Over the past years, many international companies and startups have either established their branches or settled in Berlin. This blog will talk about why these companies have chosen Germany’s capital for their branches.
Berlin is one of the leading industrial centres of Germany, especially in innovative sectors, providing a mix of advanced technologies and fully modernised traditional industries that offer clear progressive opportunities for newcomers.
This city is now characterised by an increasing innovative start-up scene. In 2010, more than 40.000 companies established here (highest level since reunification).
Sina Kamala, spokesperson of Wooga (developer of social gaming) states that „no other city offers such a unique world in the same atmosphere at such low cost of living“.
Some of these „unique“ factors that convinces companies to come to Berlin are: its young, dynamic and internationalization of Berliner residents, low real estate prices along with the inflow of skilled personnel and fresh know-how.
The capital has become a magnet for creative people from all over the world, where there is no such thing as a language barrier: 22% of Berliners speak a foreign language, 36% two foreign languages and 29% three foreign languages.
One clear example of an international company founding branches in Berlin is Google’s new „Institute for Internet and Society“ which was founded last month in the city, with a 4.5 million Euros budget for the first 3 years.
Below, the highlights of the interview that Max Senges, coordinator for external collaborations at Google had with Computerwoche:
CW: Why was Berlin chosen to found the Institute in?
Senge: Germany has a long and successful tradition in academic research. The quality of German science is greatly appreciated by us, so Germany was the first choice here. And why Berlin? Berlin is not only the political capital. Berlin has long been something like the capital of the “digital Germany.”
CW: How could the environment benefit from the IT-and internet start-up metropolis in Berlin?
Senge: Berlin attracts more entrepreneurs to help shape the Internet. Startups like Soundcloud, Wooga and Jovoto are already successful. Another point: In relation to Internet start-ups, the city is increasingly becoming a competitor for London. The fact that not only startups but also the research in this area is concentrated in Berlin, can ensure that this city is even more important.
Berlin has an incrementing local market with 3.4 million consumers. Its strength in ICT (Information, Communication Technologies) developments, plus its multilingual population, multiculturalism and low real estate prices makes Berlin an ideal location to set your company in, as stated by Eggert Voscherau, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BASF SE.
