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The anniversary edition of the Hamburg Innovation Summit was an event of superlatives. More visitors than ever came to the Oberhafenquartier to find out about the latest developments in business and science in the Hanseatic city and to network with like-minded innovation drivers. Startups also played an important role on the stages and in several exhibitions.

© Mathias Jäger/Hamburg Startups: Economics Senator Dr Melanie Leonhard, host Martina Offeh and Science Senator Maryam Blumenthal
© Mathias Jäger/Hamburg Startups: Economics Senator Dr Melanie Leonhard, host Martina Offeh and Science Senator Maryam Blumenthal

Promising projects create a spirit of optimism

The first Hamburg Innovation Summit took place ten years ago. To give as many people as possible the opportunity to celebrate this anniversary, tickets were free in 2025. With well over 3,000 registrations, the six event halls and the outdoor area were packed, especially in the morning, which was certainly helped by the pleasant summer weather. One of the aims of the summit is to present Hamburg as an attractive centre of innovation and to spread a spirit of optimism. This was not too difficult for Economics Senator Dr Melanie Leonhard and the new Science Senator Maryam Blumenthal, as they were able to report on a number of promising and already successful projects.

The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space has just announced funding for the construction of Petra IV, the world's most powerful 4D X-ray microscope. A total of four innovation parks is currently under construction, and the one in Finkenwerder is already in operation. In these facilities, which are located in the immediate vicinity of existing research and technology centres, innovators can put their ideas into practice. The development of quantum computers, where numerous stakeholders are ensuring that Hamburg plays a leading role in this technology, was also one of the central topics, and not just at the panel with the senators.

© Mathias Jäger/Hamburg Startups: Hamburg's First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher has the exoskeleton from exoIQ explained to him.
© Mathias Jäger/Hamburg Startups: Hamburg's First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher has the exoskeleton from exoIQ explained to him.

The mayor on a visit to startups

Startups were able to present themselves at several pitches and expos. Hamburg's First Mayor visited some of them during his press tour. At the BLUU Seafood stand, for example, he learnt about cell-based fish, which could make an important contribution to nutrition in the future. As a medical professional, he was particularly interested in the exoskeleton from exoIQ, which can make strenuous physical labour easier, and the organoids from mo:re. These cell cultures, which reproduce organs, can make animal experiments superfluous in many cases.

© Mathias Jäger/Hamburg Startups: the team of NoscAI and Petra Vorsteher of AI.GROUP
© Mathias Jäger/Hamburg Startups: the team of NoscAI and Petra Vorsteher of AI.GROUP

Migration history as a success factor

The Startup Stage programme was specifically geared towards the interests of startups. A panel in which international founders had their say was particularly informative. They reported on the resistance they often face simply because of their name and the rampant bureaucracy in Germany, but also on the great willingness to help in Hamburg. In addition, their outsider role strengthens characteristics such as resilience, ambition and perseverance which are important especially in the startup world. Here, people with a history of migration are playing an increasingly important role, as demonstrated by the founders of NoscAI. They won the AI Innovation Award, which was presented at the end of the Hamburg Innovation Summit. NoscAI aims to revolutionise medical care with the help of artificial intelligence. The startup is thus active in the fields of AI and life science, in which Hamburg also continues to make its mark. There are therefore many realistic reasons for the optimism spread by the summit.


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Startup City Hamburg

At Startup City Hamburg you can find Hamburg’s inspiring startup ecosystem gathered into one space.


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