The top 20 German publications every start-up should know about in 2023
Photo by Bank Phrom on Unsplash
Did you know that Germany ranks among the top 10 countries in the world for innovation? Germany has long been recognized as a hub for innovation and technological advancements, and its extensive media landscape plays a vital role in shaping the nation's business and tech landscape. From traditional print media to cutting-edge digital platforms, the country boasts a diverse range of media outlets catering to the needs of its vibrant and dynamic business community. With a plethora of options to choose from, selecting the right media outlets can be a daunting task, particularly for non-native speakers of the German language.
To address this challenge, we have curated a comprehensive list of the top 20 most influential and informative media outlets in Germany for young founders and technology enthusiasts. These authoritative and insightful media outlets offer unparalleled coverage of the latest trends, news, and developments in the fields of tech and business, making them indispensable resources for anyone looking to stay up-to-date with the rapidly evolving business landscape in Germany. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, these media outlets will provide you with the information and insights you need to succeed in the highly competitive German market. So without further ado, here are the top 20 publications and media outlets every start-up should know about.
1. brand eins
First published in 2007, brand eins is a German business magazine that deals with economic and (socio)political topics. The magazine's name translates to "brand one" in English, which refers to the idea that companies and individuals should strive to be unique and stand out in their respective markets. brand eins covers a wide range of topics related to business, economics, and society, including management, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and technology. Each issue has a specific focus such as money, work, innovation, or love. It's one of the most important business magazines in Germany.
2. Business Insider
Despite being relatively less established than its American counterpart, the German edition of this esteemed business magazine is nonetheless deserving of recognition. Potential contributors are advised to submit detailed and comprehensive stories related to finance, media, technology, or other industry sectors to the German editors. Although the team may be comparatively small, they remain eager to secure exclusive content. Launched in Germany in 2015, and headquartered in Berlin, Business Insider Germany is known for its in-depth reporting, analysis, and commentary on the latest trends and developments in the world of business. Owned by Axel Springer SE, one of Europe's largest media companies, Business Insider Germany has a team of journalists and contributors based in Germany and around the world, producing content in German for its readership—content which gets noticed by over 10 million online visitors each month.
3. Business Punk
Business Punk is a youthful business lifestyle magazine that exudes an edgy and rebellious aura. Its content focuses on successful executives, young entrepreneurs, and business mavericks. Embracing the mantra "Work hard. Play hard," Business Punk is tailored for creative doers and forward thinkers. Its website garners around 400,000 unique visitors per month. Potential contributors are advised to approach Business Punk only if their pitch aligns with the magazine's unique style and content. For example, sharing anecdotal experiences of career and entrepreneurial path, would be fitting.
4. Capital
Capital, a publication by Gruner + Jahr, Germany's second-largest publishing house, is a leading business magazine that features insightful reports, analyses, and commentary from the world of business and personal finance. With a monthly print circulation exceeding half a million copies, and an online presence that boasts 1.1 million monthly visitors on Capital.de, the magazine has a significant readership. Published since 1962, its journalistic credo is, “Economy is society," and it reports on various perspectives of the economy, companies in transition, global economic changes, and trends.
5. Computerwoche
Computerwoche is a weekly magazine aimed at IT enthusiasts and mid-level decision-makers. Published by IT-Fachverlag International Data Groups, the magazine focuses on providing investors with information on the economic climate and technical trends of medium to large-sized companies in the IT sector. Other topics covered include analyses, case studies, industry news, project reports, and profiles. With over 500,000 monthly online visits, Computerwoche is a go-to source for the latest news and developments in the SaaS industry.
6. Der Spiegel
The online version of Der Spiegel is one of the most widely read news portals in Germany, with a monthly traffic of over 79 million visits each month. It evolved from Spiegel ONLINE, which was initially separated from the print version of Der Spiegel. However, as of 2020, both media divisions are published under the same name and corporate design. Der Spiegel has been an integral part of German history since its founding in 1947, and is known for its comprehensive coverage of national and international issues. Being featured in Der Spiegel can bring significant exposure, as it is a widely respected and influential publication in Germany.
