Justification of economic decisions in shaping the development of entrepreneurship in the start-up ecosystems of the Euro-pean economy

This article delves into the unique challenges and opportunities shaping the startup ecosystems of Ukraine and the Europe-an Union (EU), highlighting their comparative strengths, barriers, and growth strategies. Startup ecosystems are vital engines of innovation and economic growth, driving technological progress and addressing global challenges through sustainable practices and entrepreneurial energy. While the EU boasts a mature, diverse, and well-funded ecosystem with prominent hubs such as Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam, Ukraine's vibrant yet smaller ecosystem is driven by innovation in IT, cybersecurity, and AI. Their dominance is reinforced by extensive professional networks, highly skilled labor markets, and regulatory environ-ments designed to stimulate entrepreneurship and investment. These ecosystems set the pace for technological development and serve as gateways to international markets. Their growing relevance signals a gradual decentralization of Europe's innovation activity, as entrepreneurial energy spreads beyond traditional capitals. This diversification reflects the continent's effort to bal-ance innovation capacity across regions and create more inclusive growth opportunities. Among the sectors driving this trans-formation, FinTech occupies a particularly strong position. It thrives on the foundation of Europe's advanced financial services industry, which provides both expertise and infrastructure for new ventures. Equally important is the rising appetite of consum-ers for digital-first and decentralized financial products, which fuels continuous experimentation and investment. Together, these dynamics showcase a European startup ecosystem that is both maturing and expanding in new directions.Emerging sectors such as GreenTech, AI, and FinTech hold promise for both regions.