Anndy Lian, a seasoned entrepreneur, recently delivered an insightful speech at the “Policy Ecosystem Development for Startups” event in Mongolia. Hosted by the Mongolian Ministry of Economy and Development, the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), and the Mongolian Productivity Organization, this gathering attracted representatives from over 10 countries. Lian’s session, titled “Global Frameworks for Startup Ecosystem Development,” explored critical topics such as establishing global benchmarks for startup-friendly policies, the role of international organizations, adapting best practices to local contexts, case studies of successful frameworks, and tools for cross-border collaboration.
The Case for Global Standards in Startup Ecosystems
Lian opened his session by underscoring the need for global standards in startup ecosystems—not as rigid mandates, but as a consistent mindset and approach to foster innovation. He supported this with compelling statistics: startups contribute 10-20% to the GDP of leading nations, and countries with clear startup policies see 15% higher venture capital (VC) funding. In Germany, for instance, startup policies boosted the ecosystem by 12% in 2024 alone. However, he cautioned that without such standards, startups face significant hurdles—60% cite inconsistent tax policies as a barrier to scaling, while weak intellectual property (IP) protection deters investors.
“Global standards ensure competitiveness, especially when attracting foreign direct investment (FDI),” Lian noted, highlighting how fragmented ecosystems lead to missed opportunities. His point was clear: a predictable, scalable environment is essential for startups to thrive, a theme that resonated throughout his speech.
Defining Startup-Friendly Policies
What makes a policy startup-friendly? Lian outlined five key areas: tax incentives, IP protection, funding access, regulatory ease, and talent mobility. He provided real-world examples to illustrate their impact:
Tax Incentives: Ireland’s 12.5% corporate tax rate has made it a magnet for startups.
- IP Protection: The EU’s patent system boosts investor confidence by safeguarding innovations.
- Funding Access: Singapore’s government grants and VC tax breaks create a fertile ground for entrepreneurship.
- Regulatory Ease: New Zealand’s one-day business registration process exemplifies simplicity.
- Talent Mobility: France’s tech visa program attracts skilled workers, enhancing innovation.
Lian emphasized that countries with balanced policies rank 20% higher in innovation metrics. Singapore, for example, saw its Ecosystem Value (EV)—a measure of startup economic impact—grow by 18% between 2021 and 2023 due to policy clarity. “Key areas that I really look at would be tax incentives, IP protection, funding, and regulatory ease,” he said, urging policymakers to benchmark these elements for success.
International Organizations as Catalysts
Lian highlighted the pivotal role of international organizations like the OECD and World Bank in shaping startup policies. The OECD, representing 38 countries that account for 39.8% of global GDP in 2024, assesses startup ecosystems and provides tailored recommendations. Its Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) evaluates skills like creative thinking and digital literacy, nurturing future innovators from a young age. Meanwhile, the World Bank’s ease-of-doing-business metrics help countries streamline regulations. In India, World Bank funding modernized agriculture, complementing the Startup India initiative’s efforts to simplify processes and boost funding.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) also featured prominently. Lian cited a 2024 collaboration between WIPO, Israel, and Canada, launching an IP management clinic for women-led FemTech startups. This initiative, he noted, reflects how strong IP policies can increase investor confidence by 25%. “Organizations like the OECD and World Bank provide data-driven insights and best practices,” Lian explained, positioning them as vital allies for policy alignment.
Localizing Global Best Practices
While global standards offer a blueprint, Lian stressed the importance of adapting them to local contexts. “You cannot just take wholesale global policies and implement them,” he warned, citing cultural and political misalignments as risks. India’s Startup Seed Fund, for instance, tailored global funding models to its market, achieving a 20% higher startup survival rate. Similarly, Brazil’s policy adaptations doubled its startup density, a success Lian linked to his own investment in a Brazilian cryptocurrency company supported by local stakeholders.
He outlined a practical adaptation process:
- Assess local needs using global benchmarks.
- Engage stakeholders for feedback.
- Pilot policies on a small scale.
- Monitor outcomes, such as VC growth.
International organizations, he added, can provide technical assistance to minimize experimentation costs, ensuring policies align with local strengths.
Case Studies: EU and Israel
Lian presented two compelling case studies. The EU’s Startup Nation Standard, launched in 2020, harmonized policies across 27 member states, boosting startup funding by 15% within three years. Key focuses included talent retention and regulatory simplicity, though disparities between developed and lagging states underscored the need for localization. In contrast, Israel—dubbed the “Startup Nation”—invests 4.3% of its GDP in R&D, driven by the Israel Innovation Authority’s grants and incubators. In 2024, Israel boasted 863 active investors and a 15.8% rise in tech valuations, despite challenges like geopolitical tensions.
“Government funding sparks ecosystem growth,” Lian observed, drawing lessons from Israel’s R&D emphasis and the EU’s regional coordination. Both ecosystems saw 10-20% growth in 2024, validating their approaches.
Tools for Cross-Border Collaboration
Cross-border collaboration, Lian argued, is essential for a global startup network. He outlined five tools:
Bilateral Agreements: The 1985 US-Israel Free Trade Agreement spurred a 15% rise in cross-border funding through joint R&D.
- Visa Programs: Adopted by 70% of OECD countries, these enhance talent mobility, though 40% face visa delays—Estonia’s digital platforms offer a solution.
- Funding Platforms: Israel’s Startup Nation Central connects 7,200 startups to global capital, increasing VC deals by 30%.
- Policy Sandboxes: South Korea’s fintech sandbox accelerates policy adoption by 20%, reducing risks.
- Innovation Networks: Platforms like Startup Europe boost cross-border exits by 15% through knowledge sharing.
A standout example was the Israel-Luxembourg collaboration, which evolved from automotive innovation to AI in 2024, forging 10 new partnerships. “Targeted collaboration amplifies ecosystem strengths,” Lian noted.
The Future of Startup Policies
Looking ahead, Lian predicted a shift toward AI-driven policies and sustainability. Estonia’s AI tools, like those powering Starship’s autonomous delivery robots, exemplify this trend. He also highlighted growing interest in clean tech, generative AI, and crypto startups—sectors his firm plans to prioritize in 2025.
“The goal is to be inclusive and innovative,” he said, urging policymakers to embrace data-driven reforms.
Conclusion: Building a Global Startup Future
Anndy Lian’s speech offered a roadmap for nurturing startup ecosystems. Global benchmarks, supported by international organizations, provide a foundation, but success hinges on local adaptation and collaboration. From the EU’s coordinated policies to Israel’s R&D focus, his case studies showcased actionable strategies.
As he concluded, “Let’s build a global future together,” Lian encouraged stakeholders to leverage these insights, fostering sustainable, innovative ecosystems worldwide. His call to action—rooted in data, practicality, and optimism—resonates as a blueprint for the next generation of startup success.
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.
