Deep Tech Berlin Agenda: Pioneering Tech for Freedom

Berlin is one of Europe’s leading centres of innovation. With the Deep Tech Berlin Agenda, the capital is now establishing a strategic framework to ensure that technological breakthroughs are translated more quickly into practical applications, value creation and societal benefits.

The Agenda sets out how Berlin is systematically pooling its strengths in research, start-ups, technology transfer and scaling – and how this can create a hub that not only generates deep tech innovations but also consistently puts them into practice.

Berlin’s strategic framework for technological sovereignty

With the Deep Tech Berlin Agenda, Berlin is setting out a clear framework for the city and its actions for the coming years. At its heart is the question of how scientific excellence, start-up dynamism, technology transfer and scaling can interact even more effectively – so that technological breakthroughs lead more quickly to concrete applications, new business models and value creation.

Under the motto “Pioneering Tech for Freedom”, the Agenda makes it clear: technological self-determination is a foundation for competitiveness, resilience, prosperity and freedom. Berlin is thus positioning itself as a capital region that not only develops key technologies but also actively shapes their application.

Berlin has what it takes

Berlin boasts an exceptionally dense science and research landscape, a strong start-up scene, international talent, high-performing innovation networks and growing investment in research and development.
The figures demonstrate the breadth and dynamism of the location:

This starting point makes Berlin a hub where scientific excellence, entrepreneurial dynamism and social openness converge – ideal conditions for bringing deep tech innovations from research into practical application more quickly.

Three goals for Berlin’s deep tech future

1. Establish Berlin as Europe’s leading deep tech hub
   Berlin should make targeted use of its scientific, technological and entrepreneurial strengths to put technological breakthroughs into practice in an impact-oriented manner.
2. Accelerate the transfer from research to initial application
   More spin-offs, greater commercialisation and new collaborations should make Berlin one of the most attractive locations for rapid and reliable transfer.
3. Enabling scaling and growth
   Deep tech companies require specific enabling conditions:
   access to capital, talent, infrastructure, data spaces, test beds and strong networks. The Agenda sets out the framework for structures that foster innovation and growth.

Five strategic technology fields

The agenda focuses on five technology fields in which Berlin combines particular strengths with future potential:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Biotechnology
• Microelectronics, Photonics & Quantum Technologies
• Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
• Software Technologies

These fields are linked to relevant application areas to form innovation ecosystems. This creates a dynamic portfolio that strengthens existing expertise, unlocks new opportunities and strategically positions Berlin in the international arena.

A shared framework for the next ten years

The Deep Tech Berlin Agenda is not intended as a static strategy document, but as a learning framework for action over the next ten years. It was developed jointly by the economic and scientific departments of the State of Berlin, together with numerous stakeholders from business, science, administration and intermediary organisations.
Its implementation is a joint endeavour: what emerges at the interfaces between research, business, politics and society is crucial – where technological innovation gives rise to concrete applications, new business models and sustainable value creation.

Download the full agenda

What strategic levers is Berlin employing? How should technology fields and application areas interact? And what role can research institutions, companies, start-ups, investors, the public sector and intermediaries play in its implementation?

The full Deep Tech Berlin Agenda provides the strategic framework, key areas of action and concrete guidance for all those who wish to actively shape Berlin’s deep tech future.