“I’m especially impressed with the German Mittelstand”
IT expert Santhosh Jayaprakash has established a number of start-ups in Berlin. What are his impressions – and his tips?
Mr. Jayaprakash, what brought you to Berlin?
My wife is German and also works in IT. She said: “I spent four years with you in your home country, now it’s time for you to explore mine.” Our daughter now goes to a nursery in Berlin. We’ve settled in the city.”
What made you think your business would take off in Germany?
As I see it, Germany has one of the strongest markets for cloud and digital solutions. Companies here are looking for secure, scalable systems, and that fitted perfectly with what I had already built. I quickly realised that this wasn’t just a personal move, but a major professional opportunity.
How did the founding of your start-up go?
It went well generally speaking. But the hurdles for start-ups in Germany are high. Lawyers, tax advisers, bank accounts – everything costs time and money. I invested heavily in professional advice early on, not least so as to be able to deal with the bureaucracy more quickly.
What tips would you give young founders starting out here?
Language proficiency is useful – German is used more commonly than English here. It’s important to be familiar with local habits, and at the same time make use of the international networks that make Berlin so dynamic.
Where do you see the greatest strengths of the German economy?
I am especially impressed by the SME sector, Germany’s famous Mittelstand – there are world market leaders here that are based in tiny villages. Their depth of knowledge and technical expertise is outstanding.
What can people in Germany learn from the mindset of Indians?
In my home country I see a greater degree of flexibility. We can adapt instantly to new situations, because there are lots of things that don’t yet work smoothly. I often cite the example of a car that has broken down. In Germany you call roadside assistance – and help comes reliably. If a car breaks down in India, I open the bonnet and wave to people at the roadside. Often everyone pitches in until the car is up and running again.
the work-life balance here is unique. People can work from nine to five and then really have time for their families.
The fact that certain things are institutionalised in Germany also has its advantages …
Absolutely. The work-life balance here is unique. People can work from nine to five and then really have time for their families. Everything is more structured and predictable, which makes life more reliable.
How expat-friendly is Berlin?
When we were looking for an apartment, my German wife’s applications were more successful than mine. But Berlin is definitely international – you can get by perfectly well with English on a day-to-day basis. The city has a lively international community and there are countless opportunities to meet people from all over the world.
