Top 10 Incubators for Early-Stage Startups in Europe in 2025
As Europe’s startup ecosystem continues to burgeon, numerous incubators are stepping up to support early-stage founders and their innovative ideas. These incubators offer vital resources—including funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities—that are essential for driving startup success. Here’s a detailed look at the Top 10 Incubators for Early-Stage Startups in Europe in 2025.
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1. Seedcamp (UK)
Description: A European startup accelerator providing seed funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage tech companies.
Focus: Tech-enabled businesses, particularly those scaled by founders.
Program Length: 4 months.
Investment: €200,000 for 7% equity (as of 2023).
Key Data Points:
- Has supported over 300 startups.
- Facilitates a strong network of investors and mentors.
- Offers workspace, legal, and accounting assistance.
- Noteworthy alumni include TransferWise, Revolut, and UiPath.
- Explore Seedcamp
2. Techstars (Multiple Locations in Europe)
Description: A global network of startup accelerators delivering funding, mentorship, and essential resources.
Focus: Early-stage companies across various sectors.
Program Length: 3 months.
Investment: Up to $120,000 (as of 2023).
Key Data Points:
- Operates programs in 9 European cities.
- Known for its mentorship-driven programs.
- Helped over 2,500 startups raise $15.7 billion collectively.
- Average funding round raised post-program is around $1 million.
- Learn more about Techstars
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3. Startupbootcamp (Multiple Locations in Europe)
Description: A global network of startup accelerators offering funding and mentorship.
Focus: Technology and innovation sectors.
Program Length: 3 months.
Investment: €15,000 (as of 2023).
Key Data Points:
- Hosts programs in major European cities.
- Engages participants through intensive, industry-relevant curriculums.
- Grants access to a network of partners and mentors.
- Accepts up to 10 startups per industry-specific program.
- Discover Startupbootcamp
4. Entrepreneur First (Multiple Locations in Europe)
Description: A distinguished incubator that recruits individuals to create and validate new startup ideas.
Focus: Individuals showing potential, rather than established companies.
Program Length: 6 months.
Investment: Up to $100,000 for 10% equity (as of 2023).
Key Data Points:
- Has supported over 3,000 entrepreneurs and built 500+ startups.
- Features a selective program with a low acceptance rate of 10%.
- Assists in co-founder pairing and idea refinement.
- Operates in cities including London, Paris, and Berlin.
- Learn more about Entrepreneur First
5. NUMA (Multiple Locations in Europe)
Description: A global startup accelerator and co-working space provider aimed at helping early-stage companies scale.
Focus: AI, Big Data, and Smart City sectors.
Program Length: Varies.
Investment: Not specified in the provided sources.
Key Data Points:
- Positioned in cities like Paris and Barcelona.
- Provides a collaborative environment and diverse resources.
- Funded over 200 startups to date.
- Operates a network of co-working spaces for startups.
- Explore NUMA
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6. Antler (Multiple Locations in Europe)
Description: A startup generator and early-stage venture capital firm focused on building and investing in promising companies.
Focus: Early-stage startups across various sectors.
Program Length: 6 months.
Investment: €100,000 for 10% equity plus a monthly stipend.
Key Data Points:
- Operates numerous locations in major European cities.
- Has a strong track record in forming successful founding teams.
- Focuses on structured program frameworks to speed up growth.
- Learn more about Antler
7. Startup Wise Guys (Multiple Locations in Europe)
Description: An accelerator specifically targeting B2B SaaS companies.
Focus: B2B SaaS (Software as a Service) companies.
Program Length: 5 months.
Investment: Up to €65,000 in exchange for equity.
Key Data Points:
- Operates across multiple European cities, including Tallinn and Vilnius.
- Provides seed funding and access to expert mentorship.
- Features a structured curriculum aimed at overcoming SaaS challenges.
- Discover Startup Wise Guys
8. Oxford University Innovation (UK)
Description: The technology transfer office for the University of Oxford, aiding in the commercialization of research ideas.
