January 28, 2026
Mind the startup gap
How London became the rest of the world’s startup capital
London crowned startup capital—fans cheer, skeptics say “US feeder club”
TLDR: London is hailed as the top startup hub outside America. Commenters split: some call it hype or a US “feeder club,” others praise the vibe and job growth (hello, DeepMind), while Berlin/Paris fans shout “come here”—key context for founders choosing where to build, hire, and get acquired.
The article declares London the world’s startup capital outside America, and the comment section instantly turned into a pub brawl. Some readers see the fancy founder clubs and royal-adjacent boards as pure theater—“Smells like marketing stuff…” shrugged one skeptic. Another waved a multilingual flag for rival cities: “Bruder, komm nach Berlin or frère, allez à Paris.” The spiciest take? A link to this zinger claiming London is “Europe’s most efficient farm system for US acquirers”—basically, a feeder club where startups get polished in London, then snapped up across the pond (tweet).
Silicon Valley expats chimed in with nuanced vibes: “Same vibe, less attitude,” said one, while admitting SF’s energy is still 5x stronger. Data folks dropped receipts too: London keeps topping global job postings, with many crediting the DeepMind effect (report). Meanwhile, the community had a field day with London’s glitz—“flow yoga for founders” and a princess on the board—turning the thread into a meme about startup Hogwarts. The drama splits neatly into teams: Team London (big talent, big exits), Team Berlin/Paris (cooler, cheaper, more soul), and Team SV (still king, just chill). Verdict? London’s booming—but the crowd can’t decide if it’s the main stage or just the world’s fanciest launchpad.
Key Points
- •The article claims London is among the best places globally to start a company.
- •It states that outside America, no other city rivals London’s startup strength.
- •London’s startup culture includes venues such as Home Grown Club offering business and lifestyle-focused events.
- •Opus, a founders’ collective with Princess Beatrice on its board, has expanded to Dubai.
- •The piece argues London is not merely mimicking Silicon Valley or living off past glories.