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.
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
Salt Lake City - Boston - Seattle - Los Angeles - San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Canada - 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, Icelan
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Online Social • Consumer
Principal at Index Ventures
Most Interested In
New consumer services or experiences. Workflow applications that are adopted by the end-user, especially in non-desk environments.
Not Interested In
Healthcare / life sciences, infrastructure, security.
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.
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.
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
Hospitality (& Events) • AgroTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Advertising
Co-founder / Managing Partner at HOF Capital
Fady Yacoub is a Co-Founder and serves as Managing Partner at HOF Capital. He is also an Angel Investor. Together with Hisham El Haddad, Fady created a Hong Kong-based SPV to invest in the record-setting IPO of Alibaba. The SPV received a stock allocation at a discount with a 3x margin and was successfully exited with a 76% return in two months. Fady worked previously at Digital World Capital, a technology-focused hedge fund, helping the firm to expand its investment portfolio in Asia, including a sizeable investment in Baidu, the world's second largest online search engine. Along with Hisham, Fady also invented the drumm device, an IoT-enhanced wearable that allows for haptic communication, after participating successfully in Switch SuperNap's technology accelerator in Nevada. Earlier in his career, Fady held multiple positions at El Tholathia Corp Egypt (ETC). He led El-Tholathia Corp's (ETC Egypt) industrial development team in deploying a new home appliances factory in Sudan for a $8m initial cost. Through ETC's real estate development arm, he also facilitated the purchase of and subsequently led the development team for ~400,000 m2 on Egypt's North Coast, a project initially valued at ~$60m. Fady holds dual Bachelor's degrees in Business Administration & Psychology from the University of Southern California. He is also an Angel Investor.
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 • 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.
, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • Entertainment (& Sports) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Messaging • Mobile Apps • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • Mobile • Mobility • Online Social • Consumer • Productivity
Mangrove Capital Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in the internet, software, mobile, automotive, e-commerce, multimedia services, security, media, network, infrastructure, SaaS and wireless communication sectors. The firm was founded in 2000 and is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
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.
Istanbul, U.S.A. - Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Insurance (& InsurTech)
Most Interested In Consumer-facing e-businesses, including marketplaces, e-tailers, SaaS and SME-focused software companies targeting local markets in CEE & Turkey. Enterprise technology innovators with roots in CEE & Turkey. Not Interested In Life sciences, material science, clean tech Cem Sertoglu serves as Partner at Earlybird Venture Capital. He has several years of experience as an Investor, focusing web-enabled services and consumer internet. Previously, he was a Partner at iLab Ventures, Co-Founder and CEO at Mondus.com, Founder & CEO at SelectMinds and Vice President at Farmer & Company. Pioneering the technology investment sector in Turkey since its inception with his personal investment vehicle Young Turk Ventures, his investments include propertyfinder.ae, Wikimart.ru, Civic Solar, Gittigidiyor.com (Turkey's leading online auctions portal), Yemeksepeti.com (Turkey's leading food order platform) and Grupanya (Turkey's leading daily deal website). He holds a BA in Economics from University of Texas (Austin). He served as Board Member at Fite and Grupanya.
Berlin, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Media • Education • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Future Of Work • Music
Dr. Florian Heinemann is a Co-Founder and serves as Partner at Project A Ventures. He also serves as Board Member at kfzteile24 and Lost My Name. He also serves as Advisory Board Member at Onlineprinters. He is the Managing Director of Shirtagram. He is responsible for the areas of marketing, CRM and business intelligence. Before co-founding Project A, he was managing director of Rocket Internet holding the same areas of responsibility (2007-2012). During his time at Rocket, he was mainly involved in TopTarif, eDarling, and Zalando/Bigfoot. Prior to Rocket, Florian was co-founder and managing director of JustBooks/AbeBooks being in charge of marketing and product (1999-2002, exit to Amazon). Then, he was co-heading the online marketing department of Jamba! and the online dating portal iLove (2003-2005, exit to Verisign). In 2006, he was co-founder of the online marketplace antibodies-online.com. Moreover, he has been an investor/business angel in more than 40 startups, e.g. AdScale, Ladenzeile, Netmoms and Tradoria. Florian holds a doctorate's degree in innovation management/entrepreneurship from RWTH Aachen University. He was a visiting scholar at the Wharton School. His research has been published in leading international journals, such as Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Journal of International Marketing and Zeitschrift fur Betriebswirtschaft. He is an Angel Investor.