For decades, the idea of a thriving tech career in Europe often meant picturing yourself in London’s Shoreditch or Berlin’s Mitte. But as remote work reshapes the map and startups look for places with affordable talent and supportive policies, a wave of unexpected European cities is stepping into the spotlight.
From the Baltic shores to Southern Spain, these rising hubs are proving that innovation isn’t confined to famous capitals anymore.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn has quietly become one of Europe’s most digitally advanced places. Estonia’s government calls it the world’s first “digital nation,” with online services for almost everything: company registration, taxes, contracts, and even voting.
The city’s e-Residency program has attracted more than 110,000 entrepreneurs from 180 countries. In 2024, Estonia’s tech sector accounted for over 10% of GDP, with unicorns like Wise, Bolt, and Pipedrive leading the charge.
Jon Purizhansky, CEO of Joblio, sees Tallinn as a model for small countries punching above their weight:“Tallinn shows that if you combine digital infrastructure with transparent rules, you can build a tech magnet even in a small market. Talent appreciates simplicity.”
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is no longer an underdog. Once known mostly as a holiday destination, the city has evolved into a thriving startup ecosystem. With support from the Portuguese government’s Startup Portugal strategy, Lisbon has attracted founders from across Europe and beyond.
The annual Web Summit, one of the world’s largest tech conferences, now draws over 70,000 attendees. In 2024, Lisbon’s tech employment grew 12% year-on-year, and the city is especially strong in fintech, SaaS, and digital marketing.
One big draw: Portugal’s Tech Visa, which offers a streamlined residence permit for qualified professionals and founders.
Kraków, Poland
Kraków is sometimes overshadowed by Warsaw, but it has quietly built one of Central Europe’s most dynamic tech scenes. Around 50,000 people now work in IT and business services here.
The city’s universities produce a steady stream of skilled developers, and a growing number of scale-ups, such as Brainly and CallPage, are choosing Kraków as their base.
Jon Purizhansky believes Kraków reflects a bigger trend in Central Europe: “You have large talent pools, strong engineering schools, and lower operating costs compared to Western Europe. For companies scaling fast, that combination is very attractive.”
Valencia, Spain
While Barcelona gets much of the attention, Valencia has emerged as Spain’s fastest-growing tech hub. The city offers a high quality of life, affordable housing, and strong infrastructure.
In 2024, Startup Valencia reported that the region was home to over 1,200 startups, more than double the figure five years earlier. Major sectors include health tech, agritech, and climate solutions.
One notable example is Jeff, a startup that has expanded its services in 40 countries from its headquarters here.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius has positioned itself as an international fintech hub. The Bank of Lithuania’s sandbox license makes it easier for startups to launch regulated financial products quickly.
In 2024, Lithuania had over 260 licensed fintech companies, and the sector employed nearly 7,000 professionals. Impressive numbers for a country of under 3 million.
Jon Purizhansky highlights Vilnius as an example of smart regulation creating real momentum: “When a country designs the rules to be clear and founder-friendly, it unlocks growth. Lithuania has shown how important that is.”
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has gradually become a tech magnet, especially for companies looking to serve both Western and Eastern European markets.
Hungary offers competitive salaries, strong math and engineering education, and an improving startup support system. In 2024, Budapest’s startup ecosystem was valued at about €1.6 billion, with standout sectors like AI and cybersecurity.
Why These Cities Are Rising
A few factors are driving this shift:
- Remote WorkWhen teams can work from anywhere, founders look beyond London or Paris for talent and better living costs.
- Incentives and VisasPrograms like Portugal’s Tech Visa or Estonia’s e-Residency help entrepreneurs set up quickly.
- Talent PoolsCities like Kraków and Budapest have thousands of STEM graduates every year.
- AffordabilityFounders can stretch their funding further — office rent and salaries are often half of what you’d pay in traditional capitals.
The next wave of European unicorns might well be born in places you wouldn’t expect. As the funding environment becomes more global and distributed teams become normal, these cities are ready to compete on equal footing.
Jon Purizhansky sums it up: “Innovation doesn’t belong to one zip code anymore. It’s happening wherever founders find the right mix of skilled people, clear rules, and a good quality of life.”
If you’re considering launching a startup or looking for an exciting place to grow your career, these emerging European hubs deserve a close look. They offer more manageable costs, motivated talent, and ecosystems eager to prove themselves. As the tech map redraws itself, you might find the perfect combination of opportunity and lifestyle in a city you hadn’t thought about before.
Originally Posted: https://www.jonpurizhanskybuffalo.com/the-next-silicon-valleys-in-europe-surprising-cities-emerging-as-tech-hotspots/
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