The Financial Times has launched its call for entries for the fourth annual Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs ranking, developed with research partner Statista and Sifted. The 2027 edition builds on previous rankings that evaluated 150 hubs across Europe using alumni feedback, investor recommendations, and startup performance metrics.

Incubator and accelerator programs must register by August 14 through an online form, after which they receive survey links to distribute to alumni. Investors and venture capitalists can nominate programs through a separate survey. Both registration and alumni evaluation deadlines conclude by September 25, with results scheduled for publication in February 2027.

This ranking carries weight in the European startup ecosystem, influencing where founders choose to locate their companies and where investors deploy capital. The methodology combines quantitative performance data with qualitative assessments from participants who have direct experience with these support programs.

The initiative reflects growing competition among European cities to establish themselves as premier destinations for technology startups, with rankings like this guiding policy decisions and attracting international talent.