Fichter, K., Neumann, T., Olteanu, Y. & Grothey, T. (2025). Green Startup Report 2025. Berlin: Borderstep Institute.

The Borderstep Institute has been analysing the development of green start-ups in Germany since 2013. The Green Startup Report 2025 (GSR) is based on a new, scientifically validated methodology and utilises an enormous database of more than 12,000 companies and 50,000 commercial register entries. This approach enables a more precise analysis of the dynamics of sustainable business models and their contribution to climate protection.

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29610.32968

New standards in startup research

The Green Startup Report 2025 sets new standards for measuring the green startup scene in Germany. It presents the sustainable start-up ecosystem systematically and over the long term. The aim is to clearly define the role of green start-ups in the ecological transformation and to promote their potential.

The importance of green start-ups for climate protection

Green start-ups are key players in the sustainable transformation. They develop innovative solutions for climate and environmental protection and actively contribute to achieving climate neutrality. The Green Startup Report 2025 shows how these companies are becoming an important part of the European Green Deal through their business models and offer prospects for the future.

Broad partner alliance makes GSR 2025 possible

The Green Startup Report is published by Borderstep Institut für Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit gGmbH, supported by a broad alliance of partners: Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), Bundesverband Nachhaltige Wirtschaft (BNW) e.V., Ministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Verkehr des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, FGF Forschungsnetzwerk Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Mittelstand e.V., Berliner Hochschule für Technik, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universität Trier, Steinbeis-Transferzentrum Technologie-IP Management, ImpactNexus GmbH und startupdetector GmbH.

Green Startup Report 2025: Core results

Green start-ups on the road to success

More and more young companies are focussing on sustainability. One in five start-ups is now developing innovative products and services that demonstrably protect the environment and climate. Green business ideas are particularly well represented among growth-orientated start-ups with investment (29%).

Huge potential for climate protection

For the first time, the GSC provides global figures on the climate protection potential of young innovative companies. On average, the potential of a single transformation-oriented green start-up is 30,000 tonnes of CO2e per year. In EU emissions trading, this corresponds to a value of around 2.4 million euros.

More women in management positions

At 22%, the proportion of women in the management of green start-ups is significantly higher than in non-green start-ups (17%). This indicates that sustainable business models are more attractive to female founders and/or that green start-ups are more willing to actively embrace and promote diversity in management roles.

EXIST & HTGF: Green start-ups above average

Although green start-ups do not receive an environmental bonus in most funding and financing programmes, they are represented above average in EXIST and High-Tech Gründerfonds. Among EXIST grantees, the proportion was 33% in 2024. This shows their technological and economic attractiveness.

Funds are increasingly focussing on climate protection

73% of fund managers take climate aspects into account when making investment decisions – driven by regulatory requirements, optimisation of portfolio performance and ethical responsibility, among other things.

Use of AI and critical reflection

88% of the green start-ups surveyed already use generative AI, particularly for marketing and sales. At the same time, 34% see the use of generative AI as a significant risk to their sustainable mission and integrity, partly due to the high energy consumption.

NRW: Pioneer of green start-up support

The support landscape of a single federal state was analysed for the first time. 86% of green start-ups in NRW rate the start-up ecosystem that has been developed over the last ten years as good or very good. Satisfaction with green start-up support is therefore well above the national average of 56%.

GSR 2025: Figures

Which regions are particularly attractive for green start-ups?

In absolute terms, Berlin is the frontrunner in terms of location with a 21% share of all green start-ups, followed by Upper Bavaria (13%) and Cologne (8%). The share of green start-ups in the total number of all start-ups varies greatly between the federal states. North Rhine-Westphalia (29%), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (27%) and Bremen (24%) have the highest figures.

Which business models and sectors characterise the green start-up scene in Germany?

SaaS and platform solutions account for the largest share (42%) and are driving the digitalisation of sustainable processes. Green consumer products follow with 30%, particularly in e-commerce and food. Hardware start-ups form another core area with 28%, especially in energy and mobility.

How do the federal states differ in terms of green start-up types?

Berlin has the highest proportion of green software and platform start-ups, but only 19% hardware – well below the national average of 28%. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, on the other hand, has an above-average share of hardware at 50%, but only 20% for consumer products (national average: 30%). Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg largely reflect the nationwide structure.

What contribution do transformative green start-ups make to climate protection?

They can save around 30,000 tonnes of CO₂e every year. That is equivalent to the effect of seven wind turbines generating renewable electricity for 24,000 households.

How strongly are green start-ups represented in growth-oriented investments?

29% of growth-oriented start-ups with investments have green business models. This shows their high economic attractiveness and scaling potential.

What importance do fund managers attach to climate protection?

Climate factors are taken into account in the investment decisions of more than 73% of those surveyed. For 56%, ethical responsibility takes centre stage, and almost 50% expect better performance through sustainable investments.

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