7. deutsche startups
deutsche startups is a well-established business magazine that has been covering the German startup scene for over a decade. Co-founded by Alexander Hüsing and Stefan Vosskötter, the magazine offers valuable insights and information about trends, news, and investments in the startup world. As one of the first publications to focus on the German startup scene, deutsche startups has become an important news platform for startup-related topics. With around 150,000 monthly online visitors, the magazine is a highly respected outlet in the industry.
8. DIE ZEIT
DIE ZEIT is an esteemed weekly newspaper and a vital media outlet in Germany, renowned for its independent and liberal stance on political issues. The publication covers a wide range of topics related to social life and current events from around the world. Being featured in DIE ZEIT guarantees a broad readership throughout the country. The newspaper's online presence is also substantial, with over 49 million monthly visits to its website. According to the German circulation audit bureau, DIE ZEIT had an average print circulation of 621,365 copies per issue in the third quarter of 2022. The publication is well-known for its feuilleton and politics sections. However, its digital and ZEIT Campus sections are also strong, making it attractive to startups.
Founded in 1946, Die Welt is a national daily newspaper based in Berlin, and is considered one of the country's leading newspapers. The newspaper has a dedicated business section, which covers topics such as finance, markets, industry trends, and features analysis and opinion pieces from leading experts in the field. The newspaper has a reputation for providing insightful analysis of factors driving economic growth and development in Germany and Europe, as well as the challenges facing businesses and investors. As a result, Die Welt is a widely read and respected source of information for business leaders, investors, and policymakers in Germany. It often features articles on successful start-ups, and prominent figures in the start-up world. As of 2022, Die Welt had a daily circulation of around 180,000 copies, with 760,00 readers. The newspaper also has a strong online presence, attracting over 80 million visitors each month.
10. Gründerszene
Gründerszene is a leading online magazine in Germany that provides extensive coverage of the start-up scene and digital economy. Its comprehensive content includes news, stories, video streams, opinion pieces, analyses, investigative stories, and background articles. With over 10 million visitors every month, Gründerszene has a wide reach and also collaborates with various media outlets, such as DIE WELT and Berliner Wirtschaft. This collaboration has the potential to amplify the impact of start-up news published on Gründerszene. Additionally, Gründerszene is affiliated with NGIN Food and NGIN Mobility, two online publications which focus on the food tech industry and mobility topics respectively.
11. Handelsblatt
Handelsblatt is a prominent German daily newspaper that delivers insightful coverage of economic and financial topics. The newspaper has earned numerous accolades, including the "most trustworthy daily" award in 2016 and the distinction of "Europe's best newspaper" in 2017. Handelsblatt is recognized as one of the primary outlets for statutory notices of the Frankfurter Wertpapiersbörse (Frankfurt Stock Exchange). The publication's website boasts more than 15 million monthly views, while its print edition recorded over half a million copies sold in the previous year.
12. Horizont
Horizont is a prominent weekly trade journal that focuses on the areas of marketing, advertising, and media. This publication is sold in Germany and Austria, produced by different publishers, respectively. In the beginning of 2023, the website attracted 300,000 monthly visitors. With its daily focus newsletters being a "must-read" for many managers, getting stories featured in them offers an excellent opportunity to increase brand awareness.
13. Internet World Business
Internet World Business is a biweekly brand journal that caters to B2B readers engaged in online sales and promotion of products. The publication covers key topics such as online marketing, webshop systems, online payment, e-commerce, research, internet legislation, and trends in the world wide web. The website attracts around 80,000 monthly visitors. Besides that, the daily newsletter is highly regarded by e-commerce managers in the DACH region and is a must-read for those in the industry.
14. LEAD
LEAD digital is a significant German marketing and business platform that focuses primarily on digital life, with a range of topics from technology and marketing to job listings in these sectors. It belongs to the Werben & Verkaufen media group but has a more edgy approach than its parent company. The website targets both professionals and private readers, and currently attracts 250,000 monthly visitors.
