Half-year balance of the Economic Develop-ment Agency Berlin Partner for Business and Technology

Berlin remains on the road to success: Despite the weakening economy in Germany, the capital continues to hold its own. Economic and employment growth are developing above average in a national comparison - even in these difficult times. Companies and startups from all over the world continue to be drawn to Berlin. In the first half of 2023 alone, 44 companies settled on the Spree; more than half of them come from abroad. Investments in research and development in particular have developed extremely positively: At EUR 159.7 million, there was an increase of 119 percent (compared to EUR 72.8 million in the first half of 2022). The clusters of transport, mobility and logistics (EUR 39.7 million) and optics and photonics (with EUR 36.7 million) are benefiting in particular. Among the 187 projects that Berlin Partner successfully managed by the end of June 2023 - an increase of 44 percent - 5455 new jobs were created. In addition, companies will invest around EUR 421 million in the Berlin location; by far the most favoured of these is the ICT Media and Creative Industries cluster (with EUR 152 million).

Science and research location Berlin

Science and research are the tradition and future of Berlin. The 119 per cent increase in investment in research and development in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year can also be attributed to this. The science region of Berlin with its internationally renowned universities and research institutions is one of the largest in Europe and a source of inspiration for Berlin's innovative economy. Here, there is intensive cooperation between science and business in a wide range of networks and close cooperation opportunities, including at the eleven Berlin Zukunftsorte, which house a large part of Berlin's technology and start-up centres. The proximity to colleges and universities is also an important argument for companies, as that is where the talents of tomorrow are trained.

Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises: "187 settlement projects and expansion projects this year alone mean a further boost for Berlin as a business location and more than 5,000 new jobs. This is backed by successful business development and committed teams from Berlin Partner, who promote our location worldwide and closely support the investments. The figures for the first half of the year clearly show that Berlin remains a magnet for investment even in a tense overall situation in Germany. That is an encouraging sign: Berlin is thus a driving force for the German economy. This is especially true for innovation-driven companies that rely heavily on research and development and thus invest in the future. We support this development in a targeted manner and are working consistently to become the number 1 innovation location in Europe. We are consciously focusing on a strong welcoming culture for businesses, on investments in the necessary transformation of the economy and we are accelerating the expansion of fibre optics for fast internet. These are important measures to ensure that Berlin will continue to be successful in recruiting talent and companies in the future.”

Dr Stefan Franzke, CEO, Berlin Partner: "In the process of transformation we are in right now, Berlin's entrepreneurs are showing great dynamism and also that they can deal with challenges. This also explains why Berlin is comparatively in a good position. The attractiveness of the business location and its adaptability continue to be good arguments for numerous companies who then see their future on the Spree. As Berlin Partner, we are pleased to be able to play an active role in this development and to support companies as a reliable helper, from setting up and securing a location, to researching suitable funding opportunities.”

Startups

Alongside London, Berlin is and remains the most important start-up location in Europe, in which investors believe and where they invest the most money. Measured in terms of the venture capital that flows into the city, Berlin is already top: Start-ups in the federal capital were able to close 38 percent of all financing rounds counted in this country, and 47 percent of German venture capital went to Berlin. The start-up scene remains dynamic. The number of start-ups increased by about 40 per cent in the first half of 2023 compared to the second half of last year. In addition, Berlin was able to further expand its position as a FinTech capital. 76 percent of the total capital of EUR 286 million invested in the FinTech/InsurTech sector in Germany was received by Berlin start-ups. The capital is number 1 for companies that build their business model on the digitalisation of the financial system.

Berlin Partner's Business Location Center

The Business Location Center is there to successfully support companies and founders with settling, expansions and technology transfer. There, national and international companies that are interested in Berlin as a business location or would like to expand here can find the information they need to make a location decision. With the help of the economic atlas, all information on Berlin's urban area can be accessed virtually: What public transport is nearby, where are technology centres and project developments located, where are start-ups or coworking spaces, what is the situation regarding development plans, are there daycare centres or scientific institutions close by? The entire city area, including Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, is currently being flown over and photographed from the air for the Berlin Economic Atlas. The cartographic representation is updated regularly.

You can find more information and graphics on Berlin Partner’s half-year results for 2023 at:
www.berlin-partner.de/presse.

Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie – We work for innovation and growth!
The business development company Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie is Berlin’s service provider for growth and innovation. Berlin Partner supports companies and investors in their move to Berlin and in their development in this city. Berlin Partner’s experts provide information on financing options, advise on finding suitable premises or qualified personnel and help build networks with partners from the world of science. The State of Berlin and more than 230 companies committed to promoting their city stand behind Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie as a unique public/private partnership. Berlin Partner is also responsible for marketing the German capital worldwide. www.berlin-partner.de