Startup school: 12 German incubators you should know

As part of its startup strategy, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection wants to install new startup incubators throughout Germany. There are already 12 of them.

In spring, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection launched the expansion of its “De:Hub Initiative”. As part of the Startup Germany Summits in Berlin Today, on September 17, the new “De:Hubs” (“Digital Hubs”) will be announced in the presence of the Federal Chancellor and the Minister of Economic Affairs.

With the new hubs at locations such as Rostock or Osnabrück important key industries and regions are to be covered – and integrated into the initiative's network. The aim is to connect “medium-sized businesses and corporates with new innovation partners from science and the start-up scene,” according to the initiative's website. The BMWK hopes to present Germany “as a strong start-up location.” Today, 12 such incubators already exist in cities across Germanyincluding UnternehmerTUM in Munich and Spinlab in Leipzig, which are among the best startup schools in Europe according to the Financial Times.

1. Karlsruhe

If Germany has an AI city, it is Karlsruhe. This is the most important location for the development and application of AI. The Digital Hub Karlsruhe benefits from its proximity to renowned research institutions, international corporations and a network of AI experts. Founders are supported in conveying basic knowledge, identifying use cases and finding partners for specific projects. The best-known AI startups include Black Forest AI and Prenode.

2. Stuttgart

393 global market leaders are based in Baden-Württemberg. Future Industries Hub Stuttgart promotes collaboration between startups, research institutions and SMEs to increase this number. One example is the startup Flip, which developed the employee app and counts customers such as Porsche and Bosch. Flip was launched in 2018 in the Code_n Space and has received over 30 million euros in funding. Today the company employs around 160 people. On 4500 square meters, startups and SMEs work closely together in the Code_n Spaces to drive innovation.

3. Berlin

Berlin also owes its reputation as a startup capital to incubators such as Rocket Internet and Team Europe. But these have been history for years. The ecosystem has long since developed further. Around half of German IoT providers are based in Berlin, as is one in three fintechs – they even received over 90 percent of German fintech investments in 2022. IoT and Fintech Hubs actively promote the Berlin network and support the implementation of new projects.

4. München

Personio, picture alliance / SvenSimon | FrankHoermann/SVEN SIMON, Amelie Binder, Celonis; Collage: Founder scene

Die Entrepreneurship has a significant impact on the hub in Munich. Recently named the best incubator in Europe, the hub offers excellent connections to corporates and former founders – such as Flixbus, Isar Aerospace and Proglove. Over 1000 startups have benefited from the network of the Digital Hub Mobility und Insurtech The Insurtech Hub Munich has helped startups raise more than 100 million euros.

5. Leipzig and Dresden

The Spinlab in Leipzig is one of the best incubators in Europe and just missed the top 10 in a ranking by the Financial Times. The hub also includes the first private VC for seed and early-stage investments in East Germany. Dresden is home to microelectronics companies and pioneers in the field of 5G and 6G. Around the Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig and Smart Systems Hub Dresden One of the most active startup ecosystems in Germany has emerged.

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6. Potsdam

Behind the Mediatech Hub are probably the three best-known institutions in the city of Potsdam: Hasso Plattner Institute, Babelsberg Film University and the University of Potsdam. The location is a center of the media and film industry, but also develops innovations beyond the entertainment industry, for example in voice or image recognition. The more than 30 Potsdam start-up teams have so far been able to acquire well over 20 million euros for their startups.

7. Mannheim and Ludwigshafen

The Digital Health & Digital Chemistry Hub focuses on targeted matchmaking between startups and industry giants such as BASF, Roche or SAP. The focus is on access, exchange and promotion of partnerships. One example startup that has benefited from the network and networking with corporates is Carbon Minds, which ensures greater transparency about the environmental impact of chemicals and plastics.

8. Hamburg

Markus Altman / De:Hubs

Hamburg holds a leading position in the global competition of digital logistics. Logistics Hub Hamburg is a key player for digitalization in this area. Market leaders, medium-sized companies, startups and science work together on five floors in the Speicherstadt to develop new business models and products. Over 100 startups have already taken advantage of the program, which promotes collaboration and consolidates Hamburg's position as a leading logistics location.

9. Dortmund

Im Logistic Hub Dortmund Specialized digital teams from medium-sized companies are supported, which deal with innovations beyond day-to-day business. Their focus is on research projects and the concrete implementation of innovation projects. Storage systems can be recreated or autonomous robots can be tested in continuous operation on several experimental areas. A total of 13 research institutions, such as the Fraunhofer Institute, support the hub and its startups.

10. Köln

The Insurtech Hub Köln has established itself as a platform for transformation and digitization of the German insurance industry. Over 350 startups have benefited from the collaboration with the hub's experts and partnerships with more than 65 companies and 12 research institutions. Insurlab Germany Accelerator also offers startups the opportunity to collaborate internationally with the insurance industry during a six-month program and bring ideas to market maturity.

11. Frankfurt and Darmstadt

In Darmstadt, the team focuses on data protection and cybersecurity solutions – in Frankfurt on fintechs and agtech as well as food technologies. Over 750 startups and almost 200 partnerships were supported by the Cybersecurity Hub und Fintech Hub has already supported us, creating a strong innovation network. This network and a 30-strong team enable corporates and startups to work hand in hand to develop innovative security and fintech solutions.

12. Nuremberg and Erlangen

The Digital Health Hub consists of the Zollhof Nürnberg, the medical technology cluster Medical Valley and the Health Hackers Erlangen. All three locations are fully committed to digital health. The hub supports startups – also through its own business angel network – and offers programs for young talent. The startups from Nuremberg and Erlangen include Climedo, which has implemented projects together with the Federal Ministry of Health, and Mentalis, which works with leading health insurance companies.

Guest author Lukas Jaworski is a journalist and communications expert and has been actively supporting startups for over 15 years. He has built and led communications and marketing teams for Rocket Internet, Team Europe, Finleap and HV Capital.