Startup association: "Too little future" in the exploratory paper from the CDU/CSU and SPD

CDU/CSU and SPD formulate ambitious goals, but lack a clear strategy for innovation, digitalization and growth capital, according to the Startup Association

Berlin, March 10, 2025 - The Startup Association is critical of the CDU/CSU and SPD's exploratory paper. While individual measures such as investment promotion, the high-tech agenda and the reduction of bureaucracy are welcomed in principle, a comprehensive strategy to sustainably strengthen Germany's innovative strength and competitiveness is missing.

Verena Pausder, Chairwoman of the Startup Association, emphasizes that the approaches contained in the paper are not sufficient to initiate the urgently needed economic changes. Consistent promotion of growth capital, accelerated digitalization and targeted support for startups are needed.

Unspecific measures in key areas

The association sees a need for improvement in several key areas in particular. For example, there is a lack of a uniform framework that bundles political measures for start-ups and scale-ups. The mobilization of institutional capital also remains unclear, and the planned digitization of administration is considered to be unreliable without concrete measures. Furthermore, the paper does not contain an ambitious strategy for future technologies such as artificial intelligence or deep tech. Competition law is also not sufficiently adapted to the requirements of a modern digital economy.

Call for improvements in the coalition negotiations

In view of these shortcomings, the startup association is calling on the future coalition partners to tighten things up in the upcoming negotiations. As a country with few raw materials, Germany must push ahead with bold reforms in order to remain economically successful in the long term. This requires progress in the financing of start-ups, digitalization, administrative modernization and talent recruitment.

There needs to be a clear focus on digitalization in particular. The startup association is in favour of a possible digital ministry concentrating primarily on the modernization of the administration, while the regulation of the digital economy remains anchored in other departments.

Startup Strategy 2.0 as a central demand

In order to comprehensively tackle the challenges facing start-ups in Germany, the association is calling for a further developed start-up strategy. This must create better financing structures, reduce bureaucratic hurdles and specifically promote future technologies. In addition, more attractive framework conditions for skilled workers are needed to keep Germany competitive as a location for innovative companies.

The upcoming coalition negotiations will show to what extent the CDU/CSU and SPD will take up these demands and implement concrete measures to strengthen the startup ecosystem.