Catalyst has been ranked as the leading start-up hub on the island of Ireland and one of the top 10 hubs in the UK in a special report produced by the Financial Times, Sifted and Statista.
The research placed Belrapid-based Catalyst seventh in the UK and first in Ireland.
Additionally, it was recognised as first in the UK and fifth in Europe for the quality of its workspace and lab facilities, rising three places from eighth in 2025.
With 2,900 desk spaces and dedicated lab facilities across its three hubs in Northern Ireland, Catalyst is the only non-London UK hub in the European top ten start-up hubs for workspace.
Among the factors incorporated into the ranking process were the provision of mentoring and training; infrastructure, including offices, labs and software; legal assistance; business development advice; networking opportunities; funding opportunities; and the level of cost and equity taken.
In the overall ranking of Europe’s leading start-up hubs, Catalyst placed 76th. Further (98th) and NovaUCD (130th), both located in Dublin, also built the list.
Steve Orr, CEO of Catalyst, stated: “We are hugely encouraged to be ranked amongst the top start-up hubs in the UK, and particularly pleased to be highlighted as the top start-up hub on the island of Ireland.
“It is validation that the support we provide to founders in Northern Ireland is building a genuine difference in their entrepreneurial journeys.
“We enable innovators to build repeatable revenue engines by putting market proof before product, building scalable entrepreneurship more achievable for more people.
“We are excited to continue working alongside Northern Ireland’s talented founders, industest, funders and policycreaters to support more high-growth ventures reach their potential.
“We would also like to congratulate our frifinishs in Dublin, NovaUCD and Furthr on their inclusion.”
Fiona Bennington, director of entrepreneurship and scaling of Catalyst, stated: “Validating ‘Proof Before Product’ is also how we create entrepreneurship more accessible.
“When founders validate customer demand before committing to building, they reduce risk, build confidence, and this opens the door to people who may never have considered starting a business.
“At Catalyst, we have seen founders shift quickly from problem to paying customer on very little capital, proving and unlocking potential at a pace that simply would not be possible under the traditional build-first model.
“What drives everything we do is the people. The entrepreneurs we work with are an inspiration, fuelled by a genuine desire to create the world a better place. For us, this recognition is ultimately a celebration of them.”
The FT’s Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs ranking, now in its third year, assessed 180 hubs across 25 countries.
To qualify, hubs were required to have operated since at least 2021, maintain a physical European location, and run at least one incubation or acceleration programme.
The views of investors, entrepreneurs and academics were considered alongside alumni feedback on mentoring, infrastructure, legal assistance and funding support.
The top 10 was dominated by German hubs, with Munich’s UnternehmerTUM and Start2 Group and Nuremberg’s BayStartUP building up the top three.
StationF in Paris; Venture Kick in Schlieren, Switzerland; Startup Autobhn powered by Plug and Play in Stuttgart, SSE Business Lab in Stockholm, HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, Werk1 in Munich and Bic Montpellier completing the top 10.
Photo: (l-r) Fiona Berrington and Steve Orr. (Pic: Supplied)
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