No start-up policy: Germany implemented less than half of its plans
The federal government has so far launched 22 of its 58 projects for start-ups. However, the majority are now being implemented.
(Image: Alexey_Erofejchev/Shutterstock.com)
The German government has not even implemented half of its programme to promote start-ups: of the measures described in the coalition agreement and the digital strategy, 22 out of 58 have been implemented, 32 are being implemented and 4 have not yet been started. These figures come from Bitkom, which carried out a special evaluation of the "Digital Policy Monitor" on the occasion of the anniversary of the traffic light's start-up strategy. Based on the monitor's figures, the industry association had already spoken of Germany being in the middle of the field in terms of digitalization at the end of 2023 - but deliberately exaggeratedly described the state of the administration as a "failed state".
Bitkom is particularly critical of the reduction in bureaucracy: the current federal government should tackle the one-stop store for start-ups on the official side in its last twelve months in office. The industry association also criticizes the fact that start-ups are still unable to found companies within 24 hours. Finally, adjustments to public procurement law are still lacking, as start-ups should be given easier access to public contracts - Bitkom believes that this is a cost-neutral measure, but so far it has only been mentioned in declarations of intent.
A show of strength required
On the positive side, according to the current evaluation, the Skilled Immigration Act in particular. However, even this is not yet optimal: "We would have liked to see more courage and determination from time to time [...], for example in the lack of end-to-end digitalization of visa processes," says Bitkom President Dr Ralf Wintergerst. "In order to deliver everything that was promised to start-ups, this coalition still needs to put in a show of strength in the final stretch."
The latest figures from the "Digital Policy Monitor" can be found at Bitkom. A particularly large number of projects can be found in the departments of Economy and Climate Protection, Home Affairs and Homeland, Digital and Transport as well as Education and Research - whereby the latter three also stand out with a relatively large number of measures that have not yet been started. There are significantly fewer projects, but also a comparatively large number of measures that have not yet been started in the Families, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth department. Bitkom expects that all projects will at least be implemented by July 2025.
(fo)
