BizWorld Updates Monthly Draper Innovation Index Global
Nations Compete to Land in Top Ten of Best Places Globally
to Launch a Startup

Jamaica Soars 30 Spots While DII Global Top 10 Remains Stable
Iceland Reverses Previous Decline, Moves Ahead of Luxembourg and Estonia
China and Japan See No Change While India Sees Small Gain
Argentina, El Salvador, and Ecuador Rise
Cuba, Suriname, Paraguay, and Colombia Fall
Iran and Syria See Largest Declines
Jamaica, Seychelles, and Nigeria See Largest Gains

San Mateo, California – BizWorld announces its February 2026 update to the Draper Innovation Index Global (DII Global), which evaluates each nation’s ability to develop, support, and retain entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, and investors. First published in 2021, the DII Global provides the most well-rounded and up-to-date look at entrepreneurial environments across the globe. The February 2026 DII Global update highlights a continuing trend of widening divergence: while advanced economies are battling for AI dominance, emerging markets are being reshuffled by currency volatility. The S&P 500 and U.S. Travel Advisories were also key factors this month.

“This month, Jamaica saw one of the largest rises in DII Global history, rising by 30 places” said BizWorld Founder Tim Draper. “In a month when the stability of the DII Global Top 10, led by the U.S., U.K., and Canada, demonstrates the resilience of established entrepreneurial ecosystems, the movement we see in the mid-ranks proves that innovation is not static. Countries that lower barriers to entry and improve safety and economic freedom—like we saw with Jamaica this month—can rapidly change their economic destiny.”

Top Takeaways from the DII Global February 2026 Update

Key Risers: Jamaica, Seychelles, Argentina, Nigeria, Iceland
Key Fallers: Iran, Syria, Suriname, Colombia, Paraguay, Cuba

• Jamaica saw the month’s largest improvement and one of the biggest climbs in DII Global history. It rocketed up 30 places – from 117th to 87th – thanks to an improved U.S. Travel Advisory.
• Seychelles saw the second largest improvement, rising 10 places to 39th thanks primarily to exceptionally low inflation trends leading to improved currency performance.
• Nigeria also rose by 6 places thanks to the S&P 500 Global Rating maintaining its ‘Positive’ outlook for the country.
• Iran, on the other hand, saw the month’s largest decline. It fell by 15 places to 221st due to inflation and general social instability.
• Syria fell from 210th to 218th for similar reasons.
• Iceland rose from 17th place to 15th, overtaking Luxembourg (16th) and Estonia (17th) thanks to stronger currency and AI venture capital investment performance.
• China and Japan both remained in place (68th and 19th place, respectively) due to average performance across multiple monthly indicators.
• India also registered a marginal improvement, rising from 61st to 60th thanks to both currency and venture capital investment performance.
• Argentina improved across all three scenarios – from 111th to 105th in the DII Global Balanced, from 101st to 99th in Emerging Innovation and from 134th to 132nd in Government Quality – as it outperformed peers on a number of factors including AI/Machine Learning venture capital investments.
• El Salvador (124th) and Ecuador (136th) both improved by 1 rank in the DII Global, with El Salvador being buoyed by currency performance and Ecuador by rising AI/Machine Learning venture capital investments.
• Colombia and Paraguay fell from 85th to 89th due to declining venture capital investment activity.
• Suriname fell from 121st to 128th as a result of weak currency performance and no growth in AI/Machine Learning venture capital investments.
• Cuba, which was already near the bottom due to a lack of S&P 500 Global Risk Rating and a “Reconsider Travel” rating from the U.S. Travel Department, fell further due to weak currency performance, finishing at 204th overall.

“This month’s index highlights a divergence in capital efficiency,” said BizWorld Chief Economic Advisor Dr. Wallace Walrod. “Advanced economies like Iceland are cementing their leads through targeted AI investments, while other regions are slipping as venture capital activity cools. For world leaders, the data suggests that stabilizing currency is only the first step; the second is creating an environment where investors feel confident deploying capital into future-facing technologies.”

The DII Global will release monthly updates to continually reflect the latest developments in global innovation and entrepreneurship, available here.

About BizWorld

BizWorld.org is a global non-profit organization based in San Mateo, CA, whose mission is to enable youth from all backgrounds to unlock the power of entrepreneurship to create career opportunities, inspire self-reliance, and build confidence that drives economic prosperity globally.     Founded over 25 years ago by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, BizWorld.org programs teach students real-world 21st century skills and leadership that encourage them to become responsible leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. More than 850,000 students in more than 100 countries have participated in BizWorld programs. https://www.bizworld.org/