Europe's startup ecosystem is one of the largest and most diverse in the world, with major hubs in London, Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam. As of 2023, Europe is home to over 150,000 startups. Governments across the continent support entrepreneurship through various initiatives that provide funding, resources, and mentorship for startups. In 2022, European startups collectively raised approximately €100 billion in venture capital.
The European startup ecosystem is expansive, with over 150,000 startups as of 2023. In 2022, these startups raised approximately €100 billion in venture capital, reflecting robust investor interest. This substantial funding pool supports startups at various stages, from early seed rounds to late-stage investments, facilitating growth and innovation across diverse sectors.
Europe's strengths include a highly educated workforce, a strong tradition of innovation, and a strategic location with access to a large and diverse market. Major cities like London, Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam have vibrant tech scenes, attracting significant investments and producing notable startups like Revolut, N26, and Adyen. The presence of world-class universities and research institutions fosters a collaborative environment for startups.
London, Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam are Europe's primary startup hubs. These cities are known for their dynamic tech ecosystems and have produced significant startups, such as Revolut in London, N26 in Berlin, and Adyen in Amsterdam. These hubs benefit from robust infrastructure, access to capital, and a high concentration of skilled talent.
Emerging hubs in Europe include cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, and Stockholm. These cities are gaining traction due to their favorable business climates, increasing investment activity, and vibrant entrepreneurial communities. They offer growing opportunities for startups and investors looking to explore new markets.
The European startup ecosystem benefits from a strong network of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces. Initiatives like the European Innovation Council (EIC) and Horizon Europe provide mentorship, resources, and international exposure. These support systems are crucial for nurturing early-stage startups and helping them scale effectively.
Challenges in the European startup ecosystem include regulatory complexities, economic disparities between regions, and limited access to late-stage funding in some areas. Navigating the diverse regulatory environments across different countries can be daunting for startups looking to scale internationally. Addressing these challenges is crucial for fostering a more cohesive and supportive ecosystem.
Despite challenges, Europe is making significant strides in innovation and entrepreneurship. Continuous investment and technological advancement drive substantial growth opportunities. Europe's strategic location and extensive trade relationships provide startups with opportunities for international expansion, positioning the continent as a key player in the global innovation landscape.
Europe's startup ecosystem has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. The strong emphasis on sustainability and green technology drives innovation in sectors such as renewable energy and environmental technologies. As Europe continues to invest in its startup ecosystem, it is poised for further growth and development, contributing significantly to the global innovation landscape.
Berlin, Germany
Sales (& Marketing) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Mobile Apps • Consumer
Serial Entrepreneur in Esports since 1997
Jens Hilgers is a Co-Owner of G2 Esports. He is also a Co-Founder of Dojo Madness and served as its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to this, he Owned and Co-Founded Turtle Entertainment and served as its Chairman. Jens Hilgers served as the Chief Executive Officer of Geewa. He also served as Chief Executive Officer at GIGA Digital Television. He holds a degree from Bildungszentrum fuer Informationsverarbeitende Berufe.
Stockholm Sweden, Sweden
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Education • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Entertainment (& Sports) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Food & Beverage • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Mobile Apps • Online Social
Entrepreneur & Angel Investor
Entrepreneur & Angel Investor
Linkoping, Sweden
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • AgroTech • Businesses Solutions • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Mobile Apps • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer
Part Owner på Adaptive Hedge Fund Management
Angel Investor
Krakow Poland - San Francisco California - California - U.S.A., United States
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Education • Gaming (& eSports) • Mobile Apps
CEO & Co-Founder at Silvair, Inc
Rafal Han is a Co-Founder and serves as Chief Executive Officer at Silvair. He also serves as a Business Advisor at Duckie Deck and Lingapp. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive Officer at Hanbright. He has a Masters degree in Environmental Science from Jagiellonian University in 1999.
London United Kingdom - U.K., United Kingdom
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Education • Businesses Solutions • A.I. (& Big Data) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Human Resources • Mobile Apps
Partner at Kindred Capital VC
Chrysanthos Chrysanthou serves as Partner at Notion. He served as Vice President at Accel Partners. He joined Accel in 2014 from Amazon Web Services where he led Business Development efforts of the startup ecosystem, across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to AWS he was COO of Living PlanIT, a B2B startup technology company enabling the development of intelligent and sustainable urban-scale environments. Previously, Chrys worked at Cisco for approximately 10 years where he led Services-related investments and acquisitions worldwide. At Cisco he also worked in the IT and Operations departments leading teams across large scale business process re-engineering and enterprise software migration projects. He has lived and worked in Silicon Valley, UK, Portugal and India and led projects in the Middle East, South Africa, China and Singapore. Chrys holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego and an MBA from the Judge Business School at Cambridge University.
Sydney Australia, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Mobile Apps • Restaurants
Managing Director Macquarie Venture Capital Group
Managing Director Macquarie Venture Capital Group
, Netherlands
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Education • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Entertainment (& Sports) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Mobile Apps • Consumer
Creator & Founder @ Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits Co. | Founder & NED @ BrandLink Group | Angel & Advisor | FMCG\CPG Nerd
Creator & Founder @ Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits Co. | Founder & NED @ BrandLink Group | Angel & Advisor | FMCG\CPG Nerd
London, U.K. - France
Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • IoT (& Wearables) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Payments • Mobile Apps • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer
Tech entrepreneur & investor
Serial entrepreneur & tech investor
Romain Afflelou is a Co-Founder at Cosmo Connected and also serves as its President and Chairman. He spearheaded the digital strategy of Alain Afflelou Group before becoming an investor in numerous start-ups. He uses his fine-tuned analysis skills to support and invest in innovative start-ups. In addition to being a major shareholder and Chairman of Cosmo Connected, he is Board member of Multiwave. He is also an investor in Convargo, Cityscoot, Sharpr and Officeriders, Epicery.
, United Kingdom
Retail (& E-Commerce) • Mobile Apps
Barrister at Erskine Chambers
Barrister at Erskine Chambers