Startup accelerators in Europe have become vital launchpads for ambitious founders ready to scale globally. These structured, short-term programmes are designed to compress years of growth into just a few months. Within this high-impact timeframe, startups receive tailored mentorship, access to early-stage funding, and introductions to industry partners and investors. As a result, these accelerators are no longer just helpful, they are essential.

In recent years, startup accelerators in Europe have diversified significantly. Some focus broadly across industries, while others specialize in specific sectors, such as fintech, healthtech, sustainability, or Web3. From Stockholm to Valencia, this dynamic network of accelerators has produced tech giants like Klarna and Bolt, cementing Europe’s role as a global startup powerhouse.

Below, we explore the leading startup accelerators in Europe by country, each driving innovation and ecosystem development within their respective regions.

Austria’s Top Startup Accelerators in Europe

Hummelnest, based in Graz, offers highly personalised support to startups focused on AI, blockchain, HealthTech, and the future of work. Founders benefit from expert mentorship and access to up to €50k in investment from Raiffeisen-Landesbank.

In Vienna, Culttech supports ventures blending culture with technology. Its six-month programme includes in-person European meetups and concludes with a showcase at the Culttech Summit.

Also in Vienna, Female Founders empowers gender-diverse teams through its equity-free Grow F programme. Participants receive investor access and mentorship, with additional exposure through its exclusive FFX networking experience.

Belgium’s Most Impactful Startup Accelerators in Europe

Biotope by VIB in Deinze is pioneering innovation in agrifood and BioTech. It offers up to €350k per startup, combining funding with deep scientific support.

In Ghent, imec.istart supports tech founders through pre-seed funding and coaching. Their structured programme also offers a pre-accelerator for startups at the idea stage.

Antwerp’s Birdhouse focuses on AgeTech. Startups accepted into the programme receive €85k and intensive support over 12 weeks.

Bulgaria’s Key Players in Startup Accelerators in Europe

Eleven Ventures in Sofia supports startups across fintech, healthtech, and climate innovation. It typically invests €300k to €1 million per startup and operates initiatives like the Visa Innovation Program and Elevate with AUBG.

Denmark’s Climate-Driven Startup Accelerators in Europe

Accelerace, based in Copenhagen, runs the Allstars programme for Life Sciences and MedTech startups. Founders receive €134k through a convertible loan and gain investor readiness training.

GreenUP, located within DTU Science Park, focuses on scaling climate-focused DeepTech startups. Its 20-month programme includes €2 million in funding and support tailored to real-world CO2 reduction.

Estonia’s Standout Startup Accelerators in Europe

Startup Wise Guys in Tallinn offers tailored tracks for early, growth, and scaling-stage B2B startups. The typical investment is €100k with further funding opportunities available.

Beamline focuses on cleantech and ESG-driven startups. Supported by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Fund, it offers up to €60k and connects founders to the European energy transition ecosystem.

Finland’s Niche Startup Accelerators in Europe

DEFINE, based in Riihimäki, is shaping Europe’s defence tech ecosystem with its three-month accelerator for dual-use and security technologies.

Northern Light at Maria 01 in Helsinki supports international founders entering the Finnish and European markets. It’s equity-free and focused on sustainable, resilient growth.

Supercell’s AI Innovation Lab empowers gaming startups leveraging AI. With mentorship from gaming experts, founders build AI-powered games and may continue collaborating with Supercell after Demo Day.

France’s Most Ambitious Startup Accelerators in Europe

Paris’ Station F hosts over 1,000 startups annually and runs initiatives like the Founder Program and Fighters Program. Funding of €50k to €100k is available, with only 1 percent equity taken.

HUB612 in Lyon backs early B2B startups in FinTech and AI. It offers programmes designed for both scale-up and hypergrowth stages, investing up to €500k.

SpaceFounders operates across Toulouse, Munich, and Turin, accelerating NewSpace tech without taking equity. Sponsored by leading space agencies, it is fully free to attend.

Germany’s Leading Startup Accelerators in Europe

Hamburg’s AI.STARTUP.HUB provides acceleration for AI-driven startups, with a focus on international expansion and corporate partnerships.

