The difficult economic situation is also leaving its mark on German startups. Currently, around one in ten startups (11 percent) fear insolvency in the next twelve months due to the economic situation. Almost half (45 percent) say that the situation for startups in Germany has worsened in the past two years. A year ago, the proportion was 30 percent. In contrast, only seven percent see a deterioration in the situation for their own startup. In 2023, the proportion was 14 percent. This is the result of a survey of 172 tech startups commissioned by Digital Association Bitkom stands out.
An improvement in the general situation of Startups 23 percent see this (2023: 30 percent). 26 percent of respondents see no change (2023: 33 percent). Regarding their own startup, however, 30 percent have noticed an improvement (2023: 36 percent). And 41 percent report an unchanged situation (2023: 44 percent).
"Founders are naturally confident, which is particularly evident when looking at their own company. However, the skeptical assessments of the general situation of startups should raise eyebrows,"
explains Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst.
"The federal government has set ambitious goals with regard to startup support and has already implemented several measures, such as improving employee participation and strengthening growth financing through the Growth Fund. Now that the economy has slowed, the federal government should expand its startup programs accordingly."
For example, the AI voucher announced in the federal government's startup strategy should be introduced promptly. This could support collaboration between SMEs and startups in artificial intelligence. Bitkom also recommends reversing the short-term cuts to the investment program for business angels that were made at the beginning of the year.
