Top 25 Incubators for Early-Stage Startups in Europe in 2025
As Europe continues to establish itself as a global startup hub, early-stage entrepreneurs are benefiting from various incubators designed to accelerate their growth. By 2025, these incubators will play a pivotal role in nurturing innovation across diverse sectors. Here’s a comprehensive look at the Top 25 Incubators for Early-Stage Startups in Europe.
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1. UnternehmerTUM
Location: Munich, Germany
Program: UnternehmerTUM offers a 12-month incubation program that includes co-working spaces, mentoring, and workshops tailored for startups. There’s also an accelerator program specifically catered for sustainable technologies.
Funding: Provides up to €50,000 in seed funding and strong connections to investors.
Focus: Early-stage company creation and sustainable technologies, with notable alumni like Celonis and FlixMobility.
2. SETsquared
Location: Southampton, UK (with multiple locations)
Program: A 6-month incubation program focused on tech startups with an emphasis on mentorship, networking, and pitch training.
Funding: Access to a £100,000 investment fund plus connections to angel investors.
Focus: Tech startups, renowned for helping significant players like Graphcore.
3. Founders Factory
Location: London, UK
Program: This 6-month accelerator focuses on fintech, health tech, and AI, providing startups with essential resources and mentorship.
Funding: Offers £30,000 for 3-7% equity and access to a follow-on fund of £1 million.
Focus: Primarily fintech, health tech, and AI, with success stories like Zego, valued at over $1 billion.
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4. Startup Lisboa
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Program: A 12-month incubation program that offers mentorship, office space, and a robust investor network.
Funding: Up to €25,000 in seed funding for selected projects.
Focus: Primarily tech startups, with successful alumni including Uniplaces.
5. Startupbootcamp
Location: Multiple Cities (London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona)
Program: A 3-month industry-focused accelerator that delivers investment and extensive mentorship.
Funding: Standard offering is £30,000 for 3-7% equity.
Network: A global accelerator network addressing specific industry needs in tech.
6. Seedcamp
Location: Europe-based, primarily UK
Program: Offers seed funding, mentorship, and resources essential for early-stage startups aiming for growth and international reach.
Funding: Typical funding amounts are €100,000 for 7.5% equity.
Focus: Scalable tech startups with a strong European network backing.
7. Station F
Location: Paris, France
Program: A mentoring ecosystem that requires startups to stay a minimum of 3 months, offering significant access to investors.
Focus: Diverse sectors and a supportive large startup campus.
8. Entrepreneur First
Location: Multiple Cities (London, Paris, Berlin)
Program: Focused on helping talented individuals build tech startups from the ground up, connecting them with co-founders and investors.
Funding: Up to $100,000 equivalent for 10% equity.
Selectivity: Highly selective, admitting only around 10% of applicants.
9. Techstars
Location: Various European cities including London, Berlin, and Paris
Program: A 3-month mentorship-driven accelerator providing funding and resources.
Funding: Typical offering is $120,000.
Focus: A broad spectrum of industries and technologies, bolstered by an extensive global network.
10. SpinLab
Location: Leipzig, Germany
Program: A 6-month program concentrated on digital startups, offering resources like mentorship and workshops.
Funding: Up to €50,000 in funding offerings.
Focus: Energy, smart city, health, and digital innovation sectors.
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11. Blue Horizon
Location: Multiple Locations
Program: Accelerates food and sustainability-related startups with comprehensive resources.
Funding: Offers initial funding sources and connections to impact investors.
Focus: Food innovation, sustainability, and health.
12. Tech Incubator
Location: Berlin, Germany
Program: A comprehensive support system for aspiring tech entrepreneurs with mentoring and resources.
Funding: Provides up to €100,000 depending on the project.
Focus: Focus on technology startups across various sectors.
13. Lighthouse
Location: London, UK
Program: Offering a 6-month accelerator for digital start-ups, focusing on scaling and international markets.
Funding: Varies based on startup needs and progression.
Focus: Digital innovation and tech solutions.
14. Omega Startup
Location: Oslo, Norway
Program: Helps startups establish in the Nordic region with a comprehensive range of support options.
Funding: Initial investment incentives based on merit.
Focus: Tech and innovation, aiming to tap into Nordic resources.
15. Wayra
Location: Various Locations (including Madrid and London)
Program: An accelerator for startups in the tech sector, providing mentoring and funding opportunities.
Funding: Average funding of €50,000 with opportunities for follow-on investment.
Focus: Tech startups with a focus on scalability and market entry.
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16. The Venture Reality Fund
Location: San Francisco, but with operations across Europe
Program: Concentrates on helping Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality startups thrive.
Funding: Varies by project but competitive seed funding options available.
Focus: Immersive technologies within the European tech landscape.
