This website is using cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible on our website.
More info: Privacy & Cookies, Imprint
The latest German Startup Monitor report for 2023 shows a declining sentiment in the German startup ecosystem. With a value of 38.1 points, the startup business climate is 14.1 points below the value of 2021 and close to the second lowest level since the pandemic shock of 2020. This negative development is confirmed by 65% of the founders:inside, who have difficulties in assessing the future situation.
The willingness of business angels and VC funds to invest in startups is rated as good by only 15% of the Gründer:innen.As a result, 23% of startups have postponed planned financing rounds.A trend toward profitability is also evident.
Despite the many challenges, only 15% of startups have laid off employees in the past year. The Berlin ecosystem in particular has been hit harder, with 24% of Berlin startups cutting jobs.
The business situation is described as difficult to assess by 65% of the startups surveyed. Assessments of the current business situation are at their lowest point since the start of the Corona pandemic in 2020, and while business expectations are rising slightly, they are still well below the level of 2021.
Investment activity in German startups has declined noticeably compared to the records set in 2021 and the first half of 2022. Nevertheless, it is above pre-Corona levels. Larger financing rounds above €250 million have become rare, indicating continued uncertainty in the investment environment.
The respondents show a skeptical attitude towards the investment readiness of business angels and VC funds, with only 15% rating it as good.Nevertheless, 38% of the founders expect better investment conditions in the coming six months.
Despite the challenges, most startups did not lay off any employees last year and are focusing on further growth. Especially in Berlin, a more late-stage and funding-dependent ecosystem, job cuts and adjustments are more common.
The report makes clear that startups remain important engines for the German economy despite the difficult situation. The findings are based on a broad database of 1,825 startups surveyed between May and July 2023. This report is a preview of the German Startup Monitor 2023, which will be published on Sept. 25, 2023. The study was prepared in collaboration with the Startup Association, PwC Germany and Prof. Dr. Tobias Kollmann from the University of Duisburg-Essen (netSTART)
In recent years, advancing technology developments have fundamentally changed a wide range of industries, and the world of public relations (PR) is no exception. An up-and-coming AI startup from Rostock, Germany, has set out to revolutionize the way PR is done. This company has managed to use innovative AI technologies to maximize the efficiency, accuracy, and reach of PR campaigns.
The AI startup: a Rostock pioneer
The startup, known as "FDS," was founded in 2019 by a group of talented researchers and technology enthusiasts in Rostock, Germany. From the beginning, their goal was clear: harness the power of artificial intelligence to transform the traditional world of PR. The team consisted of experts in machine learning, natural language processing and data analytics - the perfect combination to develop a breakthrough solution.
Artificial intelligence as a game changer in PR
Traditional PR often involves time-consuming tasks such as manually creating press releases, identifying relevant media contacts and analyzing coverage. This is where "FDS" comes in: Using advanced AI technology, they have developed a platform that enables automated PR campaigns.
The platform uses AI algorithms to search news sources and gather relevant information. It can detect trends in news coverage, identify keywords, and even analyze the sentiment of the coverage. This allows PR professionals to create more targeted and effective messages and precisely target their audience.
Efficiency, accuracy and reach
Implementing AI in PR strategies has several benefits. First, it significantly increases efficiency. Tasks that used to take hours or even days can now be completed in minutes. This allows PR teams to focus on strategic planning and creative content.
The accuracy of the information provided by the platform is also a big win. AI is able to analyze large amounts of data in a short amount of time and identify patterns, minimizing human error and enabling more informed decision-making.
Not least, AI-powered PR expands the reach of messages. By identifying relevant journalists and media contacts, the platform can ensure that information reaches exactly those most likely to use it.
Future prospects
FDS, based in Rostock, Germany, has already attracted attention in the industry and won some high-profile clients. The platform has the potential to fundamentally change PR practices and help companies spread their messages more effectively. The innovative power of this Rostock-based startup shows that the combination of AI and PR has a promising future.
At a time when information flows fast and competition is more intense than ever, the interplay between human expertise and AI support is becoming increasingly relevant. FDS could be just the beginning in terms of how AI will continue to turn the PR landscape on its head in the years to come.
The tech landscape in Germany has changed rapidly in recent years, and technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics play a central role. According to a recent survey of 203 tech startups commissioned by the digital association Bitkom, these technologies have proven to be indispensable for the success of startups. The results impressively show that startups that rely on AI and data analytics are not only ahead of the game, but are also the ones shaping the innovations of the future.
The current status quo: AI and data analytics dominate
A look at the statistics makes it clear just how entrenched AI and data analytics now are in the startup world. More than half of the startups surveyed (53 percent) are already using Big Data and data analytics to optimize their business processes and gain deep insights into their target groups. Even more impressive is the prevalence of AI, which is being used by 49 percent of startups to develop smart solutions and products.
It gets even more exciting when you look at the startups' future plans. Almost 40 percent of the companies surveyed are planning to introduce AI in the near future. The situation is similar for Big Data and Data Analytics, where 31 percent of the startups are discussing or planning their use. These figures underscore not only the current importance of these technologies, but also their future relevance for the startup landscape.
Startups leading the way: AI and data analytics in the overall economy
Comparing the use of AI and data analytics in startups with the overall economy, the pioneering role of young companies becomes particularly clear. While only 15 percent of companies in the overall economy use AI, 49 percent of startups already rely on this technology. Similar proportions are also evident in data analysis: In the overall economy, 37 percent use these technologies, while the figure for startups is 53 percent.
Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst highlights the importance of this development, saying, "The fact that so many innovative founders are using AI and Big Data to develop new products and services is a positive sign. Startups will play an important role in making these technologies more accessible to smaller companies and SMEs."
The symbiosis of AI and data analytics
One notable aspect of this development is the close relationship between AI and data analytics. AI requires data to learn and make intelligent decisions. At the same time, AI enables more efficient analysis of big data, which in turn enables deeper insights and better business decisions. This interaction highlights the need for an integrated approach to implementing AI and data analytics.
Emerging technologies and their relevance to startups
The survey also provides insights into emerging technologies that could become more important in the coming years. The Internet of Things (IoT) is already being used by a quarter of startups, while nearly 30 percent are discussing or planning integration. 5G technologies have also piqued the interest of startups, with 17 percent in the planning or discussion phase.
Also exciting is the growing discussion about technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and blockchain. Currently, 8 percent of startups are using VR/AR, while an impressive 22 percent are discussing its use. Similarly, while 5 percent of startups are already using blockchain, 22 percent are planning to use the technology.
In summary, the survey highlights the changing nature of the German startup scene. AI and data analytics have evolved from emerging trends to indispensable tools that determine the course of business development. With their agile approach and willingness to integrate new technologies, startups are at the forefront of this movement that will undoubtedly shape the future of business.