The article provides the definitions of the concept of both a startup and a startups ecosystem, on the basis of many analyzed scientific works of both domestic and foreign scholars. It is proved that the startups ecosystem is understood as a network that unites various subjects of the innovation process (universities, venture capital companies, marketers, entrepreneurs, audit and consulting agencies, etc.) that interact with each other on the basis of certain agreed «rules of the game». The overall startups ecosystem is taken for an example, being represented by four levels (global (international); national; regional; local). Each of the individual levels creates conditions for the development and successful functioning of startups. The publication presents in more detail the totality of participants in the local startups ecosystem, where it is determined that universities play a rather important role in the processes of formation of innovation ecosystems. The model of the innovation ecosystem of the university is represented by scientific research units, such as the research department, research institute, research sector, which include both the units in which research is carried out (scientific departments, laboratories, centers) and scientific and auxiliary structures (departments of scientific and technical information, research support, financial planning, and personnel). During the formation of an innovation ecosystem of the university, it is important to carry out the process of commercialization of innovative ideas. The importance of developing a startups ecosystem in entrepreneurship is proven. The State authorities are obliged to support, stimulate and encourage the development of entrepreneurship both in the country in general and in its regions in particular. The main programs of development and support of entrepreneurial activity at the regional level are analyzed. It is proved that supporting entrepreneurship in Ukraine by creating a favorable climate for the development of entrepreneurship, identifying all the components that stimulate the formation, attraction of new and expansion of existing small and medium-sized businesses is one of the main directions of implementation of the policy of economic development of the State and its regions.