The difficult economic situation of the past few months has also affected the startup scene. According to a recent survey by Digital association Bitkom German startups currently have an average of 13 employees. A year ago, this figure was 15. This represents a decrease of two employees within twelve months.
Despite this development, the signs are now pointing toward recovery. On average, each startup surveyed currently has two vacancies to fill. This indicates a trend toward new hiring that could lead the industry back into a growth phase.
The data is based on a survey of 152 tech startups in Germany. The survey was conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the digital association. While the survey is not representative, it nevertheless provides a meaningful snapshot of the mood within the tech industry.
Bitkom-President Ralf Wintergerst says:
"The general economic uncertainty left its mark on many startups. Now, the signs point to growth again, even in terms of employment numbers."
Founders expect growth
The vast majority of founders surveyed are optimistic about the future. Three-quarters (75 percent) of startups expect their employee count to increase in 2025. Only 2 percent anticipate a decline. This indicates that the startup industry is focusing on expanding its workforce, even though the economic environment remains characterized by uncertainty.
The survey questions aimed to determine the current number of employees, including founders, quantify open positions, and provide a forecast for the current year. The results provide insight into the expectations of young tech companies and show that HR issues are once again becoming more of a focus for many founders.
