When you think of Baden-Württemberg, your mind might wander to Black Forest cakes, high-performance cars from Stuttgart, or the Swabian love for efficiency. But let’s set the record straight: Baden-Württemberg is a powerhouse for start-ups, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
By investing 5.6% of its GDP in research and development (2021) and filing 137 patents per 100,000 inhabitants last year, Baden-Württemberg underlines its status as the No. 1 innovation region in Europe. Clearly, THE LÄND is not just playing the start-up game – it’s setting the rules. Welcome to THE Start-up LÄND, where ideas turn into businesses, and businesses turn into global success stories.
A Thriving Start-up Ecosystem
Your success story in Baden-Württemberg is boosted by one of the most diverse start-up ecosystems in Germany. Twelve regional start-up hubs offer individual industry focus and suitable networks. Whether you’re in Freiburg, Tuttlingen, or Heilbronn, you’ll find well-connected start-up networks, business incubators, and venture capital opportunities that will help you bring your vision to life.
In the following overview, you can find out which region suits your business model best:
- Ecosystem Lake Constance (Bodensee): A dynamic cross-border start-up region known for IT, biotechnology, and aerospace technology. Its proximity to Switzerland and Austria creates excellent networking opportunities.
- Ecosystem Freiburg: A leading hub for sustainability, renewable energy, and life sciences. Freiburg is Germany’s "Green Tech" capital and ideal for eco-friendly innovations.
- Ecosystem Heilbronn-Franken: A rapidly growing ecosystem specializing in artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation. With strong government support, this region is a magnet for AI-driven start-ups.
- Ecosystem Karlsruhe: Known as "Germany’s Silicon Valley," Karlsruhe excels in cybersecurity, IT, and deep tech. The city has one of the highest concentrations of tech talent in the country.
- Ecosystem Mannheim-Heidelberg-Walldorf: A powerhouse for medtech, biotech, and software solutions. SAP based in Walldorf makes this region a global leader in business software.
- Ecosystem Neckar-Alb: A hub for textile innovation, medical technology, and smart fabrics. Research institutions here push boundaries in wearable tech and material sciences.
- Ecosystem Northern Black Forest (Nordschwarzwald): Historically strong in watchmaking and jewelry, this region now leads in precision engineering and medtech, making it a hidden gem for hardware start-ups.
- Ecosystem Ortenau: A rising start-up hub for automation, logistics, and digitalization. Positioned near the French border, it offers international business advantages.
- Ecosystem Eastern Württemberg (Ostwürttemberg): Renowned for mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and industrial automation. Start-ups in Industry 4.0 find excellent infrastructure here.
- Ecosystem Stuttgart Region: As the economic powerhouse of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart excels in mobility, automotive, fintech, and high-tech start-ups. It’s home to major global players like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Bosch.
- Ecosystem Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg: This region is a center for fine mechanics, medtech, and industrial engineering - perfect for precision-driven start-ups.
- Ecosystem Ulm-Biberach: A major hub for aerospace technology, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. With strong ties to research institutions, it’s ideal for science-driven start-ups.
Get started in THE LÄND!
Would you like to become part of this unique ecosystem? Then take advantage of our special start-up support. Starting in April, BW_i is offering a soft-landing program for international start-ups who want to find out more about expanding into THE LÄND. If you are interested in participating in this program, please feel free to sign up here.
You should also keep your calendar free now for the most important start-up event in Baden-Württemberg: If you want to connect with investors, corporates, and fellow entrepreneurs, make sure to attend the Start-up BW Summit in Stuttgart on June 2, 2025. BW_i is also organizing two discovery tours after the Start-up BW Summit on June 3 and 4 , so that you can get to know our ecosystem in person. You will receive further updates regarding the tour on our LinkedIn channel. Feel free to follow us.
→ Our tip: Further information on the vibrant ecosystem and the individual contact persons for each start-up hub can be found on the website of the Start-up BW initiative.
We are looking forward to welcoming you in THE Start-up LÄND!
