The “Next Generation” report, published every six months by the German Startup Association and startupdetector, shows record figures for the first half of 2026. According to the survey, 3,053 new startups were founded in Germany between January and June. This represents a 52% increase compared with the second half of 2025. In Hamburg, growth was as high as 83%. One of the reasons for the boom is the rapidly growing influence of AI on business models.
© Deutscher Startup Verband
More startups were founded in Hamburg than in Munich
The 3,053 new startups represent the highest half-yearly figure recorded since surveys began in 2019. It even exceeds the total number for most calendar years during this period; in 2024, for example, it was only 2,766. The positive trend applies to all 16 federal states. In terms of absolute figures, Bavaria leads with 626 (+ 202), ahead of North Rhine-Westphalia with 539 (+ 168). Berlin remains strong with 429 startups, although this is only 74 more than in the previous half-year, representing an increase of 21%. Hamburg shows a significantly higher figure here; the increase from 116 to 212 – a rise of 83% – is surpassed only by Bremen (+ 109%) and Schleswig-Holstein (+ 108%), although these play only a minor role in terms of absolute figures.
Munich recorded 208 new foundings, placing it just behind Hamburg for the first time since 2023. However, when looking at the number of fresh startups per 100,000 inhabitants, the Bavarian capital is slightly ahead of the Hanseatic city, with 13.8 compared to 11.3. Berlin stands at 11.6.
A key factor behind the dynamic growth – which reached an all-time high in June with 618 new foundings – is easier access to AI. 1,038 of the startups recorded have a clear link to AI, more than one in three and more than in the whole of 2025. Consequently, ‘Software’ dominates the sector breakdown with 844 foundings and a 79% increase. This is followed by ‘Medicine’ with 274 (+ 21%) and ‘Food’ with 181 (+ 7%). Of particular note is the 125% growth in the ‘Industry’ sector to 128. All top 10 sectors show a positive trend. The startup boom is therefore not solely attributable to the rise of AI. A greater willingness to take entrepreneurial risks on the one hand, and the tight labour market on the other, may be further reasons.
“Over 3,000 new startups in six months – Germany has never seen such founding momentum before. AI significantly lowers the barriers to setting up a business, and more and more people are seizing this opportunity. For the startup boom to turn into a growth boom, policymakers must now deliver on the issue of capital – otherwise, the ideas will be born here but the champions will emerge elsewhere.”
Verena Pausder, Chairwoman of the Startup Association
