Open-source AI is rapidly transforming how artificial intelligence is built and deployed—offering transparency, adaptability, and sovereignty at a moment when these capabilities matter more than ever. A new report, The Open-Source AI Landscape, developed under the StepUp Startups project , maps this fast-growing ecosystem and examines Europe’s position within it. The study reveals strong scientific foundations and collaborative strengths across Europe, but also highlights critical gaps in compute access, funding, and scaling capacity. As global competition intensifies, open-source AI offers Europe a realistic and strategic path to strengthen its competitiveness, accelerate adoption, and build trustworthy, innovation-ready AI systems for industry and society.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS Development of Blue Economy Website & Digital Platform (MED‑Hubs Project)
Issued by: DEEP Ecosystems Project: MED‑Hubs – Blue Economy in the Western Mediterranean (EU‑funded) Submission deadline: 18 December 2025 Submission email: info@deep-ecosystems.com 1. Background DEEP Ecosystems is implementing the EU‑funded MED‑Hubs project to strengthen the Blue Economy ecosystem in the Western Mediterranean. As part of this initiative, we will expand and professionalize our existing digital
Making Europe Work for Startups
Startups are more than just new businesses; they are vital contributors to Europe’s innovation potential and economic dynamism. A newly released report, Ease of Doing Startups in the EU-27: A Path Towards Enhanced Competitiveness and Innovation, examines how startups navigate the regulatory, financial, and administrative landscape of the European Union. Supported by the European Union, this comprehensive analysis reveals the key barriers that hinder startup growth across borders — and outlines practical recommendations to strengthen the EU’s startup ecosystem, promote cross-border expansion, and support the next generation of innovative enterprises.
How Institutional Investors Can Power the Next Wave of Innovation: Pension Funds and Sovereign Wealth Funds
A new StepUp StartUps report, Untapped Opportunities for European Venture Capital: Pension Funds and Sovereign Wealth Funds, highlights how Europe can bridge its scale-up financing gap by unlocking institutional investment. The study reveals that EU pension and sovereign wealth funds—managing trillions in assets—remain underrepresented in venture capital. Through smarter regulation, stronger integration, and cross-border collaboration, Europe can mobilize its own wealth to fund the next generation of innovative companies.
Funding the AI Economy: Europe’s Window to Lead
Funding the AI Economy—a new report developed under the StepUp Startups project—shows AI has moved to the center of global VC, yet Europe still lacks late-stage scale. From 2020–2025, the EU deployed ~€252B in VC with 18% to AI, versus the US’s ~€1.33T with 34% to AI; in €25M+ rounds EU investors provide only ~26% of capital. The report outlines targeted fixes—an AI Scaleup Fund, mobilizing institutional capital, and stronger corporate VC—to keep Europe’s AI champions built and scaled at home.
Maritime Innovation for Smart Specialisation in the Western Mediterranean
Co-funded by the European Union under EMFAF-2025-PIA-FLAGSHIP, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) jointly with DEEP Ecosystems, Region de Murcia, FMRM, ALDA, Justonearth, Maltaccelerate, Venice Lagoon Plastic Free, Changemakers Agency, CTN, and Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione will lead MED-Hubs—two interregional hubs in Spain and Italy accelerating maritime innovation from idea to market.
Europe’s AI Talent Revolution: Growth, Gaps, and Global Competition
Europe is experiencing a surge in AI talent—but also facing fierce global competition. A newly released report, Shaping the Future of AI Talent in Europe, developed under the StepUp Startups project, explores how the continent is building, attracting, and retaining the next generation of AI professionals. Backed by new data, the study highlights Europe’s record growth in AI expertise, emerging talent hubs like Dublin and Zurich, persistent gender and mobility gaps, and the strategies needed to secure Europe’s leadership in ethical, human-centered AI.
How AI is Redefining Public Services in Europe
AI is no longer confined to private companies—it is reshaping how governments serve citizens. A newly released report, The Opportunity for AI to Enhance Public Sector Services, developed under the StepUp Startups project, explores how AI is transforming healthcare, taxation, justice, and citizen services across Europe. Backed by fresh data and case studies, the study highlights adoption trends, regional divides, key challenges such as data protection and skills gaps, and actionable strategies to scale trustworthy, citizen-centered AI in public administrations.
How AI is Transforming Business Support Processes in Europe
AI in business is no longer confined to core operations—it is transforming the support functions that keep companies running. A newly released report, The Opportunity for AI to Enhance Business Support Processes, examines how AI is reshaping HR, Finance, and Customer Service across the EU, turning these functions into strategic enablers of productivity and innovation. Supported by the European Union, the study highlights adoption trends, investment gaps, case studies, and practical recommendations to accelerate responsible and impactful AI integration in Europe’s business landscape.
Launch of the Startup Heatmap Europe Report 2025
DEEP’s annual flagship report on founder mobility and Europe’s most desired startup locations. Since 2016 the Startup Heatmap Europe report is a trusted source for startups, investors and policy-makers on how founders view the interconnections between startup hubs on the continent.