Essen-based BRYCK offers startup sprints, bootcamps, and client connections, all free and equity-free, across sectors like health, hydrogen, and smart cities.

Munich’s UnternehmerTUM supports DeepTech ventures through programmes like TechFounders and XPRENEURS, while investing between €1 million and €10 million through UVC Partners.

SpinLab in Leipzig provides €6k in non-dilutive funding, pilot access, and post-programme coworking. Its VC arm, Smart Infrastructure Ventures, funds up to €500k.

Berlin’s ProVeg Incubator leads the plant-based innovation space. It offers up to €270k in support, including access to test kitchens and over 100 expert mentors.

Hubraum, with campuses in Berlin and Kraków, enables startups to test 5G, IoT, and DeepTech solutions using Deutsche Telekom’s infrastructure, without taking equity.

Hungary’s Women-Focused Startup Accelerators in Europe

Rocket Up, based in Budapest, supports women-led tech ventures entering new European markets. Its six-month programme combines local validation with peer mentoring and strategic expansion planning.

Italy’s Forward-Thinking Startup Accelerators in Europe

Milan’s Fashion Technology Accelerator supports retail and fashion startups with €100k in funding and services in return for 10 percent equity.

In Turin, Techstars Transformative World runs an intensive 13-week accelerator. Backed by corporate partners, it invests up to €120k and helps startups scale globally.

Lithuania’s Rising Startup Accelerators in Europe

FIRSTPICK in Vilnius acts as both a VC and accelerator. It offers up to €250k per startup and focuses on fintech, SaaS, and marketplaces across the Baltic region.

Netherlands’ Long-Established Startup Accelerators in Europe

Rockstart, founded in Amsterdam, supports startups in AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Tech. It invests up to €2 million per company through follow-on rounds.

Startupbootcamp operates globally from Amsterdam and runs a three-month accelerator with access to mentorship, investors, and €25k in funding for 6 to 8 percent equity.

PortXL in Rotterdam leads in maritime innovation. The three-month programme offers industry mentorship and investor exposure without taking equity.

Portugal’s Entrepreneurial Startup Accelerators in Europe

Lisbon Challenge, run by Beta-i, begins with a 10-week intensive phase followed by extended support. Startups receive €70k for 7 percent equity and pitch to investors at Investment Day.

Spain’s High-Impact Startup Accelerators in Europe

Madrid’s La Nave helps startups across six verticals and offers free workspace, mentorship, and investor exposure.

Lanzadera in Valencia provides six months of founder support. Its sister fund, Angels, offers €200k in investment for 7 percent equity.

Sweden’s Top-Ranked Startup Accelerators in Europe

Sting in Stockholm supports early-stage founders in ClimateTech and HealthTech. Alumni receive €54k from Propel Capital and benefit from deep coaching and investor access.

Switzerland’s FinTech-Focused Startup Accelerators in Europe

Zurich-based Tenity supports startups in fintech, regtech, and digital health. With over 200 portfolio companies, it offers tailored programmes and corporate partnerships with UBS, SIX, and others.

United Kingdom’s Global Startup Accelerators in Europe

Baltic Ventures in Liverpool backs startups in health, education, and digital innovation. The programme includes a €34k ASA investment, nine months of workspace, and strategic mentorship.

Entrepreneur First, based in London, helps individuals form teams and build companies from scratch. It invests up to €213k for top-performing ventures in its global network.

Outlier Ventures accelerates Web3 startups and supports token launches through Base Camp. It partners with leading protocols and typically takes equity and future tokens.

The Family, also in London, offers remote support for 50 selected startups twice a year. It takes 5 percent equity and offers lifetime access to resources and peer networks.

The Future of Startup Accelerators in Europe

Startup accelerators in Europe are no longer optional, they are strategic growth vehicles. With deep sector focus, strong funding models, and global reach, they are powering the next generation of innovation. For GTM strategists and founders alike, the right accelerator can be the launchpad to lasting success.

Source: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/09/from-seed-to-success-european-accelerator-programmes/