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Top 20 Startup-Friendly Cities in Europe in 2025

Top 20 Startup-Friendly Cities in Europe in 2025: Ecosystems, Funding, and Success Stories
Europe continues to be a hotspot for innovation and entrepreneurship, with cities across the continent fostering vibrant startup ecosystems.

In 2025, these cities are not only attracting talent and investment but also creating environments where startups can thrive.

Below is a curated list of the top 20 startup-friendly cities in Europe, detailing their ecosystems, funding opportunities, and notable success stories.

1. London, United Kingdom

  • Ecosystem: London remains Europe’s leading startup hub, with a strong focus on fintech, AI, and healthtech. The city boasts a robust network of accelerators, incubators, and venture capital firms.
  • Funding Opportunities: Access to over 70% of the UK’s private equity and VC investors, with significant funding rounds for startups like Revolut and Deliveroo 10.
  • Success Stories: Revolut, Deliveroo, and Wise.
  • Resources: London & Partners

2. Paris, France

  • Ecosystem: Paris is a hub for tech and innovation, supported by initiatives like the French Tech Visa and Bpifrance. The city is strong in AI, fintech, and green tech.
  • Funding Opportunities: Over €30 billion committed to the France 2030 plan, aiming to create 100 tech unicorns 8.
  • Success Stories: Doctolib, BlaBlaCar, and Alan.
  • Resources: La French Tech

3. Berlin, Germany

  • Ecosystem: Known for its affordable living costs and creative atmosphere, Berlin is a magnet for tech startups, particularly in SaaS, fintech, and mobility.
  • Funding Opportunities: Strong support from local VCs and accelerators like Rocket Internet and Axel Springer Plug and Play 10.
  • Success Stories: Zalando, N26, and Delivery Hero.
  • Resources: Berlin Partner

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Ecosystem: Amsterdam offers a highly skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure, and a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.
  • Funding Opportunities: Tax incentives and grants for startups, with notable investments in companies like Adyen and Booking.com 10.
  • Success Stories: Adyen, Booking.com, and Takeaway.com.
  • Resources: StartupAmsterdam

5. Stockholm, Sweden

  • Ecosystem: Stockholm is known as the “Unicorn Factory” due to its high number of billion-dollar startups, particularly in gaming, fintech, and healthtech.
  • Funding Opportunities: Strong government support and a thriving VC scene, with investments in companies like Spotify and Klarna 10.
  • Success Stories: Spotify, Klarna, and iZettle.
  • Resources: Invest Stockholm

6. Barcelona, Spain

  • Ecosystem: Barcelona combines a high quality of life with a dynamic startup ecosystem, supported by institutions like Barcelona Tech City.
  • Funding Opportunities: Grants, tax breaks, and coworking spaces for startups, with notable investments in Glovo and Typeform 10.
  • Success Stories: Glovo, Typeform, and Wallapop.
  • Resources: Barcelona Activa

7. Madrid, Spain

  • Ecosystem: Madrid is emerging as a southern hub for growth and internationalization, with strengths in fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce.
  • Funding Opportunities: Strong support from local accelerators and VCs, with investments in companies like Cabify and Jobandtalent 11.
  • Success Stories: Cabify, Jobandtalent, and Wallapop.
  • Resources: Madrid Startup

8. Munich, Germany

  • Ecosystem: Munich is a leading hub for deep tech and industrial innovation, with a strong focus on AI, robotics, and mobility.
  • Funding Opportunities: Significant investments from local VCs and corporate innovation programs, with success stories like Celonis and Personio 10.
  • Success Stories: Celonis, Personio, and FlixBus.
  • Resources: Munich Startup

9. Zurich, Switzerland

  • Ecosystem: Zurich is a hub for fintech, biotech, and AI, with a strong emphasis on research and development.
  • Funding Opportunities: Access to Swiss and international investors, with notable investments in companies like MindMaze and GetYourGuide 10.
  • Success Stories: MindMaze, GetYourGuide, and On.
  • Resources: Zurich Startup Ecosystem

