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.
Berlin, Germany - U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Education • AgroTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • Energy • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Impact • Logistics (& Distribution) • Mobility
Ferry Heilemann is a Co-Founder and serves as Co-Managing Director at DailyDeal. Heilemann was also a Co-Founder and served as Partner at Heilemann Ventures. Heilemann is also a Co-Founder at FreightHub and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. He also serves as Partner at Earlybird Venture Capital. Ferry founded Heilemann Ventures together with his brother Fabian after the trade sale of his company DailyDeal to Google in 2011. Since then he has been an early stage VC-investor, actively supporting companies in the digital sector with his operational skills and experience. Meanwhile, Ferry and his brother Fabian set the fundamentals for their holding Sky & Sand. Currently it combines DailyDeal, which the brothers bought back from Google in early 2013, and the mobile-POS system provider pepperbill.
Berlin - Cologne, Germany, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Media • FinTech (& Financials services) • Entertainment (& Sports) • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Mobile • Mobility
Founder & Managing Partner Capnamic Ventures
Founder & Managing Partner Capnamic Ventures
Berlin - Cologne, Germany, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Media • FinTech (& Financials services) • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Mobile • Mobility
Early Stage VC - Partner @Capnamic Ventures
Early Stage VC - Partner @Capnamic Ventures
Malta, Malta - 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
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Education • AgroTech • Sales (& Marketing) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Advertising • Logistics (& Distribution) • Messaging • Mobility
Co-Founder & CMO at Mox
Most Interested In
Digital marketing and mobility/transportation companies based in Spain.
Not Interested In
Companies not based in Spain, Singapore, Portugal or Malta.
Munich - Marketing automation, Spain
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Analytics • Logistics (& Distribution)
Angel Investor / Co-Founder Global Super Angels Club
Most Interested In
B2C Subscription Services
Not Interested In
MedTech
Munich Germany, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Media • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Investment Management
Member of the Executive Board at Hubert Burda Media
Martin Weiss serves as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Burda Principal Investments. Martin serves as Board Member, International at Hubert Burda Media. Previously Martin was Executive Vice President Strategy and Corporate Development at international telecommunications and media company Millicom. Here, he was responsible for expanding and transforming the company's digital activities in Latin America, the USA and Africa. Martin was previously Founding Partner at management consulting company Solon and ran their London office from 2008 to 2013. His work focused on developing digital growth strategies for international media companies and supporting leading private equity companies in mergers & acquisitions. From 1992 to 1996 Martin was with McKinsey&Co. Furthermore, he was member of the supervisory board of Tomorrow Focus AG from 2003 to 2015 and is currently on the board of Vinted.com.
Estonia, 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 - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • CleanTech • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Impact • Logistics (& Distribution) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Music • Consumer • Woman Focused
Founder & CEO Salto Network * Angel investor * Co-founder Pipedrive CRM
Co-founder & CEO Salto X
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) • Productivity
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.
, 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.
Munich, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • IT (& TMT) • Media • Education • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Human Resources • Impact • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Messaging • Payments • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Mobile • Mobility • Nanotechnology • Online Social • Consumer
Picus Capital is an early-stage technology investment firm with a long-term investment philosophy. The firm works together with promising internet ventures. It is headquartered in Munich, Germany.