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Promoting Innovative Startups : Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Tunisia

Author

Listed:
  • Nadia Ali
  • Massimiliano Cali
  • Bob Rijkers

Abstract

This paper evaluates Tunisia’s “Startup Act,” a policy initiative to foster innovative firms through a “start-up” label and a bundle of incentives, including reduced social security contributions, corporate tax exemptions, easier access to foreign exchange, and simplified customs procedures. Detailed data on the program’s selection process allow identifying marginal entrants and rejects, and hence limit selection on unobservables. Using a difference-in-differences strategy, the program is shown to increase survival and promote job creation. A back-of-the-envelope cost-benefit calculation suggests that the program is cost effective.

Suggested Citation

  • Nadia Ali & Massimiliano Cali & Bob Rijkers, 2025. "Promoting Innovative Startups : Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Tunisia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11117, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:11117
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