Germany boasts one of Europe’s leading startup ecosystems, with Berlin being a major hub for innovation. As of 2023, Germany is home to approximately 20,000 startups. The country benefits from strong government support, excellent infrastructure, and a robust industrial base. In 2022, German startups raised around €12 billion in venture capital funding. These factors collectively highlight Germany's dynamic and rapidly evolving startup landscape.
As of 2023, Germany's startup ecosystem encompasses around 20,000 startups. In 2022, these startups attracted approximately €12 billion in venture capital funding. This substantial investment underscores the ecosystem's growth potential and robust nature. The market's size and financial backing reflect its capacity to foster innovation and sustain a competitive edge within Europe and beyond.
Germany's startup ecosystem is characterized by several key strengths, including a strong engineering tradition, high-quality research institutions, and a central location in Europe. The country excels in sectors such as automotive tech, industrial manufacturing, and cleantech. These strengths are bolstered by Germany's robust industrial base and government support, positioning it as a leader in the European startup scene.
Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are the primary hubs of Germany’s startup ecosystem. Berlin is renowned for its vibrant tech scene, attracting entrepreneurs from around the world. Munich is a key center for deep tech and industrial startups, benefiting from its proximity to major corporations and research institutions. Hamburg excels in logistics and e-commerce, leveraging its strategic location and strong infrastructure. These cities collectively drive Germany's innovation and economic growth.
In addition to the major cities, emerging hubs like Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Cologne are gaining prominence in Germany’s startup ecosystem. Frankfurt is known for its fintech and financial services, Stuttgart for automotive technology and manufacturing, and Cologne for media and entertainment. These emerging hubs are expanding the reach and diversity of Germany’s entrepreneurial landscape, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Germany’s startup ecosystem benefits from a strong network of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces that provide essential support and resources for entrepreneurs. Programs like the German Accelerator and the High-Tech Gründerfonds have been instrumental in supporting early-stage startups by providing funding, mentorship, and resources. This supportive infrastructure is crucial for nurturing startups and fostering a collaborative entrepreneurial environment.
Despite its strengths, the German startup ecosystem faces challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles and a relatively risk-averse investment culture. Navigating regulatory frameworks can be time-consuming and complex for startups. Additionally, attracting venture capital can be more difficult compared to more risk-tolerant markets. Addressing these challenges requires strategic efforts and supportive policies to sustain growth and competitiveness.
Germany has significant opportunities for growth in sectors like automotive tech, industrial manufacturing, and cleantech. The country's strong focus on sustainability and green technology drives innovation in renewable energy and environmental technologies. Germany's strategic location in the heart of Europe provides startups with access to a large market and numerous opportunities for international expansion. With continued investment and innovation, Germany's startup ecosystem is poised for further growth, contributing significantly to the global innovation landscape.
Germany's startup ecosystem demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability. The country's commitment to innovation, coupled with strong government and institutional support, enables startups to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. The diverse talent pool and high-quality research institutions attract entrepreneurs and investors alike, ensuring sustained growth and success in the face of global economic shifts and market dynamics.
San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Gaming (& eSports) • Advertising • Analytics • Developer tools • Future Of Work • Food & Beverage • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer
Co-Founder at New Food CPG Co.
Zurich - Berlin, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Advertising • Analytics • Food & Beverage • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Payments • Mobile Apps • Real Estate (& Construction) • SaaS • Investment Management
business angel // entrepreneur // founder lieferando.de
Product Manager, MBA, data scientist & passionate technologist.
Zurich - : Germany France Italy Spain Poland Romania Netherlands Belgium Czech Republic Greece Portugal Sweden Hungary Austria Switzerland Denmark Finland Slovakia N, U.S.A.
HealthTech (& Fitness) • Food & Beverage • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer
Co-founding partner @ Redalpine
Dr. Michael Sidler serves as Co-Founding Partner and Board Member at Redalpine Venture Partners. He also is an Angel Investor. He serves as Chairman at BiognoSYS. He also serves as Board Member at Memo Therapeutics, Versantis and Genialis. He served as the Board Member at OnSite Lab. He has earned PhD in Life Sciences.
, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Food & Beverage • Impact • Logistics (& Distribution) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • LegalTech • Mobile • Mobility • Consumer • Restaurants
Target Global is a venture capital firm that seeks to make early, growth and later stage investments in companies operating in the consumer product and services, e-commerce, travel, mobile, information technology and retail sectors. The firm prefers to invest $200-500k in seed stage deals, $1-5M in early stage deals and $5-50M in growth stage deals. Target Global was founded in 2012 and is based in Berlin, Germany.
Istanbul - Berlin, Belgium
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • Media • Education • BioTech • AgroTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Gaming (& eSports) • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools • Future Of Work • Food & Beverage • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • LegalTech • Mobile • Mobility • Nanotechnology • Online Social • Consumer • Pharmaceutical (& Medicine)
Earlybird Venture Capital is a venture capital firm that is based in Berlin, Germany. The firm invests in companies operating in the consumer service, information technology, software, SaaS, healthcare technology, life science, mobile service, healthcare device, internet of thing and healthcare sectors.
Berlin, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Entertainment (& Sports) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Gaming (& eSports) • Food & Beverage • Material Science • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • LegalTech • Mobility • Nanotechnology • Consumer • Pharmaceutical (& Medicine) • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
WE ONLY INVEST IN IN CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY. Fairly agnostic about the industry, we look for the very best founders to back. We are excited about helping you realize ideas that matter, rather than just making something that people want.
Not Interested In
No "arbitrage" businesses - that means no simple ecommerce, no lead gen, nothing which lacks truly sustainable competitive advantage.
Berlin, Germany
Other • IT (& TMT) • Education • Retail (& E-Commerce) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Food & Beverage • Real Estate (& Construction) • Investment Management
IGNIA is a Mexico based early-to-late stage venture capital firm that invests in innovative solutions for the emerging middles class, representing 70% of the population. Founded in 2007, IGNIA has two funds with US$200 million capital raised. IGNIA invests in sectors such as healthcare, fintech, financial services, education and basic services.
London - Berlin Germany - New York City (NY) - San Francisco California - Boston Massachusetts - Los Angeles California, United States
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Education • BioTech • AgroTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Analytics • Developer tools • Food & Beverage • SaaS • Life Science • Consumer
Founder of The Impact Seat / Technology Investor
Founder of The Impact Seat / Technology Investor
Investor, economist and entrepreneur, Barbara Clarke enjoys interacting with professionals who believe in creating diverse teams to drive innovation and business success. Called ‘The Force’, Clarke fuels change in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, stimulates growth in early stage tech startups and boosts organizational excellence with her investment expertise and global insights. Founder and president of The Impact Seat, Clarke has been investing in emerging technologies, including medical devices, for almost a decade. To date, Clarke has invested in more than 60 companies and 12 funds in North America and Europe. She has been creating opportunities for under-represented entrepreneurs by investing in companies that are either led by women of color or have women on their funding teams – even before it became fashionable to do so. As a key member of the investment community, she also advises entrepreneurs and innovators on launching companies, accessing capital, and leveraging the international network of investors. Barbara serves on several boards, including Portfolia, an investment fund focused on women as venture capitalists, Founders First Capital Partners, an accelerator and finance firm that invests in a diverse group of founders and Boost, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform using computer vision technology. Prior to launching The Impact Seat, Clarke spent more than a decade in management consulting firms, including KPMG and PwC and launched a nationwide nonprofit to support grieving children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics from Tufts University and master’s in international economics and finance from Brandeis University. A polyglot, she speaks several languages, including German, French and Italian. When she is not scoping out promising startups to invest in, Clarke enjoys exploring new cities, supporting local artists and listening to alternative/indie rock.
Palo Alto - San Francisco Bay Area - Tel Aviv - New York City, Israel - Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Food & Beverage • Logistics (& Distribution) • Mobility
Partner at Target Global
VP @goldman-sachs
Munich Germany - London - Zurich Switzerland - Paris France - Berlin Germany - Nice France - Stockholm Sweden - New York City (NY) - Vilnius Lithuania - San Diego California - Cambridge Massachusetts - Boston Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Media • Education • Businesses Solutions • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Gaming (& eSports) • Food & Beverage • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness)
FOUNDER.org is an investor and company building program for student entrepreneurs who are solving big problems.
New York - Miami - Florida, U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Media • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Food & Beverage • GovTech • Real Estate (& Construction) • Consumer • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
Proptech, fintech, select consumer brands and strong enterprise software in niches.
Not Interested In
Medical and health, stuff I don't understand.