Financial Times 2025 ranking highlights Switzerland’s role in Europe’s startup ecosystem

The Financial Times, in collaboration with Statista and Sifted, has released the second edition of its Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs ranking for 2025. This comprehensive list evaluates 150 startup hubs across Europe, focusing on centers that offer incubator and accelerator programs designed to support rapidly growing tech companies.

The methodology for Europe's Leading Start-Up Hubs 2025 followed a three-phase process to evaluate and rank the top European startup hubs. Around 3,000 potential hubs were identified and invited to register. To be eligible, hubs had to have a physical location in Europe, offer at least one incubation or acceleration program, and have been in operation since at least 2020. The evaluation focused on alumni feedback, expert recommendations, and the track record of companies that had participated in these programs.

As the listing required the hubs to register, many important Swiss players are missing from the list that has now been published. The performance of those hubs that took part is nevertheless gratifying.

Swiss hubs in the Top 10
Switzerland has firmly established itself as a significant player in Europe's startup landscape, as reflected in the rankings. Venture Kick, with a score of 84.745 points, claimed the 6th position, underscoring the impact of Swiss accelerators on the country's thriving ecosystem. Since its inception in 2007, Venture Kick has supported 1,121 Swiss startup projects, providing CHF 80 million in funding from private donors. With this financial backing, coaching, and access to investor networks, Venture Kick has contributed to the emergence of 750 successful startups and the creation of 14,500 jobs.

Another notable Swiss accelerator is the ESA Business Incubation Center (ESA BIC), part of a Europe-wide network of 54 incubators. With a score of 83.444 points, ESA BIC ranks 10th. The Swiss branch supports startups focused on space technology and other innovations with applications in space. Collectively, ESA BIC's network has helped launch over 900 startups, including 76 from Switzerland, which have generated over 1,150 jobs.

Fongit (Fondation Genevoise pour l'Innovation Technologique), ranked 24th with 81.163 points, is another strong performer. Based in Geneva, this private non-profit foundation has been supporting startups since 1991. Fongit currently supports over 220 startups, which have collectively created more than 1,800 jobs.

In total, eight Swiss startup accelerators are featured in this year’s ranking. Along with Venture Kick, ESA BIC, and FONGIT, the following Swiss accelerators also made the list:

• Runway Incubator (50th, 78.35 points)
• Female Founders Initiative (65th, 77.682 points)
• University of Basel Innovation Office (85th, 76.877 points)
• Startup Campus (100th, 75.726 points)
• Dayone (102nd, 75.593 points)
• Fondazione Agire (109th, 75.091 points)