Successful startups and unicorns often emerge from the top startup ecosystems as these cities offer a dozens of advantages, including access to investors, high-quality clients, potential co-founders and team members, reliable suppliers, and a vast knowledge base. The ecosystem in which your startup operates matters. If you find yourself in an underperforming ecosystem that lacks the necessary resources and support, you are faced with a choice: either relocate to an overperforming location or lead it. In this article, we will explore the best cities for startups and entrepreneurs based on StartupBlink’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 that ranks over 1,400 cities and 110 countries’ startup ecosystems to uncover the best countries for startups in 2025.
Which city is best for startups and entrepreneurs?
Top 10 Cities for Startups
1. San Francisco
San Francisco remains the world’s leading startup city in 2025, holding the #1 position for the fifth consecutive year. No other city is close to overtaking it, but the pace is slowing. With a growth rate of 19.9%, San Francisco lags behind faster-growing ecosystems such as Shanghai, Paris, and London. While its lead remains substantial, the ecosystem appears to be stabilizing rather than expanding rapidly.
Still, San Francisco leads globally across nearly every key industry, ranking #1 in Fintech, Healthtech, Edtech, Ecommerce, and more. The city hosts over 15,000 startups—more than any other location worldwide. Yet with no year-on-year momentum gain and rising competition from faster-moving ecosystems, the question is no longer whether San Francisco will be surpassed—but when.
2. New York
New York strengthens its position as the world’s second-ranked startup city in 2025, continuing to hold the #2 spot while widening its lead over the rest of the global pack. With a strong annual growth rate of 25.5%, New York is one of the fastest-growing top-tier ecosystems, outpacing San Francisco and closing the gap—though the distance remains substantial.
The city is ranked #2 globally in a wide range of industries, including Fintech, Ecommerce, and Marketing, and is home to over 9,200 startups. As other ecosystems accelerate, New York stands out not just for its scale but for its sustained upward trajectory, positioning itself as the only serious long-term contender to San Francisco’s global dominance.
3. London
London firmly holds its position as the top startup ecosystem in Europe and ranks #3 globally in 2025 for the third year in a row. After a sharp rise from 5th in 2021 to 3rd in 2022, the city has maintained its rank while showing one of the strongest growth rates among global leaders at 29.8%.
London continues to punch above its weight, with more than 8,900 startups and top 3 global rankings in industries such as Fintech, Software & Data, and Social & Leisure. While its overall momentum dipped slightly, it remains the only non-U.S. city in the global top 3 and a clear anchor for innovation in Europe. As San Francisco plateaus and New York grows steadily, London is positioning itself as a serious global competitor—especially if its upward trend continues.
4. Los Angeles
Los Angeles climbs to 4th place in the global startup ecosystem rankings in 2025—its highest position yet after steadily rising from 10th in 2021. Despite a relatively low growth rate of 14.1%, the city has managed to outpace competitors like Beijing and Boston through consistent performance and sectoral strength.
With over 6,100 startups, Los Angeles stands out in industries such as Ecommerce, Hardware & IoT, Transportation, and Social & Leisure—all ranked in the global top 3 or 4. While not growing as rapidly as some of its peers, LA’s continued rise is a sign of stability, strong industry clusters, and increasing global relevance in the startup landscape.
5. Beijing
Beijing rises to 5th place globally in 2025, reclaiming ground after holding 6th place for three consecutive years. With a solid growth rate of 25.2%, the city remains one of Asia’s strongest ecosystems, though it has been overtaken by faster-growing peers like Los Angeles and London in recent years.
Home to more than 2,300 startups, Beijing ranks among the global top 5 in sectors such as Edtech, Hardware & IoT, Software & Data, and Transportation. While its ecosystem is smaller in scale compared to top Western hubs, Beijing continues to be a regional powerhouse, and its consistent performance positions it well for long-term relevance in the global startup race.
6. Boston
Boston ranks 6th globally in 2025, maintaining its position in the global top 10 for the fifth consecutive year. While the city slipped one spot after three years at 5th, it remains one of the most stable and reputable ecosystems in North America. A modest growth rate of 17.1% places it behind faster risers like London, Paris, and Shanghai.
Boston’s strength lies in its deep specialization, especially in Healthtech and Energy & Environment—both ranked 2nd globally. With over 3,300 startups and a strong academic and research backbone, Boston continues to be a magnet for innovation-driven ventures. Although its momentum has slowed, its focused industry leadership ensures its continued relevance in the global ecosystem landscape.
7. Shanghai
Shanghai holds its position at 7th place globally for the fifth consecutive year, remaining China’s second-highest ranked startup ecosystem after Beijing. What sets Shanghai apart in 2025 is its explosive growth rate of 38.4%—the highest among all top 10 cities—indicating serious upward momentum.
With close to 1,900 startups, Shanghai is a rising force in several key industries, ranking 2nd globally in Hardware & IoT and Transportation. While it still trails leading ecosystems in total scale and ecosystem depth, Shanghai’s rapid progress signals its potential to break into the global top 5 in the near future. If this trajectory continues, it could become China’s flagship innovation hub.
8. Paris
Paris climbs to 8th place globally in 2025, its highest-ever ranking and a clear sign of its accelerating momentum. After hovering around the edge of the top 10 in previous years, a strong annual growth rate of 34.6% propels Paris ahead of Tel Aviv and Bangalore, making it one of the fastest risers in the global top 10.
With more than 3,200 startups, Paris is a well-rounded ecosystem with top 10 rankings in several industries, including Fintech, Software & Data, and Ecommerce. While some sectors saw a drop in momentum, the overall trajectory is upward. As Europe’s second-highest ranked city after London, Paris is fast becoming a major innovation hub with global influence.
9. Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv ranks 9th globally in 2025, holding steady in the global top 10 for the fifth consecutive year. While its momentum has slowed—reflected in a notable drop of 37 positions in the overall global score change—the city continues to be the leading startup hub in the Middle East.
With nearly 2,400 startups, Tel Aviv maintains strong industry positions, including top 5 in Software & Data and top 10 in Marketing & Sales and Hardware & IoT. Despite limited ecosystem growth this year compared to faster-rising cities like Paris and Shanghai, Tel Aviv’s innovation ecosystem remains resilient, deeply rooted in technical talent, and globally respected for its startup culture.
10. Bangalore
Bangalore drops two spots to 10th place globally in 2025, after holding 8th position for the past three years. While still firmly within the global top 10, this marks the first ranking decline for the city in half a decade—driven in part by slower growth compared to faster-moving ecosystems like Paris and Shanghai.
Despite the drop, Bangalore remains India’s undisputed startup capital, with nearly 2,500 startups and top 10 global rankings in Fintech, Edtech, Ecommerce, and Software & Data. Its deep talent pool and strong tech foundations keep it competitive, but the recent shift signals a need for renewed momentum to maintain its global standing.
The 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index offers a detailed look into a wide range of startup ecosystems across 100 countries and 1,400 cities. While this article focuses on the top 10 cities, the full report goes much deeper—providing insights into ecosystem trends, industry strengths, and the evolving dynamics of innovation hubs around the world.
Curious to see where your city or country ranks?
Download the full Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report here to explore the analysis of more than 1,400 cities, 100 countries, as well as the methodology.
