The Financial Times and data provider Statista have released a new ranking of Europe’s top startup hubs. The list rates 150 of the best campuses, labs, and institutions offering incubator and accelerator programs to rapidly growing tech companies across the continent. Munich and Paris dominate the list, hosting five out of the top 10 hubs and securing four of the top five spots.
UnternehmerTUM in Munich finished first for the second year in a row, while Start2 Group took third place, topping the sub-rankings for startup networks and best track records. UnternehmerTUM, founded in 2002, is the startup lab of the Technical University of Munich. The nonprofit runs 20 programs designed to guide startups through the essentials of building a company.
Station F, founded in 2017 by Xavier Niel, offers over 30 startup programs in Paris, and 5,000 participants join its programs each year, leading to the creation of 50 new businesses.
Munich and Paris dominate hubs
The hub has attracted more than 1,000 startups, underscoring its dominance in France’s and Europe’s tech ecosystem. Start2 Group, formerly German Entrepreneurship, provides support, including free office space and programs focused on growth strategies. It boasts a strong network of founders and a solid track record.
The ranking was devised using a weighted combination of information provided by the centers’ alumni ratings, the industry’s perception of the center, and the track record of companies that went through the program. The United Kingdom has the highest number of hubs in the ranking with 29 entries, followed by Germany with 19. Spain and Portugal present 24 hubs, with two among the top 20.
These leading hubs foster innovation and support the growth of Europe’s startup ecosystem. The full report, which offers a detailed analysis of the top 150 startup hubs in Europe, will be published in March.
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