News & Podcast

Germany’s startup ecosystem is launching at full speed into 2026: Between January and June, 3,053 startups were newly founded. This is an increase of 52 percent compared to the second half of 2025 and means more startups founded than in the entire year 2024 – a real startup boom.

The new Greentech Monitor from the Startup Association shows: Munich continues to be one of the most important locations for greentech startups in Germany. At the same time, many energy startups are struggling with a financing gap worth billions of euros.

The Next Generation Report shows a record year for startup foundations. Munich in particular sets standards: nowhere else are more new startups created per capita. The location expands its lead and shapes nationwide momentum.

Europe’s leading tech associations are calling for concrete steps to enhance digital sovereignty at the Berlin sovereignty summit. Verena Pausder, CEO of the Startup association, warns: “Europe must learn to grow its best ideas together.”

Heike Freund from Munich-based startup Marvel Fusion joins the Startup Association board. Together with Nils Aldag, she expands the leadership team around Verena Pausder and builds deep tech and scaleup expertise.

The nomination phase for the German Startup Awards 2026 is underway. Until October 19, 2025, outstanding personalities from the German startup ecosystem can be nominated – whether founder, investor, or impact entrepreneur.

Innovation policy and decisive reforms – Verena Pausder, CEO of the Startup Association, sees them as the key drivers for growth.

Only 19 percent of startup founders in Germany are women. A new study shows that missing role models, work-life balance, and limited networking opportunities are key obstacles for female founders.

Since December 2023, Verena Pausder has been chairwoman of the Startup Association and a driving force in the German startup landscape. As an entrepreneur, activist, and thought leader, she advocates for more diversity, international talent, and sustainable deeptech startups. She also dedicates herself to digital education, not least through her own ventures. In this interview, we learn from her what trends she sees in digital education and what measures she considers necessary to make startups in Germany successful and competitive in the long term.

With 11 percent more new business formations than the previous year, the “Next Generation – Startup New Formations in Germany” report shows that times of crisis spur innovative business ideas. Software startups in particular are driving development forward, while research-oriented locations offer great potential.

Together with Founders Foundation, the Startup Association has published the first edition of the Edtech Startup Monitor. The report shows the national status, hurdles and potential for founders in the education sector – and what they think about the pace of digitalization in their industry.

Since 2013, a comprehensive report on the status quo of the German startup landscape has been published annually: the German Startup Monitor (DSM). The conclusion of this year’s edition: Times are difficult, but founders remain hopeful.