Gibraltar a british overseas territory located on the southern tip of spain has recently emerged as a hub for startups and entrepreneurship with a population of just over 33000 people and a land area of only 67 square kilometers gibraltar may seem like an unlikely location for a thriving startup scene however the citys unique status as a financial center and its proximity to major european markets have helped to attract entrepreneurs and investors from around the world gibraltar has a long history of entrepreneurship dating back to its days as a major trading port during the 18th and 19th centuries in recent years the city has become known for its financial services industry which has attracted entrepreneurs in fields such as fintech and blockchain technological innovation is a major focus for gibraltars startup scene with companies in the area specializing in fields such as cryptocurrency ecommerce and online gaming notable companies founded in gibraltar include bet365 a leading online sports betting company and lottoland a popular online lottery site gibraltars status as a financial center has also attracted major companies to set up headquarters in the area including major banks such as credit suisse and jyske bank the city has a strong economy with a gdp of over 21 billion and a low unemployment rate of 27 as of 2021 the living wage in gibraltar varies depending on the industry but the minimum wage is currently 875 per hour the city is home to the university of gibraltar which offers degree programs in fields such as business accounting and finance in terms of new company creation gibraltar has a relatively high rate of new businesses starting and ending with many entrepreneurs drawn to the citys supportive ecosystem and low tax regime the government of gibraltar has made significant investments in infrastructure and has established a number of initiatives and incubator programs to support entrepreneurs gibraltars startup scene is thriving thanks to a combination of factors including its unique status as a financial center a skilled workforce and a favorable business climate the citys small size and closeknit community also make it an attractive location for entrepreneurs looking for a supportive ecosystem however gibraltars startup scene is not without its challenges the citys size and lack of access to a large talent pool could limit its growth potential and brexit has created uncertainty for businesses operating in the area additionally the citys focus on financial services and online gaming could leave it vulnerable to shifts in those industries overall gibraltars startup scene is a promising part of the citys economic landscape with a long history of entrepreneurship a skilled workforce and a supportive ecosystem the city is wellpositioned to continue attracting talented entrepreneurs and fostering innovation in the years to come
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