In the 2026 Dealroom Global Tech Ecosystem Index, Ghent achieved a remarkable 10th place worldwide in the “Density Leaders” category, which measures innovation output relative to population size. This ranking compares 325 cities across 77 countries and evaluates factors such as startup activity, investment levels, company valuations, unicorn creation, and collaboration with universities.
Ghent also ranks 4th in Europe, behind Cambridge, London and Stockholm, underscoring its strong performance among the continent’s leading innovation ecosystems.
This achievement highlights Ghent’s ability to compete globally through the density and quality of its innovation ecosystem rather than sheer scale, driven by strong university links, high-value tech companies, and a thriving startup and scale-up environment.
