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Small but mighty: startups to watch across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

The small but mighty Benelux region (comprising Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) has recently emerged as one Europe’s most strategic startup ecosystems. 

Its sectoral diversity, tech-driven institutions and network of international talent have led to the birth of more than 15k startups over the past decade, with both the Netherlands and Belgium above average when it comes to the most startups per 1m population. 

Amongst ever evolving developments, we’ve listed 100 startups to watch across the three countries — a mix of new faces, established scaleups and under-the-radar innovators spanning all major tech sectors. Find out who joins the likes of Dott, Otrium, Lightyear and Mosa Meat. 

Note: all featured companies were launched in 2015 or later and have raised at least once in the past two years. 

                                                                                                                                                                 

Benelux

Benelux startups and scaleups to watch in 2022

This Sifted Intelligence report lists 100 high-flying business-to-business companies that
could someday join the ranks of Europe's $1bn-plus startups.

We compiled the first annual ranking of 100 VC-backed, business-to-business 
companies using a data based methodology. The vast majority are currently valued at 
over $100m and could some day join the ranks of Europe's $1bn-plus startups. Download the report [here](https://sifted.eu/intelligence/reports/europe-s-rising-100).

Rising B2B 100

Europe's B2B rising 100

Sifted ranked the most promising amongst Nordic startups. Which are the companies to watch in 2022?

One of the most active ecosystems in Europe, the Nordics have fostered some of the continent’s finest startups — including giants of the likes of Klarna, Pleo, Aiven, and Oda, as well as 15 more unicorns. 

Four out of five countries had record-breaking spells in 2021, with the highest aggregate funding ever recorded in the region and some of the largest rounds in Europe. Even in view of unstable market conditions, Nordic startups are going strength to strength to consolidate their presence across the continent. Sifted ranked the most promising amongst them, including new faces, rising stars, and under-the-radar players. 

(If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at rankings@sifted.eu.)

Nordics

The Nordic startups and scaleups to watch in 2022

The UK is still Europe’s leading startup hub, attracting $40.6bn in venture capital funding in 2021.

The reference point of Europe’s tech landscape, the UK tops virtually every chart and metric of the region’s startup universe. 

Its 48 unicorns and 40,000 startups get the most funding, close the most deals, and realise the most exits than any other country across the continent. It’s an increasingly mature tech space capable of pulling its weight against other global ecosystems. 

While growth rates have slowed down in line with global market turmoil, the UK’s ecosystem value jumped 42.8% in 2021, and is steadily approaching $1tn — as much as Germany, France and Sweden combined, and third worldwide, according to Dealroom. 

Sifted ranked the most promising startups across the UK in a weighted selection of new entries, older faces and fast-growing hits. 



UK tech startups and scaleups to watch in 2022

Spain has a rapidly growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs, angel investors, early-stage incubators and venture capital funds.

Home to the likes of Cabify, Glovo, and Paack, Spain is not only the leader of southern Europe’s tech scene, but also a competitive player across the continent.  

The value of the Spanish ecosystem — measured as the total valuation of its startups — has grown nearly 40% on average each year over the last five years. The country closed the doors to 2021 with a blazing $500m Series E for staffing marketplace Jobandtalent, and walked into 2022 with another €101m Series E for Barcelona-based TravelPerk, adding up to its growing unicorn tally. 

High hopes are set upon the fleet of exciting startups leading the way in the country. Sifted ranked the most promising amongst them — including big hits, household names and fast-growing wonders.  

If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at [rankings@sifted.eu](mailto:rankings@sifted.eu)).

Spanish

The Spanish startups and scaleups to watch in 2022

The Baltics is one of Europe's most exciting startup regions. So who should be on your watchlist?

A mere decade ago, the Baltic startup scene was just in its infancy. 

Since then, the region has consistently punched above its weight, creating global success stories, including mobility startup Bolt, secondhand marketplace Vinted, print-on-demand service Printful, and Skype. Call it the land of unicorns. 

Sifted compiled a list of the startups to keep an eye on across the three countries, a mix of new entries and some more familiar names boasting significant growth since their last feature. The list excludes startups that have relocated outside the region. 

If there is anyone missing from this list, please let us know by email at rankings@sifted.eu.

Baltics

The Baltic startups and scaleups to watch in 2022

Sifted ranked the up-and-coming German startups to watch in 2022 

German tech has long been the leader in continental Europe. The country already has dozens of VC-backed unicorns — companies valued at over $1bn — including the likes of Personio, Celonis, Gorillas, and Flink. But there’s also a notable fleet of fast-growing new players.  

We’ve ranked the startups we think will be making moves in 2022. 


