Not Optional

#NotOptional— Europe must attract more talent to startups. Policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors come together to make it happen.

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

BREAKING NEWS: Justice Commissioner @EUCssrMcGrath calls for pan-European stock option scheme: “Having to navigate up to 27 different systems as they seek to attract and retain top talent in Europe is very cumbersome."

EU-ESOP is #notoptional

Source: @POLITICOEurope

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

👏 If implemented, this would be a step change in helping startups attract talent and investment. Let's go! @EZaharievaEU @EUCssrMcGrath @euinc_petition

[Ekaterina Zaharieva @EZaharievaEU]

Today, alongside @EUCssrMcGrath, we received the @EUInc_Petition—a blueprint for the 28th regime supported by over 13,000 signatures. This vital input will shape our Startup and Scaleup Strategy and the European Innovation Act.
Excited to build EU global tech leaders together!

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

🇳🇱 The Netherlands ranks among the worst globally for startup stock option policies, making it hard for startups to attract and retain talent.

Now there is a movement to change it.

Sign a petition started by Dutch founders, operators and investors: https://t.co/YVT6kT3C9b

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

What could EU-ESOP look like? Read about it in the @euinc_petition proposal: https://t.co/9pHQ0rcdLx

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

EU-ESOP, a unified pan-European stock option scheme for startups, is one step closer to becoming a reality following the President of the European Commission’s call for one set of rules' for startups. #notoptional https://t.co/tZql7dEvG4

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

Congrats and thank you to everyone who has supported #notoptional for the past 5 years! 🙏

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🚨 Our new ranking of countries based on their stock option policy is out! #notoptional

Congrats to Germany, Greece and Austria on the biggest improvements. Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Belgium - it's your turn!

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

Read more in ESMA's position paper "Building more effective and attractive capital markets in the EU"

https://t.co/7gkaWQYK51

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

🇪🇺 We welcome the recommendation of EU Securities Markets Regulator @ESMAComms that the EC should evaluate whether the introduction of a pan-European vehicle in EU law would help to reduce barriers for cross-border employee share schemes and support their widespread adoption.

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

Germany has done it!

For years, 🇩🇪 has had the worst stock options policy. Yesterday, it passed a new legislation that catapults Germany into having one of the best employee ownership schemes, globally.

After 5 years of #NotOptional, change is coming!

https://t.co/p871ejRkdA

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

.@elonmusk shares why stock options are critical to the success of European startups, and why better rules are needed. #NotOptional

📹In conversation with UK's PM @RishiSunak at @10DowningStreet this evening.

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

@elonmusk, this is the @IndexVentures ranking @RishiSunak was talking about! UK is doing really well. Germany is the worst but legislation is now going through. 🤞

Thanks for highlighting the importance of options! 🙏

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

🇩🇪 Currently, Germany has the worst stock option policy in Europe. But that may soon change! 🤞

@indexventures analysis of the new legislative proposal shows that, if adopted, it would catapult Germany to the top ranks. #notoptional

1/3

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

To find out more about the German reforms, read @schimroszik's analysis in @handelsblatt with commentary from @Kathi_Wilhelm, Hanno Renner, @miele and @narimer.

More to do to get this over the line, but we are getting closer!

3/3

https://t.co/GumsCfCG9O

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

🇩🇪 Currently, Germany has the worst stock option policy in Europe. But that may soon change! 🤞

@indexventures analysis of the new legislative proposal shows that, if adopted, it would catapult Germany to the top ranks. #notoptional

1/3

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

In a meeting with the German Finance Minister @c_lindner this week, the @indexventures team shared why we believe the reforms are critical to the success of German startups.

🤝 We appreciate his engagement on this issue and his commitment to startups.

2/3

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

We agree, @FT.

https://t.co/BKg43LJZAP

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

🇬🇧 Congrats to the UK! Today it introduced a new scheme that opens up stock options to all startups.

After 2 years of campaigning and working with the UK government, #notoptional delivers another win for European startups and their employees!

https://t.co/13kxW5mAor

[Robin Wauters @robinwauters]

Embracing employee ownership in a changing startup world:

I caught up with @domjacquesson, VP of Insight and Talent @IndexVentures to learn more about the @NotOptional campaign and the progress he sees in European tech.

https://t.co/mYkvLQyc53

YouTube: https://t.co/57zV4dMP83

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

4/4 The Ministry of Finance considerations look promising, giving employees the option to choose when taxation occurs post-exercise and allowing them to avoid paying tax on grant. We hope these plans turn into concrete actions, since they will benefit the 🇧🇪 startup ecosystem!

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

1/4 Encouraging signs coming from 🇧🇪, where the Ministry of Finance is considering a reform of the taxation framework for stock options. https://t.co/TYOYiccqxu

[Not Optional @NotOptional]

3/4 This is a dry taxation issue, and makes stock options much less attractive for Belgian startups and founders to utilise to attract and retain the #talent they need to thrive.