"What our country needs now is a bold entrepreneurial take-off, driven by the excitement for change and the pride in implementing innovative ideas."
Verena Pausder
Chairwoman of the German Startup Association (Startup-Verband)
German Startup Association
Startups are the driving force of our future economy. Visionary founders have the courage to implement their great ideas. We support these entrepreneurs by representing their interests in the world of politics and business, as well as in the wider public. We organize debates on the key issues facing the courageous players within the startup ecosystem and make sure these topics get put on the political agenda.
Our network enables dialog on an equal footing between startups, established companies and the political world. We transfer knowledge and experience from one generation of founders to the next and bring the startup culture inside SMEs and large corporations.
We want to make Germany and Europe a place that welcomes startups, rewards those who are willing to take risks and provides the best conditions for today’s innovative pioneers to succeed. We are guided by the vision of an open, equal and progress-oriented society.
Politics
Politics
Research
Research
Events
Events
Membership
Membership
Let’s make Germany the leading startup country
Startups not only play a critical part in the development and transformation process of our economy, but are also significant drivers of innovation and growth. Their innovative ideas reinforce Germany’s competitive position and help maintain the country’s level of wealth. Young, innovative companies also bring massive job opportunities – around 415,000 people work in this type of company today in Germany.
The multiplier effect means that young, innovative companies have created 1.6 million jobs, both directly and indirectly. That equates to more jobs today than all the people working in the automotive and chemical industries put together. If we head in the right direction, this trend can be significantly reinforced over the coming years. We need a startup strategy that focuses on the three areas of capital, talents and fair competition. We want to be a startup nation and help put Germany on the map as a leading European location that attracts investors and talent from around the world.
Pioneering research into startups
Digital payments, revolutionary vaccines and flexible mobility... Over the past few years, rapid technological progress has significantly transformed both the economy and society. This change is primarily being driven by startups and their innovative products. This is what urged us to find out more about this special type of company. Who are the founders of German startups, and what drives them? How does Germany’s startup ecosystem compare on an international level, and how can we best leverage the existing potential?
Events
Our events give you the chance to get together with both our own community and our extended network. You can meet investors, business angels and potential partners at a range of events, such as at the German Startup Awards, the Angel Pitch Night and our regional networking meetings.
Membership
Welcome to our membership page! We’re delighted that you want to join us! We look forward to working together to shape the political and economic environment to support young enterprises in Germany. As a member of the German Startup Association, you will become a prominent player within the startup ecosystem and be able to network with other founders and stakeholders from the world of business and politics, as well as from the general public.
Whether you’re interested in funding, legal aspects, HR or personal growth, as a member of the German Startup Association, you can take advantage of our Member Benefit Program offering a multitude of special offers and discounts. These include free consultancy services, HR tools, advice on data protection and tax returns, cost savings on tech hire and office rentals, magazine subscriptions and special pricing on a wide range of workshops.
If you use the PwC eValuation startup tool, the data protection check from Think Data Security, HR software from Personio, the time recording tool from Clockin and order your coffee from Döbley, you’ll be saving almost €1000!
Startups (membership)
Any innovative German startup can become a member of the association. The startup needs to have proof of a highly scalable business model and strong growth potential, and the founders need to be significantly involved in the company.
Alumni (membership)
After a period of 6 years, you’ve overcome all your teething troubles and are a well-established startup. You’re ready to give something back to the community and share your experience.
Business Angel (membership)
Business Angel membership is reserved for those who have invested at least €100,000 in two or more startups over the past two years. These can either be private individuals or their ‘business angel’ companies.
Sponsors (membership)
Well-established companies – from SBEs to large corporations – can take out a sponsors’ membership. Please contact our Members Relations Team for a customized proposal.
Investors (membership)
This category welcomes venture capital companies, institutional investors and generally all funding providers whose investments significantly exceed those of business angels
Supporters (membership)
Supporter members include universities, research institutes and public institutions. These can either be nonprofit legal entities under public law or educational institutions under private law.
Get in touch!
You’ve got a question or suggestion and want to get in touch? Simply drop us an email.
We answer all inquiries as quickly as possible.
Contact us:
E-mail: info(at)startupverband.de
Postal address:
Bundesverband Deutsche Startups e.V.
Im Haus der Bundespressekonferenz
Schiffbauerdamm 40
10117 Berlin
Germany