10 greatest cities for entrepreneurs: EU version

Europe as a complete has lengthy been a driver of innovation and entrepreneurship. Cities like London (UK), Berlin (Germany), Dublin (Eire), Copenhagen (Denmark), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), and Paris (France) are famend startup hubs, nurturing a few of the continent’s most artistic minds and future-forward companies. Nonetheless, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic final yr, about 40% of residents began contemplating transferring away from giant European capitals to smaller cities. 

So, what are a few of the greatest different European cities for aspiring or budding entrepreneurs? We took a glance past the plain to discover a few of Europe’s less-expected cities with dynamic startup scenes which can be nice for brand spanking new companies. Right here’s what we discovered:

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia is within the nascent stage of creating a startup ecosystem. With its vibrant economic system, favorable rules for entrepreneurs, and inexpensive residing alternatives, this can be a nice small metropolis to relocate to in a post-COVID world.  Present in Jap Europe only a quick drive from the Croatian, Austrian, and Italian borders, Ljubljana is thought for its clear air, low crime fee, proximity to the “sunny facet of the Alps”, and bustling artwork scene.

The nation’s small measurement and placement make it very accessible to assist and buyers from different EU nations, and the Slovenian authorities is making public sources of funding simply accessible for entrepreneurs. 

Barcelona, Spain

Europe’s quintessential startup metropolis, Barcelona is a world-renowned tech startup magnet. The town is filled with startup success tales, and practically two-thirds of town’s startup founders have come from overseas. And it’s not likely shocking why—with its cheap value of residing, engaging beachside life-style, and famously prime quality of life, it’s not onerous to persuade proficient professionals to relocate.

There’s a robust startup group with loads of incubators and accelerators on the lookout for the following massive factor (and also you don’t even want to talk Spanish to do it). There are common tech and startup networking occasions, starting from comparatively small to main, just like the Cell World Congress. Though Madrid is the authorized capital of Spain, Barcelona is the undoubted chief on this planet of startups.

Prague, Czech Republic

With its developed infrastructure, extremely expert and educated workforce, and its pretty low value of residing for a capital metropolis, Prague is a good place to maneuver for aspiring entrepreneurs. Usually seen as a gateway to bigger startup hubs like Vienna, or Berlin, Prague is a superb place to get your foot within the door of the European entrepreneurship scene.

The nation’s steady economic system creates a dynamic enterprise atmosphere that attracts in native and worldwide professionals. The working mentality and perspective there additionally affords the chance for an ideal work-life steadiness for anybody seeking to relocate. Sometimes called one of the crucial lovely cities in Europe, Prague has been attracting digital nomads because the early 2010s. You’re virtually assured to have the ability to communicate English wherever you go along with the variety of expats settled in Prague!

Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland as a complete was not too long ago named probably the greatest nations to dwell in worldwide due to its high quality of life and, importantly for entrepreneurs, its business-friendly atmosphere. In reality, Swiss startups generated greater than CHF 2 billion in 2021 alone due to the provision of capital, expertise, and clients in the marketplace!

Zurich is charming metropolis filled with inexperienced areas, lush riverside promenades, an thrilling artwork scene, and at shut proximity to plenty of ski stations and mountaineering routes. The town is extremely habitable with an environment friendly public transport system, nice colleges, and worldwide presence. What’s extra, its distinctive location within the middle of Europe makes it driving distance to different key entrepreneurship hubs like Munich and Milan.

Lisbon, Portugal

Able to fall in love with azulejos, windy roads, and pasteis de belem? Then Lisbon is the place for you! It’s an ideal metropolis to maneuver to when you’re seeking to work with a few of the continent’s biggest growth minds. Lisbon’s universities are well-known for the standard of the builders they prove annually, with a whopping 53% of graduates holding a STEM diploma!

Foreigners flock to Lisbon for a lot of causes, one in all them being the very favorable fiscal scenario supplied by the Portuguese authorities. For the primary 10 years of life there, foreigners working for strategic industries can qualify for the non-habitual resident standing whereby you pay a flat fee of 20% on earnings tax and aren’t taxed on something you earn overseas.

Athens, Greece

The cradle of philosophy, tradition, and expertise, Greece has at all times been a hub of innovation and data. In recent times, the Greek authorities has put a number of incentives in place to assist native and worldwide entrepreneurs get their enterprise concepts off the bottom – and what’s extra, it’s been working! Increasingly startups come out of Greece annually, with 800 startups presently in operation in Athens alone.

The nation’s largest metropolis, Athens has year-round sunshine, an incomparably bustling cafe tradition, nightlife that seemingly by no means stops, and a big ex-pat group. The town middle is filled with eating places, bars, retailers, galleries, and extra – to not point out that it surrounds presumably one of the crucial important historic artifacts – the Acropolis.

Stockholm, Sweden

Fashionable Stockholm not too long ago turned a hub for entrepreneurs with a spike in enterprise capital and authorities funding. That is the go-to place for startups and small enterprise homeowners seeking to make a optimistic social or environmental affect!

The cosmopolitan metropolis abounds with healthcare startups, firms specializing in the elimination of meals waste, and EdTech to call just a few. It’s an ideal place to go for entrepreneurs hoping to safe seed funding, enter an accelerator program, or entice buyers. To not point out that Stockholm is reputed for its nice high quality of life, tolerant society, and having a robust concentrate on environmental safety.  

Florence, Italy 

If you consider Florence, you usually think about an exquisite previous city, a Duomo, and a wealthy historical past of artwork and structure. And whereas that’s completely true, do you know that it’s additionally the perfect place for e-commerce, retail, leisure, and advertising and marketing startups to arrange store? These industries thrive in Florence, and there are many coworking areas to community in in addition to startup incubators to get your initiative off the bottom. A brief, hour-and-a-half practice experience from each Rome and Milan, this small, protected metropolis is completely positioned for anybody seeking to discover Italy whereas constructing the following massive factor!

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Greatest identified for its world-class college, Cambridge additionally has a thriving startup scene. Self-proclaimed “Silicon Fen” (the UK’s reply to Silicon Valley), there are a selection of high-tech companies and ecosystems able to assist newcomers at each flip.

This can be a excellent place to go for startups seeking to recruit the most effective and the brightest contemporary out of Cambridge College, enter a good enterprise incubator, or collaborate with friends in pocket-friendlier coworking areas than in London. This can be a nice different to London for entrepreneurs on the lookout for a quieter life-style away from the hustle and bustle of the large metropolis. Simply ensure you learn up on to settle in correctly after Brexit. 

Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg has the second-highest density of startups in Germany, with practically 10,000 new firms based annually! The native authorities pours loads of sources into entrepreneurship right here, constructing its status as a frontrunner in service, gaming, tech, and commerce. The town can also be the chosen spot for Airbus and Google’s presence in Germany, with town drawing in prime expertise due to its globally revered college.

It’s additionally been ranked essentially the most livable metropolis in Germany for its nice schooling alternatives, sturdy healthcare system, stability, and infrastructure. To not point out it might be a singular alternative so that you can study German and discover the neighboring nation of Austria as nicely!

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