Press Release: Canopy Community Listed #99 in the Financial Times Top European Startup Hubs
Feb 19, 2026
Lisbon, February 19, 2026 — Canopy Community has been named #99 in the Financial Times Top European Startup Hubs, marking a significant milestone for our founder-first ecosystem and the global community we serve.
The recognition, published by the Financial Times, places Canopy Community among Europe’s most impactful startup hubs — a powerful endorsement of our mission to support early-stage founders through peer support, mentorship, investment readiness and inclusive access to opportunity.
https://www.ft.com/content/ab05487c-72f9-4c1c-9acf-07768693b105
A Strong Signal for Portugal’s Startup Ecosystem
We are also energised to reflect that Canopy is one of just 12 startup hubs in Portugal to make the Financial Times listing this year.
That matters.
Portugal has quietly become one of Europe’s most dynamic entrepreneurial environments. From Lisbon to Porto and across the wider innovation ecosystem, there is real depth — not just headline events, but sustained founder activity, capital formation and international collaboration.
To be one of 12 hubs recognised nationally signals both the strength of the Portuguese ecosystem and the role that community-led platforms play within it. It reflects the maturity of founders building globally from Portugal and the increasing credibility of the country as a base for early-stage innovation.
For our founders operating between London and Lisbon — and increasingly across Boston, Bangalore and Singapore — this dual positioning reinforces what we already know: Portugal is not peripheral to European entrepreneurship. It is central to it.
This recognition strengthens cross-border confidence, encourages international Investment flows, and demonstrates that founder friendly ecosystems can thrive outside traditional capital centres.
This is more than a ranking.
It is a validation of the thousands of hours contributed by our In Residence team. It is recognition of the founders who show up, pitch bravely at Demo Nights, refine their MVPs, pursue Customers with discipline, and seek Validation before scaling. And it affirms our belief that entrepreneurship can be a serious tool for social mobility.
A Founder Friendly Ecosystem
Canopy Community was built to be founder friendly from day one. Our focus has always been clear:
-
Support early-stage founders with structured learning and peer accountability
-
Increase Investment readiness, particularly around SEIS fund pathways
-
Provide global access to mentorship through our In Residence model
-
Create visibility via Demo Nights and People’s Choice Awards
-
Build a Canopy Membership that lowers barriers to entry
Being listed in the FT reinforces that this model works.
For founders in London, Lisbon, Boston, Bangalore and Singapore, the signal is clear: you are part of a globally recognised startup founder community.
Celebrating the In Residence Team
This moment belongs to our In Residence team.
Our mentors, coaches and operators bring lived experience across product, fundraising, governance, marketing and scale. They guide founders through the hard parts: shaping the MVP, refining positioning, understanding Customer acquisition costs, preparing for Investment conversations and avoiding the common causes of startup failure.
They volunteer insight. They open networks. They provide peer support that is practical, honest and generous.
Recognition by the Financial Times validates their contribution at a European level.
What This Means for Our Founders
For founders inside Canopy Membership, this recognition increases credibility when:
-
Speaking to investors
-
Applying for accelerators
-
Recruiting early team members
-
Building partnerships
-
Raising a SEIS fund round
A top 100 European startup hub badge matters in rooms where trust is earned quickly.
But more importantly, it strengthens our collective confidence. Many founders join us as first-time entrepreneurs. Some are career changers. Some are students. Some are underrepresented in traditional venture networks.
To see their community named in the FT matters.
It says: you belong in this ecosystem.
Entrepreneurship as Social Mobility
Our mission has always extended beyond startup metrics.
We believe entrepreneurship can shift life trajectories. Access to mentorship, capital, and peer learning should not be restricted by background, postcode or prior network.
By lowering barriers to Investment readiness, demystifying SEIS fund processes, and encouraging disciplined Validation before scale, we aim to help founders build sustainable businesses — not just pitch decks.
Social mobility is not achieved through inspiration alone. It requires structured support, practical knowledge, and community accountability.
This FT recognition amplifies that mission.
The Road Ahead
Being listed at #99 is not an endpoint. It is a benchmark.
We will continue to:
-
Expand our global founder community
-
Strengthen our virtual startup accelerator programme
-
Support Investment readiness and SEIS pathways
-
Deepen peer support across geographies
-
Celebrate founder wins publicly and visibly
The European startup ecosystem is dynamic and competitive. Our responsibility is to ensure that first-time founders have the structure and support to compete within it.
A Collective Achievement
To every founder who has pitched at Demo Night.
To every People’s Choice Award winner.
To every In Residence mentor.
To every member inside our Canopy Membership.
This recognition belongs to you.
We are proud to stand alongside Europe’s leading startup hubs. We are even prouder of the community that made it possible.
Entrepreneurship changes lives. Together, we are building an ecosystem where more people can access that opportunity — and convert it into meaningful social mobility.
—
For media enquiries, partnerships or membership information, visit www.canopy.community.or email [email protected]
Huge thanks to Startup Portugal for the PRR grant and support this year that has helped us so much in reaching this listing.