With 3,568 newly founded startups in Germany, a new high was reached in 2025. This represents an increase of 29% compared to 2024 and is more than in the previous record year of 2021. The trend is also positive in Hamburg, with an increase of 26%. These statements are based on the latest data from the report series ‘Next Generation’, published by the German Startup Association in collaboration with startupdetector.
Munich leads the way, Hamburg also growing
Bavaria recorded the most new foundings with 785 (247 more than in the previous year), followed by North Rhine-Westphalia with 658 (+164) and Berlin with 619 (+121). In Hamburg, 203 startups made their debut, 42 more than in the previous year. In the ranking of federal states by foundings per 100,000 inhabitants, the Hanseatic city ranks second behind Berlin (16.8) with a figure of 10.9.
Looking at startups in German cities, founders in Munich are even more active, with a score of 19.3. This consolidates the Bavarian capital's status as Germany's new startup capital. Düsseldorf is new to third place in this ranking, with a score of 15.4.
The software boom continues across all industries. By 2024, growth had already reached 33% compared to the previous year, and by 2025 it had risen to 38%, representing an increase from 618 to 853 new foundings. Artificial intelligence is the driving factor here, which is also making itself felt in other industries. Almost 56% of startups involved in advertising rely on AI, and in the LegalTech sector the figure is just under 51%. With 428 startups, medicine is the industry with the second-highest number of foundings, followed by food with 295, which represents an increase of 80% over the previous year. Another encouraging trend can be seen in insolvencies, which fell by 11% from 344 to 311 compared to 2024.
