furthermore, London is home to a multitude of angel investors and seed programs making the country certainly the best for incorporating startups. What more, you can incorporate a company in an hour.

Some Startups to look up: Bloom & Wild, ClearScore
The Land of Gypsies – Romania
Surprisingly, Romania is becoming a land of startups. Its capital Bucharest is flourishing with many young and upcoming startups. No wonder this has made it the second fastest growing economy of the continent (It is home to around 400 startups). One of the biggest and the most intriguing reasons behind its amazingly successful startup ethos is its internet speed. Yes, Romania takes pride in having the fastest internet speeds across Europe which has proved to be quite conducive to tech startups.


Image courtesy: Les Haines

In fact, in 2016, its startups managed to raise 11.3 million euros. Although comparatively it might seem less but it’s huge for a nation that’s suddenly erupting with a startup onslaught! Interestingly many global companies, seed programs as well as angel investors are looking towards Romania as it is gradually rising to become the best country to incorporate startups in.

Some Startups to look up: Vector Watch, FaceRig
The Sleeping Giant – China
China’s capital Beijing is becoming the best environment for startups. Entrepreneurship is taking China by the storm and Beijing has become its center. This has become easier with the government’s enormous support to enable a startup facilitating environment. Chinese authorities have channeled huge amounts of money towards the IT sector. But there's more to the startup culture than this. Real estate ventures are also gaining momentum. China has also established a major tax relief program for young startups to boost their growth and sustainability.


Image courtesy: Alexander Mueller

The country also runs a multitude of incubators to kick-start fresh ventures to further boost their economy. This certainly grants China a unique place in the list of best nations for building and incorporating startups in.

Some Startups to look up: Xiaomi, Lufax
Land of the Midnight Sun – Norway
Norway boasts of a strong economy. It has an extremely tech savvy government with most of the communication between the state and the people occurring through digital means. Property registration is a fast-paced process and tax incentives for business ventures are many. It's easy to resolve insolvencies. Citizens are digitally advanced which makes the workforce highly skilled. Access to industrial expertise and investors is easy and flexible thereby creating a facilitating ecosystem for startups. Entrepreneurship encompasses a variety of fields- IT sector or finance, design and music and many others!


Image courtesy: Rafa Win

Together, all this establishes a strong business community and culture in Norway, making it extremely attractive for young entrepreneurs. It even enables them to figure out what products or services to engage with or venture in. Enterprises like Merch Informer provides business minded people with information on popular products so as to help them build their ideas. A robust technological and transport infrastructure adds to the several boons Norway provides that smoothen the process of incorporating startups here.

Some Startups to look up: Socius, FutureHome
The Land Down Under – New Zealand
In the land of the long white cloud, it takes only a day to set up a company. It is home to a widely skilled workforce while cheap labor is available in plenty! Capital tax gains don’t exist which makes it one of the best countries to incorporate a startup in. Limited Liability Companies can be easily set up here. Its tech investments have grown exponentially since 2011. Funding sources especially angel investors abound with a whooping amount of $414.7 billion invested into startup ventures since 2006. There’s been a steady rise of more accelerator and incubator programs making the country quite favorable to incorporating startups.


Image courtesy: Chris Fort

Not only is setting up business easy and cheap, New Zealand is also one of the least corrupt nations in the world. Moreover, the government supports young entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses. Although the travel costs (i.e. from other countries to New Zealand) are high, once in the country, setting up businesses is almost a piece of cake. So if you're looking for a place to start business, New-Zealand is definitely the best to incorporate your startup in!

Some Startups to look up: Xero, Melodix

 

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