Overview

• Germany’s startup sector seeks to capitalize on U.S. political uncertainty under Donald Trump to attract more foreign entrepreneurs.
• Immigrant founders account for 14% of all startup founders in Germany and 23% of unicorn founders, with over 90% holding university degrees.
• A study reveals systemic challenges such as slow visa processes, language barriers, and high taxation, which hinder Germany’s competitiveness.
• Two-thirds of surveyed founders find U.S. conditions more appealing, citing lower taxes, faster immigration processes, and greater linguistic openness.
• The Startup Association is urging policymakers to implement faster visa approvals, multilingual support, and a more international focus to strengthen Germany’s global appeal.