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Did Germany just promise an innovation revolution — while forgetting its startups? In today’s episode, we break down the 2025 SPD-CDU Coalition Agreement and its real implications for founders, investors, and the startup ecosystem.

What You'll Learn:

• Why startups, venture capital, and growth companies are almost invisible in Germany’s national agenda

• The hidden power of the “Finanzierungsvorbehalt”

• (funding clause) that could stall innovation plans

• What the proposed Gründungszeit could mean for future founders

• How Germany risks falling behind France, Spain, and the Nordics in startup policy

• The missed opportunity to build a true European NASDAQ alternative

Host:

Hosted by Joe Menninger, founder of Startuprad.io — one of Europe’s Top 3 startup podcasts and a trusted voice for tech founders and venture capitalists in DACH.

Joe unpacks critical policies, realistic outcomes, and strategic advice for anyone navigating Germany’s innovation economy.

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Episode Info

Host: Joe Menninger, Founder of Startuprad.io

Blog Post:
Full Coalition Analysis for Founders and Investors (Replace with specific link if you have it.)

Relevant Resources:

• Blog Post: Germany Startup Policy 2025: Strategies for Founders & Investors

• Reuters: BioNTech's 0.5% GDP Impact

• Tibi Initiative (France Growth Fund)

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome & Context

• 02:50 – Innovation vs. Startup Support: The Big Gap

• 07:15 – Why “Gründungszeit” Could Matter

• 14:30 – Germany’s Risk of Losing Startup Momentum

• 22:00 – Strategic Advice for Founders and VCs

• 27:15 – Closing Thoughts: Building Beyond Berlin

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