The study was based on key indicators of innovation, business ecosystem strength, and tech sector employment as well as patent filings and innovation intensity.
It also encompassed the approximate number of tech businesses and start-ups. Additionally, the analysis considered the number of unicorns, which are privately held startup companies valued at $1 billion or more, as well as ecosystem value and tech sector employment.
Hubs were ranked according to their adjusted final scores, where higher scores indicated better performance.
According to the survey, London ranked first with a composite score of 80.1. It has the highest number of startups in Europe at 19,000 and an ecosystem value of £111.9 billion. With 42 unicorns and a tech workforce of 1.64 million, London is a significant centre for technology and entrepreneurship.
Paris took second place with a composite score of 73.9. It has 8,000 tech businesses and 8,300 startups. Its ecosystem value stands at £37.1 billion, and it ranks sixth in innovation intensity globally.
The Cambridge Cluster secured third place with a composite score of 72.6. It leads Europe in innovation intensity and holds the second-highest number of patent filings at 6,582. With a per-capita ecosystem value of £150 billion, this hub stands out as a major tech centre.
Eindhoven is in fourth place with a composite score of 67.3. Also recognised as Eindhoven-Brainport, the hub has 2,561 patent filings and an ecosystem valued at £4.7 billion. While smaller in scale than Cambridge, Eindhoven is no less focused on innovation and technology-driven industries.
Munich ranked fifth with a composite score of 66.9. The city stands out with 7,000 tech businesses, one of the highest among the analysed cities, and an ecosystem valued at £42.5 billion.
Berlin came in sixth with a composite score of 66.7. It has 4,300 startups, 19 unicorns, and an ecosystem value of £29 billion. Berlin is a prominent figure in Europe’s tech market, closely following Munich in ecosystem value.
Stockholm was seventh with a composite score of 65.7. The city has six unicorns and an ecosystem value of £36.2 billion. It is famous for its contributions to fintech and the gaming industry.
Amsterdam ranked eighth with a composite score of 65. It has 4,000 tech businesses, more than Stockholm, and an ecosystem value of £21.2 billion. The city also benefits from its location and strong business infrastructure.
Barcelona is ninth with a composite score of 63.5. The city has 2,300 startups, two unicorns, and an ecosystem value of £2 billion, reflecting its growing tech presence. It is home to 135,000 tech employees, highlighting its steady development as a tech hub.
Dublin rounded out the top ten with a score of 62.6. Also referred to as Silicon Docks, it stands out for its strong ecosystem value of £144.2 billion, which is quite high relative to its size and number of startups.
Commenting on the findings, Brian Minick, Chief Operating Officer at ZeroBounce, said, “The UK continues to lead in European tech innovation. Companies with strong research capabilities paired with entrepreneurial drive deliver real results. The UK’s number of startups is growing continuously, so it’s no surprise to see such an impressive ecosystem value.”
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