CofoundAlly

GLOBAL STARTUP DIRECTORY

Startup ecosystems and resources, country by country.

Building a company is challenging enough without navigating local ecosystems in the dark. Explore trusted accelerators, government grants, and startup support hubs across 32 countries, alongside practical guides to help you validate customer demand, find a cofounder, and launch with confidence.

Curated by CofoundAlly · Updated · Guides in English

Africa

EgyptITIDA - technology incubation

ITIDA’s Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC) offers structured incubation tracks, seed funding grants, and prototyping assistance for tech-enabled Egyptian ventures.

Resource language: English

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GhanaGhana Enterprises Agency - BizBox FAQs

The Ghana Enterprises Agency provides startup starter kits, hands-on entrepreneurial training, and direct advisory support via regional Business Advisory Centres nationwide.

Resource language: English

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KenyaKenya National Innovation Agency - innovation ecosystem

The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) runs the Kenya Innovation Bridge, linking local innovators with institutional partners, commercialization grants, and testbeds.

Resource language: English

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MoroccoMoroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade - SME support

Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade outlines dedicated SME assistance programs, modernization subsidies, and industrial support initiatives for emerging enterprises.

Resource language: French

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NigeriaSMEDAN - programs

SMEDAN provides vocational and enterprise training, MSME development programs, and access to industrial workspaces for early-stage Nigerian business creators.

Resource language: English

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RwandaRwanda MINICOM - industry and entrepreneurship

Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) outlines SME policies, export readiness programs, and innovation-friendly regulatory sandboxes across Kigali and regional districts.

Resource language: English

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South AfricaWestern Cape Government - business development support

The Western Cape Government business portal centralizes public funding avenues, youth enterprise funds (NYDA), and provincial incubation hubs for early-stage ventures.

Resource language: English

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Americas

BrazilSebrae - entrepreneurship guidance and training

Sebrae is Brazil’s premier small-business network, providing practical workshops, market viability assessments, and mentorship for early-stage founders.

Resource language: Portuguese

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CanadaGovernment of Canada - business support and financing

Canada’s Business Support portal connects innovators to provincial funding, SR&ED tax incentives, and regional development agencies across the country.

Resource language: English; French version available at source

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ChileStart-Up Chile - accelerator programs

Start-Up Chile runs three core acceleration tracks (Build, Ignite, and Growth) supporting early-stage ventures from initial prototype validation through international scaling.

Resource language: English

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United StatesUS Small Business Administration - resource partners

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) connects founders with free one-on-one SCORE mentors, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and federal innovation grant opportunities.

Resource language: English

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Asia

IndiaStartup India - scheme and ecosystem resources

Startup India provides government recognition (DPIIT) granting income tax exemptions, patent fee rebates, seed funds, and access to state-backed procurement programs.

Resource language: English; other language options at source

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JapanJETRO - investing and setting up business in Japan

JETRO provides step-by-step guides for international entrepreneurs entering Japan, detailing incorporation, visa options, and local business support hubs.

Resource language: English

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MalaysiaCradle Fund - startup programs and initiatives

Cradle Fund supports emerging Malaysian tech startups through targeted grant programs like CIP Spark and CIP Sprint, pairing seed capital with commercialization assistance.

Resource language: English

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PakistanPakistan Ministry of IT and Telecommunication - initiatives

Pakistan’s Ministry of IT spotlights National Incubation Centers (NICs) across major cities offering workspace and mentorship, alongside venture support via the Pakistan Startup Fund.

Resource language: English

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SingaporeSingapore Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry - Startup SG Founder reply

Enterprise Singapore and the Ministry of Trade and Industry detail Startup SG Founder grant terms, including capital matching and mentorship access for first-time entrepreneurs.

Resource language: English

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United Arab EmiratesUAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism - national SME program

The UAE Ministry of Economy’s National SME Programme delivers procurement access, commercialization support, and advisory networks for homegrown and regional startups.

Resource language: English

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Europe

EstoniaStartup Estonia - model documents

Startup Estonia provides open-source, founder-friendly legal templates and ecosystem guides designed to help early teams incorporate and govern their companies smoothly.

Resource language: English

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FinlandBusiness Finland - Startup in Finland

Startup in Finland (powered by Business Finland) helps founders navigate startup residence permits, soft-landing services, and Finnish tech ecosystem integration.

Resource language: English

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FranceMission French Tech - ecosystem and programs

La French Tech coordinates nationwide startup visas, deep-tech grants, and a global network of community hubs designed to support founders launching from or expanding to France.

Resource language: English

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GermanyEXIST - research-based startup support

Germany’s EXIST program provides non-repayable living stipends and coaching for university and research-driven spin-offs during their critical early proof-of-concept phase.

Resource language: German

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IrelandLocal Enterprise Offices - discover business supports

Ireland’s Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) offer first-stop feasibility grants, agile innovation support, and business mentoring for early-stage founders throughout the country.

Resource language: English

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ItalyInvitalia - Smart&Start Italia

Invitalia’s Smart&Start Italia offers zero-interest financing and grant packages designed to support innovative, digital, and deep-tech startups across Italy.

Resource language: Italian

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NetherlandsBusiness.gov.nl - starting a business

Business.gov.nl is the official Dutch point of contact for founders, detailing startup visa options, Chamber of Commerce (KVK) registration, and regional development programs.

Resource language: English

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NorwayInnovation Norway - business support

Innovation Norway provides advisory support, innovation grants, and international expansion resources tailored for green-tech, energy, and digital ventures.

Resource language: English

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PortugalStartup Portugal - One Stop Shop

Startup Portugal’s One Stop Shop connects founders with startup visa programs, official certification perks, and direct introductions to local incubators and angel networks.

Resource language: English

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SpainENISA - startup certification

ENISA handles official startup certification under Spain’s Startup Act, giving innovative companies access to tax benefits, streamlined visa processes, and participatory loans.

Resource language: Spanish

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SwedenVerksamt - starting a business

Verksamt consolidates Sweden’s government resources for entrepreneurs, featuring practical checklists for business registration, company structures, and tax planning.

Resource language: Swedish

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SwitzerlandInnosuisse - Initial Coaching

Innosuisse offers subsidized initial coaching to help early Swiss founders validate market potential, test revenue hypotheses, and refine their business model before raising capital.

Resource language: English

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United KingdomBritish Business Bank - finance options

The British Business Bank breaks down debt, equity, and government-backed Start Up Loans to help UK founders understand their funding options without confusing financial jargon.

Resource language: English

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Oceania

AustraliaAustralian Government - grants and programs finder

The Australian Government’s grants finder lets founders filter federal and state programs by stage and sector, from R&D tax incentives to local incubator support.

Resource language: English

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New ZealandBusiness.govt.nz - find a Regional Business Partner

New Zealand’s Regional Business Partner Network pairs founders with growth specialists and capability vouchers to co-fund training, strategy, and business planning.

Resource language: English

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Tips before you apply

Program deadlines, grant criteria, and eligibility rules change often. Always check each organization's official website directly for the latest application details, eligibility windows, and terms.

Remember that programs and grants alone don't build enduring companies; great partnerships do. When searching for a cofounder, take time to compare backgrounds and collaborate on a short, focused trial project to see how well you work together before formalizing long-term equity.