Heidelberg, July 9, 2025 – Heidelberg continues to rank among Germany’s top cities for startups. According to recent figures published by the German Startup Association, the city recorded 13.4 startups per 100,000 inhabitants over the past twelve months. This places Heidelberg second nationwide, just behind Munich (13.5) and ahead of Berlin (13.2).
This outstanding ranking underscores Heidelberg’s attractiveness and innovative strength as a research-driven location. The Heidelberg Technology Park plays a key role in this ecosystem. With its close proximity to world-class research institutions such as Heidelberg University, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and several Max Planck Institutes, the city offers a fertile ground for knowledge-based startups.
“Success attracts success,” explains Thomas Prexel from Heidelberg Technology Park. “Where established companies thrive, young startups often follow and benefit from their experience and infrastructure.”
Heidelberg is particularly strong in the software and life sciences sectors. In 2024, the city was recognized as a “Startup-Friendly Municipality” by the state of Baden-Württemberg – a reflection of the excellent conditions for founding and scaling businesses, supported in large part by the programs and services of Heidelberg Technology Park.
Nationwide, the startup scene is also on the rise: In the first half of 2025, 1,500 new startups were founded in Germany – a 9% increase compared to the second half of 2024. If this trend continues, the total number of new startups in 2025 could surpass 3,000 for the first time since 2021.
Heidelberg Technology Park welcomes this development and remains committed to empowering innovative minds in launching, growing, and connecting their ventures.
The full article can be found in the RNZ.
