A newly released analysis by William Russell, the international health insurance specialist, shows the United Kingdom securing the highest venture capital investment in Europe—£3.15 billion—more than double that of second-placed Germany.
Drawing on metrics including new business density, one-year survival rates, and GDP per capita, the study ranks European countries by their attractiveness to entrepreneurs. The UK topped the list with a new business density of 18.62 startups per 1,000 working-age people and an impressive 89.2% one-year survival rate for new enterprises.
Top 10 European Venture Capital Destinations
| Rank | Country | New Business Density | 1‑Year Survival Rate | VC Investment (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Kingdom | 18.62 | 89.20% | 3,150,000,000 |
| 2 | Germany | 1.40 | 72.90% | 1,350,000,000 |
| 3 | France | 6.71 | 81.00% | 1,050,000,000 |
| 4 | Spain | 3.08 | 78.60% | 750,000,000 |
| 5 | Switzerland | 4.63 | 82.00% | 659,625,000 |
| 6 | Sweden | 9.24 | 97.10% | 567,150,000 |
| 7 | Malta | 7.77 | 75.70% | 450,000,000 |
| 8 | Republic of Ireland | 6.40 | 81.60% | 403,800,000 |
| 9 | Netherlands | 3.43 | 95.70% | 383,700,000 |
| 10 | Italy | 2.85 | 80.90% | 220,875,000 |
According to the report, technology startups continue to drive Europe’s venture capital market, with the UK attracting £4.2 billion (US $4.2 billion) in funding—outpacing Germany’s £1.35 billion (US $1.8 billion) and France’s £1.05 billion (US $1.4 billion).
Additional findings from the William Russell research include:
- The UK ranks highest as the best country for expat entrepreneurs, scoring 8.66 out of 10.
- Luxembourg leads in coworking infrastructure, with 10.5 spaces per 100,000 inhabitants.
- Hungary boasts the highest workforce participation rate at 88.61%.
For the full report and detailed methodology, see William Russell’s research here: https://www.william-russell.com/blog/european-expat-entrepreneurs/
