Internet Economy Foundation
Berlin-based independent policy think tank founded in 2016 (rebranded Innovate Europe Foundation in 2024) that produces free research and policy papers on European digital sovereignty, AI, cloud, quantum, and venture capital, funded exclusively by leading European tech founders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Internet Economy Foundation does
Internet Economy Foundation, operating since 2024 under the name Innovate Europe Foundation (IE.F), is a Berlin-based independent policy think tank and advocacy organization. It was established in 2016 by a circle of leading European tech founders and is financed exclusively by that small founder group, with no public funds and no US corporate financing. The foundation's mandate is to serve as a Denkfabrik (think tank), forum-giver, and dialogue partner for the German and European digital and innovation ecosystem, with a focus on European technological sovereignty and reducing dependence on non-European infrastructure.
The foundation's core output consists of policy papers, research studies, position papers, blog posts, a quarterly newsletter, and event participation. It does not develop or sell software products or services, and all publications are freely available for download. Topic coverage spans digital sovereignty, generative AI, cloud computing, quantum computing, defense innovation, 5G, GDPR, the Digital Markets Act, the Digital Services Act, the Digital Euro, venture capital gaps, and employee stock ownership programs. Research is produced in collaboration with partners including Roland Berger, SAFENet Coalition, BVK, France Digitale, Warburg Pincus, Lakestar, Deutsche Börse, Chainlink, BCG Digital Ventures, and the EuroStack Initiative.
Operationally, the foundation runs with 1-10 employees from a single headquarters at Schönhauser Allee 43A in Berlin. Its governance is led by Managing Director Clark Parsons, Chairman Jonas Andrulis (who succeeded Ralph Dommermuth in October 2024), and board member René Obermann. Distribution occurs through direct website downloads, a quarterly newsletter, blog content, and presence at major European policy forums including Davos, the AI Action Summit, and EuroStack meetings. The organization is structured as a private non-profit with no public listing, no disclosed funding rounds, no subsidiaries, and no commercial revenue streams.
Internet Economy Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Internet Economy Foundation
- Legal name
- Innovate Europe Foundation - IE.F
- Website
- https://ie.foundation
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Berlin-based independent policy think tank founded in 2016 (rebranded Innovate Europe Foundation in 2024) that produces free research and policy papers on European digital sovereignty, AI, cloud, quantum, and venture capital, funded exclusively by leading European tech founders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Internet Economy Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and Think Tank Services
- NAICS
- Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Policy, Data Governance & Cybersecurity Standards Cooperation (BPADANAH), Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ), SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE)
Keywords
Where Internet Economy Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Internet Economy Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Operations: The organization is a non-profit think tank financed exclusively by a small circle of leading European tech founders. It receives no public funds or financing from US companies.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Internet Economy Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Internet Economy Foundation (rebranded as Innovate Europe Foundation in 2024) operates as an independent European policy think tank, producing research studies, policy papers, and position papers on topics including digital sovereignty, AI, cloud computing, quantum computing, 5G, venture capital, and European regulatory frameworks (GDPR, DMA, DSA). It functions as a forum-giver and dialogue partner for the German and European digital and innovation ecosystem, distributing its outputs freely via its website, newsletter, and policy events.
Product overview
Internet Economy Foundation ( rebranded as Innovate Europe Foundation in 2024) is a policy think tank, not a product company. Its offerings consist of published research studies, policy papers, position papers, blog posts, and organized events. The organization does not develop or sell software products, platforms, or technology services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use Internet Economy Foundation
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Internet Economy Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Internet Economy Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SAFENet CoalitioncoreCollaboration on study examining internet routers and digital sovereignty risks in Europe. The study highlights customer network devices as a critical gap in EU's digital sovereignty architecture.
- Roland BergercoreLong-standing research partnership producing multiple policy papers on topics including generative AI, venture capital, cloud computing, digital disinformation, and 5G.
- Thunderbird Graduate School of ManagementminorCollaboration on EuroStack white paper calculating cost advantages of European alternative cloud providers over US hyperscalers.
- France DigitaleminorJoint position paper on Digital Markets Act and fair general online search.
- Bundesverband Deutsche StartupsminorJoint position paper on Digital Markets Act and fair general online search.
- Italian Tech AllianceminorJoint position paper on Digital Markets Act and fair general online search.
- iconomyminorCollaboration on router and digital sovereignty study along with SAFENet.
- BVK (German Private Equity and Venture Capital Association)minorJoint study on venture capital investment gap in Germany and Europe, mobilizing private growth capital.
- LakestarminorPartnership on Digital Euro study and VC investment gap research.
