Bavaria Surpasses Berlin in Start-Up Funding for the First Time

German start-ups raised €7 billion in 2024, with Bavaria leading the way thanks to a surge in AI-focused investments.

German start-ups secured €7 billion in venture capital in 2024, marking a 17% increase from the previous year and signaling recovery from a recent funding crisis.
Bavarian start-ups raised €2.33 billion, surpassing Berlin's €2.17 billion for the first time, driven by strong investments in AI and tech sectors.
München-based Helsing, specializing in AI for defense, received the largest funding nationwide at €450 million, with Berlin absent from the top 10 deals.
The number of new start-ups in Germany grew by 11% in 2024, reaching 2,766, as the industry stabilized following a downturn caused by rising interest rates.
Despite progress, German start-ups remain heavily reliant on foreign investors, with venture capital per capita significantly lower than in the U.S.