15. manager magazin
manager magazin is a German business magazine that focuses on economics and management. It was founded in 1971 and is published by the Hamburg-based Spiegel Group. The magazine covers a range of topics related to business and management, including corporate strategy, finance, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. It also publishes rankings and profiles of companies, executives, and business leaders. manager magazin is known for its in-depth reporting and analysis, and it has won several awards for its journalism. The magazine has a reputation for being a reliable source of information for decision-makers in the business world. The online version of their publications attracts 3.6 million monthly readers, making it one of the most significant outlets in Germany. However, it’s important to note that they do not cover start-ups.
16. Startbase
Startbase is a platform with a dedicated goal of positioning Germany as a leading nation for start-ups. Startbase functions as a centralized platform that provides a comprehensive overview of the scene. It facilitates networking among participants in the ecosystem, improves accessibility to information, and enhances visibility for German start-ups both nationally and internationally. This increased visibility leads to better access to innovations for investors and medium-sized companies. Moreover, the importance of the start-up ecosystem is clearly communicated through society and politics, highlighting its potential to drive the future economic success of Germany.
17. t3n
t3n is a prominent German media outlet that provides comprehensive coverage of various digital topics, including e-business, start-ups, social media, computer games, and web design. With over 2.8 million monthly online visitors, t3n is considered the leading publication for all things digital in Germany—and that's not even counting its print readership. Notably, several prominent media outlets such as Spiegel Online, Zeit Online, and Die Welt have featured t3n content in their publications, resulting in widespread media coverage. Additionally, t3n hosts its own podcast, which discusses pertinent topics surrounding the digital economy and society, as well as the Pioneers Network, an online platform aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation within the digital economy.
18. WirtschaftsWoche
WirtschaftsWoche is a highly regarded and influential business journal in Germany that has a strong focus on economics, finance, and business topics. Published once a week by the Handelsblatt publishing group, it has a circulation of approximately half a million print copies and 6 million online readers per month, making it one of the most widely read business publications in the country.
Being featured in WirtschaftsWoche can provide a significant boost for businesses and individuals, as it signals a high level of success and recognition in the German business world. With its wide readership and reputation for quality reporting, the publication is a valuable platform for professionals and businesses looking to expand their reach and influence in the German market.
19. WiWo Gründer
WirtschaftsWoche (WiWo) Gründer is a subsidiary website of WirtschaftsWoche—Germany's leading business journal. The website offers a variety of startup-related publications, including news, analysis, information articles, and tips on the most important topics related to the startup scene. WiWo Gründer is aimed at founders, investors, and anyone interested in starting a business by providing insights from the initial idea to financing possibilities and market entry. WiWo Gründer is an essential resource for anyone interested in the German start-up scene. Its publications are read by a wide range of stakeholders in the startup ecosystem, making it a valuable platform for startups looking to connect with potential investors, partners, and customers.
20. W&V
W&V (Werben und Verkaufen), is a weekly B2B print publication that focuses on the communications and media industry. It covers international and German marketing, advertising, media, digital, and social media topics, providing news and background stories. The magazine is published by the Werben und Verkaufen media group, which is part of Süddeutsche Zeitung, and has a circulation of 20,060 copies per week, making it one of the largest B2B print publications for media and marketing in Europe. W&V is in line with similar magazines such as "Marketing Week" in the UK, "AdAge" in the US, or "CB News" in France. Its readership includes professionals from agencies, media companies, and marketing departments across various industries. The website has more than 250,000 online visits per month, making it a valuable resource for professionals seeking the latest news, trends, and insights in the media and marketing industry.
Empower yourself with insight
Staying up-to-date with the latest developments and trends in the German business and tech landscape is crucial for any aspiring entrepreneur or business leader. The publications and media outlets listed above offer a wealth of information and insights that can help young founders and technology enthusiasts make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve. With their diverse range of topics and comprehensive coverage, these media outlets provide invaluable resources that can benefit anyone looking to start a business or advance their career in the German market.
By leveraging the insights and knowledge provided by these media outlets, young founders and business leaders can gain a deeper understanding of the German business and tech landscape, and make informed decisions that can help them succeed in the highly competitive market. So why not start exploring these media outlets today and take your business or career to the next level!