“It wasn’t until I got here that I saw how much interaction there is between the universities and industry, which changes everything. Coming from a scientific background, I would definitely recommend Hamburg to those with new ideas for products or technologies.”
Hamburg
CEO of Lignopure, Joana Gil Chavez
“The different stakeholders from academia, industry, the government and start-ups really work together. That is why it was easy for us to come here and create a network: we weren’t seen as invaders that wanted to take away the startups; rather, we were seen as an important piece of the entire ecosystem, bringing fresh blood and the venture capital spirit of Silicon Valley.”
Ventures director at Plug and Play Hamburg, Livia Toth
“I was surprised by how international Hamburg is: there are so many people from different countries and traditions. This is a favourable situation for me, because I am a woman entrepreneur, who is not from Europe – I am from Asia. On top of this, the people are ready to use new technologies and try new things, which is really important when you consider a start-up: innovation, creativity, ideas.”
CEO of Foviatech, Sowmya Thyagarajan
Ecosystem Highlights
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1544 startups (January 2022)
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1036 investors ranging from Angel, VC to Corporate
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+ 5M residents in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region
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26,583€ per capita of purchasing power worldwide
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36 state and private universities in the Metropolitan Region
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119k students enrolled
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10% of these are international students
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Hamburg is among the Top20 of the liveability ranking
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Hamburg is a hotspot for opinion leaders in advertising and online marketing
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+60 coworking spaces are provided in Hamburg
Whether you’re just starting your business or bringing it to Hamburg, you will feel at home. Here is the place where great ideas are born and where the biggest opportunities are created. Why? Due to the robust, modern, diversified economic structure and to the attractive location of the city: more than being home to an extensive port, Hamburg is one of the biggest trade centers in Northern Germany. Concerning Human Capital, Lifestyle, Economic Potential, and, most importantly, Business Friendliness, Hamburg also tops the scoreboards. Add this to the strong collaboration between industry and science and you will have all the assets to succeed from the very early stage. Get started in Hamburg.
Noteworthy Content:
Contact
Land & Start
SETTLING IN THE CITY
Prepare your arrival to Hamburg by knowing all about the applicable Visa and Entry requirements. The necessary information can be found on the following websites:
In Germany, there are different taxes that may, or may not, apply to you. Find out which ones and get detailed info about the taxation system in the country.
It is important that you are adequately covered while settling in Hamburg. Health Insurance, for instance, is mandatory in Germany. But there are other types of insurance that you should be aware of.
STARTING YOUR BUSINESS
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- Make sure you ask for the necessary help, if needed, while setting up your business. Below are some relevant points of contact. Hamburg Invest (hamburg-invest.com);Hamburg Invest is the one-stop agency for relocation and investment in Hamburg as well as the main partner of Hamburg’s business sector on all topics relating to business development. As well as offering a wide range of services for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, Hamburg Invest is in charge of marketing the city’s commercial and industrial spaces – from land development and advertising to targeting clients, acquiring the leasehold and preparing the land purchase agreement. In addition, Hamburg Invest serves as the main port of call for technology and knowledge-based startup businesses.
- Hamburg Chamber of Commerce – Business Startup and Support;
To support your startup, there are various accelerator and incubator programmes. Check them below.
For a list of Hamburg’s business and tech related partners, access the following link and get the support you need.
After founding your business, you have to register it with the competent authorities. Know all the steps to do so below.
The Innovation and Patents Centre (central contact for the protection of industrial property rights and to patent and innovation management).
Accounting, cost accounting and pricing are part of everyday life in all companies. What are the main accounting and taxation duties? Find them below.
- Find out how to open a bank account and what documents you need: Setting up a bank account
Founders, know that, in Hamburg, there are many workspaces available for you and your business, whether it’s a coworking space, an entire office, or a startup centre. Find your ideal business centre.
Access to capital
Below, you can find a list of the major funding programmes in Hamburg, from Loans, to Grants or to Investments.
| Advice about Capital | Major VC’s in the country |
|---|---|
| To access both public and private funding opportunities, Hamburg can help you as well. Check the following list for advice and support. | |
| Angels | |
Access to talent
There are many platforms that can help you find suitable talent. Young Jobs Hamburg; Job Search Hamburg; Bundesagentur für Arbeit (also in English); Make it in Germany; Finding suitable staff; The European Job Mobility Portal.
Education
As a centre of learning, Hamburg is home to 19 state universities and private universities as well as numerous additional higher education institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. Approx. 112,000 students are enrolled at Hamburg’s universities, of which 10,700 are international students – a trend that continues to rise. The city also has a wide offer of education programmes and degrees – many of which are taught in English. Get to know everything regarding Education in the city through the following links: Study in Hamburg; Study at Private Institutions; Study at Public Institutions.
Tech Ecosystem
Want to get a better sense of Hamburg’s tech ecosystem? This startup database is the right source for you. Check who are the newest companies in the city.
Hot startups & scaleups
New companies
Markets
Diversity and Inclusion
Hamburg strives for equality. Both in business and in everyday life, the city is safe for everyone and promotes inclusion through a variety of programmes that target different groups. Some examples can be found below. LGBTQI; Equality and Gender Diversity; Women Entrepreneurship. Regarding Women Entrepreneurship, you can also find a list of female founders that you can access to get advice and grow your business idea.
- Ayla Christin Jürgensen (CoFounder of Elbwaker);
- Stefanie Langner (CoFounder of Leankoala)
- Hanna Asmussen (CoFounder of Localyze)
- Susanne Liedtke (Founder of nobodytoldme)
- Davina Cochrane (CoFounder of Phoenix Reality)
- Inga Bayer (Founder of Taleegator)
- Bernadette Brysch (Cofounder of Nushu)
- Varena Junge (CoFounder of Yook)
- Sabine Fäth (Founder of Scribershub)
- Sofia Gertzen (Founder of miraminds)
- Lena Weirauch (CEO of ai-omatic solutions)
- Manuela Sayin (co-founder of matched.io)
- Eva Neugebauer (CoFounder of Frischepost)
- Katharina Froh (Cofounder of Piela Pergé)
- Sowmya Thyagarajan (CoFounder of Foviatech)
- Joana Gil Chavez (Founder & CEO of Lignopure)
- Mina Kordi (Founder of Tracifier)
- Theresa Grotendorst (Founder & CEO fobizz.com | pubstage.com | 101skills GmbH)
- Sabela Garcia Cuesta (Co Founder & Director of Gute Leute Magazine; Founder of Art District CBD)
- Caro Beese (Founder & CEO @ finletter und Fintech Week GmbH)
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CITY
Five million people live in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and, each day, around 260 move to the city. You could say that it’s because who lives here is very happy, according to a study. But it’s much more than that. There’s always something going on in Hamburg: festivals, concerts, street shows and fairs, sports, exhibitions, day and night trips, and more. Life is, indeed, joyful in the city, especially if you add up the high purchasing power of its inhabitants. To live and to work, Hamburg is a must.
City Map
ACTIVITIES & CASE STUDIES
Hamburg is a city of innovation by excellence. It’s where the future happens, but also where the best ideas are rewarded. We’re talking about the Future Hamburg Award, aimed at all startups with innovative solutions. It is also the project with which you find the right people to take your business forward. Another community initiative is in the FinTech Hamburg programme. To anyone interested in the city as a hub for digital finance technology, it is the right solution. FinTech Hamburg promises to strengthen the city’s innovative potential regarding financial economies and to boost networking opportunities. But remember: there’s much more than FinTech in the city. For all startups, Hamburg is a growth seed and a never-ending supportive startup ecosystem.