The Cleantech Startup Sector: a study on the impact of factors influencing the birth and growth of cleantech companies

Climate change has become increasingly recognized as one of the most pressing global challenges, impacting various aspects of human life, from environmental to social dimensions. The cleantech sector plays a pivotal role in combating these environmental challenges and supporting the transition to a sustainable economy, while fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and attracting investments. The European Union has recognized the importance of cleantech technologies, becoming the world leader in driving policies frameworks for achieving the objective of a sustainable transition.However, the success of cleantech companies is heavily influenced by the ecosystem of policies and regulations that support their development. A stable regulatory framework, economic incentives, and access to sufficient financing are crucial for the growth of cleantech enterprises. The aim of this research is to explore these enabling factors through a country-level analysis of the cleantech sector in the EU, with a focus on the impact of green policies and government expenditures on R&D on the birth and growth of cleantech startups.