News & Podcast

The Smart Country Startup Award 2026 is seeking innovative govtech and smart city startups. Applications for the competition are possible until August 31.

Almost every second tech startup in Germany wants to raise fresh capital in 2026 and needs around 4 million euros on average, according to a Bitkom survey. At the same time, one in four startups is considering relocating from Germany because there is too little venture capital available—an indication of the persistent capital shortage.

The Bitkom Startup Award is entering its next round. Until February 23, startups in education and logistics can apply for the Innovators’ Pitch. The finalists can look forward to €5,000 in prize money each and the chance to present their solution on a major platform.

For a long time, the USA was the natural place of longing for ambitious tech founders: large funding rounds, rapid growth, a business-friendly environment. But this narrative is crumbling. A current Bitkom survey among founders of German unicorns shows: interest in the USA as a founding location is declining significantly. Instead, Germany and Europe are coming into sharper focus. But what’s behind this shift in sentiment? And how do founders outside the unicorn bubble think about it? We spoke with Benjamin Domnick, co-founder of Wow Urbane Utopien.

A new map from the digital association Bitkom shows how differently startups in the federal states can access public contracts: Munich startups have comparatively good prospects.

The latest Bitkom Startup Report shows: employee participation continues to gain importance, AI is standard, and founders take a critical view of politics and former role models like Elon Musk.

Many startups plan to create new jobs in 2025. After declining employee numbers recently, founders are again looking optimistically at workforce development. A Bitkom survey shows: on average, two positions per startup are currently vacant.

82 percent of German tech startups use artificial intelligence – often as a crucial success factor. A Bitkom survey shows: opportunities and skepticism lie close together.

According to a Bitkom survey, one in four startups is considering relocating abroad. The reasons are a lack of venture capital and difficult economic conditions. However, the majority remains optimistic.

The Smart Country Startup Award 2025 is looking for startups with innovative govtech and smart city ideas. Apply by August 15 and pitch on October 1 at the Smart Country Convention in Berlin in front of the jury and professional audience.

Germany’s defense capabilities are on shaky ground, according to defensetech founders. Bureaucracy, regulation, and missing funding are hampering innovations in defense – with far-reaching consequences.

A new Bitkom study shows: one in three companies in Germany cooperates with tech startups. A representative survey of 603 companies provides reasons for collaboration and existing barriers.