Amsterdam ranks #5 in Europe’s Global Champions 2025

Published on 27 May 2025 at 13:38

Amsterdam’s tech scene has secured its spot as one of the world’s most productive startup ecosystems relative to its size. In the new Global Tech Ecosystem Report, the Dutch capital landed in the top 5 for Europe’s Global Champions 2025. The report ranks 288 cities worldwide and has been set up to highlight where tech innovation thrives, helping cities understand their global position and growth potential. Showing that standout ecosystems can emerge anywhere.

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The Amsterdam Area's agency for trade and foreign investment

As the region’s official foreign trade and investment agency, we can help international businesses enjoy a soft landing in the Amsterdam Area, and local businesses expand to new markets.

Top 5 in Europe for Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s tech scene is thriving, with the newly released Global Tech Ecosystem 2025 Report ranking the Dutch capital among the world’s most productive startup ecosystems relative to its size. Amsterdam claimed a Top 10 spot as Europe’s No. 5 Global Champion and placed 16th globally for Density and Innovation, measuring output per capita.

The Global Tech Ecosystem Report benchmarks 288 startup ecosystems worldwide based on investment, innovation, talent, and outcomes using three distinct lenses: Global Champions (absolute size and value), Density Leaders (output per capita), and Rising Stars (growth rates).

Created to help cities understand their strengths, gaps, and global standing, it responds to rising demand from policymakers aiming to build local innovation economies. It aims to prove that great ecosystems can thrive anywhere, not just in major tech hubs.

A deep dive into Amsterdam’s results

Ranked #5 in the Top 10 Global Champions in Europe, and #16 globally for Density and Innovation, the report places Amsterdam firmly among the world’s most productive and innovation-rich ecosystems relative to its population size. This category rewards cities with exceptional startup activity, high research output, strong university linkages, and a strong patent pipeline.

Amsterdam is home to many fast-growing companies, including Adyen, Mollie, Picnic and Fastned. These innovative businesses reinforce the city's status as a key player in Europe’s tech landscape and confirm that Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most vibrant and efficient startup hubs. It joins peers like Cambridge (UK), Munich, and Copenhagen in this high-output per capita league.

The report highlights Amsterdam’s strengths in venture capital activity across all stages, high enterprise value per capita, strong university linkages driving talent and innovation, and impressive patent development for its size.

Contact Amsterdam Trade & Invest

The Amsterdam Area's agency for trade and foreign investment

As the region’s official foreign trade and investment agency, we can help international businesses enjoy a soft landing in the Amsterdam Area, and local businesses expand to new markets.