Mexico, Colombia, Sao Tome and Principe, Netherlands: Startup Funding & Startup Ecosystem Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of startup funding, startup ecosystem, business setup, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

Select Countries

SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
4 selectedClear all
🇲🇽Mexico
58
Worldwide
🇨🇴Colombia
59
Worldwide
🇳🇱Netherlands
59
Worldwide
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇲🇽MexicoWorldwide35%
🇨🇴ColombiaWorldwide39%
🇳🇱NetherlandsWorldwide49.5%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Mexico and Netherlands have an exit tax. If you establish residency and later wish to leave, you may owe tax on unrealized gains or assets at departure. The other countries in this comparison do not have an exit tax.

24.5pp personal tax rate spreadReview

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Netherlands: 49.5% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Mexico and Colombia and Netherlands have Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules. Owning a foreign company as a resident may trigger local tax on undistributed profits - even if the company pays no dividends. The other country in this comparison does not have CFC rules.

Not tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Verify with a qualified professional before making residency decisions.

Field-by-Field Breakdown

Green = best value per row
Metric
🇲🇽Mexico58
🇨🇴Colombia59
🇳🇱Netherlands59
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
15
0
39
17
Funding
85
85
100
40
Visa
50
60
75
50
Residency
65
70
73
56
Tax Res.
40
50
45
55
Practical
73
86
100
55
Remote Work
56
79
39
52
Family
80
80
90
70
Ecosystem
70
60
100
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate30%35%25.8%25%
Capital Gains Tax30%10%36%0%
Tax Treaties65171003
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs82552000
Government GrantsYesYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleNoNoYesNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoNoYesNo
Processing Time30453042
Min Investment$40K$27K-$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaNoYesNoNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available3332
Citizenship Timeline555-
Dual CitizenshipYesYesNoYes
Immigration Score7787
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate35395025
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoYesNo
Exit TaxYesNoYesNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderatemoderateeasyvery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation105530
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaNoYesNoNo
Tourist Worktoleratedtoleratedgray_areaillegal
Tourist Visa Days180909015
PE Risk Levelmoderatelowhighlow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183183
Internet Speed554530010
Coworking/mo$150$120$300-
Family Details
Safety Index41447865
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegallegalillegal-
Healthcare Quality65658530
Cost of Living48428028
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns185120
English Business EnvNoNoYesNo
Talent Pool Quality68628210

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