The Best Countries for Startups: Relocate for Tech and Startup Investments

If you’re serious about building a global business, you can’t afford to be stuck in a single location. 

There’s a world of possibility out there and it’s easier to grasp than you know.  

The best opportunities for tech entrepreneurs and investors aren’t in Silicon Valley or London any more – they’re in fast-growing tech hubs with lower taxes, better incentives and plenty of innovation.

The right country can make or break your success. And with many places offering investor-friendly policies, tax breaks and a government that genuinely backs entrepreneurs, it’s well worth looking at your offshore options.

So, where should you consider? Let’s explore some of the best countries for ambitious tech founders and investors.

Why Invest in Startups Abroad?

Investing in startups abroad is about diversifying your wealth, accessing emerging markets and positioning yourself where you’re treated best. 

These days, the smartest investors are looking beyond overpriced markets in Western legacy brand countries like the US and the UK. 

High-growth startup ecosystems in places like Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia offer lower valuations, thriving innovation and governments keen to roll out the red carpet for foreign capital.

Countries like Portugal, Estonia and the UAE actively incentivise venture capital (VC). So, they offer tax-friendly policies, residency options and fast-track citizenship programs in exchange for investment. 

Emerging markets also offer access to industries that are still in the early growth phase. 

FinTech, AI and HealthTech are booming in places like Brazil, Poland and Malta, where the competition is lower and government-backed initiatives give you extra security. 

At the end of the day, investing in startups abroad can do more than just make you money. It can help you secure a Plan B, optimise your wealth and ensure you have options in a fast-changing world. 

Best Countries for Startups

If you’re looking for a thriving tech and startup scene, here’s where to consider.  

Ireland

Ireland is one of Europe’s most dynamic startup hubs, and it’s easy to see why. 

With its pro-business policies, favourable tax system with a low corporate tax rate of 12.5% and access to the EU market, it’s an ideal launchpad.

In Dublin, the heart of Ireland’s startup scene, you’ll find the European headquarters of giants like Google and Meta, with Apple based a little further south in Cork. The capital also houses homegrown successes like Stripe and Intercom. 

The government plays a big role in making Ireland a hotspot for innovation, offering grants, tax incentives and funding through initiatives like Enterprise Ireland. 

The R&D Tax Credit in Ireland lets startups reclaim 30% of their research costs, and the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme offers tax relief to investors backing Irish businesses. 

Ireland is also a great place to live.

The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) offers residency for founders with at least €50,000 in funding, while investors can gain residence through the Immigrant Investor Program. Both pathways lead to long-term residency and potential citizenship.

Read our guide on startups and venture capital funding in Ireland for more details about the startup ecosystem here.

Malta

Malta might be a small island, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to tech and startups. 

Dubbed the ‘Blockchain Island’, this European country has made a name for itself in FinTech, AI and digital gaming. This is largely thanks to a regulatory framework designed to attract innovation. 

Startups here benefit from strong government support, including government programs and grants from Malta Enterprise and access to the €10 million VC fund. The local talent pool is growing, and Malta’s strategic location between Europe, Africa and the Middle East makes it an ideal base for business growth and global expansion.

The tax incentives in Malta sweeten the deal for entrepreneurs and investors. 

Malta has no tax on foreign income that isn’t remitted, no inheritance tax and a competitive corporate tax structure that allows for effective rates as low as 5% under the right conditions. 

Entrepreneurs and investors can gain residency through programs like the Malta Permanent Residence Program or the Global Residence Program, with a pathway to possible citizenship for those who establish real ties with the country.

See our list of the top venture capital funds in Malta for more insights.

Colombia

Colombia is emerging as Latin America’s next big thing in the startup world. It’s also packed with exciting and charming cities that offer a great home base for day-to-day operations.

With a thriving tech ecosystem, a young, digital-savvy population and a government eager to attract investment, it offers serious opportunities.

Medellín, once known for all the wrong reasons, is now safe and has reinvented itself as a centre for innovation and global VC. 

Unicorns like Rappi have proven that Colombian startups can scale across the region, while FinTech, e-commerce and PropTech are booming here.

Operating costs are far lower here than in North America or Europe, so your capital stretches further. For investors, startup valuations are lower, offering better entry points with all the potential.

If you’re looking to relocate, Colombia makes it easy. Investing around US$35,000 into a business can get you a residence visa, with a path to permanent residency and citizenship after five years. 

Read our guide on Colombia’s top startup and venture capital funds for more info.

Brazil

While Colombia is on the rise, Brazil remains the capital of Latin America’s startup scene. 

With over 200 million people, a fast-growing middle class and an enormous focus on everything digital, Brazil offers one of the most exciting markets for tech entrepreneurs and investors. 

São Paulo leads the charge, home to unicorns like Nubank, QuintoAndar and iFood. Cities like Florianópolis and Belo Horizonte are also emerging as innovation hubs. 

FinTech, e-commerce and AgriTech are booming, and Brazil’s open banking laws are shaking up the financial sector.

There’s plenty of venture capital in Brazil, with global investors like SoftBank and Tiger Global backing local startups. 

