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.
, France
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Analytics • GovTech • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Mobile Apps • Real Estate (& Construction) • SaaS
Cofounder PeopleDoc
Cofounder PeopleDoc
Los Angeles - California, U.S.A. - Germany - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • GovTech • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
We're interested in teams re-imagining cities in 3 areas - GHG reduction, climate adaptation and solving problems associated with high density (like traffic or public safety). Cities are complex, so founders continue inspire and amaze us by identifying new systemic issues and solutions. If you're re-imagining city life, we'd love to hear from you.
Not Interested In
We don't invest in edtech or healthtech. Certainly not a vote on whether we want to see these categories succeed, we just think they need additional focus/skills which we don't have. That said public health is a growing area of interesting.
Shaun Abrahamson is a Founder and serves as Managing Partner at Urban Us. Shaun is a Member of the Investment Committee, and he leads investment selection and communications with portfolio companies, members of the Network, and limited partners in Fund II. Before founding Fund I, Shaun was an active angel investor, investing in more than 20 firms between 2007 and 2013 in his personal capacity. Early-stage investing and advising is informed by his experiences building MediaSentry (acquired by SafeNet in 2005), Starmedia Network (acquired by France Telecom) and Oculus Technologies (MIT CADLab spin-out). In 1999, he was an early employee at govWorks, one of the earliest startups focused on serving local government. govWorks was ahead of the market and failed during the dot-com bust, becoming the subject of the documentary Startup.com in 2001. Shaun has written for organizations such as The Economist Intelligence Unit, The Huffington Post, and CNNMoney. Crowdstorm, published by Wiley, was his first book and is a guide to working with large online crowds to find and evaluate ideas. The book is based on Shaun's experience working with Starbucks, Omnicom Group, $300 House, and Life Edited. Shaun has an MSc from MIT; an MBA from the Berlin School of Creative Leadership; and a BSc from the University of Cape Town. He is also an Angel Investor.
New York City, U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Developer tools • GovTech • Logistics (& Distribution) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Nanotechnology • Consumer • Woman Focused
Founded in 2016, Afore Capital is a San Francisco, California based venture capital firm to support product-oriented founders at the very earliest stage (pre-seed).
Brooklyn New York - Berlin - New York City - Miami Florida - Valley California - Denver Colorado - Los Angeles California - Israel, U.S.A.
PropTech • AgroTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Entertainment (& Sports) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • GovTech • Impact • Logistics (& Distribution) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Mobility • Woman Focused
Paris, France - U.S.A. - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Hospitality (& Events) • Education • FinTech (& Financials services) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • GovTech • Impact • Real Estate (& Construction) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer • Woman Focused
Entrepreneur & Angel Investor • 🚨Hiring CTOs
Investor - Limited Partner at Super Capital VC
LatAm (Latin ) - Los Angeles - New York - London - City - Buenos Aires (Argentina) - Bogota (Colombia) - San Francisco Bay Area, U.K. - U.S.A. - Mexico
Education • FinTech (& Financials services) • CleanTech • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Gaming (& eSports) • Future Of Work • GovTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer • Woman Focused
Partner at Initial Capital and Investment Director at Swordfish Investments
Most Interested In
Pre-seed and seed software opportunities with a user experience that can be optimised. Health, education, financial services, real estate, climate, entertainment, government and other big sectors of the economy.
Not Interested In
Hardware, biotech, deeptech
San Francisco California - Israel - Valley California - Eastern Europe, United States
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Other • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • Media • Education • BioTech • AgroTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • Entertainment (& Sports) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Cannabis • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Gaming (& eSports) • Advertising • Analytics • AR/VR • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools • Future Of Work • Food & Beverage • GovTech • Human Resources • Impact • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Local commerce • Logistics (& Distribution) • Material Science • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Messaging • Payments • Robotics • Mobile Apps • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • SaaS
Venture Investor and Community Builder
Oleg Koujikov serves as Venture Partner at Maxfield Capital. He has over fifteen years of venture capital investment and management experience. His background includes senior management roles in developing, structuring and managing venture capital investments in VEB Innovations, Leader Innovations, Troika Capital Partners, IBS Group and Intel Capital. Oleg is Co-founder of AmBAR. He holds an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School.
San Francisco Bay Area - South San Francisco - California, U.S.A. - Sweden
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Education • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Energy • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • GovTech • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer
Gustaf Alstromer serves as a Partner at Y Combinator. He is also an angel investor. Alstromer also serves as an Advisor & Angel Investor at Tictail. Alstromer was formerly product leader of Airbnb's growth team. Alstromer served as Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder at Heysan.
Munich - Palo Alto California, U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Developer tools • Future Of Work • GovTech • Messaging • Payments • DeepTech • Online Social • Woman Focused
Felix Haas is a Co-Founder and serves as Chairman at ID Now. He is also an angel investor. He also holds the position of founding investor in Kreditech Holding SSL GmbH and is also an angel investor. He served as the chief executive officer at Amiando GmbH. He serves as an Advisor at Distribute. Felix studied Electrical Engineering at Technical University Munich and the ETH Zurich with a visit at Stanford University.
Midwest - Chicago - Illinois, U.S.A. - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IoT (& Wearables) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • GovTech • Payments • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Mobility • Woman Focused
Principal at Cultivation Capital, Technology and Geospatial Funds
Most Interested In
Sweet-spot is leading seed rounds, investing in adventurous founders dedicated to building innovative, high-growth businesses. Our team of former entrepreneurs and operators work closely with portfolio company founders to accelerate growth. We help build the team, crank up the commercial engine, and obtain financing.
Not Interested In
Prefer opportunities headquartered outside of SF/NY, with a history of capital efficiency.
New York - Miami - Florida, U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Media • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Food & Beverage • GovTech • Real Estate (& Construction) • Consumer • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
Proptech, fintech, SAAS, special situations.
Not Interested In
Medical and health, stuff I don't understand.
Seattle Washington, U.S.A. - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • CleanTech • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • GovTech • Payments • SaaS • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • Online Social • Consumer
CEO at Knightsbridge Portable Communications, started a number of technology firms and run a sub contract electronics facility.