Studies and Rankings


Startup Heatmap 2025

Berlin has dominated founders' preference rankings for nearly a decade

With 31.6% of founder votes, Berlin remains a key hotspot for startups, reaffirming its position as one of Europe’s most attractive innovation hubs – trailing just behind London (32.6%).

Paris (18.9%) climbed two spots to claim third place, followed by Amsterdam (16.3%) and Munich (16.2%), completing the top five. Barcelona (13.1%), Zurich, and Madrid follow closely behind.

The Startup Heatmap Europe Report 2025 is based on an annual survey of startup founders across Europe, conducted continuously since 2015. It provides a comprehensive overview of trends shaping the European startup landscape. The analysis covers more than 100 cities and includes data from over 150 accelerator programs, with a focus on trends in funding, international connectivity, talent availability, and the development of local startup ecosystems.

Startup Heatmap Survey 2025

Berlin Exports - IBB 2025

An Analysis by Country and Product Groups

European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 - fDi Intelligence

Berlin is once again among the top 10 leading cities in Europe

Fintech capital Berlin – Berlin Fokus, IBB 2025

A comparative analysis

Location Ranking Winter 2025- Die Deutsche Wirtschaft, (DDW)

Berlin remains in third place in the overall ranking

2025 World’s Best Cities

Berlin among the top 10 best cities in the world

Startup-Barometer Germany 2025 - Ernst & Young

Berlin remains the leader in number of deals

2024 - 2022

Global Destination Sustainability Index 2024

Berlin ranks fifth among the world's most sustainable cities

Environmental Economy in Comparison – IBB 2024

Berlin's environmental economy in top positions by comparison

Sustainable Cities Index 2024 - Arcadis

Berlin is one of the most sustainable cities in the world

European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024 - fDi Intelligence

Berlin is among the top 10 leading cities in Europe

Berlin Exports - IBB 2024

An Analysis by Country and Product Groups

The 50 best cities in the world for 2024 - TimeOut-Magazin

Berlin is top 3 in the world and top 1 in Europe

Location ranking spring 2024 - Die Deutsche Wirtschaft (DDW)

Location ranking Germany: Berlin ranks third in the economic check

City trip study 2024 - ETI, PROJECT M, DTV

Berlin is the most popular city destination in Europe

Digital economy - Berlin is the fintech capital - IBB 2024

Digital economy as a job engine for Berlin's economy

Cities-in-Motion-Index 2024 - IESE Business School

Berlin is one of the five smartest cities in the world

Startup-Barometer Germany 2024 - Ernst & Young

Berlin remains the most popular location for start-ups in Germany in 2023

Global Destination Sustainability Index 2023

Berlin ranks sixth among the world's most sustainable cities

Berliner Exporte - IBB 2023

An analysis by country and product group

Digital economy - catalyst and pillar of the economy - IBB 2023

The digital sector is and will remain the driver and pillar of the Berlin economy.

Startup-Barometer Germany 2023 - Ernst & Young

Berlin is the most successful startup location in Germany

Cities in Motion-Index 2022- IESE Business School Munich

Berlin is among the top 10 in four of the nine ranking categories

Location Ranking Winter 2022 - Die Deutsche Wirtschaft (DDW)

Berlin defends its third place in the overall ranking

Importance of Organizer of Conventions and Congresses - IBB Berlin

Trade fairs and congresses boost the economy in the capital city

Location Ranking Summer 2022 - Die Deutsche Wirtschaft (DDW)

German global market leaders and foreign investors are drawn to Berlin

Sustainable Cities Index 2022 - Arcadis

Berlin is the most sustainable city in Germany and ranks fifth worldwide

European Cities and Regions of the Future 2022/23 - fDi Intelligence

Great success for the German capital's relocation strategy

Startup-Barometer Deutschland 2022 - Ernst & Young

Berlin is Germany’s leading startup location

Emerging Trends in Real Estate, Europe 2022 - PwC

Berlin is an attractive location for real estate investors in Europe

2021 - 2019

Worldwide Cost of Living - Economist Intelligence 2021

Berlin is the cheapest of the six German cities included in the index

Study Healthcare Industry Berlin Brandenburg - WifOR, SNPC 2021

Berlin is among the world’s top locations for the healthcare industry

Berliner Exporte - IBB 2021

An analysis by country and product group

Tech Cities of the Future - fDi-Ranking 2021

Berlin ranks fourth of the most tech-friendly cities

Startup Heatmap 2021

Berlin is the best location for startups in Europe

Digital economy - IBB 2020

An important pillar in the crisis

Berlin Startup Monitor 2020

Analysis of the development potential of the Berlin startup ecosystem

Berlin in first place in the HWWI/Berenberg City Ranking 2019

Berlin takes first place in the ranking of Germany's largest cities for the first time

Digital economy and industry go hand in hand - IBB 2019

Forecast: Berlin's digital economy is developing excellently

QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2019

Berlin occupies 5th place for the best university cities worldwide

Your contact

Birgit Steindorf

Birgit Steindorf

Head of Unit
Business Location Center

Berlin Partner for Business and Technology

birgit.steindorf@berlin-partner.de
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