H2UB has been included in the Financial Times ranking of the best startup hubs in Europe, published annually by the Financial Times, which compares and evaluates the performance and success of startup hubs in Europe. H2UB, based in the German city of Essen, has established itself as a platform for hydrogen innovation in Europe. Founded in 2021, the company connects startups with industrial partners, research institutions, and investors along the entire hydrogen value chain – from generation through transport and storage to industrial application.
Currently, H2UB counts 168 startups in its ecosystem. 78 teams from eleven European countries have completed the “H2UB Sprint” accelerator program so far. The hub supports founding teams with coaching, expertise, and targeted networking to bring technologies to market maturity faster. According to the company, the participating startups have raised more than €230 million in capital. Their cumulative valuation exceeds €516 million.
Shareholders of H2UB are the RAG Foundation, Open Grid Europe (OGE), TÜV Süd, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The Ministry of Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia supports the hub. Corporate partners include RWE Generation, Dräger, Yokogawa, and 3M, among others. In total, the network comprises more than 40 partners.
In addition to the accelerator program, H2UB offers market analyses and hosts the annual Hydroverse Convention. According to its own information, the event is the largest European event for hydrogen innovation and startups.
