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Marc Penzel

Marc Penzel

Founder & President of Startup Genome, expert in innovation ecosystems

marc-penzel
Berlin, Germany
Joined March 2026
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Summary

Marc Penzel is a high-growth entrepreneur and a recognized expert in the development of innovation ecosystems globally. He is the Founder and President of Startup Genome, a leading research and policy advisory firm that provides data-driven insights to foster startup success and economic growth. startupgenome+4
He plays a significant advisory role for both public and private entities, counseling governments, scientific organizations, and venture-backed startups across continents. His work involves shaping innovation policies and driving growth, reflected in his position as an Expert for Entrepreneurship, IT & Future of Economic Progress at the World Economic Forum and as an External Reviewer for Innovation Programs at the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft / Helmholtz Association. weforum+3
Penzel has a strong background in business development and consulting, having co-led the startup ecosystem development unit at Startup Compass (acquired by Sage) and held consulting roles at major firms including KPMG, Bayer, and PwC. This experience underpins his strategic approach to nurturing entrepreneurial environments. weforum+2
He is a recognized thought leader in the global startup community, frequently contributing to reports such as the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) and speaking at international conferences. His insights often focus on global innovation landscapes, industry-specific hubs, and impactful innovation policies, and he received the GEN Research Champion Award. weforum+4

Work

Education

Writing

The next start-up cities that will transform the global economy

July 1, 2019

An article discussing that there will be no 'next Silicon Valley,' but rather 30 'next' hubs that will reach critical mass and reshape the global economy, based on research from Startup Genome’s 2019 Global Startup Ecosystem Report.

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The Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER)

As Founder and President of Startup Genome, Marc Penzel is a key author and contributor to the annual Global Startup Ecosystem Report, which analyzes startup ecosystems worldwide and provides data-driven insights to governments, corporations, and startups.

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APEXE Nations Report

Marc Penzel is listed as Founder & President for the APEXE Nations Report, which provides insights on aptitudes and policies for exponential entrepreneurship, contributing to global economic initiatives like the G20.

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