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Klaus-Heiner Röhl / Barbara Engels IW-Policy Paper No. 19 22. September 2020 Cooperation of Start-ups and SMEs in Germany

The cooperation between established SMEs and innovative start-ups offers considerable opportuni-ties for the respective companies and the German economy. New business models can be adopted, and innovative products can be jointly developed.

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Cooperation of Start-ups and SMEs in Germany
Klaus-Heiner Röhl / Barbara Engels IW-Policy Paper No. 19 22. September 2020

Cooperation of Start-ups and SMEs in Germany

IW-Policy Paper

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German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

The cooperation between established SMEs and innovative start-ups offers considerable opportuni-ties for the respective companies and the German economy. New business models can be adopted, and innovative products can be jointly developed.

In particular, the digitalisation of the ‘German Mittelstand’ could receive a boost through collabo-ration with digital start-ups. This could lead to an increase in the demographically induced declin-ing growth potential of the German economy. In order to exploit the full potential of cooperation, cultural differences between the two types of company must be overcome and in case of different regional focal points, the initiation of contacts must be facilitated. Based on expert interviews in start-ups, SMEs and associations, this policy paper identifies opportunities to strengthen coopera-tive relationships between established SMEs and the growing start-up scene. The paper concludes with ten policy recommendations. 

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Cooperation of Start-ups and SMEs in Germany
Klaus-Heiner Röhl / Barbara Engels IW-Policy Paper No. 19 22. September 2020

Klaus-Heiner Röhl / Barbara Engels: Cooperation of Start-ups and SMEs in Germany - Chances, Challenges and Recommendations

IW-Policy Paper

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German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

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The Energy Dependence of Bank Loans
Markus Demary / Niklas Florian Taft IW-Report No. 31 26. May 2023

The Energy Dependence of Bank Loans

Russia's war against Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerability of the Federal Republic of Germany to Russian energy imports, especially natural gas.

IW

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Barbara Engels / Klaus-Heiner Röhl IW-Report No. 30 23. May 2023

How SMEs and start-ups cooperate in the automotive industry

Cooperation between established companies and start-ups offers expanded opportunities to innovate and drive the digitalization of the economy.

IW

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