Germany reaches record number of billion-dollar start-ups
With 38 so-called unicorns, Germany is the EU’s leading start-up hub. The country ranks fifth worldwide.
Berlin (d.de) – Germany’s start-up ecosystem continues to grow: according to the Global Unicorn Index 2026 published by the Hurun Research Institute, Germany is now home to 38 so-called unicorns – privately held start-ups valued at at least one billion US dollars. This puts Germany first in the European Union and fifth worldwide, behind the United States, China, the United Kingdom and India.
Twelve new unicorns were added over the past year – more than ever before. The combined value of Germany’s billion-dollar startups rose from €73.7 billion to €118.9 billion in the space of a year.
German start-ups are seeing particularly strong growth in future-focused sectors such as artificial intelligence, defence technology, space and fusion energy. The new unicorns include drone manufacturer Quantum Systems, space company Isar Aerospace and fusion energy startup Proxima Fusion. Germany’s most valuable start-up at present is Helsing.
Quantum Systems develops AI-powered drones for civilian and military applications: it is one of the companies that exemplifies Germany’s rise in future technologies.
This development reflects an overall positive trend: German start-ups raised around €5.3 billion in venture capital in the first half of 2026 – 14 per cent more than in the same period last year. These figures come from EY’s latest Startup Barometer.
