SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — September 22, 2021 — The 2021 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) by Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network was launched today at London Tech Week. The GSER is the world’s most comprehensive and widely-read research on startups with 280 entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems and 3 million startups analyzed. The Report includes a ranking of the leading 140 ecosystems in the world, breakdowns by continent with regional insights, and founder-focused articles from thought leaders and experts around the world.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners, University City Science Center and Drexel University worked closely with Startup Genome to highlight Philadelphia's strengths against ecosystems globally. Philadelphia’s standing in the #GSER2021 -
Top 30 Global Ecosystem and Top 15 North American Ecosystem in Talent & Experience—measures long term trends over the most significant performance factors and the ability to generate and keep talent in the ecosystem
Top 30 Global Ecosystem and Top 15 North American Ecosystem in Funding—measures innovation through early-stage funding and investor’s activity
Top 15 North American Ecosystem in Performance—measures the size and performance of an ecosystem based on the accumulated tech startup value created from exits and funding
Top 30 North American Ecosystem in Knowledge—measures innovation through research and patent activity
Created $19 billion in Ecosystem Value with $994 million in total early stage funding over the last 2.5 years
Talent availability is cited as a reason a startup should move to Philadelphia
The AI, Big Data & Analytics and Life Sciences sectors are highlighted for their density of talent, support resources, and startup activity
The 2021 GSER provides insights and guidance to public and private leaders on how to cultivate thriving startup ecosystems and support local startups — the #1 engine of job creation and economic growth.
“Entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community leaders are working hard all over the world to build productive and inclusive technology ecosystems that are engines of economic growth and job creation for all,” said JF Gauthier, Founder & CEO of Startup Genome. “The Global Startup Ecosystem Report is the foundation of knowledge where we, as a global network, come together to identify what policies actually produce economic impact and in what context.”
“Philadelphia’s ranking in Startup Genome’s report confirms a trend that our innovation community should be proud of, while highlighting opportunities for further growth of the Philadelphia region,” said Scott Nissenbaum, President and CEO of Ben Franklin. “While so many of us can feel and see that the potential is even greater, this is evidence that our collective hustle is making a difference, creating new possibilities here and worldwide.”
“The Global Startup Ecosystem Report reinforces Philadelphia as a world class startup hub,” said Science Center President & CEO, Tiffany Wilson. “Philadelphia’s notable acceleration to a Top 30 global ecosystem demonstrates our momentum as a region and shines a spotlight on our ecosystem’s rare combination of investor activity, diverse talent, and ingenuity. We’re eager to continue serving as a catalyst for Philadelphia’s entrepreneurs and as the world’s partner in accelerating healthcare innovation.”
“At the Philadelphia colleges and universities whose more than 90,000 graduates each year help drive the entrepreneurial innovation that fuels the region’s startup ecosystem, we couldn’t be more proud of the city’s impressive Top 30 ranking by Startup Genome,” said John Fry, president of Drexel University. “This welcome global recognition will inspire us to strive even more to develop our talent pool and to amplify innovation and entrepreneurship by providing homes for startups, capital, infrastructure and networking, along with research and development activities.”
Discover how more than 140 entrepreneurial ecosystems across the world stack up and view the full report here
ABOUT STARTUP GENOME
Startup Genome’s mission is to enhance startup success and ecosystem performance everywhere. Startup Genome is the world’s leading policy advisory and research organization for governments and public-private partnerships. Its impact is rooted in the world’s largest entrepreneurship research with data on over three million companies across 280 cities. Learn how Startup Genome accelerates global startup ecosystems by contacting Adam Bregu at adam@startupgenome.com and on startupgenome.com, LinkedIn, Twitter.
ABOUT BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS OF SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin) is the Philadelphia region’s Partners with a Purpose. Nationally ranked among the most active seed and early-stage investors, Ben Franklin helps high-growth innovative enterprises plant and nurture their roots, creating both immediate connections and lasting economic growth. The nonprofit has supported more than 2,000 companies to deliver an impact of more than $5 billion and 32,000 jobs in the Philadelphia region. Whether in tech, life sciences, manufacturing, or industries and breakthroughs yet discovered, Ben Franklin works to raise the community of innovation higher, to benefit present and future generations of Pennsylvanians. Visit us at partnerswithapurpose.org, or follow us at @bftp_sep.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY CITY SCIENCE CENTER
The University City Science Center is Philadelphia’s premier catalyst of entrepreneurial activity, healthcare innovation, and economic growth. Established in 1963, the nonprofit has been recognized by The Brookings Institution as a best-in-class investor, mentor, and economic development partner for young technology companies. Working alongside industry partners and leading research and academic institutions across the globe, the Science Center has supported over 1,000 early-stage companies. Today, the organization advances healthcare innovation from idea to the marketplace through startup support services, allocating capital, gathering the innovation community, and building inclusive STEM pathways for Philadelphia youth and adults. For more information visit sciencecenter.org or follow us at @UCScienceCenter.
ABOUT DREXEL UNIVERSITY
Drexel is a comprehensive global research university with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation’s premier cooperative education programs. Drexel is classified as “R1: Doctoral Universities” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a designation given to US research institutions with the highest level of research activity. In 2021, the Princeton Review ranked Drexel’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship #12 in the US for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs.
