Berlin as a Start-up Hub

Berlin is a start-up pioneering city. It boasts over 7000 startups with up to 600 new ones being launched annually. This represents about 35% of all Germany’s start-up volume. Berlin has consistently been ranked as having Germany's 1st best startup ecosystem and estimated to be worth about $100.7 billion. It is positioned 3rd in Western Europe (after London and Amsterdam) as well as 14th globally. There are 21 unicorn startups in the city which have passed the magical number of 1 billion USD in their valuation.

The Start-up Ecosystem

Berlin’s startup ecosystem covers a wide range of industries, with a particular emphasis on fintech, e-commerce, digital media, health tech, clean tech and mobility solutions. The city’s diverse ecosystem encourages innovation and cross-industry collaboration. Berlin startups industry employed 90 thousand people locally in 2024 and his number represents a significant portion of the city's economy, with startups creating tens of thousands of new jobs annually.

Berlin Unicorns

Some of the most renowned start-ups which have been set up in the city and have grown to be major market players are: GetYourGuide, N26, Solaris Bank, Delivery Hero, Flink, Trier, Trade Republic, Onefootball, Research Gate, Babbel, Lingoda, rebuy, Mister Spex, KoRo, smava, Raisin or Zalando.

Investors

Venture capital and angel investments flow into Berlin, both from local and international investors who actively seek opportunities within the city’s startup ecosystem. Prominent investment firms such as Earlybird, Point Nine Capital and Rocket Internet have a strong presence in the city, further fuelling its growth.

Business Angels Club Berlin Brandenburg

Business Angels Club Berlin Brandenburg, one of the guest organisations at this event, is another body which actively connects budding entrepreneurs with investors, mentors and business experts. It currently has 120 active Business Angels on its books and has, in the last five years alone, received 4800 Pitch Decks with over 80 investments being made and totalling 10 million Euros in invested capital.

Berlin Partner for Business and Technology

Berlin houses several incubators and accelerators that offer startups mentorship, workspace and access to funding. Notable examples include The Family, Berlin Startup Incubator and Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator. Organizations such as Berlin Partners for Business and Technology, another guest at this event, provide extensive support and guidance to startups and tech talent in the city or to those looking to start their own business or to relocate theirs here.

Event Programme:

Part 1:

Ernst Suganandarajah (BSBI/UE) – Welcome and opening address

Anne  Le Rolland (Berlin Partner) – Presentation of the Berlin start-up ecosystem

Sebastian Schwenke (BACB) – Presentation of funding/capital options for young entrepreneurs in Berlin

Michael Ferenc (BSBI) – Working in the Berlin start-up scene

Part 2:

Success story 1 from a Berlin-based start-up team
Success story 2 from a Berlin-based start-up team

Mock pitches from BSBI, UE and GISMA teams (one from each institution) with verdicts from jury made up of experts from BACB, Berlin Partner, BSBI, UE and GISMA University and two visiting Berlin start-ups.

Part 3:

Networking session with visiting organisations and members of staff from the three business schools over food & drinks on the BSBI's magnificent rooftop (weather allowing).