Berlin is one of Europe’s leading innovation and startup hubs, combining world-class research, international talent, strong public-private support, and a vibrant creative culture. The city is particularly strong in AI, ClimateTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and DeepTech, attracting founders, investors, and global companies from around the world.
More info: Berlin Partner for Business and Technology
- €169B ecosystem value (43% of Germany total)
- 1,600+ VC-backed startups
- €4.9B VC investment
- 94,000 startup jobs
- 9,000+ AI professionals
- 57 unicorns & thoroughbreds
- 3,800+ startups & scaleups
- 130+ founder-factory spinouts
- 90+ startup initiatives, hubs & coworking spaces
- #1 Tech Hub in Germany
- #2 in Europe for VC funding rounds
- #4 in Europe for VC investment
- #4 AI talent pool in Europe
- #3 in Europe for Frontier AI researchers
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Start Up Program Manager bei Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH
Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH
- 3.9M inhabitants
- 190+ nationalities
- 40% of residents have an international background
- 4 top-15 German universities
- 170+ museums
- 30% green spaces
Berlin’s success is built on a unique mix of international talent, entrepreneurship, research excellence, and creative energy. As Germany’s startup capital, the city attracts founders, investors, researchers, and professionals from around the world, creating one of Europe’s most diverse innovation ecosystems.
Strong collaboration between government, academia, investors, and industry helps turn ideas into scalable companies. Institutions such as Berlin Partner, IBB, leading universities, incubators, and innovation hubs provide founders with access to funding, expertise, and networks.
At the same time, Berlin’s globally renowned culture of openness, creativity, and experimentation makes it a magnet for talent. Combined with strengths in AI, ClimateTech, FinTech, HealthTech, GovTech, and DeepTech, as well as a growing focus on resilience and sovereignty technologies, Berlin offers an environment where innovation, impact, and growth can thrive together.
“We’re a proud product of the Berlin startup scene. Its unique mix of creativity, talent and capital has set the stage for Delivery Hero to become a global scale-up success story.”
Marie-Anne Popp, CFO at Delivery Hero
“Berlin stands out as one of Europe’s leading startup hubs — uniquely creative, international and never the same.”
Ewa Emilia Geresz, Interim Director at Venture Café Berlin
“Berlin remains Germany’s largest tech hub… with strong ecosystems in climate tech, health and fintech, as well as new initiatives like the ai_berlin hub.”
Dr. Stefan Franzke, CEO at Berlin Partner
International Founders: Dedicated support for visas, relocation, and business immigration.
- Invest in Berlin helps international companies establish and expand in Berlin, providing market insights, location advice, and access to key ecosystem partners.
- startup.Berlin serves as the central entry point to Berlin’s startup ecosystem, providing founders, investors, and international entrepreneurs with access to ecosystem insights, startup programs, funding opportunities, events, and key innovation stakeholders.
- Berlin Partner for Business and Technology supports investors, startups, and international companies with business development services, market expertise, and tailored connections.
- Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) provides grants, loans, and public funding programs to support business growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
- IBB Ventures invests in innovative startups and scaleups, helping founders accelerate growth through venture capital financing.
- Gründen in Berlin guides entrepreneurs through company formation, legal requirements, funding options, and administrative procedures.
- Business Immigration Service Berlin supports international founders and skilled professionals with visas, residence permits, and relocation processes.
- Berlin Startup Map connects founders with startups, investors, incubators, coworking spaces, accelerators, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
- Science & Startups Berlin helps researchers and students transform scientific discoveries into successful startups through university-based entrepreneurship support.
- Berlin Startup Stipendium provides funding and coaching for innovative early-stage startup teams developing scalable business ideas.
- Berlin TXL – Urban Tech Republic. One of Europe’s largest urban innovation districts, focused on mobility, energy, smart cities, climate technologies, and advanced manufacturing at the former Tegel Airport site.
- Adlershof Science and Technology Park. Germany’s leading science and technology park, hosting research institutes, deep-tech companies, startups, and university facilities.
