Economies in Cities COP (Startups, Innovation & Branding) — 3-Subgroup First Plenary: Shared Direction, Fact Sheets & Study Visits

The meeting recapped strong feedback from the Singapore COP event, where the group was recognized as the most innovative among those present, and then reviewed a broad agenda covering fact-sheet drafts, subgroup progress, the Nagoya study visit, and a pilot startup mission proposal. Draft fact sheets summarized city strategies across three subgroups: attracting early-stage investors (e.g., Grenoble’s “pull” events vs. Warsaw’s “push” delegations), growth-stage talent and branding (shared approaches across Warsaw, Nagoya, and Melbourne), and SME internationalization (network- and cluster-based models from Melbourne and Espoo). Updates included next technical sessions and a plan to finalize a shared tech-event participation system by 2026 for rollout in 2027, plus details for the December Tech Gala visit in Nagoya. The group also discussed a competitive fund to support startup travel for parallel missions in Nagoya (December) and Grenoble (February), with clear selection criteria and outputs aimed at producing a replicable handbook and measurable business outcomes.

Initial drafts of fact sheets were shared summarizing three technical sessions (June-July), organized by three subgroups: early-stage investor attraction, growth-stage talent attraction, and expansion-stage SME internationalization/deep tech transfer. Subgroup 1 contrasted Grenoble’s “pull” approach (tiered investor events and an international investor committee) with Warsaw’s “push” approach (strong delegations to major trade fairs plus targeted marketing and meetings). Subgroup 2 compared city-branding strategies from Warsaw, Nagoya, and Melbourne, which follow similar steps (strategy, digital campaigns, joint publications, and global outreach), while stressing goals like repositioning city image, partnerships, pitch contests, and the need for ROI and soft-landing support. Subgroup 3 compared Melbourne’s network-based model (national and city-to-city partnerships) with Espoo’s new cluster/webinar approach that quickly engaged 135 companies and opened new markets.

Grenoble, the lead for Subgroup 1, reported that the subgroup is making strong progress on mapping a tech event network: all submitted events meet the agreed criteria (recurring annual events with English, tech-focused programming and no date conflicts). The group will consult cities in September on options for mutual participation, aiming to finalize the approach by the end of 2026 and launch it in 2027.

Warsaw, the lead for Subgroup 2, concluded their technical session’s insights for “city branding” were that it needs to be backed by a credible narrative, targeted digital campaigns, international events, and ecosystem supports like business matching and soft-landing services to boost global visibility. The next session is set for Sept. 16 (9:00 AM European summer time) and will focus on “talent magnet” cities, with presentations from Torino, Leuven, and Warsaw on their talent attraction and support models.

Subgroup 3 (led by Espoo) shared an update of its July 4th session, incorporating input from Nagoya, Leuven, and Torino. The group agreed city support for SME internationalization should offer an end-to-end pathway—from early-stage readiness to scalable market entry—using pilots and test beds, while complementing (not competing with) national export agencies by opening local doors, lending credibility, and connecting firms to partners through city-to-city relationships. Their planned deliverable is a practical handbook of key considerations (more detailed than a fact sheet but not a full book).

The group discussed the details of their coming study visits in AA and Europe.