Hotspots for founders: Startup hubs in Hamburg
Hamburg's startup scene is booming. Thanks to its unique geographical location, strong economic network and innovation-friendly atmosphere, the Hanseatic city has become a leading startup centre. The specialised startup hubs that promote industry innovations in Hamburg and support founders are particularly exciting. We present six of the most important hubs in the city and the opportunities offered.
Factory Hammerbrooklyn - progressive network for innovative startups
The Factory Hammerbrooklyn in the district of Hammerbrook is far more than just a co-working space. It offers companies and startups in a wide range of industries an inspiring environment with its focus on digital transformation and innovation. Factory Hammerbrooklyn is a branch of Factory Berlin and maintains a lively interaction with this community. The dynamic hub in the light-flooded "Digital Pavilion" - an inspiring remnant of EXPO 2015 - focuses on collaboration and diversity. Innovative approaches are created through collaboration between startups, established companies and creative minds.
• Community: You can work on groundbreaking projects within the framework of interdisciplinary synergies and benefit from the expertise in the community.
• Flexible working areas: The bright premises are optimally designed to meet the needs of startups and offer meeting rooms, enough space for a variety of events and large terraces, among others.
• Programs & Services: Regular events and networking events give you an opportunity to present your startup widely, learn from leading minds and get to know potential investors and clients.
Start-up Labs Bahrenfeld - infrastructure for deep-tech startups
Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld is an up-and-coming science and technology hotspot making it ideal for researchers and engineers who want to set up a deep tech or scientific service company in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. Located in the immediate vicinity of renowned research institutions such as DESY and the University of Hamburg, the Start-up Labs Bahrenfeld will help startups with a research-driven physics or biophysics background. Research partnerships with world-leading institutes make it particularly attractive.
• Community: A strong community of founders, scientists and entrepreneurs enables fruitful synergies. The DESY Start-up Office acts as a central point of contact and provides support through its own makerspace.
• Infrastructure: You will also find complex laboratory and workshop space in the Start-up Labs Bahrenfeld.
• Programs and services: Start-up Labs Bahrenfeld offers access to fellowship programs that promote the exchange of knowledge between research and startups. Regular seminars and conferences are part of the program. Hackathons and startup competitions boost the exchange and development of new ideas.
Impact Hub Hamburg - sustainable business ideas for the common good
The Impact Hub Hamburg, on Gänsemarkt in Hamburg, is part of a network of over one hundred Impacts in 65 countries. The hub brings together founders who want to make a positive change to the city and its surroundings through sustainability and social change, creating a future that is worth living in for everyone. To this end, the hub offers an exchange of ideas, knowledge transfer and a fruitful network. The shared vision is an economy that focuses on financial profit, and a measurable, positive impact on society and the environment.
• Flexible working: Co-working space including rooms for workshops and meetings
• Events and activities: As a hub member, you have free or discounted access to events. There are also exclusive community events.
• Global network: The hub provides access to a global network that promotes business relationships for sustainable impact.
AI.STARTUP.HUB Hamburg - concentrated know-how around artificial intelligence
Is Artificial intelligence one of the main aspects of your business model? If so, north German startups will find ideal conditions in the AI.STARTUP.HUB Hamburg: targeted support, in-depth expertise from various sectors and extensive opportunities for further development. On the one hand, the hub offers the AI Ideation Program for individuals or teams with an AI-based business idea in the pre-foundation phase. The second is the Accelerator Program for existing startups that seek expand and grow their market. Each round concludes with a festive graduation ceremony, during which participants present their projects and the progress they have made over the past six months. This is a very popular event in the startup scene.
Support in all development phases: The qualification and funding schemes offer founders and startup teams individual support and mentoring from idea generation through incubation and scaling to internationalisation.
Mentor program: Startups gain access to experienced experts from business, science and technology. The mentors accompany the teams with practical support on business topics and deep-tech challenges.
Specialised ecosystem: The AI.STARTUP.HUB Hamburg brings together leading startups and AI stakeholders from north Germany and those in German and international AI hotspots.
Foodlab - Indulgence paradise and playground for food start-ups
The centrally located foodlab has a direct link to Hamburg’s catering scene. It is also a unique incubator for the food and beverage industry. Foodlab is ideal for associated startups and founders and brings their products and services to market maturity. Whether you are developing a new catering concept, innovative food or sustainable packaging, foodlab offers comprehensive support. The proximity to other founders and experts creates an inspiring atmosphere that boosts innovation and interaction. Industry-specific networking events, pitch days for the public and partnerships with food retailers open up a wide range of growth opportunities for you.
• Test kitchens: Use fully equipped kitchens to try out your ideas.
• Co-working space: Open co-working for community, mutual inspiration and support.
• Cooking area: A suitable space for content production and communal cooking experiences.
