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.
Denver - Colorado, U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, Monaco
PropTech • AgroTech • CleanTech • Impact • Real Estate (& Construction)
President PeakChange
Social Venture Investor, Tech Executive & Leadership Mentor
London, U.K. - Spain - Germany
PropTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Real Estate (& Construction)
Leading Fintech investments at Draper Esprit
Partner at Molten Ventures
Munich Germany, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Education • FinTech (& Financials services) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Investment Management
Managing Director and Founding Partner at Digital+ Partners
Managing Director and Founding Partner at Digital+ Partners
Frankfurt am Main - Munich, Germany, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Education • FinTech (& Financials services) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Investment Management
Managing Director and Founding Partner at Digital+ Partners
Managing Director and Founding Partner at Digital+ Partners
Sydney New South Wales - Munich - Berlin, Australia
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Real Estate (& Construction) • Woman Focused
Justus Hammer is the Founder and serves as the Managing Director at Sellable and also a Co-Founder and serves as an Advisor at Mad Paws. He also serves as a Managing Director at Axis7. He is a Co-Founder at Spreets.
Berlin, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • Sales (& Marketing) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Advertising • Logistics (& Distribution) • Real Estate (& Construction)
Most Interested In
Founders who are pursuing daring projects. Big vision & able to deliver on the nitty gritty parts. Currently AI/ML, big data, process innovation.
Not Interested In
(e/m) commerce companies, pure adtech plays, hardware only firms
Rouven Dresselhaus serves as Co-Founding Partner & Managing Partner at Cavalry Ventures. Dresselhaus serves as Managing Director at Voltage Ventures. Prior to Voltage Ventures, Rouven has invested in more than 35 companies worldwide. He is the go-to guy for our portfolio companies whenever they need strategic advice, input on their product, network and fundraising. Rouven's academic career ended when he dropped out of WHU's Ph.D. program in order to pursue his passion in Venture Capital.
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 • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • LegalTech • Mobile • Online Social
business angel // entrepreneur // founder lieferando.de
Product Manager, MBA, data scientist & passionate technologist.
Tel Aviv - London, U.K. - Israel - Germany - France
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Real Estate (& Construction) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer
Most Interested In
Marketplaces, digital health, fintech
Not Interested In
Ecommerce, hardware, biotech
Toby Coppel is a Co-Founder and serves as Partner at Mosaic Ventures. He also serves Board Member at Habito. He has a strong track record of principal investing in growth companies and strong operational experience. His background and expertise allow him to provide unique insights regarding the convergence of energy, communications and information technologies. Prior to VGF, he held a number of senior executive roles with Yahoo!, including Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director, Yahoo! Europe & Canada. While at Yahoo!, Toby was responsible for almost $5 billion of acquisitions and investments. Toby was also the Executive sponsor for Yahoo's global sustainability program and led initiatives including the launch of Yahoo! Green and the management of Yahoo's carbon footprint across its global data centers and facilities. Prior to Yahoo!, Toby was a Founding Partner of Windsor Media a private investment company that acquires traditional media businesses and re-positions them for the digital future. Coppel also held investment and client advisory positions with Allen & Company and Goldman Sachs. He is an Industry Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, Henry Crown Fellow at The Aspen Institute and a Member of both the Israel-Britain and Palestine-Britain Business Councils. Coppel received his MA Philosophy, Politics & Economics (First Class) from Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom and an MBA (with Distinction) from Harvard Business School.
Istanbul - Berlin, Germany
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 • Impact • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Material Science • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • 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.
Munich, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Education • FinTech (& Financials services) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Investment Management
Digital+ Partners is a growth equity investment firm that focuses on investment in B2B technology companies. It focuses on companies operating in the industrial tech and fintech sectors.