Startup Genome and GEN launch 2021 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER)

The 2021 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) from Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) was recently launched at London Tech Week, introduced by JF Gauthier of Startup Genome and Jonathan Ortmans of the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

The GSER is the world’s most comprehensive and widely-read research on startups with 280 entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems and 3 million startups analyzed.

The report includes a ranking of the leading 140 ecosystems, breakdowns by continent with regional insights, and founder-focused articles from thought leaders and experts around the world.

Since 2012, this research effort has provided rich insights and guidance to public and private leaders on how to cultivate thriving startup ecosystems and support local startups — the number one engine of job creation and economic growth.

Key highlights from the #GSER2021 include:

• The global startup economy created over $3.8 trillion in value between January 2018 and June 2020, more than the individual GDP of most G7 economies
• There are now 79 ecosystems generating over $4 billion in value which is more than double the number identified in 2017
• The democratization of tech created more than $540 billion in value in the top 100 emerging ecosystems between 2018 and the first half of 2020, a 55% increase from 2017 and the first half of 2019
• 91 ecosystems created unicorns in 2020. Houston had their first unicorn in 2020

“Entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community leaders are working hard all over the world to
build productive and inclusive technology ecosystems that are engines of economic growth and job creation for all,” said JF Gauthier, Founder & CEO of Startup Genome.

“The Global Startup Ecosystem Report is the foundation of knowledge where we, as a global network, come together to identify what policies actually produce economic impact and in what context.”

The #GSER2021 ranks startup ecosystems on seven Success Factors, including Performance and Talent.

Despite a turbulent year for many, the top five global startup ecosystems maintain their reign at the top, with Silicon Valley in the number one position, followed by New York City and London tied as runner-up for the second year in a row.

Beijing and Boston follow at fourth and fifth respectively. North America continues to dominate the Global Rankings, with 50% of the Top 30 ecosystems coming from this region, followed by Asia with 27% and Europe with 17% of the top performing ecosystems globally.

There’s one new entrant to the Top 10 global startup ecosystems – Tokyo, at ninth, up 6 places from 2020.

Among the top 40, four ecosystems have climbed the ranks. Philadelphia moved up by an impressive 15 ranks from forty-third last year to twenty-eighth while Toronto-Waterloo, Seoul, and Montreal have climbed 4 ranks to respectively reach the 14th, 16th and 35th rank.

“It is encouraging to see a growing democratization of entrepreneurship with emerging ecosystems climbing the rankings while others join it for the first time,” said Jonathan Ortmans, Founder and President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

“The trends shared in this report are particularly insightful as leaders seek new ideas to reboot, rethink and regenerate their post-pandemic economies through programs and policies that stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation.”

Find out how more than 140 entrepreneurial ecosystems across the world stack up and view the full report here

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