The European Patent Office (EPO) recorded a record year in 2025 with over 200,000 patent applications, while Germany remained the second strongest country of origin worldwide with 24,476 patents. This is particularly relevant for Munich, as Bavaria leads the ranking of German states and the city maintains its position as Europe's most important patent hub.
Munich as the “patent capital” of Europe
The most striking finding of the current EPO Technology Dashboard 2025: Munich is not only Germany's leading patent location, but also the city with the most patent applications in Europe. This ensures the region remains a central hub for industrial research, deep-tech innovations, and technology-driven business models.
The fact that Bavaria ranks second in Europe with 6,628 patent applications (27.1 percent of the total German volume), surpassed only by Île-de-France, underscores the structural strength of Munich's ecosystem. In addition to large corporations and research institutions, startups, particularly in the deep tech sector, also benefit from this.
This Special status This results from the unusually close integration of global industrial corporations like Siemens, BMW, and Infineon with leading research institutions such as the Fraunhofer Society, the Technical University of Munich, and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, as well as a simultaneously rapidly growing deep-tech startup ecosystem. This combination ensures that patents are not only filed but also commercially exploited – often through spin-offs or close collaborations with startups.
Technology Trends: Relevance for Munich Startups
The strongest growth sector with direct relevance to startups is computer technology. Artificial intelligence (+9.5 percent across Europe), quantum technologies (+37.9 percent), and semiconductors (+7.6 percent) are developing particularly dynamically. Munich is considered one of the most important locations for these technologies in Europe and is home to numerous startups in these fields, for example, in the AI sector around Applied AI and the Technical University of Munich (TU Munich), in quantum computing with companies like Planqc and IQM Germany, and in the semiconductor and deep tech segment with players like Fazua. Celus.
Another key area is the technology field of electrical machines, devices, and energy, which grew by 5.3 percent and is gaining momentum particularly due to advances in battery technologies (+14.6 percent). This development is especially relevant for Munich-based startups in the fields of climate technology, energy infrastructure, and e-mobility, which benefit from the increasing innovation activity and the associated market opportunities.
Despite a decline, Germany remains a leader in the transport sector (17.6 percent share in Europe). For Munich, this translates into not only strong proximity to automotive innovations and important interfaces for mobility startups, but also continued high patent activity among suppliers and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
Who dominates the patent landscape?
The top applicants are primarily large corporations. Globally, companies like Samsung, Huawei, and LG are at the forefront. In Germany, big names like... Siemens (6th place) and BASF (8th place). The Fraunhofer Society is considered a leading European research institution. A particular feature for Munich is that the Fraunhofer Institutes and corporate headquarters act as technology providers and drivers of spin-offs for startups.
The unified patent is gaining importance – an opportunity for startups
The unitary patent, introduced in 2023, will reach a usage rate of 28.7 percent by 2025; in Germany, it will be even higher at 37.6 percent. For startups, this means significantly simplified patent protection in up to 18 EU member states, lower costs and less bureaucracy, as well as better conditions for the rapid scaling of technology-driven business models in the European market.
