Record Investment in Berlin in the First Half of 2026

Berlin Partner is reporting an unprecedented result for its midyear figures:  Investments have reached a record €1.4 billion – 110% more than in the same period last year and 27% above the best full-year result the business development agency has ever achieved. The figures show that Berlin continues to hold its own as a business location despite the broader national trend, with companies increasingly investing in innovation and greater efficiency.

Berlin’s digital economy remains a key driver of the city’s growth. The sector employs around 145,158 people – more than in any other major German city. Accounting for 15% of Berlin’s total economic output, the information and communications technology sector is now the city’s largest economic sector (Kreativ- und Digitalwirtschaft bleibt Wachstumsmotor der Berliner Wirtschaft - Berlin.de). Berlin’s 12,629 digital companies most recently generated revenue of around €39.4  billion in 2023.  The use of AI across Berlin’s economy also continues to grow. Forty percent of companies are already using AI tools,  putting the capital 5 percentage points above the national average.

The impact of digitalization on Berlin as a business location

Berlin Partner is seeing two main effects of increasing digitalization.  On the one hand, investment in Berlin is growing as the industrial sector is expanding and companies are scaling up their operations. Examples include the Google AI Center Berlin, the expansion of high-tech company ASML, the Mercedes Digital Factory’s expansion into AI and humanoid robotics and Siemens Energy’s creation of an innovation center.

On the other hand, increasing digitalization is also leading to job cuts, particularly in office-based roles.  Tasks in areas such as logistics, accounting, human resources, customer service and IT services can increasingly be performed by AI or are being relocated abroad.  Berlin has also seen examples of this trend, including in BASF’s service divisions.

The impact on Berlin Partner’s work

It has become increasingly important to take early action in preventing job losses and, where this is not possible, in retaining those jobs in Berlin.  Berlin Partner is therefore placing greater emphasis on supporting companies through transformation, helping them enter new markets and industries and using its Talent Service to retain jobs and connect workers with new employment opportunities.  The ai berlin hub, meanwhile, provides companies with AI-related guidance.  In attracting new companies to Berlin, the focus is on the sectors currently experiencing the strongest growth, such as the digital and health care industries, as well as emerging fields with significant economic growth potential, including the security and defense industry.

Berlin Partner’s other results for the first half of the year are broadly similar to those recorded in the previous year.  A total of 139 projects were successfully completed, including 43 companies newly locating in Berlin. More than half of these new business locations came from within Germany, followed by six from the United States, four from China and three from Türkiye.  The projects account for a total of 2,919 jobs,  including 1,774 newly planned positions and 1,145 jobs secured.

Berlin Partner supported 41 innovation projects involving companies, universities and research institutions in research and development during the first half of 2026. These projects represent investments of around €70 million, which is roughly on par with the previous yearand approximately 4% higher than in the same period last year.

Franziska Giffey, Berlin Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises:  “Berlin Partner’s midyear results send a strong signal far beyond the capital:  Companies have confidence in Berlin as a business location and are investing here at levels rarely seen before.  The fact that Berlin has succeeded in attracting investment on this scale only three times since the fall of the Berlin Wall underscores just how remarkable this achievement is.  And all of this has been accomplished during the current legislative term.

“This investment record is no coincidence. It is to a large extent the result of a consistent economic and innovation policy and the dedicated work of Berlin Partner. These investments strengthen our city’s economic performance, create new jobs, secure existing ones and make Berlin more resilient and better prepared for the future in challenging times.

“We can rightly say that Berlin is one of Europe’s most dynamic business and innovation hubs. With Berlin Partner, we have a strong business development agency that provides targeted support to companies looking to establish, expand and internationalize their operations.  Together, we are ensuring that Berlin remains at the forefront of international competition.”

Dr. Stefan Franzke, CEO of Berlin Partner: “Berlin continues to rank among the world’s leading innovation hubs.  This is reflected not only in our record investment figures, but also in our strong European startup rankings and top position in global metropolitan-region rankings.  Particularly in future-focused fields such as AI, the digital economy and startups, the capital is one of Europe’s most attractive locations.  Our midyear results demonstrate that  Berlin remains internationally competitive even in a challenging environment – thanks in no small part to the dynamism of its companies, which we provide with targeted support in areas such as transformation, talent and access to new markets.”

Berlin’s startup ecosystem in a European comparison

Berlin is Germany’s largest startup hub.  Its ecosystem has a total value of €169 billion, includes around 1,600 venture capital-backed startups and is home to 32 unicorns (Berlin Startup Ecosystem Report 2025: Berlin ist Deutschlands führender Tech-Hub - Berlin.de and Berlin | Dealroom.co).  But Berlin also performs strongly at the European level.  After London, the German capital is considered Europe’s second-most attractive and popular city for founders (Startup Heatmap Europe). With 996 funding rounds since 2024, Berlin ranks second in Europe – behind London with 2,400, but ahead of Paris with 990 (Berlin Partner / Dealroom, The Berlin Tech Ecosystem Report 2025). Fintech remains Berlin’s leading startup sector. The city ranks ninth globally, third in Western Europe and first in Germany.  Berlin’s fintech sector comprises 268 startups  and is home to 1.09% of all fintech startups worldwide  (Berlin Startup Ecosystem - Rankings, Startups, and Insights).

International recognition

Berlin’s international appeal is also reflected in Site Selection magazine’s location rankings.  The Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region ranks eighth worldwide in the magazine’s annual 2026 Global Best to Invest ranking, published in May – placing it alongside metropolitan regions such as London, Singapore, Seoul, Shanghai, Amsterdam, Melbourne and Tokyo-Kanto. Why Berlin? Because the city combines innovation, talent, science and international connections with a strong business network, making it an attractive destination for global location and investment decisions. Berlin Partner’s figures for the first half of 2026 demonstrate that this appeal remains strong.

For more information on Berlin Partner’s 2026 midyear results, visit: https://www.berlin-partner.de/presse/detail/investitions-rekord-fuer-berlin-im-ersten-halbjahr-2026.

Berlin Partner for Business and Technology – Driving Innovation and Growth

Berlin Partner for Business and Technology is the capital’s economic development agency for growth and innovation. The organization supports companies and investors as they relocate to Berlin and expand their presence in the city. Its experts provide guidance on financing opportunities, advise on finding suitable space and qualified staff, and help build networks with partners from the research community. Berlin Partner is backed by the State of Berlin and 250 companies committed to promoting their city, making it a strong public-private partnership. Berlin Partner is also responsible for marketing the German capital worldwide. www.berlin-partner.de