Berlin Partner Midyear Report 2025
Companies continue to invest in Berlin despite ongoing challenges, as shown by the latest midyear figures from the city’s economic development agency. The results send a clear signal of growth and innovation, strengthening Berlin’s standing as one of Europe’s leading hubs for business and innovation.
Midyear figures
Investment activity showed particularly strong momentum. In the first half of 2025, companies supported by Berlin Partner announced plans to invest €668 million in the capital – holding steady at the same high level as the previous year. The largest shares came from the healthcare (€218 million) and services (€165 million) clusters. A clear majority, 76%, came from companies already based in Berlin, while 24% went into business relocation projects.
Berlin Partner reported a total of 163 successful projects, including 48 new business relocations. More than half of these newcomers came from within Germany, followed by the United States (4), the United Kingdom (3), and the Netherlands and Turkey (2 each). Altogether, the projects represent 5,129 jobs: 2,627 newly created and 2,502 secured. Safeguarding existing positions is becoming increasingly important as companies undergo restructuring and strategic realignment. Through targeted measures – such as investment support, technological modernization, location decisions and public funding – Berlin Partner helps ensure that jobs can be retained in the capital.
In research and development, 56 innovation projects of supported by Berlin Partner – involving companies, universities and research institutions – amounted to nearly 67€ million in the first half of 2025. That figure was 31% lower than the same period last year.
New markets, new opportunities – Berlin goes international
Berlin Partner is active worldwide, showcasing the capital’s strengths as a business location at trade fairs, delegation trips and pitch events. The goal: to open new markets, attract international investment and secure skilled workers. This year alone, the city’s business development agency has traveled to destinations including the United States, Japan and India – where a new international office is scheduled to open next year alongside existing locations in New York and Beijing. At the same time, numerous foreign delegations have visited Berlin to learn more about the capital’s economic landscape.
Berlin companies also benefit from Berlin Partner’s International Service, which connects them with global investors, potential clients, stakeholders, experts and international delegations.
To analyze the impact of Trump-era policies on Berlin’s economic and innovation environment – and to shape potential responses at the state level – the Senate Department for Economic Affairs has established a Task Force USA under the leadership of Senator Franziska Giffey, with Berlin Partner playing a key role. The initiative aims to strengthen the many existing partnerships at the state and city level, as well as Berlin’s presence in the United States through its New York office. At the same time, the task force underscores Berlin’s broader strategy of diversifying international markets for local companies. This goal is at the core of the new internationalization concept for the economy presented by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises for the years 2025–2027.
Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises: “The midyear figures make it clear: Berlin is, and will remain, an attractive destination for investment. Our economy is growing faster than the national average this year and continues to draw companies from Germany and abroad. That is by no means a given in times of global upheaval and crisis. In the first half of 2025, Berlin Partner supported 163 corporate investment projects worth €668 million, including 48 new business relocations. This is a strong signal of confidence in Berlin as a business location.
Our message to companies that invest in Berlin and create jobs is equally clear: you are welcome here. We help these companies set up their businesses in the capital, expand their operations, and find skilled workers and new international markets. We support them by pushing ahead with state-of-the-art infrastructure and by continually improving the business environment through greater digitalization and less bureaucracy. In the upcoming budget, we are again investing specifically in the competitiveness and innovative strength of our economy – and we will continue to back the important work of our business development agency, Berlin Partner. This year alone, the Senate Department for Economics is providing around €14 million to support Berlin Partner – money well invested in the future of the entire city.”
Dr. Stefan Franzke, CEO of Berlin Partner: “Our goal is to safeguard employment in Berlin and create new jobs. Especially in times like these, that requires agility and flexibility. Berlin’s economy has the unique ability to turn change into opportunity. We support companies in the capital throughout these processes so that jobs can be protected and businesses can continue to grow. At the same time, we are actively moving into new markets to unlock potential – attracting investment, drawing talent and positioning Berlin as a strong export hub.”
Berlin’s startup scene
The development of Berlin’s startup ecosystem continues to be encouraging. In the first half of 2025, Berlin once again recorded more financing rounds than any other German startup location. A total of 132 deals were closed in the capital during the period, accounting for 34% of all deals nationwide. Startups based in Berlin raised €1.5 billion in venture capital during the first six months of the year – a 41% increase compared to the same period last year (EY Startup Barometer Germany). The FinTech and InsurTech sectors in particular demonstrated strong performance. Berlin startups in these fields secured €257 million across 12 financing rounds, capturing a 57% market share and cementing the city’s position as Germany’s leading hub in this segment.
Berlin Partner for Business and Technology – Working for Innovation and Growth
Berlin Partner for Business and Technology is the capital’s business development agency for growth and innovation. The organization supports companies and investors as they relocate to Berlin and expand their presence in the city. Its experts provide guidance on financing opportunities, advise on finding suitable space and qualified staff, and help build networks with partners from the research community. Berlin Partner is backed by the State of Berlin and more than 250 companies committed to promoting their city, making it a strong public-private partnership. In addition, Berlin Partner is responsible for marketing Germany’s capital on the global stage. www.berlin-partner.de/en
