Munich Startup: Please briefly introduce the City of Munich’s business support services.
Stefan Murner, Head of Corporate Support: My colleagues and I advise companies on all issues and problems that may arise at the interface between business and public administration. We strive to develop pragmatic solutions together. One focus of our work is certainly advising companies that are relocating within the city or want to expand their footprint. We also frequently receive inquiries from companies that are new to Munich and are looking for an attractive location.
We analyze the space requirements and try to offer Munich-based companies a spatial development perspective with suitable site proposals. We can draw on a municipal land portfolio as well as include space from the private real estate market. You can find more information about us on our website. Munich Business Location Consulting.
Pragmatic solutions for companies at the interface with the administration
Munich Startup: What challenges do startups face?
Stefan Murner: In the early stage phase, the companies at Munich Startup and our colleagues in start-up consulting are in the best hands and are already well looked after in all matters.
Our interactions with the startup industry usually begin with companies that are emerging from the founding phase (grownup/scaleup phase). Budgets are also tight during these phases and should not be used disproportionately for rent, but rather clearly for the development of their own product ideas.
The biggest challenge is therefore currently the search for affordable and suitable (rental)areasThe requirements for a new location are very individual and range from traditional workshop space and production halls with the appropriate infrastructure to specialized laboratory space for research and development and flexibly divisible and energy-efficient office space in interesting urban districts.
Companies also value flexibility in structuring leases to accommodate different growth cycles. Against this backdrop, a space offering specifically tailored to this demand situation was designed with many relevant players in the Munich real estate market.
Special areas for startups
Munich Startup: How do you help startups with location issues?
Stefan Murner: Our first pointers for startups are the incubators and the offer Spaces4ScaleupsBecause these spaces are tailor-made for this target group. We offer an initial orientation about the general supply situation on the Munich real estate market with our Location map on our homepage. Here, companies can quickly find a good overview of the current market situation as well as suitable spaces, some of which are even allocated by real estate companies specifically to startups for interim use.
We offer startups a detailed consultation to gain as precise an idea as possible of their specific requirements for a future location. What size space is needed? What specific requirements must be met (room height, floor load-bearing capacity, high-voltage power, hazardous waste generation, laboratory equipment, etc.)? And what location within the city is suitable? Comprehensive consideration of these requirements is often crucial for a company's successful development prospects.
Based on a space requirement profile that is as detailed as possible, we attempt to match this demand with the available space potential we know of. We have access to an internal space database with a diverse portfolio of space, primarily drawn from the Munich real estate market. Based on this, we prepare suitable offers and submit them to the companies. We are also happy to assist with the initial contact.
My team also handles the allocation of city-owned commercial land under leasehold agreements to Munich companies, for example, in the Freiham Technology Park or in Messestadt Riem. These allocations are based on criteria established by the city council. However, these sites play virtually no role for startups, as the issue of building their own company premises is generally only relevant in rare exceptions shortly after founding a company; instead, rental solutions are more likely to be in demand.
Company support as a mediator in challenges
Munich Startup: What other services do you offer for the Munich startup ecosystem?
Stefan Murner: As mentioned at the beginning, we also offer a guidance function within the city administration. This can be particularly beneficial in the event of problems or delays in administrative procedures. Simply put, we are familiar with the administration and know which department the company should contact. We also offer to discuss the problems with the relevant colleagues and work together to find quick and legally sound solutions.
Startups are also welcome to contact us at any time, and we will discuss their current issues, which can range from building regulations to employment and residence permit issues. We then attempt to clarify the issue in advance with the relevant experts in the city administration and mediate a solution. This often speeds up procedures and allows different specialist positions to achieve a fair balance of interests between the administration and the company.
We are currently preparing to introduce a complaints management system. This will enable every business owner to contact us easily via a web form and report concerns or undesirable developments in the administration. This will make it even easier to contact the city administration in difficult situations and to address pain points. With this tool, we are trying to raise awareness among the city administration about the issue of business-friendly administration beyond the specific case, thus creating the long-term conditions for the most efficient and service-oriented administration possible.
Munich Startup: Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Stefan Murner: If you are interested in a conversation or have any questions, please contact us by email to usWe are happy to assist you with your company's needs.
