Science and Technology Park Niš has been selected to represent the Niš startup ecosystem and receive the “Fastest-Growing Startup Ecosystem in Serbia” Award for 2026, presented as part of the Startup Ecosystem Awards 2026, organized by StartupBlink.
StartupBlink is a global innovation economy platform and research center that maps, analyzes, and ranks startup ecosystems worldwide through the Global Startup Ecosystem Index (GSEI). Its research is used by governments, investors, and ecosystem development organizations to better understand ecosystem performance, identify strengths, and support informed decision-making.
The “Fastest-Growing Startup Ecosystem” recognition is awarded to ecosystems that have demonstrated significant growth and progress compared with the previous period. According to the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, the overall score of the Niš startup ecosystem increased by approximately 36% compared with 2025, while Niš advanced by 13 places in the global ranking and now ranks 895th among startup cities worldwide.
Niš was also the only ranked Serbian city ecosystem to improve its global position in the 2026 edition of the Index. This positive growth dynamic forms the basis for the recognition and highlights the visible progress of the Niš ecosystem within Serbia’s broader startup landscape.
Although Belgrade and Novi Sad remain more developed and higher-ranked startup centers in Serbia, Niš’s result demonstrates that startup and innovation ecosystems outside the country’s largest hubs are also gaining momentum. For Niš and the wider region of Southern and Eastern Serbia, this progress is particularly important, as it reflects the gradual strengthening of local capacities, visibility, and connections with national and international innovation networks.
At the national level, Serbia ranks 58th globally in the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, with a growth rate of 6.1%, and holds 9th place among startup ecosystems in Southern Europe. The estimated value of Serbia’s startup ecosystem is approximately USD 1.5 billion, while three Serbian cities are ranked among the world’s top 1,000 startup cities.
The recognition was presented to Niš as part of the Startup Ecosystem Awards 2026, with the official awards ceremony held on 23 September 2026 in Tashkent, during ICT Week Uzbekistan. Science and Technology Park Niš was selected to receive the award and certificate on behalf of the Niš startup ecosystem.
Within the Global Startup Ecosystem Index, Science and Technology Park Niš, Swiss EP, and ICT Hub are listed among the ecosystem partners in Niš, further highlighting the importance of cooperation among different actors in building a strong local innovation environment.
For the Science Technology Park Niš, this recognition confirms that its continuous efforts to create better conditions for the growth of startups and innovative companies are delivering visible results. Through support programs, mentorship, education, connections with companies, investors and institutions, as well as international cooperation, STP Niš contributes to building a stronger and more competitive innovation ecosystem in Niš and the wider Southern and Eastern Serbia region.
At the same time, this recognition reflects the work of the entire Niš startup ecosystem – startups, technology and innovative companies, investors, institutions, organizations, academia and partners who collectively contribute to its development.
This achievement is an important signal that Niš is steadily strengthening its position on Serbia’s and the region’s startup map. For an ecosystem developing outside the country’s largest startup hubs, international recognition of this momentum provides a significant boost for further growth, internationalization and the creation of new opportunities for startups and innovative companies from Southern and Eastern Serbia.
