Start-ups in Germany – growth and exit pathways through venture capital

Start-ups are engines of innovation and drivers of growth for the German economy. More than 2,500 start-ups were founded in Germany in 2024 and the positive trend from the previous year carried over into the first half of 2025. Venture capital (VC) is an important source of funding for start-ups with a particular growth potential. Around 16% of start-ups founded in Germany since 2005 have so far been funded with VC. These businesses embark on a steeper growth path than start-ups not funded with VC. Successful exits after VC-funded growth are often international, with 57% of acquisitions and 44% of IPOs of German start-ups taking place abroad, especially in the US. Strengthening domestic exit routes therefore remains a key economic-policy issue.

Start-ups in Germany – growth and exit pathways through venture capital(PDF, 352 KB, accessible)

Press release

Further information on Venture Capital