In a recently published ranking of startup ecosystems, Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Appleton made significant gains and registered “amazing momentum,” according to StartupBlink’s Global Ecosystem Rankings report, which ranks 100 countries and 1,000 cities around the world.

StartupBlink is a global startup ecosystem map and research center that works with dozens of governments, municipalities and economic development corporations on the development, mapping and benchmarking of their startup ecosystems and support networks for entrepreneurs.

Madison rose 26 spots to number 98 globally, while Milwaukee jumped 31 spots to rank number 132. Green Bay’s ranking of 446 was up 44 places, while Appleton came in at 581, an improvement of 35 spots.

“The positive showing of Wisconsin cities in StartupBlink’s global startup ecosystem ranking is a testament to the culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that exists throughout our state,” said Aaron Hagar, WEDC vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation. “Four of our local communities ranking highly among the top 1,000 globally showcases the strength and passion for startups and small businesses we see throughout Wisconsin, and is continued evidence that supporting entrepreneurs is good for our local communities as well as the state’s overall economy.”

The organization’s 2020 annual report uses an algorithm built over five years to develop what StartupBlink bills as the world’s most comprehensive startup ecosystem ranking. StartupBlink’s algorithm is supplemented with information from global data partners such as CrunchBase, SEMrush, Meetup and Coworker.

StartupBlink’s 2020 Global Rankings Report is available for download. The StartupBlink interactive database and map is accessible at StartupBlink.com. Wisconsin startups have the ability—and are encouraged—to add their own information to StartupBlink’s database directly on the site, so the full breadth of entrepreneurial activity in Wisconsin can be represented. StartupBlink’s annual report is read by tens of thousands of decision-makers and has been featured in more than 1,000 articles to date.