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.
London, U.K. - Luxembourg
Sales (& Marketing) • A.I. (& Big Data)
VC I Europe
Partner at Mangrove Capital Partners
Mr. Yannick Oswald serves as a Partner at Mangrove Capital Partners. He served as Angel Investment Analyst at Fabrice Grinda Angel Investments - FJ Labs. He serves as the Board Member at Sybel, Safe365, Qoorio, and Echobox. He previously served as Board Observer at Divido.
San Clemente - San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Sales (& Marketing) • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars)
Investor
CEO & Co-Founder @ DealerSocket
Jonathan Ord is a Co-Founder & serves as Board Member at DealerSocket, as well as a Board Member at Model Match. Previously, he served as its Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Jonathan Ord sets vision and drives overall strategy for DealerSocket. Jonathan co-founded DealerSocket in 2001 to create a revolutionary model for industry niche CRM applications. Both DealerSocket and Jonathan have received many accolades including being named Best Overall Company globally in the 2008 Stevie International Business Awards, Best Management Team in the 2009 American Business Awards, and one of the Red Herring North American 100 in 2009. Additionally, Jonathan has been honored as one of the most successful young Entrepreneurs and Executives in Southern California, being honored with the 2010 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal. In 2014, Jonathan won Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Orange County.
Munich - Marketing automation, Spain
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Analytics • Logistics (& Distribution)
Angel Investor / Co-Founder Global Super Angels Club
Most Interested In
B2C Subscription Services
Not Interested In
MedTech
Sacramento, Israel
Sales (& Marketing) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Advertising • Analytics • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Online Social • Consumer
Board member, Early stage investor
Director, Early stage investor
Mr. Yigal Jacoby is a Co-Founder and serves as Chairman of Allot Communications and also serves as its Board Member. He also serves as an Advisor at theDOCK and as Chairman at Manto AI. He serves as Chairman at DriveU.auto. He serves as Board Member at Nimble Beauty.
London, U.K. - France
Businesses Solutions • Sales (& Marketing) • Mobile Apps
CEO and Co-founder at BlaBlaCar
Co-Founder & CEO
Nicolas Brusson is a Co-Founder of BlaBlaCar and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. He leads the company's global operations and international growth. He drives BlaBlaCar's corporate development and has successfully led the company's various rounds of financing and acquisitions. He is a strong supporter of autonomous local teams and acqui-hire, a strategy he implemented to expand BlaBlaCar's footprint to a global scale. Prior to joining BlaBlaCar, he worked for several startups in Silicon Valley during the 2000 boom, before moving on to executive and investor roles, including that of being a Venture Capitalist in London. He holds an MBA in Finance & Entrepreneurship from INSEAD, a Masters in Optics from Ecole Superieure d'Optique and a Masters in Applied Physics from Paris XI University. He also holds a Ph.D. in Optoelectronics from the Universite Paris Sud. He is also an active angel investor. He also serves as Board Member at SIDE Capital.
Berlin, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • Sales (& Marketing) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Advertising • Logistics (& Distribution) • Real Estate (& Construction) • Productivity
Most Interested In
Founders who are pursuing daring projects. Big vision & able to deliver on the nitty gritty parts. Currently AI/ML, big data, process innovation.
Not Interested In
(e/m) commerce companies, pure adtech plays, hardware only firms
Rouven Dresselhaus serves as Co-Founding Partner & Managing Partner at Cavalry Ventures. Dresselhaus serves as Managing Director at Voltage Ventures. Prior to Voltage Ventures, Rouven has invested in more than 35 companies worldwide. He is the go-to guy for our portfolio companies whenever they need strategic advice, input on their product, network and fundraising. Rouven's academic career ended when he dropped out of WHU's Ph.D. program in order to pursue his passion in Venture Capital.
Helsinki, Finland - 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, Iceland, Monac
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Sales (& Marketing) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Payments
Angel investor and entrepreneur
Investor and Senior Advisor at Spintop Ventures
Entrepreneur @komartek (sold to @wm-data, nowadays @cgi). Angel investor. Investments to 30 companies. Three angel exits. Advisor Spintop Ventures. M. Sc. LUT
London - San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Germany - U.K. - Israel - France
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Sales (& Marketing) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools
Most Interested In
Promising B2B technology companies. Key focus: SaaS / enterprise software, fintech, AI.
Not Interested In
Life sciences, capital intensive projects, B2C.
David Mes is a Co-Founder and serves as Managing Partner at Off The Grid Ventures. He also serves as a Venture Partner at US Invest LLC. He was a Co-Founder of Arc Venture Partners and served as a Managing Partner.
Warsaw, Poland
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Hospitality (& Events) • AgroTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Real Estate (& Construction) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Mobility
Managing Partner at Pracuj Ventures
Investor at Market One Capital
Internet entrepreneur and enthusiast, co-founder of Grupa Pracuj, personally involved in several start-ups.