Tunisia's Startup Ecosystem Sees Significant Growth in 2024
In 2024, the number of labeled startups exceeded 1,000, a significant milestone for the project. According to the presented statistics, 1,999 startups submitted their applications. Currently, there are 938 active labels. At the same time, 441 pre-labels were awarded, with 371 of them progressing to the label stage. Additionally, there were 62 label withdrawals.
The figures, collected by Entrepreneurs of Tunisia, show that 35.8% of startups are founded by women, and 79% were launched by more than one founder.
Some entities have managed to cross borders, with 36 startups operating in France, 7 in the United Kingdom, 4 in Germany and the United States, 3 in Dubai, 2 in Montreal, Belgium, Switzerland, Russia, and China. There are also startups that have set up shop in the Netherlands, Morocco, Ontario, Turkey, and South Korea.
By sector, the top three are:
- Software, Big Data & Analysis with 164 startups
- E-commerce & Marketplace with 138 startups
- Media, Gaming & Other Creative Content with 82 startups
By region, the top three are:
- Grand Tunis with 689 startups, including 478 in Tunis and 126 in Ariana
- Sousse with 112 startups
- Sfax with 54 startups
Nabeul has 41 startups, Bizerte has 18, and Monastir has 15 young startups. Médenine also has 15 startups, including 3 in Djerba.
Paradoxically, 14 governorates have fewer than 10 startups each, confirming the reality we have always emphasized: there is little economic dynamism within the country. As long as there is no industrial fabric with which to cooperate, it is difficult for young companies to establish themselves. We have a shocking example, that of Siliana, where there are no startups! The western region of the country has only 45 startups, which is very few, considering that many startup promoters in coastal cities come from these areas.
In conclusion, regardless of the company's size, the challenges are the same. Without real solutions, the gap between regions will only worsen, exacerbating the socioeconomic differences that shake the country.
