Nuqleus has been recognized as one of the leading startup hubs in Europe, according to research by the prestigious British financial magazine Financial Times. It ranked 60th out of 150 hubs, competing against more than 3,000 startup hubs from 28 countries. Nuqleus stood out particularly in the mentorship category, securing an impressive 12th place, highlighting its quality and dedication to supporting early-stage startups.

The Financial Times, in collaboration with Statista and Sifted, analyzed over 3,000 startup hubs across Europe, evaluating their programs based on key factors like mentorship, legal support, networking opportunities, and funding access. The ranking was influenced by feedback from alumni startups, investors, remarkable entrepreneurs, and academic experts.

Nuqleus program director Matija Srbić emphasized the significance of this recognition: “It’s incredible that such a young startup program like Nuqleus has ranked so highly among Europe’s leading startup hubs. We’re extremely proud of our mentors and the quality of support they provide to our startups through their hard work and dedication. Thanks to them, Nuqleus has put Croatia on Europe’s startup map.”

In its three years of existence, Nuqleus has supported 23 startups, resulting in 16 spin-off companies that have collectively raised around 2 million euros in investments. Their deep tech solutions span various industries, including energy, biomedicine, cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals, IT, the food industry, and more.

This prestigious international recognition reaffirms Nuqleus’ impact on the European startup ecosystem and strengthens its position as a key player in academic entrepreneurship in Croatia and the wider region.