Top 20 Incubators for Early-Stage Startups in Europe in 2025
As Europe continues to establish itself as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, various incubators and accelerators are playing a pivotal role in nurturing early-stage startups. In 2025, these incubators provide invaluable support including mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities. Here’s a detailed list of the Top 20 Incubators and Accelerators for Early-Stage Startups in Europe for 2025:
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1. APX
Location: Berlin, Germany
Focus: Very early-stage startups across various industries.
Investment: Up to €500,000, often as the first investor.
Program: No fixed-term program; investments throughout the startup's journey.
Network: 10,000+ mentors, experts, and investors ready to assist.
2. Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV)
Location: London, UK
Focus: Early-stage tech startups tackling social and environmental challenges.
Investment: £30,000 for 6% equity, with some sources stating up to £60,000.
Program: 12 weeks, though some sources indicate a 4-month duration.
Funding to Date: £98 million invested across 141 startups.
3. Entrepreneur First (EF)
Location: London, Paris, Bangalore, Singapore, Berlin, Toronto
Focus: Recruit entrepreneurs, assist in finding co-founders, and raise capital.
Investment: $100,000, though some sources mention £15,000.
Program: 6 months of thorough support and mentorship.
Startups Supported: Over 3,000 entrepreneurs and 500+ startups since its inception in 2011.
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4. Accelerace
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Focus: Nordic startups seeking acceleration.
Investment: Up to DKK 500,000.
Program: A comprehensive 5-month course.
Matching: Corporate matchmaking opportunities available.
5. Antler
Location: Multiple locations including London, Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam
Investment: €100,000 for 10% equity in startups.
Allowance: Monthly allowance for founders is €2,500 or equivalent.
Program: 6 months focus on building strong co-founder relationships.
Network: Global reach facilitates finding suitable co-founders.
6. Startupbootcamp
Location: London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona
Investment: £30,000 for 3-7% equity, with variations noted at €15,000.
Program: An intensive 3-month program.
Support: Comprehensive mentorship and networking opportunities throughout the program.
7. High Tech XL
Location: Netherlands (online)
Investment: No specified funding; focus is primarily on mentoring.
Program: A hybrid 9-month program designed for tech startups.
Support: Extensive mentoring and access to investment opportunities.
8. Sting
Location: Sweden
Investment: Partners typically invest SEK 500,000.
Program: A focused 4-month support program.
Support: Access to extensive mentors and networks is provided to participants.
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9. Station F
Location: Paris, France
Description: Europe’s largest startup hub, hosting numerous startups and accelerators.
Program: Minimum commitment of 3 months; varying offers from partners.
Support: Comprehensive mentoring and access to a vast network of essential investors.
10. Startup Lab
Location: Oslo, Norway
Investment: Up to NOK 3,000,000 with a noted minimum of NOK 1,000,000 by other sources.
Program: A structured 3-month program dedicated to growth.
Focus: Regarded as the most prominent tech incubator and accelerator in Norway.
11. NDRC
Location: Ireland
Investment: Up to €100,000, with some sources saying up to €130,000.
Program: 6 months (some sources mention 12-24 weeks).
Focus: Targeting tech entrepreneurs particularly in the early stages.
Support: Includes mentorship and free office space.
12. SeedRocket
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Investment: Up to €500,000 through business angels and venture capital fund connections.
Program: A focused 3-month accelerator program.
Focus: Requires startups to possess an MVP and some early traction for consideration.
13. Seedcamp
Location: London, England
Focus: Early-stage tech startups aiming for global reach.
Investment: €100K for 7.5% equity, with a note that they often act as first investors.
Network: Over 400 companies supported, including nine European unicorns.
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14. ProVeg Incubator
Location: Berlin, Germany
Focus: Startups focused on plant-based and cultured food innovations.
Description: Recognized as the world's leading incubator in this sector, offering valuable insights and support.
15. SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator
Location: Leipzig, Germany
Focus: Startups in energy, smart city, and health sectors.
Program: A hybrid program lasting 6 months.
Investment Stats: 111 investments made with 8 IPO exits achieved.
16. METRO Xcel
Location: Berlin, Germany
Focus: Technology startups catering to the hospitality and retail sectors.
Program: A sales-driven accelerator program.
Investment Stats: 61 investments and 5 IPO exits recorded.
17. Founders Factory
Location: UK
Investment: £30,000 for 3-7% equity.
Program: A detailed 6-month immersion program for startups.
18. EWOR Fellowships
Location: Remote, Europe-focused
Investment: Up to €150,000 available for promising startups.
Program: Lasts between 6-10 months.
Fee: 0 - 2% education fee applied for participation.
19. Birdhouse
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Investment: Up to €100,000 available for startups.
Support: Provides mentoring and access to a wide range of investors.
Program: A 4-month accelerator designed to propel growth.
20. SkyDeck Europe, Milano Accelerator Program
Location: Milan, Italy
Focus: Tech startups primarily focused in Europe.
Description: An incubator affiliated with UC Berkeley that emphasizes mentorship and support.
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FAQ
Q: What location is associated with the APX incubator?
A: The APX incubator is located in Berlin, Germany, focusing on very early-stage startups across various industries. Learn more about APX.
Q: How long is the program offered by Entrepreneur First?
A: Entrepreneur First runs a program lasting 6 months and recruits entrepreneurs while helping them find co-founders and raise capital. Discover more about Entrepreneur First.
Q: What investment amount does Antler provide to startups?
A: Antler offers an investment of €100,000 in exchange for 10% equity, alongside a monthly allowance for founders. Find out about Antler.
Q: What is unique about the Station F incubator?
A: Station F in Paris is Europe’s largest startup hub, providing various support services but does not offer direct investment as an accelerator. Learn more about Station F.
Q: What focus area does the ProVeg Incubator specialize in?
A: ProVeg Incubator specializes in startups focused on plant-based and cultured food, making it a leading incubator in this sector. Discover more about ProVeg Incubator.
Q: Where is the Startup Lab located, and what is its program duration?
A: The Startup Lab is located in Oslo, Norway, and offers a program lasting 3 months with investments up to NOK 3,000,000. Learn more about Startup Lab.
Q: How does the funding process work with Seedcamp?
A: Seedcamp typically invests €100K for 7.5% equity in early-stage tech startups, often being one of the first investors. Find out more about Seedcamp.
Q: How does the HWXcel program provide support to startups?
A: HWXcel focuses on mentoring and providing access to investors for tech startups, with a 9-month mentorship program. Explore High Tech XL.
Q: What kind of support does the NDRC offer beyond funding?
A: Beyond funding up to €100,000, NDRC provides mentorship and free office space for tech entrepreneurs in Ireland. Learn more about NDRC.
Q: What specific focus does Startupbootcamp have in terms of investment?
A: Startupbootcamp invests £30,000 for 3-7% equity and helps startups with mentorship and networking opportunities. Discover how Startupbootcamp operates.
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.