Focus: Transforming research into viable business ventures.
Program Length: Varies.
Investment: Funding via the Oxford University Innovation Seed Fund.
Key Data Points:
- Supported over 100 spin-out companies.
- Licensed over 1,000 technologies through its platform.
- Aims to advance various technology sectors emerging from university research.
- Explore Oxford University Innovation
9. Station F (France)
Description: Europe's largest startup campus providing co-working spaces and events, along with access to partner accelerators.
Focus: A wide range of startups and industries.
Program Length: Minimum of 3 months.
Investment: None directly, but startups can access partner accelerators for funding.
Key Data Points:
- Features a massive co-working space and numerous startup support events.
- Collaborates with renowned partners like Microsoft and Facebook.
- Creates a vibrant community requiring at least a 3-month commitment from startups.
- Learn more about Station F
10. Accelerace (Denmark)
Description: A premier accelerator in the Nordic region with a broad focus on early-stage startups.
Focus: Various early-stage startups across industries.
Program Length: 5 months.
Investment: Up to DKK 500,000 through a VC fund.
Key Data Points:
- Includes mentoring and corporate matchmaking as part of its offering.
- Has a structured program that fosters comprehensive startup development.
- Known for building strong partnerships within the Nordic startup landscape.
- Explore Accelerace
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FAQ
Q: What is Seedcamp and what do they offer?
A: Seedcamp is a European startup accelerator that provides seed funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage tech companies. They focus on tech-enabled businesses and offer a program length of 4 months, with an investment of €200,000 for 7% equity. Learn more about Seedcamp.
Q: How does Techstars support startups?
A: Techstars is a global network of startup accelerators that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies across various sectors. Their program typically lasts for 3 months, with an investment of up to $120,000. Discover more about Techstars.
Q: What is the program focus of Startupbootcamp?
A: Startupbootcamp offers a global network of startup accelerators that focus on technology and innovation sectors. The program lasts for 3 months, providing €15,000 in investment along with access to a network of partners and mentors. Learn more about Startupbootcamp.
Q: What unique approach does Entrepreneur First take?
A: Entrepreneur First is an incubator that focuses on individuals, helping them to test ideas, find co-founders, and raise capital. Their 6-month program provides up to $100,000 for 10% equity and has a selective acceptance rate of 10%. Explore more about Entrepreneur First.
Q: What sectors does NUMA focus on?
A: NUMA is an accelerator focused on AI, Big Data, and Smart City sectors. They provide funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies across locations in Europe like Paris and Barcelona. The specific investment details are not provided. Learn more about NUMA.
Q: Can you describe Antler's program?
A: Antler operates as a startup generator and early-stage VC, specializing in building and investing in future potential companies. Their 6-month program offers €100,000 for 10% equity plus a monthly allowance, focusing on establishing strong founding teams. Discover more about Antler.
Q: What type of startups does Startup Wise Guys specifically nurture?
A: Startup Wise Guys is an accelerator focused on B2B SaaS companies. Their program runs for 5 months, providing up to €65,000 in funding and a structured curriculum for SaaS challenges. Learn more about Startup Wise Guys.
Q: What role does Oxford University Innovation play for startups?
A: Oxford University Innovation acts as the technology transfer office for the University of Oxford, focusing on commercializing research ideas. They provide funding through the Oxford University Innovation Seed Fund and support a wide range of tech ventures. Explore more about Oxford University Innovation.
Q: What facilities does Station F provide for startups?
A: Station F, in France, is Europe’s largest startup campus, providing co-working space, events, and access to partner accelerators. While it does not directly invest, it connects startups with various resources and networks, requiring a minimum 3-month commitment. Discover more about Station F.
Q: What makes Accelerace noteworthy in the Nordic region?
A: Accelerace is recognized as a top accelerator in the Nordics, focusing on a wide range of early-stage startups. Their 5-month program provides up to DKK 500,000 through a VC fund and emphasizes mentorship and networking opportunities. Learn more about Accelerace.
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.
