Startup City Hamburg

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Story | Dec 1, 2025

Arik Willner: ‘At Impossible Founders, we combine quality with speed!’

Impossible Founders aim is making Hamburg one of Europe's leading startup hubs. CEO Arik Willner explains how he and his team intend to achieve this goal.

Guide & advice

Start your business as an international in Hamburg

Find the guidance you need as an international founder right here in Hamburg’s startup ecosystem. This guiding article empowers you with insights, networks, and opportunities to transform your ideas and drive them forward.

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Interview

How migrant founders succeed in the startup scene

Around 60 per cent of German unicorn startups have at least one founder with an immigrant background. Learn how networks like 2hearts help international founders overcome challenges and turn global perspectives into impact.

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Support & consulting

Specialised support for international founders

Hamburg offers specialised support to help international founders navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
From tailored programs to strong networks, the city empowers migrant entrepreneurs to succeed.

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Events

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We support international founders in Hamburg

Did you know that there is an active network for founders of international origin in Hamburg? Whether you have just arrived in Germany or are from the second generation here: many institutions and organisations offer support, tailored to your needs. Six of them introduce themselves in this video.

‘I am a tinkerer.’

Jacqueline De Lora from New Mexico in the United States prefers to sit in the lab. Together with co-founder Martin Schröter, she founded the deep-tech startup SURFACtoBioTech, which offers a new solution for biotechnological experiments. The company was founded in Heidelberg and is now based at the tecHHub in the Altona Innovation Park. Jacqueline explains the advantages Hamburg offers her startup in the video.

Sowmya Thyagarajan

Founder of Foviatech

“Despite many opportunities abroad, Hamburg’s international and industrial character makes it the perfect fit for us. From an aviation perspective, it’s an ideal location. And I love the Alster and Landungsbrücken — especially at sunset.”

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Sowmya Thyagarajan, founder of Foviatech, © Johannes Arlt/laif:

Christian Dietrich

Co-Founder & CEO of Kuyua

“Hamburg offers startups a powerful combination of international networking, economic strength and a high quality of life. Its proximity to global players and a growing tech ecosystem create ideal conditions for bringing new ideas to market quickly.”

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Angela Relógio

Founder of TimeTeller

“We are totally well supported in Hamburg. It's better than I've ever experienced before. The networks work really well. I feel a real culture of welcome here, because the city and the people are very open and warm-hearted. Everything runs very professionally here, and I can see that a lot of people are working here to move the city forward. We have found our home port.”

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Dr. Mazen Rizk

CEO & Founder of Mushlabs

“We want to change the world from Hamburg with our fermentation technology and are delighted to have the senator's support. Together we can build an innovative, robust and, above all, sustainable food system that will also contribute to Hamburg's food supply in the future.”

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©Mushlabs

Lucy Larbi

Initiator of AiDiA

“Hamburg has a special significance for us, especially as Hamburg is the hometown of many AiDiA members and has great potential to become Germany's innovation city. We look forward to making our contribution along the way.”

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Nico Hansen

Founder of Vanozza

“From my perspective, Hamburg is a melting pot for creative ideas and innovations. The Food Cluster has just been created, which will give the location a further boost. There are also numerous networking platforms and funding programmes - we have benefited greatly from the foodlab accelerator programme and IFB Hamburg's InnoFounder programme.”

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Anusha Akkina

Co-Founder - Aurelytix

“I chose Hamburg – international, pragmatic, and with a true “get-it-done” spirit. As a migrant, I bring new perspectives and strong determination. The Startup Unit and local founders were my compass in the early days. My tip: actively ask for intros and join meetups – those who reach out openly find support quickly.”