Successful half-year results 2024
Berlin, 19 August 2024: Companies from all over the world continue to be drawn to Berlin. What’s more: Both existing companies and settlement projects want to continue investing in the location in the future. This is confirmed by the latest figures that Berlin Partner is now presenting in its half-year report. The capital’s business development agency can look back with satisfaction on a successful first half-year: In particular, the stable development of project numbers, the strong positioning as a startup metropolis and Fintech hotspot, but also the increased presence at international trade fairs, events and conferences reflect the attractiveness of Berlin as a location at national and international level.
The figures underlying the positive balance read promisingly: The companies supported by Berlin Partner in the first half of 2024 plan to invest a total of 650 million euros in their activities in the Spree metropolis. This corresponds to an increase of 54 per cent compared to the first half of 2023. The number of projects successfully completed by Berlin Partner in 2024 is 11 per cent higher than in the same period last year. Specifically, this means: A total of 208 successfully managed projects, of which 58 were new settlements, created 4,011 new jobs. Dr. Stefan Franzke, Managing Director of Berlin Partner, explains the good news from Berlin with the capital’s flexible economic orientation, despite the continuing crisis-ridden global situation and a noticeable investment slump in many places: “Despite the somewhat difficult environment, we are still doing well. Our advantage is: Berlin’s economy is based on several pillars and has the ability to use change as an opportunity.” This, adds Dr. Franzke, is demonstrated by major innovation projects such as the new Gene and Cell Therapy Centre, Siemens Square or the House of Finance and Tech. Nevertheless, the general trend towards smaller investment projects with lower volumes cannot be denied, even in Berlin.
In the area of research and development, there is also an interesting trend towards tax incentives for research at the expense of funding programmes such as the Federal government’s Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM). As a result, the number of investment projects in research and development supported by Berlin Partner fell by 39 per cent. An upward trend, however, can be seen in the Berlin startup scene. According to the Startup Association, the number of new companies founded rose by 28 percent in the first half of 2024. During this period, Berlin-based startups also received the most capital, with almost 1.1 billion euros, according to the EY Startup Barometer Germany, and were able to attract one in three financing rounds nationwide. Berlin startups also received a total of 283 million euros in venture capital in the Fintech sector, far ahead of other federal states. This corresponds to a strong market share of 88 percent. The founding of the House of Finance and Tech, in which Berlin Partner was also involved, emphasises Berlin’s pioneering role in the Fintech scene.
One of the keys to the economic success of the metropolis on the Spree are the free services provided by Berlin Partner. The business development agency supports companies with growth and settlement and was able to advise them with a total of 521 service packages in the first half of 2024. This resulted in 58 companies moving to the region, 64 per cent of which came from abroad. This is possible because the business development experts travel the world to trade fairs, delegation trips and pitch events to promote Berlin as an attractive business location. In the first half of 2024, Berlin Partner and Berlin company delegations were present at prestigious events in Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco, Austin (“Berlin goes SXSW”), Cannes, Paris (Viva Tech), Tokyo and Seoul (NextRise Seoul). Further internationalisation measures are already planned.
This means that Berlin is not only a good place to live, but also an excellent place to work. Entrepreneurs who want to benefit from the dynamism of the capital region and its many opportunities are in good hands in the Berlin Partner network – and are always welcome.
You can find further information on Berlin Partner’s half-year results 2024 in our press section.
Photos: Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft & Technologie / Photothek Media Lab
