Program check: What the CDU/CSU, Greens and SPD are planning for start-ups

Election programs are relevant for start-ups. But what does it say? Part 1 of our election manifesto check with the CDU/CSU, Greens and SPD.

For the first time in many years, it is largely unclear which parties will govern Germany in which constellation after September 26. So there is a lot of uncertainty, which should not leave the start-up world cold either.

In fact, almost all parties have been thinking about how they can promote the start-up ecosystem in Germany. From less bureaucracy and more venture capital to the promotion of female founders: everyone is making big promises. Startbase summarizes what the parties intend to do in the event of government participation.

In the first part of our election program check, we look at the parties with chancellor ambitions: CDU/CSU, Greens and SPD. In the second part, we looked at the platforms of the FDP, the Left Party and the AfD.

CDU/CSU

In its election manifesto , the CDU/CSU is planning an "unleashing package" for the economy. At the heart of this package are tax relief for companies and a reduction in bureaucracy. This includes the bureaucracy-free year that the CDU and CSU are promising start-ups: Young companies are to receive exemptions from selected tax and documentation regulations. The second year after the start-up is also to be accompanied by only minimal bureaucracy. In principle, it should be possible to set up a company within 24 hours.

The immigration of skilled workers is also to be made easier. As a pilot project, the CDU/CSU is focusing on so-called "skilled worker immigration attachés", who will work at German embassies around the world to find experts willing to immigrate, for example from the IT sector. At European level, the parties want to set up a new tech visa program to attract skilled workers to the EU.

The Union wants to make it easier to elect works councils, which was a hot topic in the start-up world last year. Above all, online elections are to be made possible so that the concept of works councils can survive in a digital working world.

An entire chapter of the election program is dedicated to promoting certain future technologies. These include quantum computers, artificial intelligence and blockchain. Among other things, the Union plans to promote knowledge-intensive start-ups via the Freedom of Information Act. Founders in the field of future technology are to receive organizational and financial support. The election manifesto does not yet specify what this will look like in practice.

In the area of venture capital, the CDU/CSU plans to expand the Future Fund, which has so far mobilized 30 billion euros. The party's digitalization expert, Thomas Jarzombek, recently spoke of 100 billion euros. In addition, more VCs are to settle in Germany due to tax advantages and it is to become easier for insurance companies and pension funds to invest money in this area.

The Greens

The Greens have presented the longest election program with 272 pages. They also see too many bureaucratic requirements as an obstacle to more start-ups. In the first two years, these should therefore be largely eliminated. A black-green coalition would therefore probably quickly find common ground here.

An important point in the party's start-up support is the start-up capital, which the Greens want to provide in the amount of 25,000 euros. Founders should receive this if their business purpose is aligned with the UN sustainability goals and the start-up has a solid business plan.

Overall, the Greens want to place more emphasis on socio-ecological criteria when promoting start-ups. In particular, newly founded cooperatives and companies oriented towards the common good should be supported. The party also wants to tackle the issue of equal opportunities. The election manifesto includes a proposal for a state venture capital fund for women only.

The Greens also want to adapt state award procedures so that start-ups have a better chance. Up to now, they have often fallen through the cracks. They also want to promote spin-offs from research institutions, where there is still a lot of untapped potential, they write. The partly state-run institutions from which people spin off a start-up should remain involved as silent partners. This is particularly interesting in the medical sector. In return, start-ups would have to commit to certain standards in terms of transparency, pricing and access.

When it comes to venture capital, the Greens want to set up a state venture capital fund that bundles previously scattered offers. A co-investing platform to create a secondary market for start-up investments is also on the agenda. The focus of the state fund will be on sustainability and greentech. It is also intended to boost private investment by venture capitalists. In addition to green tech, the party also wants to invest the money in the fields of AI, quantum computing and biotech.

SPD

Meanwhile, the SPD is keeping things short, with the Social Democrats' program comprising just 66 pages. Accordingly, the ideas for the special promotion of start-ups are not very extensive. What can be found, however, is quite specific. For example, the SPD plans to develop the KfW development bank into a "modern investment and innovation agency". In future, KfW is to raise funds on the capital market and channel them into the important sectors of the future. These include quantum technology, AI and hydrogen, according to the Social Democrats.

In addition, the party wants to initiate one-stop agencies for start-ups, project funding and state venture capital. The agencies are to serve as central points of contact for all issues relating to start-ups. In insolvency law, they want to create a "culture of second chances", as the program eloquently puts it. Support for female founders is also promised. In principle, the SPD wants to drive forward the socio-ecological restructuring of the economy and also support companies that contribute to this goal with government measures.