Startup Genome and Invest Ottawa unveil the world’s most comprehensive report on startup ecosystems, the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, at VivaTech Paris. 

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — June 17, 2026 — The 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) by Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network launched today at Vivatech Paris. Powered by the world’s most comprehensive and quality-controlled dataset on startup ecosystems, the GSER analyzes data from over 5.5 million companies across 350+ entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems.

The report provides new insights and deep analysis on global startup trends, highlighting the world’s leading ecosystems. It ranks the Top 40 global ecosystems, Top 100 emerging ecosystems, and includes regional rankings, offering a detailed view of how startup ecosystems are evolving worldwide.

This year’s #GSER2026 puts a spotlight on Ottawa. Together with Invest Ottawa, here’s what the data shows:

• Ranking as the #61-70 Emerging Ecosystem
• The ecosystem created $2.6 billion in Ecosystem Value in GSER 2026 July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, representing 20% growth compared to GSER 2021 July 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020 time period. Ecosystem Value is a measure of economic impact, calculated as the value of exits and startup valuations.
• Top 20 North America Ecosystem in Funding Runway — measures the amount of runway tech startups acquire, on average, from a VC round
• Top 25 North America Ecosystem in AI-Native Cluster — measures the size and intensity of an ecosystem’s AI startup activity
• Top 30 North America Ecosystem in R&D Engine — measures innovation through research and patent activity
• Top 40 North America Ecosystem in Talent Strength — measures long-term trends over the most significant performance factors and the ability to generate and keep talent in the ecosystem
• Top 40 North America Ecosystem in Deal Momentum — measures innovation through early-stage funding and investors’ activity
• Top 50 North America Ecosystem in Performance — measures the size and performance of an ecosystem based on the accumulated tech startup value created from exits and funding

Sectors Fuelling Ottawa’s Startup Momentum: Software & Applied AI, Healthtech, and Defence Tech & Smart Mobility are key strengths of the Ottawa ecosystem, supported by direct access to federal decision-makers, the Area X.O R&D complex, and North America’s highest concentration of tech talent for six consecutive years.

In 2025–2026, Dominion Dynamics raised $18.7M for dual-use defence technologies, Assent surpassed $533M raised in supply chain risk management, and AI-Native Ecosystem Value grew 1,061% year-over-year.

“Ottawa founders are a different breed — disciplined, globally ambitious, and relentlessly focused on building real companies. What sets this ecosystem apart is that they do it together, backing each other the way great founders should. And time and again, they build category-defining companies that the world didn’t see coming.”

— Sonya Shorey, President and CEO, Invest Ottawa

The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026 delivers key insights into the world’s leading innovation ecosystems, highlighting trends, capital flows, and policy approaches shaping entrepreneurial success. Building on last year’s analysis, the report expands its AI-Native factor to include emerging ecosystems, reflecting AI’s growing role in competitive advantage. Backed by over a decade of independent research and a global consortium spanning 65+ countries, it provides a data-rich view of startup activity and investment trends, equipping policymakers, ecosystem leaders, and founders with actionable strategies to drive economic growth.

“Advancing 10+ ranks globally underscores Ottawa’s strong innovation ecosystem where the convergence of Enterprise Software, Healthtech, and Defensetech capabilities creates a powerful environment for high-growth startups. We celebrate Invest Ottawa’s leadership and effectiveness and are proud to partner with them to build on this momentum.”

— JF Gauthier, Founder & CEO of Startup Genome

View the full report here: https://startupgenome.com/gser2026

ABOUT INVEST OTTAWA

Invest Ottawa is the lead economic development agency for Canada’s capital, supporting early-stage entrepreneurs, scaling startups, and global companies. Through startup programming, advisory services, and access to capital and markets, it helps founders build and scale companies for global success. Invest Ottawa connects founders with the programs, advisors, capital, and networks they need to validate, commercialize, and reach global markets faster.

ABOUT STARTUP GENOME

Startup Genome is the world-leading innovation ecosystem development organization, having worked with 221 clients across six continents in 71 countries to date. We work to catalyze startup success and ecosystem growth and ensure that all cities and countries capture their fair share of the new economy. Startup Genome strategy clients grew their ecosystem values 59% faster than peers (41% vs. 25%). On average, Startup Genome clients produced $1.4 billion per year more in ecosystem value from an average starting point of $9.2 billion. Our evidence-based ecosystem research, advisory, and scaleup programs are rooted in global experience with the world’s largest AI-curated startup dataset and proprietary instruments developed from over a decade of primary research.

###

For interviews and further inquiries, please contact: 

Randy Gaudreau
Manager, Communications and Public Relations – Invest Ottawa
[email protected]
613.828.6274

Neha Nawathe
Operations Manager, Startup Genome
[email protected]
+49 15218902531