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

🇳🇱 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:

What could EU-ESOP look like? Read about it in the @euinc_petition proposal:

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

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

🚨 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!

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

🇪🇺 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.

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!.

.@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.

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.

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

🇩🇪 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

We agree, @FT.

🇬🇧 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! .

RT @robinwauters: Embracing employee ownership in a changing startup world:. I caught up with @domjacquesson, VP of Insight and Talent @Ind….

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!.

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.

2/4 Today, Belgium ranks joint last in @NotOptional’s ranking for stock option treatment. This is in large part due to employees in Belgium being taxed on options they receive at grant, when the options themselves may not be liquid assets.

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