To provide even better support to startup founders in the future, the Startup Center of Stadtsparkasse München is expanding its range of services. Two new network partners are also supporting this: Baystartup and UnternehmerTUM. In addition to sponsorship activities, joint events and collaborative support for startups are planned with them. Exchange with sparring partners from the business world—approximately 30 to 40 percent of companies in Munich are Stadtsparkasse customers—media support, and the development of new financing options will further round out the offering.
The expansion of the Munich Founders' Prize is part of the Stadtsparkasse's plan to expand its role as a startup bank. The award, which the SSKM has been presenting since 1997, previously consisted of an audience choice award for the best startup. For several years now, Munich residents have been voting online for their favorites. In the future, a second category will be added, with a jury honoring the best up-and-comer. This is intended to contribute to improved recognition and support for tech startups.
The Startup Center of the Stadtsparkasse has already advised Flix, Airup and Happybrush
The Start-up advice from the Startup Center has been an integral part of the Stadtsparkasse München offering for over 30 years – initially, admittedly, under a different name. An average of 500 inquiries per year resulted in around 120 financings, including an increasing number of requests from startup founders. This number increased significantly in 2024. According to the Stadtsparkasse, 200 inquiries were received in the first quarter of this year alone. By comparison, the total number of inquiries in 2023 was 480. The founders are thus following role models such as Flix, Airup, Happybrush, Awake, Carvia, Spyra, and Greenforce. They all once started as corporate customers of SSKM or still are.
Stefan Schindler, the head of the Startup Center, explains:
“As a municipal savings bank, we have been the first point of contact for 200 years if someone wants to start their own business, for example, with a carpentry shop, a hairdressing salon, or a tax consultancy.”
The financial institution intends to continue to be this for startups in all sectors. With the additional support for startups, especially in the tech sector, the bank now wants to actively support the transformation of the economy with topics such as digitalization.
Board member Stefan Hattenkofer, who is responsible for business with corporate and business customers, adds:
"Our goal is to establish Stadtsparkasse as the heart of Munich's startup scene and to underscore our role as the city's startup bank. These investments and innovations are more than a commitment to our corporate customers. They are a commitment to the future of our city."
