What are the most active VC firms in Germany?

Our research shows that the most active venture capital firms in Germany are TruVenturo, Target Partners, Earlybird, Holtzbrinck Ventures, Capnamic Ventures, High-Tech Gründerfonds, Piton Capital and Arena Ventures. These firms have funded startups from various sectors such as e-commerce, fintech and software.

What are the most well-funded startups in Germany?

Some of the most well-funded startups in Germany include N26, Auto1, FlixMobility and Kreditech. N26 is a digital bank that has raised over $570 million in venture funding. Auto1 is an automotive marketplace that provides car dealers with access to used cars and has raised over $625 million in venture funding. Flixmobility is a mobility platform for long-distance buses and trains that has raised over $590 million in venture funding. Finally, Kreditech is a consumer finance company that provides loans to people who lack access to financial services and has raised over $360 million in venture capital funding. All four companies have received significant investments from notable VCs such as Atomico, Earlybird, Rocket Internet, Goldman Sachs and Rocket Internet.

What are the most common industries for VC investment in Germany?

VC investment in Germany is typically focused on technology-driven companies in sectors such as software, e-commerce, fintech and healthcare. In recent years, venture capital firms have become increasingly interested in deep tech companies that use artificial intelligence (AI) or blockchain technology. Additionally, there has been an increasing focus on sustainability-related investments such as clean energy, green mobility and smart cities. All of these sectors have received significant investment from top VCs in Germany and are expected to continue growing in the future.

How has the VC landscape in Germany changed in recent years?

The venture capital landscape in Germany has seen some significant changes in recent years. Notable VCs such as Atomico, Earlybird, Rocket Internet, Goldman Sachs and Rocket Internet have increased their presence in the country. There is a greater focus on technology-driven investments such as AI and blockchain, which have spurred interest from investors looking for new opportunities. With the emergence of sustainable investment options such as clean energy and green mobility, VC firms are now looking at these sectors as potential sources of returns. All of these factors combined have made Germany an attractive destination for venture capital investing.

What are some of the trends in VC funding in Germany?

Recent trends in VC funding in Germany include increased activity from corporate venture capital (CVC) firms as well as a shift towards larger ticket investments. CVCs such as Daimler Mobility and Bosch Ventures have become active players in the German startup ecosystem, investing not only for financial returns but also to gain access to technology and innovative ideas. Additionally, venture funds are increasingly shifting towards investing larger amounts of money into fewer deals - a trend known as “mega-deals”. This trend has been particularly visible in the mobility sector, where startups such as FlixMobility and Auto1 have raised over $500 million each.Overall, VC funding in Germany is on the rise, with many investors recognizing the potential of German startups to become global players. By closely tracking these trends, it is possible to identify which sectors are seeing most investment activity and which companies are receiving the largest investments. These insights can be used by entrepreneurs to better understand what kind of businesses are attractive for venture capital money and how they can maximize their chances of success when pitching for investments.

What are the most successful exits by German startups?

Some of the most successful exits by German startups are Delivery Hero, Rocket Internet, Zalando and Adjust. Delivery Hero is a food delivery platform that was acquired for $4 billion in 2017. Rocket Internet is an e-commerce incubator that went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2014 at a valuation of €6.7 billion ($7.1 billion). Zalando is an online fashion retailer that has achieved success both through organic growth as well as high-profile acquisitions such as Humanic and Jades24. Finally, Adjust is a mobile analytics company that was acquired for $960 million in 2020. These exits demonstrate the potential of German tech companies to become global players and create significant value for their investors. They have also attracted attention from international investors, making Germany an even more attractive destination for venture capital investment. With many new and innovative startups launching every day, there will likely be even more successful exits in the near future.

Germany's Top VC-firms & Investors in 2025: Over 50+ listed

Germany’s Startup Landscape in 2025: Diverse, Industrial, and Innovation-Driven

Germany remains one of Europe’s most advanced startup ecosystems, thanks to its industrial legacy, strong tech education, and supportive government policies. In 2024, German startups attracted €7.4 billion in venture funding—a 4% increase from 2023—indicating a gradual rebound after the funding correction of 2022. While below the 2021 peak, the environment is stabilizing and maturing.

The ecosystem is regionally diverse. Berlin continues to lead in fintech, SaaS, and creative industries. Munich has overtaken Berlin in total startup funding, establishing itself as Germany’s deep tech capital. Hamburg excels in logistics and media, while Cologne and Düsseldorf drive enterprise B2B innovation.

Munich’s Deep Tech Advantage

Home to companies like Celonis and Personio, Munich leads in AI, aerospace, and advanced hardware. Institutions like the Technical University of Munich fuel a pipeline of PhD-led companies in robotics, defense, and semiconductors.

Berlin’s Fintech and SaaS Engine

Berlin remains a top destination for consumer fintech and software startups. N26 and Wefox continue to scale globally, while Berlin’s creative culture supports fast-growing e-commerce platforms and MarTech solutions.

Regional Hubs Beyond the Big Two

Hamburg plays a key role in logistics tech, bolstered by its port economy. Cologne is seeing biotech and healthtech activity rise, with more funding flowing into life sciences startups.

Key Venture Capital Trends in Germany

Germany’s funding landscape is shifting toward fewer but larger deals. While the number of early-stage rounds declined by nearly 50% compared to 2022, round sizes grew, and more startups entered Series B and beyond.

VC firms remain active, with HV Capital, Earlybird, and Cherry Ventures leading early-stage deals, and Lakestar and Project A increasingly involved in Series A to C. Corporate VC arms like Siemens Next47 and Bosch Ventures are backing climate tech, Industry 4.0, and AI.

Government funding is another cornerstone. The Future Fund and new Impact Fund provide vital growth capital, helping startups stay in Germany rather than relocating after Series A.

AI and Deep Tech Dominate Investment

AI-focused funding hit €1.8 billion across 244 deals in 2024, Germany’s second-highest year on record. Defense tech startup Helsing raised €450 million—among Europe’s largest AI rounds—while Munich’s space sector gained momentum with startups like Isar Aerospace and The Exploration Company.

Unicorns, Exits, and What’s Next for Germany’s VC Market

Germany’s unicorn ecosystem continues to thrive. Companies such as Celonis, a global leader in process mining software, and Personio, an HR SaaS platform, both headquartered in Munich, rank among Europe’s most valuable private tech firms. Berlin’s startup scene has produced large consumer-facing companies such as HelloFresh and Zalando, which have since gone public. Many of their former employees have gone on to launch new startups, contributing to Germany’s expanding ecosystem.

Germany remains one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for venture capital investment. With a strong foundation in deep tech, AI, and industrial technology, along with continued government and corporate backing, the country’s startup ecosystem is poised for continued growth in 2025.