Hamburg promoting greentech startups
Founders all over Hamburg have come up with cross-sector, forward-looking technological ideas as well as technologies and business models that simplify entire economic cycles and make both our work and everyday lives easier and more resource-efficient. Comprehensive support and funding opportunities are available to these budding entrepreneurs.
As one of Europe's leading economic centers, Hamburg stands for a long trade and shipping industry as well as the innovation and sustainability needed in the 21st century. In recent years, the city has morphed into a hotspot for greentech companies with solutions for protecting the environment while generating economic success. But just how is Hamburg's greentech scene organised? Which local companies and institutions are based in the city, which funding schemes, networks and support are available for greentech startups?
From CO2 waste to palm oil alternative
Hamburg is home to a large number of greentech companies and startups that are developing amazing, innovative technologies and sustainable solutions. Colipi, for instance, raised millions in February to develop a palm oil alternative for use in the food and cosmetics industries and as a fuel. It uses a patented bioreactor system that converts CO2 and carbon-based industrial waste into climate-friendly alternatives to palm and crude oil akin to a brewery for oils. This solution could become the world's fastest and most cost-effective CO2 transforming bioprocess. In 2022, Philipp Arbeiter, Tyll Utesch, Jonas Heuer and Maximilian Webers spun off Colipi GmbH from the Technical University of Hamburg.
Grain leftovers replacing plastic
Traceless, founded by environmental scientists Dr Anne Lamp and Johanna Baare, is another impressive example of sustainability-driven innovation. The startup, which was founded in 2020 by the Institute for Environmental Technology and Energy Economics (IUE) at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, produces a granulate from leftover grain that can replace plastic. From 2025, Traceless plans to produce several thousand tons of granulate annually in Hamburg-Harburg with around 90 employees. The granulate is renewable, certified plastic-free, bio-based and compostable, and can replace plastic in products that are difficult to recycle or that pollute the environment, such as disposable products, packaging, paper and board coatings.
Hamburg offers greentech startups and companies a wide range of funding schemes. The Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank (IFB Hamburg) provides low-interest loans and grants for sustainable projects carried out by companies in collaboration with a university or research institution in Hamburg. Does your greentech project revolutionise the health, climate and energy, mobility, materials science or data science and digitalisation sectors? Then you have an ideal opportunity to avail of a grant. Innovative Hamburg-based startups can also obtain investment capital through the InnoVentureFonds (IVF). IVF is managed by IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH and focuses on venture capital financing for innovative startups in larger financing rounds. Funding of up to EUR 7 million per company is available on condition that private investors play a significant role in the respective financing round.
Expert support and networking
Green technology startups have plenty of opportunities to meet and network with other industry players in Hamburg. The main networking organisation, Startup Port, brings together university graduate founders. The Renewable Energy Hamburg Cluster (EEHH) acts as a regional industry network for forward-looking energy systems such as hydrogen and offshore wind power, while Hamburg Innovation GmbH offers startups advice on funding schemes and events. In addition, the annual Hamburg Innovation Summit brings together stakeholders and decision-makers in commerce, science and the political sphere. This is where the scene shares new ideas, technologies and exciting visions of the future. The Hamburg Innovation Awards also honors startups’ innovative ideas and technology-oriented companies with outstanding success stories at this event.
Laboratory and workshop space for Greentech startups
Hamburg has several renowned research institutions that specialise in sustainable environmental technologies. The Hamburg University of Technology offers degree courses while research focuses on environmental technology and renewable energy. The Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) opened in Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld in May. MPSD researches the properties of matter down to the atomic level. The Startup Labs Bahrenfeld is a joint project by Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), the University of Hamburg and the City of Hamburg. The labs are essentially incubators for startups with a background in physics or biophysics. Founders can work in state-of-the-art offices with fast internet and an inspiring environment, and can also experiment in complex laboratories and workshops.
Even founders without a university degree will find opportunities in Hamburg to develop their business ideas. The Curious Community Labs, for instance, is an open laboratory for biology and technology. Greentech startups and others can use laboratory equipment and technology, computer workstations as well as a greenhouse in the garden.
Q&A on greentech startups in Hamburg
1. Which business ideas come under the term “greentech”?
Greentech stands for all environment-friendly technologies and solutions that conserve resources, lower CO2 emissions and protect the environment. These include, for instance, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, the circular economy and environmental technologies.
2. Why is Hamburg attractive for greentech companies?
Hamburg offers an ideal combination of economic strength, innovation and a strong focus on sustainability. The city has a well-developed infrastructure, a flourishing economy and a vibrant startup scene. In addition, politics, business and society are committed to climate protection and the promotion of sustainable technologies and solutions.
3. What support is available for founders and companies in the greentech sector?
Startups in the greentech sector can benefit from a variety of funding opportunities. These include low-interest loans, grants, customised funding schemes and support with networking and market development.
Are you planning to found a greentech startup or do you have a startup idea that you would like to develop and test for marketability? The Startup City Hamburg website offers comprehensive information on consulting and funding opportunities.
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Hamburg: Startup hotspot promotes sustainability
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