Berlin’s Startup scene is much more than being Europe’s ‘Silicon Allee’
Berlin is one of the leading startup hubs of Europe. The city is already attracting many visitors all around the world with its rich history and the diverse culture. Also, the local startup scene is growing bigger with young internationals and hi-tech entrepreneurs joining in. According to the McKinsey & Company report, Berlin’s growing startup sector could create 40,000 new jobs by 2020. Berlin’s young and vibrant startup culture make the city comparable with San Francisco’s Silicon Valley. In the meanwhile, Google and many other multinational companies already opened new offices there. Looking around, one can see all the perks of silicon valley — millennials on scooters, shared workspace, 3D printing stations. But, Berlin has a lot more than that with a unique identity. We are already very much excited about our next Capital On Stage event in Berlin which will take place on May 11. So, let’s dive into the unique startup scene of Berlin, in a city much more than being Europe’s ‘Silicon Allee’:
- History
After the second world war, the political climate in Berlin was playing a huge role shaping the world history. The division of the city as East Berlin and West Berlin also affected the structure of the city and the lifestyle within. Anyone who visits Berlin could realize the historical remnants of the events back then. Combining modern with traditional, Berlin has its unique urban lifestyle. Most of the startups and hi-tech companies are located in these areas where one can experience the unique street culture where east meets west.
2. International Level
Berlin is full of international expats and techies. Also, having the second highest Startup Experience rating in Europe based on the Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking, Berlin attracts founders and investors all over the world. There is no need to be fluent in German if you want to work in Berlin. Most of the companies work and communicate in English as they have strong ties with businesses who are there for a global playing field. So, almost everyone on the street speaks English. Looking at the investments, even though a new startup is being founded almost every 20 minutes on average, there is a lack of interest by local investors.
3. Work — life balance
One thing that is quite different in Berlin than Silicon Valley is working hours, for sure. Mostly, Berliners don’t work overtime, and the work-life balance is quite important. On the other hand, meeting with your team mates at one of the fancy cafes or bars in Kreuzberg or Mitte and talking about work is quite a common thing in Berlin. If you are looking for a place to kick your caffeine level, Milch und Zucker in Kreuzberg could be a relaxed place for working on your creative projects. Also, if you are in for something fancier, Soho House is a nice bar for networking as well as meeting and chilling with your colleagues.
4. The low cost of living
Living in Berlin is not very expensive. If you are a young expat looking for starting your own business, you can save some money in advance. Also, startups have a high chance of hiring promising team members, and of course many graduates and young expats are constantly looking for job opportunities. Berlin has a young population thanks to its top class engineering and business universities. Especially the creative industry attracts and inspires these young people to become future’s hi-tech professionals and CEOs.
5. Global events and Conferences
Being a famous tech hub, Berlin hosts a lot of international events and conferences every year. Techies and startups as well as investors meet and make meaningful connections through these meetings. We have the news! On May 11, Capital On Stage is coming to Berlin to disrupt the local tech scene — for the fourth time. Investors such as Michael Sidler of Redalpine Venture Partners, Kyrill Zlobenko of Seedrs, and Stefan Schuetze of FinLab as well as many founders from Germany and all around the world will be joining us in Berlin. If you are also looking for making meaningful connections, apply now via Capital On Stage website!
