10 best cities for entrepreneurs: EU edition

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 number of the continent’s most artistic minds and future-forward companies. Nevertheless, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic final yr, about 40% of citizens began contemplating transferring away from giant European capitals to smaller cities. 

So, what are a number of the best various European cities for aspiring or budding entrepreneurs? We took a glance past the apparent to discover a few of Europe’s less-expected cities with dynamic startup scenes which are nice for new companies. Right here’s what we discovered:

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia is within the nascent stage of growing a startup ecosystem. With its vibrant economic system, favorable laws for entrepreneurs, and reasonably priced dwelling alternatives, it is 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 understood for its clear air, low crime price, proximity to the “sunny facet of the Alps”, and bustling artwork scene.

The nation’s small dimension and placement make it very accessible to assist and traders from different EU international locations, and the Slovenian authorities is making public sources of funding simply obtainable for entrepreneurs. 

Barcelona, Spain

Europe’s quintessential startup metropolis, Barcelona is a world-renowned tech startup magnet. The town is stuffed with startup success tales, and almost two-thirds of the city’s startup founders have come from overseas. And it’s not likely shocking why—with its cheap price of dwelling, engaging beachside life-style, and famously top quality of life, it’s not exhausting to persuade proficient professionals to relocate.

There’s a powerful startup neighborhood with loads of incubators and accelerators wanting for the subsequent large 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 Cellular 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 price of dwelling for a capital metropolis, Prague is a good place to maneuver for aspiring entrepreneurs. Typically seen as a gateway to bigger startup hubs like Vienna, or Berlin, Prague is an excellent place to get your foot within the door of the European entrepreneurship scene.

The nation’s secure economic system creates a dynamic enterprise atmosphere that pulls in native and worldwide professionals. The working mentality and angle there additionally affords the chance for an awesome work-life stability for anybody seeking to relocate. Sometimes called one of the vital stunning cities in Europe, Prague has been attracting digital nomads for the reason that early 2010s. You’re virtually assured to have the ability to converse 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 one of the best countries to live in worldwide because of its high quality of life and, importantly for entrepreneurs, its business-friendly atmosphere. In reality, Swiss startups generated more than CHF 2 billion in 2021 alone because of the provision of capital, expertise, and prospects in the marketplace!

Zurich is charming metropolis filled with inexperienced areas, lush riverside promenades, an thrilling artwork scene, and at shut proximity to various ski stations and mountaineering routes. The town is very habitable with an environment friendly public transport system, nice faculties, and worldwide presence. What’s extra, its distinctive location within the heart 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 awesome metropolis to maneuver to if you happen to’re seeking to work with a number of the continent’s biggest growth minds. Lisbon’s universities are well-known for the standard of the builders they end up every year, with a whopping 53% of graduates holding a STEM diploma!

Foreigners flock to Lisbon for many causes, one in all them being the very favorable fiscal scenario provided 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 price of 20% on revenue tax and aren’t taxed on something you earn overseas.

Athens, Greece

The cradle of philosophy, tradition, and know-how, Greece has at all times been a hub of innovation and information. 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 more startups come out of Greece every year, with 800 startups at present 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 neighborhood. The town heart is stuffed with eating places, bars, retailers, galleries, and extra – to not point out that it surrounds presumably one of the vital vital historic artifacts – the Acropolis.

Stockholm, Sweden

Stylish 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 house owners seeking to make a optimistic social or environmental influence!

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

Florence, Italy 

Once you consider Florence, you usually think about a wonderful outdated 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 prepare trip from each Rome and Milan, this small, protected metropolis is completely positioned for anybody seeking to discover Italy whereas constructing the subsequent large factor!

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Best recognized 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 best 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 various to London for entrepreneurs wanting for a quieter life-style away from the hustle and bustle of the massive metropolis. Simply be sure you learn up on to settle in correctly after Brexit. 

Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg has the second-highest density of startups in Germany, with nearly 10,000 new companies founded each year! The native authorities pours loads of sources into entrepreneurship right here, constructing its fame as a frontrunner in service, gaming, tech, and commerce. The town can be the chosen spot for Airbus and Google’s presence in Germany, with the town drawing in prime expertise because of its globally revered college.

It’s additionally been ranked probably the most livable metropolis in Germany for its nice training alternatives, sturdy healthcare system, stability, and infrastructure. To not point out it will be a singular alternative for you to study German and discover the neighboring nation of Austria as effectively!

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