VNU Journal of Science: Economics and Business, Volume 34, Number 1 (2018) 59-65 Effects of Financial Inclusion on Startup Movements in OECD Countries Dinh Thi Thanh Van*, Nguyen Thuc Trang VNU University of Economics and Business, 144 Xuan Thuy Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam Received February 20, 2018 Revised March 23, 2018; Accepted March 24, 2018 Abstract: Financial inclusion and startups have recently become topics of interest among scholars and policymakers in Vietnam. To successfully establish a startup, a crucial factor is the mastery of financial management knowledge by entrepreneurs. Therefore, financial inclusion has a significant impact on startups. This paper evaluates the influence of various factors in financial inclusion, based on the Financial Inclusion Index (Findex) developed by the World Bank, to assess startup movements in OECD countries. The study's results show that factors such as borrowing from family, credit institutions, and opening a bank debit card have important effects on startups. The article also provides several policy recommendations to promote the development of startups in Vietnam. Keywords: Startup, financial inclusion, comprehensive finance, startup movement. 1. Introduction Financial inclusion refers to the percentage of individuals and businesses using financial services globally. Over 2.5 billion adults—approximately half of the world's adult population—lack bank accounts and face barriers such as cost, travel distance, and paperwork. According to the World Bank (2014), surveys of businesses in 137 countries reveal that only 34% of firms in developing economies borrow from banks, compared to 51% in developed economies. In developing economies, 35% of small businesses cite financing as a major constraint, while only 16% of firms in developed economies face this issue. Theoretical and empirical studies also indicate that financial inclusion plays an essential role in economic development and poverty reduction. For the poor, access to savings, automatic payments, or credit remains limited. For businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, improving access to credit can yield substantial benefits. 2. Literature Review The success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the startup movement has been a topic of interest in both global and Vietnamese research. Most previous studies have focused on the relationship between startup growth and economic development or financial development and startup income.