The Financial Times and Statista collaborated on this analysis with the aim of identifying which initiatives are contributing most to the cultivation of successful new companies.
They looked at 2,000 candidates and shortlisted 125 leaders in innovation support, across 19 European countries. Each entry was assessed on three main criteria: feedback from alumni who had been through at least one programme; recommendations from external experts such as investors, entrepreneurs and academics and analysis of the most successful startups that launched from each hub.
The Enterprise Hub celebrated its tenth anniversary last year. It has supported nearly 400 researchers, graduates and SME leaders. They have gone on to start-up and scale-up businesses connected to practical applications of their inventions. Nearly 6000 jobs have been created by members of the scheme who have also raised over £1.3 billion in additional funding.
Commenting on the top ten place announced today, Dr John Lazar CBE FREng, Chair of the Enterprise Committee, says: “I am thrilled to see this recognition for the Hub after a decade of working to support talented entrepreneurs and business leaders. The Enterprise Hub has helped them to transform breakthrough engineering innovations into disruptive spinouts, startups and scaleups that seek to solve the pressing problems of our time. We hope this ranking helps us to attract even more engineers from all backgrounds to apply for our schemes and get the support they need.”
Agnes Czako is founder and CEO of AirEx, a smart ventilation system. She is now expanding her business after taking part in the Enterprise Hub’s SME Leaders programme in 2020. She says: " We loved working with their team, both during our programme and also since then, as an alumni. The team has always been helpful, cooperative and friendly. We received great support around fundraising, hiring and peer-to-peer support through meeting other hub alumni companies."
George Wright is CEO of Vochlea Music, a music technology company. He completed the Enterprise Fellowships programme in 2018 and says: "Without the Enterprise Hub, Vochlea would have failed before it started. The hardest thing for any new entrepreneur (who doesn’t have inherited wealth) is the initial capital. The second hardest thing is using that capital wisely enough to kickstart their business. The Enterprise hub provides both the initial capital and the entrepreneurial training for how to use it wisely. I was very fortunate to be backed by the hub, and have the greatest respect for their mentorship and support."
UK companies topped the list of Europe’s leading Start-Up Hubs 2024, with 24 winners, 16 are from Germany and 15 from Spain.
Notes for editors
- Dr John Lazar CBE FREng, Chair of the Enterprise Committee has been nominated by the Trustee Board of the Royal Academy of Engineering as its Presidential candidate for election by Fellows at the September 2024 AGM.
- The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone.
In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we are growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public.Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.For more information please contact: Lorrie Fay at the Royal Academy of Engineering Tel. ; email: [email protected]