Overview
- A total of 3,568 growth companies were founded in 2025, up 29% year over year and above the previous 2021 peak.
- Artificial intelligence featured in 27% of new business models, with software the largest sector at 853 new firms.
- Bavaria led in absolute numbers with 785 start-ups, followed by North Rhine-Westphalia (658) and Berlin (619), while Munich ranked first per capita with 19.3 per 100,000 residents.
- Saxony posted the fastest growth rate at 56%, with strong gains in Bavaria (46%) and North Rhine-Westphalia (33%), reflecting momentum beyond traditional hubs and strength in research-linked cities.
- Funding conditions eased late in the year as roughly €2 billion flowed in Q4 2025, reported start-up insolvencies fell about 11%, and observers still warn of scaling challenges.