BizWorld Updates Monthly Draper Innovation Index Global

Nations Compete to Land in Top Ten of Best Places Globally
to Launch a Startup

India, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar Register Largest Gains
Finland Falls in DII Global Top 10; Singapore and Netherlands Rise
Namibia, Micronesia, and Papua New Guinea See Largest Declines
China Sees No Change; Russia Sees Marginal Gain
Guatemala and Colombia Rise
Ireland and South Korea Rise in Top 20, New Zealand and Luxembourg Sink

San Mateo, California – BizWorld announces its May 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 May 2026 DII Global update reflects the continued global instability stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“India was our biggest success story this month, jumping 14 spots in the DII Global rankings. Their unmatched growth in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning venture capital proves that AI is the new catalyst for entrepreneurial expansion on the world stage,” said BizWorld Founder Tim Draper. “Securing the largest increase in AI investments this month shows that global investors are highly confident in India’s potential to lead the next generation of tech entrepreneurship. India is the world’s sixth largest economy and has great entrepreneurial potential – its population of more than 1.4 billion, which is now the world’s largest, could support a massive new generation of entrepreneurs.“

Top Takeaways from the DII Global April 2026 Update

Key Risers: India, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Singapore, Netherlands, Guatemala, Colombia
Key Fallers: Finland, Namibia, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea

• India saw this month’s largest increase, rising 14 places to 60th thanks to seeing the largest increase in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning-related venture capital investments.
• Turkey had the second largest improvement, rising to 122nd – thanks to strong currency performance
• Qatar also rose across all three scenarios after a sharp decline last month, benefitting from strong venture capital investment growth and an improved U.S. State Department Travel Advisory level.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina also rose to 92nd due to above-average currency performance.
• Finland fell from 8th to 10th in the DII Global Top 10 because of an S&P Global Outlook downgrade which offset positive AI/Machine Learning venture capital investment growth.
• Singapore (8th) and Netherlands (9th) both rose as Finland declined, with both countries benefitting from increasing AI/Machine Learning venture capital investment growth.
• Namibia continued to fall in the DIII Global, declining due to weak currency performance.
• Micronesia fell to 132nd as it failed to generate any AI/Machine Learning venture capital investment growth.
• Papua New Guinea also fell due to a declining World Uncertainty Index combined with weak currency performance, finishing 181st overall.
• China (76th) and Russia (216th) rankings remained stable this month after falling steadily over the last year.
• Guatemala (152nd) and Colombia (85th) rose based on both above-average currency performance and rising venture capital investments.
• Ireland overtook New Zealand for 11th place thanks to rising AI/Machine Learning venture capital investments.
• South Korea (14th) traded places with Luxembourg (15th) as it also logged rising AI/Machine Learning investment growth.

“The data this month makes one thing clear: nations that secure vital Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning venture capital, such as Singapore and the Netherlands, are actively climbing the ranks. It is the underlying engine driving global entrepreneurial competitiveness,” said BizWorld Economic Advisor Dr. Wallace Walrod. “If you look across the entire DII Global this month, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning investments are shifting the balance of power. Whether it is driving massive leaps for nations like India or providing the marginal edge Ireland and South Korea needed to overtake competitors in the top 20, AI capital is the ultimate differentiator in today’s global market. It is evident that nations failing to attract Machine Learning venture capital risk being left behind in the modern innovation race.”

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/