Germany

German tech startups and scaleups to watch in 2022

The startups from one of Europe's hottest tech hubs

French tech has long nipped at the heels of the UK and Germany — the two largest European tech ecosystems. 2021 showed France’s startups were truly a force to be reckoned with. 

French startups welcomed $13.1bn in funding in 2021, 11.6% of the total for the continent. There were 28 $100m+ deals, and more than 1,350 new startups were formed. 

But which companies will be the breakout successes of this year? We’ve ranked the promising startups that we think are the ones to watch in 2022 as French tech goes from strength to strength. 

French

French tech startups to watch in 2022

Hot startups from the hottest European sector

European fintech doesn’t need much of an introduction. 

The three most highly-valued startups in Europe — Klarna, Checkout.com, and Revolut — are fintechs, and so are 35% of unicorns. Friendly regulators and eager consumers, as well as the tailwind of increased digital transformation needs have continued to buoy the sector. 

While many of Europe’s biggest fintechs are household names, we’ve created a list of some of the promising — if maybe not as well known — fintech startups in Europe in 2022. 

While we prioritise younger startups, we included all relevant ones, and at least one per European country.  

For in-depth analysis of earlier stage companies across all sectors, visit our intelligence briefing catalogue [here](https://sifted.eu/pro/briefings). 

The European fintechs to watch in 2022

Unicorns aren’t the rare beast they once were in European tech — despite the long odds that companies shooting for that milestone still face. 

Europe is now home to over 120 unicorns, according to Sifted’s definition, 68 of which graduated in 2021 alone — more than triple the 18 new entries of 2020 and four times as many as all unicorns minted on the continent before 2014. That means Europe made more than five unicorns a month in 2021. 

To help you keep track of it all, Sifted’s team has compiled a list of Europe’s unicorns using data from [European Startups](https://europeanstartups.co/) and our own research — with valuation estimates from [Dealroom](https://app.dealroom.co/). We’ll update the list whenever a new company hits the billion-dollar valuation. 

Sifted defines a unicorn as a privately held, VC-backed company valued at $1bn. To be considered unicorns, startups must have: reached a $1bn valuation on any round previous to IPO or acquisition, been founded after 2005 and be both founded and headquartered in Europe. Companies valued at $1bn at IPO but never at any prior financing stage are not considered unicorns as they are no longer privately held at that valuation. Please let us know if we’ve missed any at rankings@sifted.eu.

Unicorns

Europe’s startup unicorns

Europe’s startup scene is often overshadowed by Silicon Valley, but the continent is gaining ground with more than 70 tech startups valued at over $1bn. 


Europe’s startup scene is often overshadowed by Silicon Valley, but the continent is gaining ground with more than 70 tech startups valued at over $1bn. 

Here, Sifted’s reporters dig into the data, strategy and challenges behind the most important European startups and scaleups. We ask which companies are making waves and which are the ones to watch in 2021?

Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!

For in-depth analysis of the French tech ecosystem, [dive into our recent report here.](https://sifted.eu/intelligence/reports/the-french-tech-revolution)

(P.S The data is from [European Startups](https://europeanstartups.co/) with valuation estimates from [Dealroom](https://app.dealroom.co/). If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at rankings@sifted.eu).

European

European tech startups and scaleups to watch in 2021

In the first half of 2021, €3.8bn in venture capital funding was raised by startups in The Netherlands, which has a thriving tech ecosystem. 

So far this year, startups in The Netherlands have raised a record €3.8bn from VC funds, more than thee €1.7bn in all of 2020. 

But which are the country's most exciting startups and scaleups? Which are the ones to watch in 2021?

Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of more than 100 exciting companies we think you need to know about, with an added 'Sifted take' to provide an extra layer of insight on the most interesting.

It's a mixture of the big and the small, the well known and the under the radar. But all are making waves. Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!

(P.S The data is from [European Startups](https://europeanstartups.co/) with valuation estimates from [Dealroom](https://app.dealroom.co/). If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at rankings@sifted.eu).

Dutch

The Netherlands' startups and scaleups to watch in 2021

Latvia has some real startup success stories in recent years. But who are they? And who are next generation startups to watch?

Latvia has been cited as the [most “startup friendly” country in the world](https://sifted.eu/articles/latvia-startup-friendly/) and has had some real startup success stories in recent years. But who are they? And who are the next generation startups to watch?

Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of nearly 50 companies we think you need to know about, with an added “Sifted take” on some to provide an extra layer of insight.

Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!

(P.S The data is from our partners at Dealroom.co. If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at (rankings@sifted.eu).

Latvian

The Latvian startups and scaleups to watch in 2021

Europe now boasts 800 climate techs and huge successes like Arrival, Northvolt and Oatly. But which other sustainability startups do you need to know about?

