Today the Financial Times, in collaboration with Statista and Sifted, recognized CIC on their list of Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs; this includes CIC innovation campuses in Warsaw, Rotterdam, and Berlin.
The Financial Times partnered with research company Statista and Sifted, a news and events portal for the European startup community, to identify and publish the best-evaluated and most recommended startup programs with the strongest track-record.
The process included a rigorous evaluation—after initial applications, qualifying hubs advanced to the second stage, seeking feedback from their “alumni” —founders who participated in incubator and accelerator programs from 2019–2024. Alongside this feedback, the track record and expert recommendations on each hub were then combined into an overall score, with alumni evaluations carrying the most weight.
CIC was recognized as a top performer, securing its place among the 180 top-scoring hubs selected for the list. CIC has previously been recognized on the list—CIC Rotterdam in both 2024 and 2025, and CIC Warsaw in 2025.
CIC enables start-ups, scale-ups, corporations and public entities to tackle society’s biggest local and global challenges by providing the best possible environment and programming to foster innovation. Each CIC Innovation Campus provides a unique combination of workspace, culture, and bespoke programming designed to support the community.
CIC is committed to supporting and empowering entrepreneurs and startups across Europe, and the globe, to drive innovation.
CIC Berlin
The CIC Berlin campus is located exactly on the border between four Berlin districts; a fitting reflection of its role as a connector across communities and industries. In addition to being home to the #ai_berlin hub, CIC Berlin hosts strong and growing communities in foodtech, music, sport, mobility, and education.
“Today, more than 130 high-growth startups from the tech and creative industries operate at the CIC Berlin Innovation Campus, home to an active community spanning business and research,” said Timon Rupp, General Manager of CIC Berlin.
“Programs such as Venture Café Berlin foster an environment of exchange, collaboration, and access to vital resources and global networks. With the launch of the #ai_berlin hub and the growing Aethos AI Community, CIC Berlin is establishing itself as a key player in Berlin’s AI ecosystem.”
CIC Rotterdam
CIC Rotterdam is a startup hub offering 12,000 square meters of innovation space to a community of 250+ entrepreneurs and organizations that have collectively raised over €600M in funding. Continued growth through the LS&H Hub with Rotterdam Square at CIC, the integration of Campus Rotterdam, and a 1,200 square meter expansion underscores its role as a key driver of the region’s innovation economy.
“When we started ten years ago, our ambition was simple: leverage our global platform to support innovators in Rotterdam. Since then, we have expanded our hub both in square meters and the number of businesses we support”, said Joyce Kornet-Vreugdenhil, General Manager of CIC Rotterdam. “Seeing the phenomenal impact our community has made so far, along with being recognized as a Leading Start-Up Hub for three consecutive years, is incredibly meaningful. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re doubling down on building a future-proof, resilient society. The community at CIC Rotterdam has everything it takes to scale world-changing ideas, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.”
CIC Warsaw
CIC Warsaw serves as a premier gateway to Central and Eastern Europe, hosting a vibrant ecosystem of startups and international scale-ups. With Poland’s 2025 entry into the G20 providing a surge of economic momentum, the hub has expanded its reach through global partnerships with countries like Taiwan, Colombia, and Moldova. By hosting international business delegations and specialized programs with the Venture Café Warsaw Foundation, CIC Warsaw acts as a critical activation point for companies looking to bridge the gap between regional innovation and the global market.
“This recognition reflects the incredible moment that is building across Warsaw and Poland,” said Jerzy Brodzikowski, General Manager of CIC Warsaw. “Poland’s G20 entry marks a critical turning point, fueling the confidence we see across the Polish startup ecosystem. I’m proud that CIC Warsaw is growing in step with these successes; by hosting international delegations and facilitating global partnerships, we are proving that Warsaw is no longer just a regional meeting point but a go-to destination where ideas connect and everyone can collaborate and scale with purpose on the international stage.”
About CIC
CIC builds and operates a global network of innovation campuses where startups, scale-ups, corporations and public entities connect, work, and grow. Founded in 1999, CIC manages 1.5 million square feet of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, CIC develops bespoke programming, builds and enables industry clusters, and provides world-class district consulting—all focused on advancing innovation.Learn more about CIC’s innovation campuses featuring workspace & labs, programming, and events at CIC.com. Follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
