InvestorInvesting in innovative digital business models and mission-driven founders.
Germany startup and venture ecosystem
Where startups are forming across Germany: the cities, accelerators and investors, and how you get close to them.
The ecosystem
KfW Research reports €7.2 billion in German venture capital in 2025, following €7.4 billion in 2024 and €7.1 billion in 2023. StartupBlink’s 2025 index ranked Germany seventh globally, with a score of 33.159 and reported annual ecosystem growth of 28.4%.
Germany’s results in these publications describe different measures: StartupBlink’s index covers Quantity, Quality, and Business Environment, while WIPO’s 2025 Global Innovation Index places Germany 11th and describes its innovation-output efficiency relative to input investment. These figures are attributed publisher measures, not a single combined assessment.
Sectors and strengths
KfW Research reports that AI attracted about €2.9 billion, roughly two-fifths of German VC, in 2025; security accounted for 17%. StartupBlink’s 2025 country profile also ranked Germany fifth globally in Transportation.
As of . Official information. Source: Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025; German venture capital market remained stable in 2025 despite economic uncertainty
Hubs and regional differences
StartupBlink’s 2025 city table lists Berlin at global rank 14 and tags Fintech as its top industry. It lists Munich at rank 36, tagged Transportation, and Hamburg at rank 83, tagged Online Banking; these are the index’s city labels, not comprehensive descriptions of the cities.
As of . Official information. Source: Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025
The same index tags Cologne’s top industry as Artificial Intelligence, Frankfurt’s as Energy, Stuttgart’s as Manufacturing, Mannheim’s as Data Analytics, Düsseldorf’s as Software, and Dresden’s as Energy.
As of . Official information. Source: Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025
Capital providers
KfW Research counted 1,444 German startup funding rounds and 164 exits in 2025, compared with 1,540 rounds and 154 exits in 2024. The reported total VC investment was €7.2 billion in 2025, close to the preceding two years’ levels.
As of . Official information. Source: German venture capital market remained stable in 2025 despite economic uncertainty
For founders
For sector and location research, compare the index’s city-level labels with the national funding picture: AI and security are prominent in KfW’s 2025 investment figures, while StartupBlink assigns different leading industry tags to individual cities. Treat those tags as starting points for local diligence, not full ecosystem profiles.
As of . Official information. Source: Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025; German venture capital market remained stable in 2025 despite economic uncertainty
For investors
KfW’s 2025 data show substantial aggregate investment alongside fewer rounds than in 2024; its figures also show meaningful investment in AI and security. Consider the distinction between overall capital volume, sector allocation, and round count when assessing the market.
As of . Official information. Source: German venture capital market remained stable in 2025 despite economic uncertainty
Constraints and recent changes
KfW’s 2025 Entrepreneurship Monitor says formation activity rose slightly in 2024 but remained at a low, sideways level, while the share of formations undertaken as side businesses increased. These measures describe broader entrepreneurship activity, rather than startup VC or a city ranking.
As of . Official information. Source: KfW-Gründungsmonitor 2025
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Germany ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bloomberg Innovation Index | 2021 | #4 | Down 3 | B | Innovation, Research |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (countries) | 2026 | #7 | No change | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Global Innovation Index | 2025 | #11 | Down 2 | A | Innovation, Competitiveness, Research, Talent |
 Doing Business (Ease of Doing Business ranking) | Doing Business 2020 | #22 | Up 2 | B | Business Climate |
 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking | 2026 | #23 | Up 1 | B | Competitiveness, Business Climate, Performance |
1,853 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Germany
Investors 1,274
Investor
InvestorThe equity entrepreneurs
InvestorThe equity entrepreneurs
The 3 most prominent of 1,274. Browse all investors
Incubators 229
IncubatorIncubator for innovative ventures in the chemical industry.
IncubatorEmpowering startups in North Rhine-Westphalia.
IncubatorSupporting entrepreneurs through education and training.
The 3 most prominent of 229. Browse all incubators
Accelerators 186
AcceleratorGerman Entrepreneurship Asia, now known as Start2 Group, is a global innovation and startup acceleration organization based in Munich, operating in 18…
AcceleratorUnternehmerTUM is a leading innovation and business creation center in Europe, affiliated with the Technical University of Munich. It supports…
AcceleratorInkuA is a German incubator and accelerator that provides virtual workspaces and tools for collaboration on non-profit projects, focusing on skill…
The 3 most prominent of 186. Browse all accelerators
Venture studios 164
Venture studioBuilding and investing in online businesses.
Venture studioBuilding and investing in digital business models.
Venture studioBuilding iconic companies for a healthier planet.
The 3 most prominent of 164. Browse all venture studios
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Germany
UniversityListed in 7 rankings
UniversityListed in 3 rankings
UniversityListed in 3 rankings
UniversityListed in 3 rankings
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Germany
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Germany
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Germany
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingCity guides
Cities in Germany
The largest 4 of 45 published city guides.
Questions about Germany
How does Germany rank as a startup ecosystem?
Germany is #7 of 120 in StartupBlink Index (countries) (2026). It appears in 5 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Germany?
1,274 investors based in Germany have a profile here, including Roskowetz Ventures, Mutares SE & Co. KGaA and Mutares SE & Co. KGaA. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Germany?
Yes. Germany has 186 accelerators, 229 incubators and 164 venture studios on record, including German Entrepreneurship Asia, Chemovator and Mitgo.
Which universities are in Germany?
14 universities have a profile: Technical University of Munich, Heidelberg University and University of Bonn and more.
Superscout Pro
Find faster. Show up verified. Keep your deals private.
$99a year, or $12 a month
Get Pro- Search that narrowsInvestors, programs, accelerators, incubators and studios, by stage, sector and place.
- A verified profileThe people you reach know you are who you say you are.
- A private deal vaultThe startups you are watching, with your notes and your reasons. Nobody else's eyes.
Is this page right?Reviewed · How the research works