Tomorrow's champions are expanding today to THE Start-up LÄND. The German Southwest is Europe’s leading innovation hub - especially in the fields of mobility, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and healthcare. Its start-up ecosystem is characterised by strong networks of cooperation partners such as established global companies, other start-ups, potential customers and the science sector. Therefore, Baden-Württemberg is the perfect environment for start-up founders who want to take their business to the next level. Curious how Baden-Württemberg supports international start-ups? Find out below!
THE Start-up LÄND at a Glance
Baden-Württemberg offers a total of twelve regional start-up ecosystems with different industry focuses across a large and populous state. What this means for you: you are sure to find the right place to access cooperation partners in your sector and experts on your specific topics and issues.
For more information and ecosystem contacts, please contact BW_i, your one-stop-agency for all questions about your access to Baden-Württemberg.
Why THE Start-up LÄND?
Baden-Württemberg is one of the leading economic regions in both Germany and Europe, with large-scale enterprises such as Mercedes-Benz Group, Porsche, Bosch, Festo and SAP as well as thousands of successful small and medium-sized companies with innovative capacity and inventive spirit, with high productivity and a low unemployment rate. A fantastic location for you to invest in!
Top 5 reasons to come to Baden-Württemberg
The German Southwest is the number one innovation region in Europe. Nowhere else are new products and procedures invented more meticulously than here. As much as 5.8 percent of Baden-Württemberg’s GDP is invested in research and development (year 2019), which puts the region in a top position in Germany and Europe. Nowhere else in Germany are as many patents per person applied for than here (123 patent applications per 100.000 inhabitants). Numerous inventions from Baden-Württemberg have changed the world: the automobile was invented here, as well as everyday objects such as folders, matches, photo copiers, dowels, the power drill and even the ski lift!
More than 400,000 SMEs, Mid-Caps and global players such as Mercedes-Benz Group, Porsche, SAP, Bosch and Festo call Baden-Württemberg their home. About one third of all German world market leaders are located in the German Southwest.
And that’s not all. Situated in the heart of Europe, Baden-Württemberg is your premium gateway to the markets of the EU with about 447 million customers.
Baden-Württemberg not only offers attractive working conditions; its workforce is competent and highly motivated. THE Start-up LÄND is one of Europe’s leading technology regions with the highest density of engineers in Germany and a high share of employees in high technology and future-oriented industries.
A multi-layered, differentiated cluster landscape with around 110 cluster initiatives and state-wide networks has emerged in Baden-Württemberg in recent years. Cluster initiatives and state-wide networks are a strong instrument for, and important partners in supporting start-ups. These networks allow you to quickly connect with all the relevant players in your industry or technological field.
Baden-Württemberg occupies leading positions in the industries that typify the German Southwest, such as mechanical engineering, aerospace technology, the automotive and healthcare sectors, and information and communication technologies. It also boasts great growth potential with future technologies: artificial intelligence, quantum computing, smart and sustainable urban development, green technology and more.
How to get started?
Are you looking to establish and grow your business in THE Start-up LÄND?
If you do, the state agency Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i) is exactly the right contact for you. As a one-stop-agency, BW_i provides personal, responsive, uncomplicated and free assistance to foreign start-ups on their journey to settling in Baden-Württemberg. For more information and contact details, please visit the BW_i website.
Services include
Everything you need to know about Baden-Württemberg as a business location. The investor portal www.bw-invest.de provides you with detailed information on the industries of today and the technologies of the future, as well as the regions of Baden-Württemberg. The database on this website gives you access to approximately 20,000 companies in Baden-Württemberg that are open to potential collaboration.
Helping you to locate the right partners to take your business forward, from advisors and business angels to hubs and co-working spaces.
The location database Baden-Württemberg provides you with an at-a-glance overview of the region, giving you the insight you need to understand and make the most of your future home.
Support in administrative procedures (including relevant legal and tax frameworks), allowing you to hit the ground running and focus on the things that are important to you and the change you want to make.
Connecting start-ups with important players such as investors and government contacts, creating a networked economy in which the right kind of support allows start-ups to flourish in a fast-changing world.
Start-up BW Summit
The Start-up BW Summit is THE highlight of THE Start-up LÄND calendar. Start-ups, representatives of start-up ecosystems, companies as well as investors from THE Start-up LÄND, Germany, Europe and the world meet at the summit. Participants benefit from pitching and networking opportunities with a wide spectrum of professionals.
The next Start-up BW Summit will take place in the summer of 2025. All relevant information will be published on this website and sent directly to our partners. We would love to see you there!
Start-up Events | Calendar
Frequent and regular events offer you a platform to make your first contacts in Baden-Württemberg and to network with local players. This calendar gives you an overview of the events offered by the state ministries, by partners, and by players in regional ecosystems.