Mexico City Enters Top 100 Global Innovation Clusters in 2025

By Goodrich, Riquelme y Asociados

Mexico City has officially joined the ranks of the world’s most innovative urban clusters, securing the 79th position in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII) Innovation Cluster rankings. This milestone marks the first time the Mexican capital appears in the top 100, making it the second Latin American city to achieve this recognition, alongside São Paulo, Brazil, which ranks 49th. The inclusion of Mexico City highlights the city’s growing significance as a hub for technological innovation, research, and entrepreneurial activity in Latin America.

The 2025 GII cluster rankings reflect a significant evolution in measuring global innovation. For the first time, WIPO incorporated venture capital (VC) deal activity as a key metric alongside traditional indicators such as international patent filings, scientific publications, and high-tech outputs. This change offers a more comprehensive picture of how scientific research is being translated into tangible economic and technological outcomes. According to WIPO Director General Daren Tang, this recalibration emphasizes which clusters are effectively turning research and knowledge into market-ready solutions and startups.

Mexico City’s rise in the rankings is driven by several key factors. The city has seen a notable increase in venture capital investments, supporting startups across fintech, software development, biotechnology, and creative industries. A robust network of universities, research centers, and private technology firms creates a collaborative ecosystem that facilitates knowledge transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, government policies aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, including incubator programs, R&D incentives, and partnerships with international organizations, have strengthened the city’s innovation infrastructure.

This year, the GII report also spotlighted 10 innovation clusters entering the top 100 for the first time, reflecting the dynamic nature of global innovation. In the United States, Miami (67th), Phoenix (78th), and Salt Lake City (92nd) joined the list, while Dublin (71st, Ireland), Oslo (85th, Norway), Hamburg (91st, Germany), and Manchester (94th, UK) marked new entries in Europe. China added Ningbo (93rd) and Ningde (99th), highlighting its growing technological footprint. Mexico City’s entry at 79th underscores Latin America’s emerging role in the global innovation landscape.

Globally, the top 100 clusters are still dominated by North America, Europe, and Asia. China leads with 24 clusters, followed by the United States with 22. Other major hubs in Europe and North America continue to expand their innovation capacities, while emerging clusters like Mexico City signal the rise of new innovation powerhouses in previously underrepresented regions.

The inclusion of Mexico City in the top 100 innovation clusters has broad implications for the city’s economic and technological future. As venture capital flows increase and research output grows, Mexico City is positioned to strengthen its startup ecosystem and attract talent from across the region. This recognition also encourages further investment in infrastructure, education, and innovation policy, ensuring the city remains competitive on the global stage.

Looking ahead, Mexico City’s ascent into the GII top 100 highlights the importance of fostering vibrant innovation ecosystems that combine research, investment, and entrepreneurship. By building on these foundations, the city is poised to enhance its influence as a leading Latin American innovation hub and a significant player in the global knowledge economy.