The call was initiated by the Startup-Verband. Among the initial signatories are the founders of eleven current German unicorns as well as other leading figures from the business and startup scene. The focus is on demands for better framework conditions for business foundings and scaling as well as more private capital for future investments.
Appeal directed at coalition committee on July 1st
The timing is deliberate: Before the coalition committee meeting on July 1st, 2026, the startup ecosystem is increasing political pressure. The signatories speak of a necessary “economic policy shift” to position Germany more strongly in international competition.
The focus is on future topics such as growth financing, bureaucracy reduction, employee capital participation, deeptech promotion, and digital sovereignty. According to the initiators, the next global technology leaders will only emerge where founding is simple and companies find attractive growth conditions.
Verena Pausder: “Now we need concrete reforms”
Startup-Verband CEO Verena Pausder demands quick decisions from the federal government instead of further announcements:
“At the next coalition committee meeting on July 1st, 2026, it cannot be just about vague declarations of intent. What matters are tangible reform approaches.”
As evidence of the need for reform, Pausder points to the loss of an average of 10,000 industrial jobs per month in the past year. Germany still has excellent research, qualified specialists, and a strong industrial base. However, these potentials need to be used much better for innovations.
She particularly emphasizes pension provision as a lever to direct more private capital into venture capital funds and growth companies.
Digital sovereignty comes into sharper focus
The appeal also addresses current geopolitical developments. Pausder refers to the recent decision by the US government to restrict access to a new software development by Anthropic for foreign users. This demonstrates how important its own digital infrastructure and independent AI models are for Europe.
The initiative therefore demands significantly higher investments in AI computing capacity and the expansion of European technology infrastructure.
The ten demands in overview
The signatories demand, among other things:
- Opening pension provision for venture capital investments
- stronger involvement of institutional investors and prioritization of the WIN initiative
- more flexible employment protection for top earners
- more practical employee capital participation
- introduction of the European legal form “EU Inc.”
- consistent implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA)
- bureaucracy reduction, regulatory moratorium, and 24-hour company founding
- stronger promotion of spin-outs from universities and research institutions
- establish the state as an anchor customer for innovative companies
- higher investments in digital infrastructure and AI computing capacity
Around 500,000 employees in German startups
According to the Startup-Verband, German startups and scaleups now employ around 500,000 people. The coalition agreement also recognizes their economic importance and describes startups as “hidden champions and DAX companies of tomorrow.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz assured government support at the German Startup Awards in May 2026. Innovation and competitiveness are crucial for Germany’s economic location, the chancellor explained at the awards ceremony in Berlin.
