Start2 Group climbs to second place in the Financial Times ranking of “Europe’s Leading Startup Hubs”

What is particularly remarkable is the combination of a top ranking overall and a leading position in two key performance dimensions: network strength and alumni success. While many startup hubs operate regionally, this one positions itself Start2 Group as an internationally operating platform provider for structured innovation programs across multiple continents.

The ranking is compiled annually by the Financial Times in collaboration with Statista and Sifted. More than 200 startup hubs in Europe are evaluated based on ecosystem performance, alumni success, and peer recommendations.

The improvement to second place indicates growing visibility and relevance in the European innovation landscape, in particular in competition with established accelerators, incubators and platforms.

#1 at “Hub Network” and “Alumni Track Record”: What’s behind the key figures

The top rankings in the categories "Hub Network" and "Alumni Track Record" point to the following strategic core areas:

• Hub NetworkInternational networking with startups, corporations, investors and public institutions
• Alumni Track RecordSustainable success of the supported startups after completion of the programs
• Peer RecognitionRecommendations from market participants as a quality indicator
• Ecosystem Performance: Contribution to the performance of regional and international innovation ecosystems

Start2 Group develops and implements international market access, accelerator, and scaleup programs, as well as corporate innovation initiatives. Its goal is to support startups entering new markets and to assist established organizations in implementing measurable innovation strategies.

Global presence

The company operates in Europe, the USA, Latin America, and Asia. Structured programs and cross-border partnerships are intended to accelerate the international scaling of innovations.

“The renewed top-1 rankings in the categories ‘Startup Hub Track Record’ and ‘Startup Hub Network’ are particularly significant for us. The fact that Start2 is represented in the world’s most relevant innovation ecosystems with its own staff on-site, as well as having a global high-level mentor network, enables the high quality we offer startups and scaleups.”

supplemented Matthias Notz, CEO of the Start2 Group and part of the Expert advisory board of Munich Startup.

For Munich as a business location, the ranking is relevant insofar as Start2 Group, another player from the local area, achieves European visibility and thus contributes to the international perception of the innovation hub.