• Market access: You can obtain direct feedback from consumers via the connected pop-up restaurant.
• Programs and services: The foodlab organises a multi-month gastro accelerator scheme with workshops, pitch events and feedback sessions for founders in the early phase of product development. The scheme is supplemented by production days on which founders can test their prototypes in realistic conditions. A special highlight is the monthly Expert Talks, which provide a platform for founders and industry experts.
Digital Hub Hamburg - Booster for startups in logistics and retail
Hamburg is a globally important logistics hub. Enter the Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce. This hub offers your innovative logistics and retail startup a platform for developing and testing technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT and blockchain. At the Digital Hub, established retail and logistics companies work side by side with startups, investors and research institutions to advance the digital transformation of industry in Hamburg and Germany. Its partners include well-known companies such as Shell, Volkswagen Group Logistics, Tchibo, HHLA Next, Otto Group and Lufthansa Industry Solutions. There are also collaborations with the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), the Artifical Intelligence Center Hamburg (ARIC) and Hamburg's universities and colleges. The 3,000 square meter co-working space in the Speicherstadt caters to over 100 startups. The Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce's member network includes many companies outside Hamburg that benefit from the hub's concentrated industry expertise.
• Network: Access to a broad network of established companies, research institutions and investors.
• Infrastructure: Modern co-working spaces and test environments for logistics applications.
• Programs and services: Among other things, the Digital Hub Logistics and Commerce offers a Boostcamp lasting several days, which helps startups bring their products to market quickly. Specialised coaching to optimise business models, a variety of networking events and talks with representatives of established logistics companies are among the key offerings. The annual HubDay, offers a varied and curated program on several stages in one day.
Quotes
Annabelle Dirks
Startups & Business Development at the Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce
We spoke to Annabelle Dirks about the comprehensive range of services and the special advantages of the Digital Hub Logistics and Commerce. She is responsible for Startup Management and Business Development at the Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce:
Annabelle, how long has your hub been around and why?
Annabelle: The hub was founded in 2018 as part of the German Digital Hub Initiative. So far, this German initiative has encouraged large companies, SMEs and startups to work with scientists and investors to drive forward the digital transformation of Germany's leading industries. The Digital Hub Hamburg is one of 25 hubs across Germany. We started out as a tenant in the Mindspace co-working space and now operate from our 3,200 square meter space in Hamburg's Speicherstadt historical warehouse district.
Annabelle: We currently have 180 startup members, but not all of them are based in Hamburg. We also offer membership packages for startups that do not necessarily include a space in our co-working space. This membership variant offers access to internal hub events many of which also take place digitally, targeted matching with other startups and corporate members, entries on our website and the de:hub initiative as well as free tickets to national and international trade fairs and events.
How many workstations do you offer and what type?
Annabelle: We rent out 120 fixed office spaces on site as well as many flexible desks. As our startups offer and develop digital business models, we provide several high-performance servers in co-operation with Artificial Intelligence Center Hamburg (ARIC). If a startup needs a larger hall or special workshop conditions for special purposes, for example, we cooperate with the appropriate network partners, such as Homeport.
What makes you different from other hubs in Hamburg?
Annabelle: Our focus is exclusively on logistics and commerce. Our community of passionate logistics experts thrives on regular personal interaction. We hold at least one monthly event and bring representatives of our corporate partners together with startups.
What specific support do the startups renting space from you receive and why?
Annabelle: In addition to the usual support such as advice, coaching, presentation opportunities, matching sessions, events and more, we create regular in-house events during which startups and corporates can meet on a trusting and equal footing. This exchange is particularly important to us because innovative ideas and projects can only emerge on an absolutely equal footing. That's what makes our community so special.
Annabelle: In 2018, one of the first startups to join the hub was ShipZero , which cuts CO2 emissions during freight transport and completed its Series A financing round in 2024. Our members also include the Munich-based startup FERNRIDE, which received millions in funding in 2023 and in which HHLA is one of the investors. FERNRIDE equips trucks and tractor units with a remote-control system that could compensate for the shortage of truck drivers in the Port of Hamburg, for example, and thus save a lot of money.
Which highlight in your hub would you like to tell us about?
Annabelle: Our annual HUB Day is always a very special experience for members, network partners and interested visitors: HubDay offers a varied and curated one-day program on several stages. There are insights from inspiring speakers and numerous networking opportunities. We also offer events that can provide valuable insights from outside our industry. We have invited e.g., a church rector to speak about the meaning of community in 2024.
Hamburg's various startup hubs offer a wealth of opportunities tailored to founders’ needs. Whether your startup is in logistics, food, digital innovations or deep tech, you will find the perfect environment in Hamburg to turn your vision into reality. Seize the potential of these hubs and become part of a dynamic and supportive community. Exciting opportunities await you in Hamburg. Take the first step!
