Niš receives the "Fastest-Growing Startup Ecosystem in Serbia" award for 2026

It was precisely this growth momentum that earned Niš the recognition.

Although Belgrade and Novi Sad remain the more developed and better-positioned startup hubs in Serbia, Niš’s performance shows that the startup and innovation ecosystem outside the country’s largest centers is developing at an increasingly dynamic pace.

This progress is particularly significant because it shows that the Niš region and southern Serbia as a whole are gradually strengthening their capacities, visibility, and connections with national and international innovation networks.

At the national level, Serbia ranked 58th worldwide in the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, with growth of 6.1%, and placed ninth among startup ecosystems in Southern Europe.

The estimated value of Serbia’s startup ecosystem is around $1.5 billion, while three Serbian cities are ranked among the top 1,000 startup cities in the world.

StartupBlink is a global platform and research center focused on the innovation economy. Through its Global Startup Ecosystem Index (GSEI), it maps, analyzes, and ranks startup ecosystems around the world.

Its research is used by governments, investors, and ecosystem-development organizations to monitor performance, identify strengths, and make informed decisions.