What is particularly noteworthy is the combination of top placement in the overall ranking and the leading position in two central performance dimensions: network strength and alumni success. While many startup hubs operate regionally, Start2 Group positions itself as an internationally operating platform provider for structured innovation programs across multiple continents.
The ranking is produced annually by the Financial Times in collaboration with Statista and Sifted. Over 200 startup hubs in Europe are evaluated based on ecosystem performance, alumni success, and peer recommendations.
The improvement to position 2 indicates growing visibility and relevance in the European innovation environment, particularly in competition with established accelerators, incubators, and platforms.
#1 in “Hub Network” and “Alumni Track Record”: What lies behind the metrics
The top placements in the categories “Hub Network” and “Alumni Track Record” point to the following strategic core areas:
- Hub Network: International networking with startups, corporates, investors, and public institutions
- Alumni Track Record: Sustainable success of supported startups after program completion
- Peer Recognition: Recommendations 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. The goal is to support startups in entering new markets and to accompany established organizations in implementing measurable innovation strategies.
Global presence
The company is active in Europe, the United States, Latin America, and Asia. Through structured programs and cross-border partnerships, it aims to accelerate the scaling of innovations internationally.
“The repeated top rankings in the categories ‘Startup Hub Track Record’ and ‘Startup Hub Network’ are particularly meaningful for us. The fact that Start2 has its own personnel on the ground in the world’s most relevant innovation ecosystems and has access to a global high-level mentor network enables us to deliver the high quality we provide to startups and scaleups.”
adds Matthias Notz, CEO of Start2 Group and member of the expert advisory board of Munich Startup.
For the Munich location, the ranking is relevant insofar as Start2 Group, another player from the local environment, achieves European visibility and thus contributes to the international perception of the innovation hub.
