NovaUCD has been recognized as one of Europe’s leading startup hubs for the second year in a row. The 2025 ranking showcases the top 150 startup hubs across Europe. NovaUCD is one of only five startup hubs in Ireland to be included in the list and the only university-based hub in Ireland to receive this recognition.
Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD vice-president for research, innovation, and impact, expressed her delight at NovaUCD’s inclusion in the ranking. She said, “This recognition highlights our commitment to playing a key role in Ireland’s innovation and knowledge exchange ecosystem. Through NovaUCD’s activities, we focus on establishing new ventures, supporting and scaling high-tech startups, and fostering companies with international potential.
The ranking process involved identifying about 3,000 startup hubs from 38 European countries as potential candidates.
These hubs were invited to submit online applications.
NovaUCD’s startup success
To be eligible, hubs had to have at least one physical base within Europe, have been in operation since at least 2020, and offer at least one incubation or accelerator program.
The ranking criteria were based on alumni survey responses, recommendations from external experts such as investors and academics, and the track record of the hub, particularly the success of startups involved in their programs. Since its establishment in 2003, UCD has supported more than 600 companies and early-stage ventures through NovaUCD’s services and support programs, including dedicated accelerator programs. NovaUCD delivers annual accelerator programs such as the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, the AI Ecosystem Accelerator, the NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition, and the UCD VentureLaunch Accelerator.
NovaUCD also partners with IADT Media Cube to deliver an Enterprise Ireland funded New Frontiers Programme and is a member of the ESA BIC Ireland consortium. In addition to NovaUCD, which ranked 117th, other Irish startup hubs included in the 2025 ranking are Catalyst (ranked 94th in Belfast), Dogpatch Labs (ranked 20th), Furthr (ranked 88th), and Republic of Work (ranked 49th). UnternehmerTUM in Munich, Germany, secured the top spot in the overall ranking.
The UK has the highest number of ranked hubs with 29, followed by Germany with 19 and Spain with 17.
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