The Scaleup Hamburg soft landing programme supports international companies in setting up a business in Hamburg and in cooperating with Hamburg companies. Scaleup Hamburg is a service provided by the business development agency Hamburg Invest on behalf of the Ministry of Economics and Innovation.
Scaleup Hamburg is entering the fourth round of its Soft Landing Programme and is once again looking for five international growth companies with sustainable technology solutions that want to gain a foothold in Hamburg from now until 23 February 2025. The programme supports these scaleups with tailor-made services for a successful market entry in Hamburg and Germany.
Scaleup Hamburg brings the selected growth companies together with established companies from the Hamburg metropolitan region in two phases. In the first phase until summer 2025, the participating scaleups will be supported with a detailed analysis of their product for the German market and in adapting their market entry strategy. This will be followed by an individual matchmaking process, which will involve concrete collaborations and pilot projects with Hamburg-based companies in order to bring the new technologies to Hamburg. This comprehensive approach ensures that expanding companies can quickly make contact with potential clients and are optimally prepared for the German market.
To be selected by Scaleup Hamburg's expert jury, growth companies must demonstrate business success in their home market, be in a strong growth phase and show the intention to establish a business locally in the Hamburg ecosystem. The admissions phase of the programme will start in April 2025. Interested scale-ups can apply until 23 February.
Since the programme was launched in 2022, 24 pilot projects have already been initiated between scaleups and Hamburg institutions, with more in the pipeline.
Dr Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics and Innovation: "We are strengthening Hamburg as a business location by attracting talent and innovative companies to Hamburg. With this programme, we are specifically promoting investment and technology transfer: we are bringing together international innovators with concrete investment projects and thus putting Hamburg on the international map"
Dr Rolf Strittmatter, Managing Director of Hamburg Invest, emphasises: "With Scaleup Hamburg, we have created an opportunity to take a holistic approach to innovation growth. On the one hand, Scaleup Hamburg's soft landing programme makes it easier than ever to enter our market. On the other hand, we can support Hamburg companies in identifying their innovation needs and looking for tailor-made solutions internationally. It is a win-win situation for Hamburg."