For the philosopher and publicist Richard David Precht Berlin is the "most relaxed metropolis in the western world", for others it is the "Silicon Valley of Europe". In recent years, the capital of Germany has developed into the most dynamic start-up metropolis in Germany. The website startup-berlin.com (one of many startup magazines) claims that "a new one is founded here every 20 minutes" - but this can be considered fake news, if you apply the criteria for a startup. The magazine gründerszene.de quantifies the founding rhythm (at least in pre-Corona times) far more realistically: "Every 14 hours a new start-up is founded in Berlin". (in 2018: about 450 new start-ups). Out of about 130 start-ups per month, about 37 are thus started in Berlin.
The reasons for Berlin's attractiveness in the start-up scene are manifold. Berlin undoubtedly has a veritable international scene, multi-culturalism is part of the urban culture, the city has an international reputation that also attracts international top talent (this statement comes from Janina Kugel, the head of human resources at Siemens); an international atmosphere where diversity is not out of the ordinary is particularly important for start-ups that recruit abroad (not least in view of the shortage of skilled workers). Despite strong rent increases, rents are still affordable compared to Munich or Frankfurt. The city also has a lively party and club scene and offers a change from the tough everyday life of a start-up team.
