- The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub is now the UK's leading startup hub, according to Financial Times, Statista and Sifted analysis.
- In Europe it has also climbed to number 11, out of the top 180 startup hubs.
- “Our strength lies in the Academy’s unique convening power, connecting founders to world-class engineers, investors, policymakers and industry leaders, and once a founder joins our hub, they are a member for life.” Ana Avaliani, Director, Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub.
The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub is now the UK's leading startup hub, according to Financial Times, Statista and Sifted analysis published today. In Europe it has also climbed to number 11, out of the top 180 startup hubs.
The Financial Times, Sifted and Statista have collaborated on this analysis to identify which initiatives are contributing most to the cultivation of successful new companies. 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.
Since launching in 2013, The Enterprise Hub has supported more than 600 entrepreneurs to start and scale up their companies. These innovative firms range from fusion developer Tokomak Energy and biotech spinout Pheon Therapeutics to banking startup Bud Financial, graphene innovator Paragraf, and the Hub’s first unicorn – quantum computing pioneers Oxford Ionics, recently acquired by IonQ.
Hub members have helped create over 6,100 jobs across the UK and raised more than £3.8 billion in follow-on investment. Founders benefit from tailored support and programmes, combined with access to a unique network of Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering, who are leaders in their respective fields.
Dr Caroline Hargrove CBE FREng, Chair of the Academy’s Enterprise Committee and CTO of Ceres Power, said: “This means a great deal to me and the team, who work tirelessly to support the community of engineers and scientists in our hub.
“Our offer to entrepreneurs is both demanding and generous: we do not take equity, fees or IP but we will challenge you to drive engineering excellence. Our financial independence allows us to see the bigger long-term picture, rather than short-term gains and means we can support founders to build companies that are commercially successful and can grow sustainably.
“We hope this top ranking helps us to attract even more engineers and scientists from all backgrounds to apply for our schemes. They can then get the support they need to turn their innovations into credible startup companies and benefit from the wisdom of our alumni and network of Fellows.”
Ana Avaliani, Director of Enterprise at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Securing the top spot in the FT rankings is an incredible milestone for the Enterprise Hub and the founders we support from across the UK. This recognition reflects the strength our community, the bold ambition of our portfolio, and the dedication of our mentors, partners, and team. We set out to build deep tech ecosystem where innovation thrives, and this achievement shows what’s possible when exceptional talent is given the right platform to grow.”
Notes for editors
- The Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub was formally launched in April 2013. Since then, we have supported over 600 researchers, recent graduates, and leaders of SMEs to start and scale up businesses that can give practical application to innovative engineering solutions. Hub Members have created over 6,100 jobs and raised nearly £4 billion in funding.
- The Royal Academy of Engineering creates and leads a community of outstanding experts and innovators to engineer better lives. As a charity and a Fellowship, we deliver public benefit from excellence in engineering and technology and convene leading businesspeople, entrepreneurs, innovators and academics across the profession. As a National Academy, we provide leadership for engineering and technology, and independent, expert advice to policymakers in the UK and beyond. Our work is enabled by funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, corporate and university partners, charitable trusts and foundations, and individual donors.