Berlin nowadays is recognised as one of the most important startup cities. However, it has not always been so.
Lacking in major industrial companies which located their HQs mostly in former Western Germany, Berlin needed to find its own way. In the 90s it was renown for being a capital of techno music and for a number of years it has been considered rather a place for fun than for business.
Back in 2005 unemployment rates oscillated around 19%. But this has changed significantly. Nowadays, Berlin prides with big tech companies that started just some years ago as small startups. Berlin has become a seat for a number of German venture capital funds, incubators and accelerators that can provide funds for founders as well as additional services like mentoring, networking and coworking spaces.
It has been connected to a global network though international organisations like Techstars or events like Techcrunch Disrupt. German corporations have recognised the potential of startups and many of them, including Deutsche Bahn, Axel Springer or Deutsche Telekom, have decided to organise their startup activities in Berlin. The Berlin startup community is highly organised, having regular startup digest updates, facebook groups and event catalogues.
Learn more about Berlin and other hubs in the Startup Hubs Report.
