The Federal Cabinet today approved what is the first comprehensive startup strategy of a German government. The aim of the strategy is to strengthen the startup ecosystems in Germany and Europe. Following the Cabinet decision, the measures that have been defined for ten fields of action will now start to be implemented. The main objectives of the startup strategy have been named as follows:

  1. Strengthen financing for startups
  2. Help startups to attract talent including through improved employee ownership opportunities
  3. Develop a spirit of entrepreneurship and facilitate the setting up of new businesses including digitally
  4. Strengthen female entrepreneurs and support diversity in startups
  5. Facilitate startup spin-offs from science and universities
  6. Improve the policy environment for startups which serve the common good
  7. Mobilise startup competencies for public contracts
  8. Make it easier for startups to access data
  9. Strengthen regulatory sandboxes and facilitate access to them for startups
  10. Put the focus on startups

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, said: “It is essential to drive forward economic policy projects for the future, especially in difficult times like these. The German government’s startup strategy therefore sends a very important signal. Startups are young innovative companies that want to grow. They generate new ideas and drive innovation. Startups push us toward the future. In creating better conditions for startups in both Germany and Europe, we are also boosting our strength as a business location.”

Federal Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner, said: “I want to make Germany a ‘Republic of Startups’. This is the purpose of the startup strategy that we have now presented. There is no shortage of private capital for innovation. However, oftentimes the right framework conditions are missing which are necessary for successful investments in startups. As Federal Minister of Finance, I want to improve the existing financing options. To this end, we will shortly be presenting an Act for Financing the Future. Its aim is to make it easier for startups to access the capital market and raise equity capital. We will also increase employee ownership opportunities to give a strong boost to employee shareholding. We will reduce bureaucracy as this is vital for startup entrepreneurs to be able to focus on what they do best: transforming their ideas into action.

The startup strategy is the result of an extensive participatory process. This involved workshops and an online consultation, in which many stakeholders contributed their perspectives and expertise. The Federal Government took these into account when drawing up the strategy.

Many measures are already in preparation and can be implemented relatively quickly. The implementation of the startup strategy will be monitored. The Federal Government will report annually on the status of implementation. In addition, it will regularly review whether and how the strategy should be further developed. As it does so, it will continue to maintain a dialogue with all relevant stakeholders.

The startup strategy of the German Government can be accessed here.