“Reliability matters a lot in Germany and I think that’s a good thing”

 They are young, well educated and highly proficient in IT, engineering and management. Indian skilled professionals are in higher demand in Germany than ever before. Their numbers have been rising for years, especially at universities and in the tech scene. Germany actively recruits talent from India: there are currently around 230,000 to 250,000 Indian nationals living in the country. At almost 59,000, they were the largest group of international students at German universities in the 2024/2025 winter semester. Many stay for good. 

One who took this step seven years ago is 38-year-old Indian start-up founder Santhosh Jayaprakash. He is originally from Tiruppur, a centre of India’s textile industry in the state of Tamil Nadu, and has set up a number of IT and cloud companies, including PowerupCloud, Ankercloud and Unosecur, an identity security platform backed by investors such as DFF and VentureFriends. He has been living in Berlin since 2018 and is very familiar with the start-up scene.  

Here are his five most important tips for aspiring founders and skilled professionals who would like to work in Germany. 

1. How to demonstrate your qualifications 

Santhosh Jayaprakash: “There are lots of opportunities in Germany in the technical and scientific professions – especially IT. What often goes down well in my experience is not only specialist knowledge but the combination of technical know-how and pragmatism. I’ve worked in different countries and I notice that each environment has its own strengths. India has this immense agility and ability to improvise, for instance, while Germany has a love of structure. A combination of the two is very valuable for founders. When I read job applications to my company today, I pay particular attention to people who confidently lead and shape processes without constantly needing to be asked to do so.” 

2. Be open to learning German 

Santhosh Jayaprakash: “Learning German helps enormously – not only at work but also in everyday life. And yes, the grammar can test your patience. I learned a lot by talking to colleagues and friends. But even more important than language courses, I think, is this: first settle in, observe and understand how things work in everyday life and at the workplace. Being part of a team for a while before starting your own business gives you a good feel for the mentality and workflows.” 

3. Build a network with the right people 

Santhosh Jayaprakash: “Reliability matters a lot in Germany and I think that’s a good thing. If you commit to something, you deliver. If you work efficiently, word gets around. Networks often take longer to develop than elsewhere, but they are much more stable. My tip: start small, gather genuine references and take your time building sustainable relationships rather than collecting business cards quickly. It pays off in the long term.” 

4. Find hobbies or join a club – it’s a great way to make connections 

Santhosh Jayaprakash: “Community is extremely important – whether in the tech community, a sports club or your neighbourhood. I like going to Union Berlin football matches, for example, where you meet people from all sorts of backgrounds. Clubs are an underrated door-opener in Germany: people meet on an equal footing in that kind of setting. What I find particularly interesting is that in many companies the culture is often more personal than you’d expect – especially in the SME sector. People know each other and look out for one another.” 

5. Enjoy the work-life balance 

Santhosh Jayaprakash: “What I appreciate about Germany is the clear separation between work and free time. It gives you space for family, hobbies and rest – something that isn’t a given, especially for founders. The distances are short in many cities, and that makes day-to-day life a lot easier. At the same time, I know other countries where you feel an incredible energy and pace. Both have their appeal – what matters is finding the system that suits your own life.”