Sustainability is only getting hotter and hotter. Europe now boasts six unicorns, from [Tesla-rival Arrival](https://sifted.eu/articles/arrival-nasdaq-listing/) to oat milk brand Oatly — both set to IPO in the coming months.

But who could be next? 

We’ve cherrypicked the 100 most innovative startups across climate tech, cleantech, greentech and beyond — they’ve got sustainability at the heart of their mission and messaging and are providing very necessary tech solutions to the climate crisis.

12 of the companies launched in the last year, including smart construction company [011h](https://sifted.eu/articles/011h-raise/) and Sylvera, the platform investigating carbon offsetting initiatives.

We’ve by no means forgotten big players with big raises to match — like refurbished product marketplace Back Market, which raised €110m; or vertical farming startup Infarm, [which raised $170m in 2020.](https://sifted.eu/articles/infarm-raises-170m/)

You can view the full list below.

(P.S The data (including valuation estimates) is from [Dealroom.](https://dealroom.co/) If anything is wrong, please let us know by email at rankings@sifted.eu).

Sustain 100

Sustain 100: the European sustainability startups to watch in 2021

These are the startups driving innovation in the heart of France — one of Europe's key tech ecosystems.

Paris is home to some of the most hyped startups in Europe and boasts a dynamic tech ecosystem. Startups such as Doctolib, Alan and Agricool are just some of those at the forefront of the continent’s new economy.

Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of Parisian startups and scaleups we think you need to know about, with an added “Sifted take” one some to provide an extra layer of insight on the most interesting.

(P.S The data is from [European Startups](https://europeanstartups.co/) with valuation estimates from [Dealroom](https://app.dealroom.co/). If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at isabella@sifted.eu).

Paris new 2

The Parisian startups and scaleups to watch in 2021

London is the top startup city in Europe. Which companies should be on your watchlist?

So far this year London startups have raised a record €11.8bn from VC funds, more than the €14.5bn in all of 2020. 

But which are the most exciting startups and scaleups based in the city? Which are the ones to watch in 2021?

Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of more than 130 exciting companies we think you need to know about, with an added 'Sifted take' on some to provide an extra layer of insight.

It's a mixture of the big and the small, the well known and the under the radar. But all are making waves. Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!

(P.S The data is from [European Startups](https://europeanstartups.co/), with valuation estimates from [Dealroom](https://app.dealroom.co/). If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at [rankings@sifted.eu](mailto:rankings@sifted.eu)).

London

The London startups and scaleups to watch in 2021

The Irish startup ecosystem is booming. But what are the startups you need to follow in 2021?


So far this year Irish startups have raised €1bn from VC funds. This is just shy of the €1.2bn raised all of 2020, putting the country on track for a record year.

But which are the most exciting startups and scaleups? Which are the ones to watch in 2021?

Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of exciting companies we think you need to know about, with an added ‘Sifted take’ on some to provide an extra layer of insight.

It’s a mixture of the big and the small, the well known and the under the radar. But all are making waves. Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!

(P.S The data is from [European Startups](https://europeanstartups.co/), with valuation estimates from [Dealroom](https://app.dealroom.co/). If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at [rankings@sifted.eu](mailto:rankings@sifted.eu)).

Irish

The Irish startups and scaleups to watch in 2021

Startups such as GetYourGuide, N26 and Raisin are at the forefront of the continent’s new economy.

So far this year Berlin startups have raised a record €5.1bn from VC funds, more than the €2.2bn in all of 2020. 

But which are the most exciting startups and scaleups? Which are the ones to watch in 2021?

Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of exciting companies we think you need to know about, with an added ‘Sifted take’ on some to provide an extra layer of insight.

It’s a mixture of the big and the small, the well known and the under the radar. But all are making waves. Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!

(P.S The data is from [European Startups](https://europeanstartups.co/), with valuation estimates from [Dealroom](https://app.dealroom.co/). If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at [rankings@sifted.eu](mailto:rankings@sifted.eu)).

Berlin

The Berlin startups startups and scaleups to watch in 2021

Home to one of Europe’s preeminent startup conferences, Slush, Finland has a fast-growing startup ecosystem.

So far this year Finnish startups have raised €1bn from VC funds, more than the €1bn in all of 2020. 

But which are the most exciting startups and scaleups? Which are the ones to watch in 2021?

Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of exciting companies we think you need to know about, with an added ‘Sifted take’ on some to provide an extra layer of insight.

It’s a mixture of the big and the small, the well known and the under the radar. But all are making waves. Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!

(P.S The data is from [European Startups](https://europeanstartups.co/), with valuation estimates from [Dealroom](https://app.dealroom.co/). If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at [rankings@sifted.eu](mailto:rankings@sifted.eu)).