Baghdad and Erbil rank among world's top 1,000 startup ecosystems for 2026

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Baghdad and Erbil have been placed among the world's top 1,000 cities in a global startup ecosystem ranking published by Startup Blink for 2026, though Iraq did not break into the top 100 countries overall. According to the report, both cities secured positions on the list, which evaluates cities based on criteria including the density of newly established companies, investment volume and innovation capacity. The agency noted that Baghdad and Erbil are classified as emerging markets, where entrepreneurial activity has expanded despite ongoing challenges. The report also recorded strong growth in startup activity across the Middle East and North Africa region in 2026, placing the two Iraqi cities within that broader upward trend. No further breakdown of the individual rankings for Baghdad and Erbil was provided in the available details.