Top 20 Startup Accelerators in Europe in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
Startup accelerators in Europe are thriving, offering funding, mentorship, and access to invaluable networks for early-stage companies. These programs are designed to help startups scale their innovative ideas into successful businesses. Below is a curated list of the top 20 startup accelerators in Europe for 2025, complete with details on their conditions, benefits, and links to application forms.
1. Seedcamp
2. Founders Factory
3. Startupbootcamp
4. Antler
5. Entrepreneur First (EF)
6. Techstars
7. Station F
8. Lisbon Challenge
9. Startup Wise Guys
10. NDRC
Startup accelerators in Europe are thriving, offering funding, mentorship, and access to invaluable networks for early-stage companies. These programs are designed to help startups scale their innovative ideas into successful businesses. Below is a curated list of the top 20 startup accelerators in Europe for 2025, complete with details on their conditions, benefits, and links to application forms.
1. Seedcamp
- Location: London, UK
- Investment: €100,000 for 7.5% equity.
- Program Duration: 3 months
- Focus: Early-stage startups with global ambitions.
- Benefits: Access to a network of investors, mentorship, and peer support.
- Application Link: Seedcamp Application
2. Founders Factory
- Location: London, UK
- Investment: £30,000 for 4-7% equity.
- Program Duration: 6 months
- Focus: Diverse industries, including health tech and fintech.
- Benefits: Mentorship, product development support, and access to corporate partners.
- Application Link: Founders Factory Application
3. Startupbootcamp
- Location: Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Barcelona
- Investment: €15,000 for 8% equity.
- Program Duration: 3 months
- Focus: Industry-specific programs, including fintech, health tech, and IoT.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and corporate partnerships.
- Application Link: Startupbootcamp Application
4. Antler
- Location: London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm
- Investment: €100,000 for 10% equity.
- Program Duration: 6 months
- Focus: Early-stage founders and teams.
- Benefits: Co-founder matching, mentorship, and access to a global network.
- Application Link: Antler Application
5. Entrepreneur First (EF)
- Location: London, Paris, Berlin
- Investment: $100,000 for 10% equity.
- Program Duration: 6 months
- Focus: Exceptional individuals with transformative ideas.
- Benefits: Co-founder matching, mentorship, and access to top investors.
- Application Link: EF Application
6. Techstars
- Location: London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Paris, Oslo, Turin, Stockholm, Birmingham
- Investment: $120,000 for 6% equity.
- Program Duration: 3 months
- Focus: Diverse industries, including health tech, fintech, and clean tech.
- Benefits: Hands-on mentorship, access to a global network of investors, and perks worth over $4 million.
- Application Link: Techstars Application
7. Station F
- Location: Paris, France
- Investment: No direct investment.
- Program Duration: 3 months (minimum stay).
- Focus: Diverse industries, with access to partner programs (e.g., Microsoft, Facebook).
- Benefits: Access to a vast network, coworking space, and events.
- Application Link: Station F Application
8. Lisbon Challenge
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
- Investment: €70,000 for 7% equity.
- Program Duration: 4 months
- Focus: Tech software startups with global market potential.
- Benefits: Mentorship, resources, and access to investors.
- Application Link: Lisbon Challenge Application
9. Startup Wise Guys
- Location: Tallinn, Estonia
- Investment: Up to €120,000 convertible investment.
- Program Duration: 5 months
- Focus: B2B software or services, with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and follow-on funding.
- Application Link: Startup Wise Guys Application
10. NDRC
- Location: Dublin, Ireland
- Investment: Up to €100,000.
- Program Duration: 6 months
- Focus: Early-stage startups with a focus on scaling.
- Benefits: Mentorship, free office space, and access to a global network.
- Application Link: NDRC Application
Dreaming of startup success but too scared to get started?
Join the Fe/male Switch women-first startup game and turn that dream into your reality. With tailored guidance, support networks, and a plethora of resources, we'll nurture your ascent to the startup stratosphere! Don't just stand out—soar high! And we have PlayPals!
Join now.
11. Rockstart
12. Sting
13. High Tech XL
14. Startup Lab
15. Katapult Accelerators
16. EIT Climate-KIC
17. UnternehmerTUM
18. SETsquared
19. Startup Lisboa
20. EIT Digital
Conclusion
Choosing the right accelerator can be a game-changer for your startup.
Each program offers unique benefits, from funding and mentorship to global exposure and corporate partnerships.
Be sure to align your startup’s goals with the accelerator’s focus and apply early to secure your spot.
For more details, visit the respective accelerator websites and start your journey to entrepreneurial success today!
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Investment: €20,000 for 6% equity.
- Program Duration: 6 months
- Focus: Energy, health, and agri-food tech.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and corporate partnerships.
- Application Link: Rockstart Application
12. Sting
- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
- Investment: SEK 500,000.
- Program Duration: 4 months
- Focus: Startups with an MVP and early traction.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and follow-on funding.
- Application Link: Sting Application
13. High Tech XL
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Investment: No direct investment.
- Program Duration: 9 months
- Focus: Deep tech startups.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to corporate partners, and MVP development support.
- Application Link: High Tech XL Application
14. Startup Lab
- Location: Oslo and Bergen, Norway
- Investment: Up to NOK 3,000,000.
- Program Duration: 3 months
- Focus: Tech startups.
- Benefits: Mentorship, funding, and access to a network of experts.
- Application Link: Startup Lab Application
15. Katapult Accelerators
- Location: Oslo, Norway
- Investment: Varies (focus on impact-driven startups).
- Program Duration: 90 days
- Focus: Climate and ocean tech.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and follow-on funding.
- Application Link: Katapult Accelerators Application
16. EIT Climate-KIC
- Location: Multiple locations across Europe
- Investment: Varies (focus on sustainability and climate tech).
- Program Duration: 6-12 months
- Focus: Climate innovation startups.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and corporate partnerships.
- Application Link: EIT Climate-KIC Application
17. UnternehmerTUM
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Investment: Varies (focus on tech startups).
- Program Duration: 6 months
- Focus: Tech startups with a focus on scaling.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and corporate partnerships.
- Application Link: UnternehmerTUM Application
18. SETsquared
- Location: United Kingdom
- Investment: Varies (focus on tech startups).
- Program Duration: 6 months
- Focus: Tech startups with a focus on scaling.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and corporate partnerships.
- Application Link: SETsquared Application
19. Startup Lisboa
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
- Investment: Varies (focus on early-stage startups).
- Program Duration: 6 months
- Focus: Diverse industries, with a focus on scaling.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and corporate partnerships.
- Application Link: Startup Lisboa Application
20. EIT Digital
- Location: Multiple locations across Europe
- Investment: Varies (focus on digital tech startups).
- Program Duration: 6-12 months
- Focus: Digital innovation startups.
- Benefits: Mentorship, access to investors, and corporate partnerships.
- Application Link: EIT Digital Application
Conclusion
Choosing the right accelerator can be a game-changer for your startup.
Each program offers unique benefits, from funding and mentorship to global exposure and corporate partnerships.
Be sure to align your startup’s goals with the accelerator’s focus and apply early to secure your spot.
For more details, visit the respective accelerator websites and start your journey to entrepreneurial success today!