EstBAN business trip to Hamburg offered a fascinating glimpse into the city’s vibrant business ecosystem and innovation hubs. We hope investors got inspired and left with new ideas and full of energy.
The trip began at the exclusive wineBANK, where Riina Leminsky of Enterprise Estonia introduced us to Hamburg’s business landscape, emphasizing the city’s appeal for foreign investment and emerging trends. Jan Schnedler from Artificial Intelligence Center Hamburg (ARIC) and Professor Sven Crone of Crone Ventures hosted us and shared about the WineBANK initiative. This networking opportunity introduced us to Hamburg’s blend of tradition and forward-thinking.
Hamburg’s Startup Ecosystem, Quantum Innovation, and AI Pioneers
Our second day delved into Hamburg’s thriving startup scene, including a visit to the Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg – the ecosystem for the logistics of the future, located in a historic warehouse area, next to harbor. Here, startups focus on logistics innovation and showcased the future of digital transformation. We also explored the Hamburg Quantum Ecosystem, where Dr. Natalie Rotermund presented the city’s €34.1 million quantum computing initiative, positioning Hamburg as a leader in quantum technology. This was followed by an introduction of the AI.STARTUP.HUB, a collaborative AI-focused support program for founders, and followed by a pitch session by emerging AI startups.
In the afternoon, we visited the law office of Fieldfisher where Partner Dr Sebastian Kamm and Associate Maximilian Franz gave an engaging and interactive session on how to do business in Germany. The presentation covered everything from setting up a company, taxation and raising investment. It was a very practical and valuable learning where the questions from angels didn’t want to end.
The day concluded with the Disruptive Lounge event, where investors and innovators engaged in informal, candid discussions about emerging tech. This unique network has already generated over €5 million in investments, proving its value in connecting ideas with capital.
Deep Tech at DESY and Hamburg’s Startup Infrastructure
Our final day took us to DESY, a world-renowned accelerator center. Dr. Christine Frehse introduced us to DESY’s deep tech initiatives, Lizzy Harmstorf talked about the startup programs, we observed a pitch session featuring startups using DESY’s cutting-edge technology and got a tour of the facilities.
Following this, Veronika Reichboth from Hamburg Invest presented an overview of Hamburg’s startup ecosystem and the Landing Pad Hamburg program, which supports international companies entering the German market. Hamburg’s history of innovation, from major companies like Beiersdorf to tech-driven startups like 1KOMMA5° and Wunder Mobility, reinforces its position as a top European startup hub.
The importance of traveling for better investment decisions
Our trip revealed Hamburg as a powerhouse of innovation and collaboration, blending a rich entrepreneurial legacy with cutting-edge technology and international appeal. From quantum computing to AI and deep tech, Hamburg’s commitment to supporting growth and investment across industries makes it a dynamic destination for entrepreneurs and investors looking to engage with Europe’s innovation landscape.
We want to thank Jan Schnedler from Artificial Intelligence Center Hamburg (ARIC) and Veronika Reichboth from Hamburg Invest for their amazing support and help in planning and organizing this trip and for introducing us to the relevant ecosystem players.
