The 2025 edition of the Migrant Founders Monitor, jointly released by the German Startup Association and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, highlights the growing role of international founders in Germany’s startup ecosystem—and the challenges they still face.
Migration Meets Innovation
According to the report, 14% of startup founders in Germany were born abroad. Among startups valued at over one billion dollars, so-called unicorns, this number jumps to 23%. These migrant founders are key drivers of innovation, often launching globally oriented businesses and bringing fresh ideas and skills to the table. A staggering 91% of them hold university degrees, and 56% have backgrounds in STEM fields.
Their contributions are evident not just in technology and research, but also in mindset. Compared to the average founder in Germany, migrant entrepreneurs are more likely to describe themselves as resilient and willing to take risks—qualities essential to startup success.
Room to Grow: Integration and Ecosystem Access
Despite their achievements, migrant founders face hurdles, particularly in networking and access to funding. While they rate their international networks highly, they are less well-connected within Germany’s startup scene. Just 46% say they have good local networks, compared to 57% of their peers.
Language barriers, complex visa processes, and limited multilingual support continue to hamper Germany’s appeal as a startup hub. Only 17% of migrant founders rate the country’s immigration framework for skilled workers as effective. While 80% praise Germany’s quality of life, just 55% feel the society is open enough to international talent.
A Call for Change
The report urges policymakers to improve conditions for international entrepreneurs. Key recommendations include faster, more digitalized visa procedures, multilingual support structures, and more inclusive networking and funding opportunities. Startup hubs that host more international events and build bridges across cultures are better positioned to thrive globally.
As Magdalena Oehl, Deputy Chair of the German Startup Association, puts it:
“We need better framework conditions—faster visa processes, multilingual services, and an international mindset. If we stay in our own bubble, we risk missing out.”
With nearly one in seven founders in Germany born abroad, supporting migrant entrepreneurs is not just a question of inclusion—it’s a competitive imperative. The future of innovation in Germany may well depend on how open and accessible the startup ecosystem becomes.
