The Federal Association of German Innovation, Technology and Incubator Centers has now collected current figures on startup activity as of 12/2022 and recorded a decline. The number of startups supported by the centers fell from 5,240 to 4,830 (-8 percent). This relates both to start-ups in the centers (new tenants) and to externally advised start-ups. This development thus also confirms the trend in startup activity nationwide KfW Start-up Monitor .

In contrast, the number of startups and tenant companies located in the centers stagnated, although the number of jobs - as in previous years - continued to rise (+360). The reason for this is further growth, or expansion, of the young companies in the centers. Accordingly, the utilization of rental space in most centers also remains very high.

According to the Green Startup Monitor 2023, environmental sustainability becomes more and more important for startups. Thus, the share of green startups has clearly increased compared to the previous year and reached a new high of 35 percent of total startup activity. This is also confirmed by the innovation centers: Green technologies are on the rise and green technology development and production are the most important business model of green startups with 30 percent.

In addition to green technologies and the major areas of climate protection, energy efficiency and resource conservation, biotechnologies & life sciences, mobility, and big data & artificial intelligence are other industries that are seeing increased startups and growth. Particularly in these innovative sectors, the Centers and their partners in the startup ecosystems offer competent support to startups with new technologies as well as spin-offs from research institutions and universities.

With the Startup Area, HANNOVER MESSE will again offer these innovative companies an ideal platform for networking with industry at the upcoming trade fair from 22 to 26 April 2024. In 2022, more than 300 young companies participated in the Startup Area.

HANNOVER MESSE Startups