Top 10 startup countries in Europe in 2025

Top 10 startup countries in Europe in 2025 - Portugal Business News

Startup News Europe – Here are the Top 10 startup countries in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in each country, according to the Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 by Startup Blink:

1 - Top 10 startup countries in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in each country:

1 – UK

The UK ranks 1st startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sectors in the UK are the Fintech sector in London, and Deep Tech in both Cambridge and Oxford. Cambridge is particularly strong in Health tech, ranking 17th worldwide and 4th in Europe.

While the US remains the top global startup ecosystem, with a lead nearly four times greater than the UK in 2nd place, the UK’s startup ecosystem has a high growth rate of 26.34% annually, one of the highest growth rates, ranking 2nd globally.

The UK maintains its position as the leading startup nation in Europe, with a total score more than twice that of the next ranked country, Sweden. The UK startup environment remains strongly centralized in London, which stands out with a score 15 times higher than Cambridge, the next-ranked city.

2 – Sweden

Sweden ranks 2nd startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in Sweden is Energy and Environment where it ranks 2nd in the world.

Sweden has a high growth rate of 30.7%, ranking 6th globally. The country continues rank 2nd in Europe and remains the leader within the European Union (EU). The Swedish startup environment is centralized in Stockholm, which has a total score seven times higher than the next ranked city, Gothenburg.

Highlights from Sweden’s tech ecosystem include the Future’s acquisition by Mastercard for SEK 27.5 billion (~ US$ 2.5 billion), that underscores Gothenburg’s global cybersecurity leadership as well as ten Gothenburg-founded tech companies that achieved a record SEK 40 billion (~ US$ 3.6 billion) in exits for 2024, marking an unprecedented year for the city’s startup scene.

3 – Germany

Germany ranks 3rd startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in Germany is Transportation where it ranks 5th in the world. Berlin’s fastest growing tech sector is Fintech where it ranks 9th worldwide and 2nd in the EU, while Munich’s fastest growing tech sector is the Transportation industry where it ranks 10th worldwide.

Germany ranks 7th globally, with a high growth rate of 28.4%. Germany’s startup environment is mildly centralized in Berlin that has twice the score of Munich and Berlin ranks 14th startup city globally.

4 – France

France ranks 4th startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in France is Ecommerce and Retail, where it ranks 6th worldwide.

France ranks 8th globally, with a high growth rate of 30.2%, ranking among the top performers in the top ten globally. France’s startup ecosystem is centralized, with only Paris in the global Top 10 where Paris ranks 8th startup city globally.

5 – Switzerland

Switzerland ranks 5th startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in Switzerland is Health tech, where it ranks 3rd in the world and 2nd in Europe.

Switzerland ranks 9th globally with a growth rate of 31.8%. Switzerland has the highest growth rate among the top 5 European countries at over 31%.

6 – The Netherlands

The Netherlands ranks 6th startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in the Netherlands is Ecommerce & Retail, where it ranks 5th worldwide and 1st in the EU.

The Netherlands’ growth rate of 26.2% and ranks No. 10 globally. Amsterdam grew more than 28%, closing the gap between the Top 20 cities globally.

7 – Estonia

Estonia ranks 7th startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in Estonia is Transportation where it ranks 12th globally and 2nd in the EU.

Estonia ranks 11th globally is experiencing a strong ecosystem with a growth rate of 34.02%. Estonia has been the leading startup nation in Eastern Europe since 2020, with its lead over Lithuania (that is 2nd in the region) having quadrupled since 2020. Estonia’s startup ecosystem remains highly centralized in Tallinn.

8 – Spain

Spain ranks 8th startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in Spain is Social & Leisure where it ranks 3rd worldwide. Barcelona is the global leader in Cleantech, a subindustry of Energy & Environment, where it ranks 1st.

Spain’s ranks 14th globally with a relatively fast ecosystem growth rate of 29.7%. Barcelona is Spain’s leading startup ecosystem, climbing five spots to rank 33rd globally, completing a seven-spot climb over two years.

9 – Finland

Finland ranks 9th startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in Finland is Food Tech where it stands at 4th globally.

Finland also ranks 15th globally, with a growth rate of 26%.

10 – Ireland

Ireland ranks 10th startup country in Europe in 2025 and the fastest growing tech sector in Ireland is Energy & Environment where it ranks 5th worldwide.

With a growth rate of 33.5%, Ireland ranks 16th globally. Ireland records the highest growth rate among the top 10 European countries at over 33%. The Irish startup ecosystem remains centralized in Dublin.

2 - Here are the fastest growing tech sectors globally in 2025:

1 - FoodTec – growing 46.1%

2 – Tech Hardware & IoT – growing 45.4%

3 - Energy & Environment – growing 40.2%

Those 3 tech sectors are the fastest growing sectors in 2025, each expanding by over 40% in the startup count.