- Merantix AI Campus. Leading AI innovation hub bringing together startups, researchers, investors, and corporations focused on artificial intelligence.
- MotionLab.Berlin. Innovation hub and prototyping space specializing in hardware, industrial innovation, mobility, and climate tech startups.
- Factory Berlin. One of Europe’s best-known startup communities and coworking ecosystems connecting founders, corporates, creatives, and tech talent.
- The Delta Campus. Emerging innovation and entrepreneurship campus supporting startups, technology companies, and ecosystem collaboration.
- Campus Charlottenburg. Innovation district centered around TU Berlin and research institutions, focused on technology transfer and deep-tech entrepreneurship.
- EUREF Campus Berlin. Sustainable innovation campus dedicated to energy transition, smart mobility, climate neutrality, and future urban infrastructure.
- Berlin’s Zukunftsorte (Future Sites) are a network of 11 innovation districts that bring together research institutions, universities, startups, corporates, and specialized infrastructure. They form a connected innovation ecosystem focused on translating scientific excellence into commercial and societal impact, with strengths in life sciences, AI, climate tech, mobility, advanced manufacturing, and urban technologies.
- Adlershof Science and Technology Park. Germany’s leading science and technology park, hosting research institutes, deep-tech companies, startups, university facilities, and innovation labs.
- betahaus Berlin. One of Berlin’s best-known coworking and startup community spaces, supporting entrepreneurs, freelancers, and early-stage ventures.
- Campus Charlottenburg. Innovation district centered around TU Berlin and leading research institutions, focused on technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and deep-tech commercialization.
- CIC Berlin. International innovation campus and coworking ecosystem supporting startups, scaleups, corporate innovation, and global entrepreneurial networks.
- EUREF Campus Berlin. Sustainable innovation campus dedicated to energy transition, smart mobility, climate neutrality, and future urban infrastructure.
- Factory Berlin. One of Europe’s best-known startup and innovation communities, connecting entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, creatives, and technology talent.
- Merantix AI Campus. Europe’s leading AI innovation hub, bringing together startups, researchers, investors, and corporations focused on artificial intelligence.
- MotionLab.Berlin. Deep-tech innovation and prototyping hub specializing in hardware, industrial innovation, climate tech, mobility, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
- The Delta Campus. Emerging innovation and entrepreneurship campus supporting startups, scaleups, technology companies, and ecosystem collaboration.
- Urban Tech Republic (Berlin TXL). One of Europe’s largest urban innovation districts, focused on mobility, energy, smart cities, climate technologies, and advanced manufacturing at the former Tegel Airport site.
Berlin has one of Europe’s strongest investment ecosystems, attracting international venture capital and public funding across sectors such as AI, ClimateTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and DeepTech.
Funding Programs: discover Berlin Startup Scholarship, EXIST, Transfer BONUS, Pro FIT, ProValid, and many more.
Berlin Startup Scholarship (Berliner Startup-Stipendium) – Funding, coaching, and infrastructure support for innovative startup teams in Berlin.
EXIST – Germany’s flagship startup support program for science- and technology-based ventures emerging from universities and research institutions.
Transfer BONUS – Funding program supporting collaboration between companies and research institutions.
Public Funds: explore Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB), Berlin Start, Berlin Innovativ PLUS, IBB Ventures, and additional public funding instruments.
Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) – Public Loans & Development Financing.
Berlin Start (IBB) – Startup and growth financing program.
Berlin Innovativ PLUS (IBB) – Financing program supporting innovation, digitalization and sustainability.
Angel Investors: angel networks such as Business Angels Club Berlin-Brandenburg (BACB) and other active angel communities.
Business Angels Club Berlin-Brandenburg (BACB)
DAS Investorinnen-Netzwerk für Gründerinnen | encourageventures
Venture Capital: IBB Ventures and a large network of Berlin-based, German, and international VC investors.