17. Berlin Startup Stipendium
Location: Berlin, Germany
Program: A local initiative aimed at fostering early-stage startups through financial support and mentorship.
Funding: Grants and other funding models available for eligible startups.
Focus: High-potential startups across various sectors.
18. TechFounders
Location: Munich, Germany
Program: A 20-week accelerator focused on tech-based companies with potential for growth and innovation.
Funding: Average startup receives €25,000 plus mentoring and networking services.
Focus: Technology and innovation-heavy industries.
19. Caccelerator
Location: Paris, France
Program: Focuses on co-developing solutions with corporate partners to foster innovation.
Funding: €50,000 + resources for scaling efforts.
Focus: Tech startups collaborating with established companies.
20. StartUp Portugal
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Program: Federal initiative to support Portuguese startups with funding strategies and mentorship.
Funding: Varies depending on the approach but includes multiple funding avenues.
Focus: Strengthening Portugal’s startup ecosystem across all sectors.
21. Entrepreneurs First
Location: Multiple Locations in Europe
Program: A unique initiative that focuses on founders building teams before formulating ideas.
Funding: Up to $100,000 for 10% equity.
Focus: Early-stage tech ventures with urgent scalability requirements.
22. The Accelerator Network
Location: London, UK
Program: A network that brings together various accelerators aimed at various tech sectors.
Funding: Investment rounds are contingent upon results obtained during acceleration phases.
Focus: A broad array of tech startups focusing on rapid growth.
23. Hackers Institute
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Program: An incubation program that promotes tech innovation through education and resources.
Funding: Offers varied funding options depending on project viability.
Focus: Innovators in tech and education sectors.
24. LUMO Labs
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Program: Focuses on emerging tech startups with significant growth potential over a 6-month incubation phase.
Funding: Up to €100,000 available as investment.
Focus: AI, IoT, Health tech, and emerging technologies.
25. The Factory Berlin
Location: Berlin, Germany
Program: A membership-based coworking space and community dedicated to fostering collaborations among startups.
Funding: Member startups gain access to funding through partnership networks.
Focus: Innovative and technology-driven startups across various sectors.
Important Considerations for 2025:
Emerging trends indicate a strong focus on AI, fintech, health tech, and sustainability. The evolution of regional startup hubs highlights the importance of cities like Munich, Lisbon, and Amsterdam alongside historical centers like London, Berlin, and Paris. Project specifics vary widely; always check individual incubators for the most current information regarding lengths, investments, and requirements.
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FAQ
Q: What is UnternehmerTUM?
A: UnternehmerTUM is an incubator based in Munich, Germany, offering a 12-month program focused on early-stage company creation and sustainable technologies. They provide seed funding up to €50,000 and have supported several successful startups. Learn more about UnternehmerTUM.
Q: What does SETsquared offer for tech startups?
A: SETsquared, located in Southampton, UK, offers a 6-month program for tech startups that includes mentorship, networking, and access to a £100,000 investment fund. Discover SETsquared.
Q: How does Founders Factory support startups?
A: Founders Factory, located in London, UK, provides a 6-month accelerator focusing on fintech, health tech, and AI, offering £30,000 in funding for equity. Explore Founders Factory.
Q: Where is Startup Lisboa located and what does it offer?
A: Startup Lisboa is based in Lisbon, Portugal, providing a 12-month incubation program that helps tech startups with mentorship and up to €25,000 in seed funding. Visit Startup Lisboa.
Q: What is Startupbootcamp and how does it operate?
A: Startupbootcamp operates in multiple locations including London and Berlin, offering a 3-month industry-focused accelerator with investment and mentorship services. Typical funding is £30,000 for equity. Learn more about Startupbootcamp.
Q: How does Seedcamp assist early-stage startups?
A: Seedcamp operates primarily in the UK and provides seed funding, mentorship, and resources to help startups scale and expand internationally, typically offering €100K for equity. Find out more about Seedcamp.
Q: What unique features does Station F provide?
A: Station F, located in Paris, France, is a large startup campus offering mentoring and investor access, with a minimum requirement for startups to stay for 3 months. Explore Station F.
Q: What is the focus of Entrepreneur First?
A: Entrepreneur First works in multiple locations to help individuals build tech startups from scratch, providing up to $100,000 for equity and facilitating co-founder connections. Discover Entrepreneur First.
Q: What type of funding does Techstars provide?
A: Techstars operates in several European cities and offers a 3-month accelerator program that provides funding of $120,000 to early-stage startups across various industries. Learn more about Techstars.
Q: What is SpinLab, and what industries does it focus on?
A: SpinLab, located in Leipzig, Germany, runs a 6-month program focused on digital startups with additional emphasis on energy, smart city projects, and health startups, offering funding up to €50,000. Visit SpinLab.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
