Cyprus rises to 34th in StartupBlink index 2026
Cyprus climbed six places in the global startup ecosystem index and recorded the EU's highest climb for the third year running. Limassol entered the world's top 200 cities for the first time.
By RealDeal team · 1 min read · Published 20 May 2026 · Updated 13 Oct 2026
The StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, released on 19 May 2026, places Cyprus 34th worldwide, six places higher than a year earlier, the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) reports. For the third consecutive year, Cyprus recorded the highest climb among EU countries (the 2025 results).
Limassol in the top 200
All four Cypriot cities are in the global top 1,000 startup cities. Limassol became the first Cypriot city to enter the top 200, ranking 191st, Cyprus Mail reports.
Strongest sectors
Cyprus's strongest category is Social & Leisure, where it ranks 26th globally. It covers gaming, social platforms, entertainment, fitness, travel and marketplaces. In the Gaming sub-category, Cyprus ranks 16th in the world.
Outlook
The report concludes that if Cyprus maintains its strong business environment, it has a credible path to becoming a significant player in the broader European innovation scene.