Global Innovation Map Redrawn: Top 100 Tech Clusters Leading Global Growth

The 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), reveals that global innovation is increasingly concentrated in a few “mega-clusters.” These hubs serve as the ultimate convergence points for scientific research, frontier technology, and venture capital. While China and the United States maintain their central roles, Asia continues to emerge as the primary engine for the global knowledge economy.

In an era of intensifying global technological competition, WIPO has released its 2025 list of the World’s Top 100 Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters. These hotspots represent areas where knowledge, capital, and tech enterprises aggregate with unprecedented density. The report is a cornerstone of the Global Innovation Index, a framework widely used by governments and policymakers to benchmark innovation performance.

Unlike traditional national-level assessments, WIPO’s cluster ranking focuses on the actual geographical areas where innovation happens, regardless of administrative boundaries. A single cluster may span multiple cities, regions, or even cross international borders.

New methodology reflects true innovation vitality

The 2025 edition marks a significant shift in WIPO’s methodology. For the first time, venture capital (VC) investment data has been integrated into the ranking alongside the two traditional core indicators: international patent applications (PCT) and scientific publications.

According to WIPO, the inclusion of VC data better reflects commercialization potential and entrepreneurial spirit—elements often missed when relying solely on academic research or patent filings. “Innovation does not stop at the lab or the patent office; it must be transformed into products, services, and businesses that generate economic value,” the report emphasizes.

Under this new lens, the top 100 clusters now account for approximately 70% of all global PCT applications and VC transactions, while contributing nearly half of the world’s scientific publications. The top 10 clusters alone generate nearly 40% of all PCT applications, highlighting the extreme concentration of global innovation.

China’s Greater Bay Area claims the top spot

Leading the 2025 rankings is the Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou cluster, also known as China’s Greater Bay Area. This marks the first time this cluster has surpassed Tokyo–Yokohama to secure the world’s No. 1 position, driven in part by its exceptionally dynamic venture capital ecosystem.

Rounding out the top five are Tokyo–Yokohama (Japan) at 2nd, San Jose–San Francisco (USA) at 3rd, Beijing (China) at 4th, and Seoul (Republic of Korea) at 5th. These centers have maintained their elite status for years, supported by world-class universities, multinational tech giants, and thriving startup ecosystems.

Asia dominates research and patenting

Regionally, Asia continues to dominate this year’s rankings, particularly in scientific publishing and patenting. China, Japan, and South Korea host an array of major innovation clusters stretching from Beijing and Shanghai to Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul.

China now hosts 24 clusters in the top 100—the highest number for any country—despite a slight decrease from 26 clusters last year due to the revised methodology. Beyond the top-ranked Greater Bay Area, hubs like Beijing, Shanghai–Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing maintain high positions. Notably, the cluster of Ningde (China) ranks in the global top 5 for “innovation intensity” (relative to population density).

The US leads in capital and commercialization

While Asia dominates in volume of research, the United States stands out for its ability to commercialize technology and attract venture capital.

The U.S. currently hosts 22 clusters in the top 100, up by two from the previous year, ranking second behind China in total count. The inclusion of VC data has propelled U.S. clusters like New York City (7th) and Los Angeles (10th) into the global top 10. Furthermore, San Jose–San Francisco (Silicon Valley) remains the world leader in innovation intensity per capita.

Europe: Strong foundations amidst competition

Compared to Asia and the U.S., Europe faces increasing competitive pressure. However, the region maintains a robust scientific and industrial base.

Germany ranks third globally in terms of cluster count (7 clusters). The United Kingdom has 4 clusters in the top 100, with London making a significant leap to 8th place globally, largely due to its undisputed strength in attracting international venture capital. New European entrants like Dublin (71st) and Oslo (85th) also made their mark this year.

India emerges as a rising star

A highlight of the 2025 rankings is the rapid ascent of Indian innovation clusters. Hubs such as Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai have all seen notable improvements in their rankings, fueled by a surge in tech startup investment. Bengaluru—often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of India”—continues to solidify its role in the global tech and services value chain.

Innovation’s growing tie to the market

Experts note that WIPO’s inclusion of venture capital data clarifies a vital trend: innovation is shifting from a pure research model to one tightly integrated with markets and investment. Clusters with dynamic startup ecosystems that connect universities, corporations, and investors are rising, while traditional research centers may slip if they lack commercialization momentum.

Clusters as pillars of national competitiveness

WIPO emphasizes that innovation clusters are not just “tech hotspots” but long-term engines of economic growth. Nurturing these ecosystems allows nations to attract top-tier talent, facilitate technology transfer, and enhance global competitiveness. In an era defined by the knowledge economy and deep digital transformation, the 2025 map of the world’s top 100 innovation clusters signals a clear redistribution of global tech power: the peak rise of Asian mega-clusters, the VC-backed resilience of the U.S., and Europe’s strategic adaptation to a new competitive landscape.

References:

1. Global Innovation Index 2025 Report, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
2. WIPO GII 2025 Science and Technology Clusters Ranking.