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 - Palo Alto, U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Local commerce • Aerospace (& Defense) • Online Social • Consumer
General Partner at Gradient Ventures
Darian Shirazi is a Co-Founder and serves as Board Member and Chief Executive Officer at Radius. He began his career in Silicon Valley at the age of 15 while working during the summers as a code tester for eBay. He then joined Facebook as one of its first fifteen employees, serves as an front-end software developer. He co-founded the mobile photo sharing site, Fotodunk. He also serves as an Advisor at 8VC.
Los Angeles - California, U.S.A. - Germany - 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, Icela
Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • GovTech • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
We're interested in teams re-imagining cities in 3 areas - GHG reduction, climate adaptation and solving problems associated with high density (like traffic or public safety). Cities are complex, so founders continue inspire and amaze us by identifying new systemic issues and solutions. If you're re-imagining city life, we'd love to hear from you.
Not Interested In
We don't invest in edtech or healthtech. Certainly not a vote on whether we want to see these categories succeed, we just think they need additional focus/skills which we don't have. That said public health is a growing area of interesting.
Shaun Abrahamson is a Founder and serves as Managing Partner at Urban Us. Shaun is a Member of the Investment Committee, and he leads investment selection and communications with portfolio companies, members of the Network, and limited partners in Fund II. Before founding Fund I, Shaun was an active angel investor, investing in more than 20 firms between 2007 and 2013 in his personal capacity. Early-stage investing and advising is informed by his experiences building MediaSentry (acquired by SafeNet in 2005), Starmedia Network (acquired by France Telecom) and Oculus Technologies (MIT CADLab spin-out). In 1999, he was an early employee at govWorks, one of the earliest startups focused on serving local government. govWorks was ahead of the market and failed during the dot-com bust, becoming the subject of the documentary Startup.com in 2001. Shaun has written for organizations such as The Economist Intelligence Unit, The Huffington Post, and CNNMoney. Crowdstorm, published by Wiley, was his first book and is a guide to working with large online crowds to find and evaluate ideas. The book is based on Shaun's experience working with Starbucks, Omnicom Group, $300 House, and Life Edited. Shaun has an MSc from MIT; an MBA from the Berlin School of Creative Leadership; and a BSc from the University of Cape Town. He is also an Angel Investor.
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.
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.
Berlin, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Media • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Entertainment (& Sports) • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Gaming (& eSports) • Advertising • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Mobility • Nanotechnology • Online Social • Consumer • Woman Focused
Lakestar is a European venture capital firm investing in technology companies led by exceptional entrepreneurs. Lakestar helps companies identify new markets and expand rapidly, with a focus on the US and Europe. Lakestar advises and supports portfolio companies in business development, recruitment, technology and marketing. The firm's investments range from early stage companies to those in their growth stage. Lakestar has presence in Berlin, Zurich and London.
Brooklyn New York - Berlin - New York City - Miami Florida - Valley California - Denver Colorado - Los Angeles California - Israel, U.S.A.
PropTech • AgroTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Entertainment (& Sports) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • GovTech • Impact • Logistics (& Distribution) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Mobility • Woman Focused
Tel Aviv - Austin - New York - Palo Alto - San Francisco Bay Area - London, U.K. - Israel - France - Germany - Netherlands
A.I. (& Big Data) • Analytics • Aerospace (& Defense)
Most Interested In
Discovered smthg extraordinary improving lives? Uncovered a secret that seamlessly unites people and machines? Making technology fluid & disappear?
Not Interested In
Don't bother with me too's, tech without super competitive edge, unambitious people with no strong vision. I don't do biotech/pharma/gambling...
Berlin, Germany - U.S.A.
A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Aerospace (& Defense) • Online Social
Working on Celo | MIT alum
Rene Reinsberg sis a Co-Founder and serves as Chief Executive Officer and serves in the department of Business at Celo. He is an Angel Investor. He serves as advisor at SignalFire. He served as Vice President, Emerging Products at GoDaddy. He previously co-founded and served as Chief Executive Officer at Locu (acquired by GoDaddy in 2013). Rene holds a diploma from WHU in Germany and an MBA from MIT. He was awarded the 2011 McGovern Entrepreneurship award, and serves as an advisor and investor to various technology startups. He holds an MBA (Master of Business Administration) in Entrepreneurship from MIT (Sloan).
New York, 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..) • AgroTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Aerospace (& Defense) • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
GPS (precision positioning, computer vision, AR), Geospatial Intelligence (ClimateTech, AgTech, InsurTech), and Satellite Communications (IoT, 5G).
Not Interested In
Aviation, UAV hardware.
San Francisco Bay Area - London, U.K. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
AgroTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Analytics • Aerospace (& Defense) • Mobility • Nanotechnology
Most Interested In
Seraphim Capital is the worlds largest Venture Capital fund dedicated to investing in SpaceTech startups and enabling technologies. Also interested in technologies that spin-out from space applications.
Not Interested In
Consumer products, adtech or fintech.
Chicago - Miami - San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland - Singapore
AgroTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • A.I. (& Big Data) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Mobility • Woman Focused
Principal - VU Venture Partners