- Warburg PincusminorAnnual Internet Economy Report publication partnership.
- German Startup AssociationminorCollaboration on Economic Miracle 2.0 study examining startup and scaleup impact on German labor market.
- Deutsche BörseminorCollaboration on Economic Miracle 2.0 study.
- ChainlinkminorPartnership on Digital Euro architecture study.
- Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG)minorStudy on digital education and learning in a digitalized world.
- BCG Digital VenturesminorESOPasap study on employee stock ownership programs.
- Hengeler MuellerminorESOPasap study on employee stock ownership programs.
- EuroStack InitiativecoreActive collaboration on EuroStack - federated European tech stack - with discussions at French Foreign Ministry, meetings with EC President Von der Leyen.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Internet Economy Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Bertelsmann Stiftung: Bertelsmann Stiftung is a major German foundation conducting extensive research on European integration, digital policy, and economic competitiveness — a broader incumbent that overlaps with IE.F's mandate on EU digital economy topics but operates across many additional policy areas.
Direct peers
- DigitalEurope: DigitalEurope is the main trade association representing the European digital technology industry, engaging EU policymakers on digital regulation, AI, and competitiveness — directly comparable to IE.F given shared focus on European digital policy advocacy, though operating from an industry-representative rather than independent-think-tank stance.
- Bruegel: Bruegel is a leading European economic policy think tank based in Brussels producing independent research on EU economic, digital, and competitiveness policy — directly comparable to IE.F as both serve as independent voices shaping European policy discourse with similar research-publication models.
- EuropaNova: EuropaNova is a Paris-based pro-European think tank advocating for deeper European integration and strategic autonomy — directly comparable to IE.F given shared focus on European sovereignty and policy advocacy around EU digital and economic competitiveness.
- German Economic Institute (DIW Berlin): DIW Berlin is a leading German economic research institute producing policy-relevant research on European economic and digital policy — directly comparable to IE.F as a Berlin-based research organization engaging German and European policymakers with independent analysis.
- Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS): CEPS is a Brussels-based think tank producing policy research on EU integration, digital economy, and regulation — directly comparable to IE.F as both operate as independent European policy research organizations serving EU policymakers with similar publication-based engagement models.
- Jacques Delors Institute (Notre Europe): Jacques Delors Institute is a Paris-based European think tank producing research on EU economic, digital, and strategic policy — directly comparable to IE.F given similar independent research model and focus on European integration and competitiveness policy.
- European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): ECFR is a pan-European think tank producing research and policy recommendations on EU foreign policy, geopolitics, and technology sovereignty — directly comparable to IE.F given overlap on European strategic autonomy, tech policy, and cross-border policy advocacy.
- Stiftung Neue Verantwortung (SNV): SNV is a Berlin-based think tank focused on digitalization, technology policy, and societal impact of technology in Germany and Europe — directly comparable to IE.F given similar geographic base, policy focus, and independent non-profit research model.
Regional players
- Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF): ITIF is a US-based think tank producing research on technology policy, innovation, and digital economy — comparable to IE.F in research methodology and policy focus, but operating in a different geography (US vs Europe) with different policy targets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Internet Economy Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceInternet Economy Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Internet Economy Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Internet Economy Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Internet Economy Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Internet Economy Foundation
What does Internet Economy Foundation do?
Internet Economy Foundation (rebranded as Innovate Europe Foundation in 2024) operates as an independent European policy think tank, producing research studies, policy papers, and position papers on topics including digital sovereignty, AI, cloud computing, quantum computing, 5G, venture capital, and European regulatory frameworks (GDPR, DMA, DSA). It functions as a forum-giver and dialogue partner for the German and European digital and innovation ecosystem, distributing its outputs freely via its website, newsletter, and policy events.
Is Internet Economy Foundation a public or private company?
Internet Economy Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Internet Economy Foundation founded?
Internet Economy Foundation was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Internet Economy Foundation based?
Internet Economy Foundation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Internet Economy Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation Operations.
Who are Internet Economy Foundation's main competitors?
Bertelsmann Stiftung is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are DigitalEurope, Bruegel, EuropaNova, German Economic Institute (DIW Berlin), Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Jacques Delors Institute (Notre Europe), European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and Stiftung Neue Verantwortung (SNV). Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) is listed as a regional player.
Does Internet Economy Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Internet Economy Foundation.
What industry is Internet Economy Foundation in?
Internet Economy Foundation's product category is Policy Research and Think Tank Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAAAK, Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy), with a secondary code of BPADANAH, Digital Policy, Data Governance & Cybersecurity Standards Cooperation. Its NAICS code is 921 and its SIC code is 9721.