Government initiatives like Start-Up Brasil and InovAtiva Brasil provide funding and mentorship, while tax incentives in free trade zones help businesses reduce costs. 

Brazil has a nominal corporate tax of 34%, although correctly structuring your business can lower the effective rate you pay.

Entrepreneurs can gain residency in Brazil by investing BRL500,000 (around US$86,000) in a Brazilian business, while real estate investors can qualify with a BRL700,000 investment (around US$120,000). 

With the option to fast-track citizenship in just three years, Brazil offers serious advantages for those after a base in South America. 

Switzerland

Of all the countries on this list, Switzerland is the most classic in terms of a startup hub. Sure, it’s an expensive country in the heart of Western Europe, but it’s also one of the most attractive startup and investment destinations in the world. 

Zurich and Geneva are leading hubs for FinTech, BioTech and AI, while Lausanne’s strong ties to research institutions like EPFL make it a hotspot for DeepTech startups. 

Switzerland has a stable economy, strong legal protections and a business-friendly environment that consistently ranks it among the best places to launch and scale a company.

VC flows steadily into the country, with major funds and corporate investors actively backing high-growth startups. The Swiss government also offers generous R&D grants, tax incentives and some of Europe’s most competitive business regulations. 

While corporate taxes vary by canton, effective rates can be as low as 12%. Plus, Switzerland’s extensive network of double taxation treaties makes it an attractive base for international entrepreneurs.

For residency, entrepreneurs can get a permit by starting a business that benefits the local economy, while high-net-worth individuals can qualify through the Swiss lump sum taxation scheme. Switzerland was a pioneer of lump sum taxation, and this scheme could dramatically reduce the tax bills of high earners.

Citizenship by naturalisation is only possible after living in Switzerland for 10 years, but with its world-class infrastructure, access to European markets and high quality of life, many entrepreneurs see it as the perfect place to stay long-term.

Poland

Poland is another one of Europe’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, offering a unique mix of affordability, innovation and convenient access to the broader EU market. 

Once seen as a back-office outsourcing hub, Poland is now producing global tech players in FinTech, AI, gaming and beyond. Cities like Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław offer incubators, accelerators and VC.

The government actively supports startups through grants, R&D incentives and funding programs like Start in Poland. The cost of talent is also an advantage here, as Poland has world-class developers and engineers at a fraction of the cost of Western Europe. 

You’ll find some tax incentives too, with Poland allowing businesses to defer corporate tax until profits are distributed.

For entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish a base here, Poland offers a residence permit through forming a business, leading to permanent residence in five years and citizenship in eight. 

Portugal

There are many great reasons to relocate to Portugal, from the sunny lifestyle to the popular Golden Visa. 

With a growing tech scene, generous government incentives and a lower cost of living than traditional business centres, it’s easy to see why cities like Lisbon, Porto and Braga draw in entrepreneurs. 

The government actively supports startups through initiatives like Startup Portugal and Portugal Ventures, while the €500,000 VC investment route under the golden visa scheme has opened the floodgates for international investors. 

Since Portugal removed the real estate option under this visa, the option for investing in a VC fund has become more enticing. 

Entrepreneurs can apply for the StartUp Visa or the flexible D2 Visa, which allows business owners to establish operations with minimal capital. 

If you’re an investor seeking EU residency, you can also opt for the golden visa, which offers a route to citizenship in just five years. 

Finding Startups to Invest In: Emerging Tech Startup Ecosystems

As a savvy high-net-worth investor, you’ve got to keep your eyes on where the next wave of innovation is taking place. 

For example, Singapore has positioned itself as Southeast Asia’s premier startup destination. The city-state offers world-class infrastructure, strong legal protections and no taxes on capital gains for investors. 

FinTech, AI and logistics startups thrive here, backed by a government that actively seeks to attract foreign investors. If you’re looking for a life of luxury and opportunity, moving to Singapore ticks all the boxes.

Across Europe, Estonia has become a hotspot for digital economies, with its e-Residency program allowing investors and entrepreneurs to tap into its ultra-streamlined business environment without even setting foot in the country. 

Its startup scene punches well above its weight, particularly in cybersecurity and blockchain.

In the Middle East, Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer a pro-business ecosystem that includes tax incentives, funding programs and a regulatory framework built for high-growth startups. 

Meanwhile, Vietnam is emerging in Southeast Asia, with Ho Chi Minh City’s startup ecosystem seeing rapid expansion.

The Best Countries for Startups: FAQs

Make the Most of Investing in Startups Abroad

From Estonia to Colombia, emerging markets offer opportunities that bloated Western economies can’t provide anymore. 

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, now is the time to broaden your horizons.

The smartest entrepreneurs and investors are setting up in tax-friendly jurisdictions, securing second residencies and planting flags where a business can thrive. 

So, if you’re serious about building a global business, these are countries worth considering.

Of course, navigating new markets, tax systems and immigration rules can be tricky. That’s where we come in. 

At Nomad Capitalist, we provide hands-on support to investors and entrepreneurs entering offshore markets, optimising their taxes and, ultimately, going where they’re treated best. Get in touch to find out more.