Five start-ups hubs on the island of Ireland have been named among Europe's leading start-up hubs by the Financial Times and data research company Statistia.
The FT published the Europe's Leading Start-Up Hubs 2025 league table on Thursday, ranking the top centres in Europe offering incubator and/or accelerator programmes to company founders, based on alumni success, expert evaluations and overall track record.
Dogpatch Labs was the highest placing Irish facility in 20th ahead of Cork's Republic of Work (49th), Furthr in Dublin (88th), and Belfast's Catalyst (94th).
NovaUCD made the list of 150 for the second successive year, placing 117th, and is the only university-based hub in Ireland to be included. UnternehmerTUM in Munich topped the table.
“I am delighted that NovaUCD has been recognised by the Financial Times and Statista as one of the leading start-up hubs in Europe, for the second year in a row, and is once again the only university-based start-up hub in Ireland to feature in the report," said Prof. Kate Robson Brown, vice-president for research, innovation and impact at UCD.
"UCD is at the heart of Ireland’s vibrant economy and as such is committed to its key role in Ireland’s innovation and knowledge exchange ecosystem.
"One way we demonstrate this commitment is through NovaUCD’s activities and its strategic focus on establishing new ventures, supporting and scaling job creating high-tech start-ups, and more established companies, with international potential and reach.
"We welcome today’s recognition and look forward to continuing to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and start-ups with global ambitions.”
A total of 29 the ranked hubs are based in the UK, 19 in Germany, 17 in Spain, 11 in France, and nine in Italy.
(Pic: Getty Images)
