StartUp report by "neu/wagen" shows: networking is the key
The mobility industry is facing a profound transformation worldwide - and young, technology-driven companies are key players in this process. This was once again demonstrated by the "Disrupt to Drive" study published by the Hannover Region's neu/wagen transformation network together with hannoverimpuls and in collaboration with the Startup Association.
The study makes it clear that electrification, autonomous driving and the circular economy are driving the industry forward. While every second new vehicle in China is already an electric car, Europe is lagging behind the global competition - German manufacturers are not among the top 10 sellers of electric cars worldwide. Players from the USA and China also dominate in the field of autonomous driving - European investment here has so far been low. However, hopefuls such as the German start-ups Vay and Fernride show that there is also innovative strength in Germany.
In the first quarter of 2025, the report recorded the highest number of start-ups in over two years. Investments in German start-ups remained stable at around seven billion euros in 2024. Robotics and circular economy start-ups are developing particularly dynamically: in the latter area, almost half of all global investment flows to Europe - a signal for sustainable, future-proof business models.
The results of the report show: In order to remain competitive as a technology location, Germany must invest more in DeepTech and provide targeted support on the path from research to market-ready product. Start-ups are the key to this - especially if they can operate in a strong regional ecosystem such as that of the Hannover Region.
About the neu/wagen transformation network
With the neu/wagen project, which was launched as a transformation network for the digitalization and sustainable development of the automotive industry in the Hannover/Hildesheim region, a consortium led by the Hannover Region Economic and Employment Promotion Agency is supporting affected companies in identifying and implementing their own transformation paths. The project started on July 1, 2022 and is funded as part of the "Transformation Strategies for Regions of the Automotive and Supplier Industry" guideline of the Federal Ministry of Economics.