Startup Genome and Tel Aviv Global launch the world’s most comprehensive report on startup ecosystems, released at VivaTech Paris
Startup Genome, in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, has released its flagship report in its 13th year - the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) - today at VivaTech, Paris. Widely regarded as the world’s most comprehensive research on startup ecosystems, the GSER leverages the largest quality-controlled dataset in the industry, analyzing data from over 5 million companies across 350+ entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems worldwide.
In collaboration with Tel Aviv Global, Tel Aviv is featured in the #GSER2025. Key highlights include:
● Ranking as the #4 Global Startup Ecosystem, moving up 1 spot from GSER 2024
● The ecosystem created $198 billion in Ecosystem Value in GSER 2025 July 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.Ecosystem Value is a measure of economic impact, calculated as the value of exits and startup valuations.
● #4 Global Ecosystem in Performance — measures the size and performance of an ecosystem based on the accumulated tech startup value created from exits and funding
● Top 10 Global Ecosystem in Knowledge — measures innovation through research and patent activity
● Top 10 Global Ecosystem in Talent & Experience — measures long-term trends over the most significant performance factors and the ability to generate and keep talent in the ecosystem
● Top 10 Global Ecosystem in Funding — measures innovation through early-stage funding and investor’s activity
● #5 MENA Ecosystem in Bang for Buck — measures the amount of runway tech startups acquire, on average, from a VC round
Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo: "Tel Aviv held steady — reinforcing its position as the #4 global startup ecosystem. This consistency reflects the deep foundations of our innovation ecosystem and the strength of our tech community. In fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and life sciences, Tel Aviv’s entrepreneurs continue to lead with agility, creativity, and ambition. In the face of complex challenges, Tel Aviv remains an open, welcoming, and resilient city — driven not only by support, infrastructure and tools, but by the spirit that defines it: values of liberalism, creativity, and entrepreneurship. We will continue to invest whatever it takes to enable startups to grow, evolve, and succeed."
Sectoral drivers of startup growth in Tel Aviv: AI, Cybersecurity, and Life Sciences are key strengths of Tel Aviv’s startup ecosystem, supported by international R&D investment, large-scale acquisitions, and global partnerships. In 2024–2025, AI and Cybersecurity startups secured multi-million dollar rounds, Life Sciences grew 25% to $2.7 billion, and major players like Nvidia, Meta, and Alphabet expanded their presence in the region.
Why startups choose Tel Aviv: Tel Aviv offers a well-established startup ecosystem with more than 180 multinational R&D centers, targeted tax incentives, and coordinated public-private support. In 2025, new provisions supporting foreign investment and a planned $800 million innovation lab further reinforced the city’s role as a global hub for early-stage growth and scientific advancement.
“There's no question in my mind Israel has the highest quality entrepreneurs in the world, full stop. The probability of finding the right mix of high integrity, hard work, smarts, and hustle is better here than just about anywhere else in the world.” — Jeff Horing, Insight Partners Co-Founder and Managing Director.
This year’s report delivers fresh insights on the world’s leading innovation ecosystems, highlighting key trends, investment flows, and policy strategies driving entrepreneurial success. It features rankings of the Top 40 global startup ecosystems and Top 100 emerging ecosystems, along with regional rankings. Built on over a decade of Startup Genome’s independent research and policy expertise, and driven by a consortium of representatives spanning 65+ countries, the report provides a data-rich analysis of startup activity and investment patterns. It provides actionable guidance for policymakers, ecosystem leaders, and founders to develop evidence-based strategies that strengthen startup communities - the world’s most powerful engine of job creation and economic growth.
“Tel Aviv’s position as the #4 Global Startup Ecosystem continues to impress as it maintains its edge against cities three to ten times its size. This attests to the strength of its innovation ecosystem and the commitment of its leaders to fostering startup success. We value our ongoing collaboration with Tel Aviv Global.” — JF Gauthier, Founder & CEO, Startup Genome
View the full report here - https://startupgenome.com/gser2025
ABOUT TEL AVIV GLOBAL
Tel Aviv Tech is a strategic initiative of the City of Tel Aviv operated by Tel Aviv Global and focused on strengthening connections between the tech industry and the municipality and its residents. Tel Aviv Global initiates collaboration between public entities and local tech companies, fast tracks municipal services, facilitates professional training for residents, welcomes delegations and prospective companies, and advances the Startup City brand globally.
ABOUT STARTUP GENOME
Startup Genome is the world-leading innovation ecosystem development organization, having worked with more than 180 economic and innovation ministries and public/private agencies in over 65 countries. We work to catalyze startup success and ecosystem growth and ensure that all cities and countries capture their fair share of the new economy. Startup Genome strategy clients grew their ecosystem values 59% faster than peers (41% vs. 25%). On average, Startup Genome clients produced $1.4 billion per year more in ecosystem value from an average starting point of $9.2 billion. Our evidence-based ecosystem research, advisory, and scaleup programs are rooted in global experience with the world’s largest AI-curated startup dataset and proprietary instruments developed from over a decade of primary research.