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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

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

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

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Economic and Structural Influences Drive a Trend Reversal
Klaus-Heiner Röhl / Gerit Vogt IW-Trends No. 4 5. December 2023

Corporate Insolvencies on the Increase

After a prolonged decline, the number of corporate insolvencies has begun to rise again. The slight increase in 2022 could be interpreted as a step towards normalisation after the sharp drop experienced during the 2020/21 Covid19 pandemic.

IW

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Enno Kohlisch / Oliver Koppel / Thomas Puls IW-Trends No. 4 13. November 2023

The Transformation of the Automotive Industry: An International Comparison of Germany's Innovation Performance

The automotive industry is undergoing a comprehensive technological transformation that is challenging established value chains. Making sure that domestic research helps to shape this ongoing transformation is therefore an important task for countries with a ...

IW

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