IBB Ventures – Berlin’s leading public venture capital investor.
- Grants & Startup Support Programs — e.g. Berlin Startup Scholarship, EXIST, innovation and research grants.
- Public Loans & Development Financing — provided by Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) for startups, SMEs, innovation, digitalization, and sustainability projects.
- Public Venture Capital — e.g. IBB Ventures, supporting innovative Berlin startups from seed to growth stage.
- Innovation & Technology Funding — support programs for AI, DeepTech, ClimateTech, research commercialization, and university spin-offs.
- EU Funding Programs — including European Innovation Council (EIC), Horizon Europe, and other EU-backed innovation instruments.
- Private VC & Angel Investment — Berlin hosts a large network of venture capital firms, business angels, and international investors active across multiple sectors.
- Berlin Partner for Business and Technology. Support for investors, international market entry, networking, and business development.
- Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB). Guidance on grants, loans, public funding instruments, and financing programs.
- IBB Ventures. Venture capital support and fundraising guidance for innovative startups and scaleups.
- Business Angels Club Berlin-Brandenburg. Access to angel investors, mentoring, and early-stage fundraising support.
- Berlin Startup Scholarship. Financial support and coaching for early-stage startup teams.
- Science & Startups Berlin. Support for university spin-offs, innovation transfer, and investor readiness.
- Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). Information and advisory services for international companies and investors entering Germany.
- Enterprise Europe Network Berlin-Brandenburg. Support for international partnerships, EU funding opportunities, and cross-border business development.
Berlin offers one of Europe’s strongest international talent pools, combining top research, global professionals, and a dynamic startup culture.
The city’s leading scaleups are highly international: 66% of Zalando’s workforce, 77% of HelloFresh’s workforce, 87% of Delivery Hero’s workforce and 90% of GetYourGuide’s workforce consist of international talent. This reflects Berlin’s position as one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for global talent
- International and English-speaking startup ecosystem attracting talent from over 190 nationalities.
- Simplified relocation and visa support through the Business Immigration Service Berlin.
- Strong public funding programs supporting startups, innovation, and hiring.
- Lower living and operating costs compared to other major European tech hubs.
- High quality of life, creative culture, and strong work-life balance helping companies attract and retain global talent.
Talent Berlin – official talent platform providing career opportunities, relocation support, visa information, housing guidance, and practical information for international professionals. 12,700+ jobs available.
- Berlin Partner for Business and Technology — business development, innovation support, and internationalization services
- Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) — public funding, loans, grants, and financing programs
- IBB Ventures — venture capital funding for startups and scaleups
- Science & Startups Berlin — university entrepreneurship and spin-off support
- Business Immigration Service Berlin — relocation and visa support for international talent
- Enterprise Europe Network Berlin-Brandenburg — international partnerships, EU funding, and SME support
- Factory Berlin — private innovation and startup community platform
- MotionLab.Berlin — prototyping, industrial innovation, and climate-tech support hub
BERLIN RANKS AMONG EUROPE’S TOP STARTUP ECOSYSTEMS
Berlin reached a combined startup ecosystem valuation of €169B in 2025, ranking among Europe’s leading innovation hubs. The city also ranked #2 in Europe for VC funding rounds and attracted €4.9B in venture capital since 2024, confirming its strong international investor appeal.
BERLIN EMERGES AS A LEADING EUROPEAN AI HUB
Berlin strengthened its AI positioning with 9,000+ AI professionals and one of Europe’s largest concentrations of Frontier AI researchers. New initiatives such as AI Hub Berlin are accelerating collaboration between startups, research institutions, corporates, and policymakers.
BERLIN LAUNCHES NEW DEFENSE TECH ECOSYSTEM
In late 2025, the Berlin Senate adopted a resolution to establish a dedicated Defense Tech ecosystem, strengthening Berlin’s strategic role in resilience, security, and European technological sovereignty. The initiative connects startups, research institutions, investors, and public stakeholders in future-oriented deep-tech sectors.