10. Helsinki, Finland

  • Ecosystem: Helsinki is known for its innovative culture and strong support for startups, particularly in gaming, healthtech, and cleantech.
  • Funding Opportunities: Government grants and VC funding, with success stories like Supercell and Wolt 10.
  • Success Stories: Supercell, Wolt, and Rovio.
  • Resources: Helsinki Business Hub
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11. Tallinn, Estonia

  • Ecosystem: Tallinn is a digital leader, offering a unique e-residency program and a strong focus on fintech and cybersecurity.
  • Funding Opportunities: Government support and access to EU funding, with success stories like TransferWise and Bolt 10.
  • Success Stories: TransferWise, Bolt, and Pipedrive.
  • Resources: Startup Estonia

12. Dublin, Ireland

  • Ecosystem: Dublin is a prominent tech hub, home to multinational companies and a thriving startup community, particularly in fintech and SaaS.
  • Funding Opportunities: Low corporate tax rates and strong support from Enterprise Ireland, with success stories like Stripe and Intercom 10.
  • Success Stories: Stripe, Intercom, and Workhuman.
  • Resources: Dublin Startup Commissioner

13. Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Ecosystem: Copenhagen is known for its high standard of living, sustainable practices, and supportive business environment, particularly in cleantech and healthtech.
  • Funding Opportunities: Government grants and VC funding, with success stories like Trustpilot and Pleo 10.
  • Success Stories: Trustpilot, Pleo, and Unity.
  • Resources: Copenhagen Capacity

14. Vienna, Austria

  • Ecosystem: Vienna offers a strategic location in Central Europe, a high quality of life, and a well-developed infrastructure, particularly in fintech and AI.
  • Funding Opportunities: Strong support from local accelerators and VCs, with success stories like Runtastic and Bitpanda 10.
  • Success Stories: Runtastic, Bitpanda, and Shpock.
  • Resources: Vienna Business Agency

15. Lisbon, Portugal

  • Ecosystem: Lisbon is gaining popularity as a startup hub due to its affordable living costs, pleasant climate, and vibrant tech scene, particularly in fintech and SaaS.
  • Funding Opportunities: Grants, tax breaks, and coworking spaces for startups, with success stories like Unbabel and OutSystems 10.
  • Success Stories: Unbabel, OutSystems, and Feedzai.
  • Resources: Startup Lisboa

16. Hamburg, Germany

  • Ecosystem: Hamburg is a growing hub for startups, particularly in logistics, media, and fintech, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability.
  • Funding Opportunities: Access to local and international investors, with success stories like About You and XING 10.
  • Success Stories: About You, XING, and Jimdo.
  • Resources: Hamburg Startups

17. Milan, Italy

  • Ecosystem: Milan is a hub for fashion, fintech, and creative industries, with a growing focus on internationalization and innovation.
  • Funding Opportunities: Strong support from local accelerators and VCs, with success stories like Satispay and MoneyFarm 10.
  • Success Stories: Satispay, MoneyFarm, and Casavo.
  • Resources: Milan Startup

18. Oslo, Norway

  • Ecosystem: Oslo is known for its focus on sustainability and cleantech, with a strong emphasis on green innovation and renewable energy.
  • Funding Opportunities: Government grants and VC funding, with success stories like Kahoot! and Oda 10.
  • Success Stories: Kahoot!, Oda, and Xeneta.
  • Resources: Oslo Business Region

19. Brussels, Belgium

  • Ecosystem: Brussels is a hub for EU-focused startups, particularly in fintech, healthtech, and AI, with a strong emphasis on policy and regulation.
  • Funding Opportunities: Access to EU funding and local VCs, with success stories like Cowboy and Deliverect 10.
  • Success Stories: Cowboy, Deliverect, and Showpad.
  • Resources: Brussels Invest & Export

20. Warsaw, Poland

  • Ecosystem: Warsaw is a growing hub for fintech, SaaS, and AI, with a strong focus on innovation and international expansion.
  • Funding Opportunities: Access to local and international investors, with success stories like DocPlanner and Brainly 10.
  • Success Stories: DocPlanner, Brainly, and Booksy.
  • Resources: Warsaw Startup
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These cities are at the forefront of Europe’s startup revolution, offering diverse opportunities for entrepreneurs to innovate, scale, and succeed. For more details, visit the city-specific resources linked above.
2025-01-10 08:57