INTO GERMANY! The German Business Podcast
Business & Finance
About
INTO GERMANY is the German business podcast in the English language. Every month we take a fast-paced but in-depth look at one of the hottest sectors and round up some of the most intriguing stories from Europe’s largest economy. Whether you’re an international businessperson already into Germany or just curious about EXPANDING your company to the heart of the EU, we’ve got lots of on-the-ground success stories. Plus some helpful hints about how Germany works – and could work for you. So tune in every month to INTO GERMANY! Because Germany means business. Send feedback and comments to andreas.bilfinger@gtai.com A podcast by Germany Trade & Invest. Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. You can find more information on https://www.gtai.de/en/invest
Episodes
- From Assistance to Action: The Rise of Agentic AI
Agentic AI represents a new phase of artificial intelligence, capable of setting goals and taking autonomous actions to manage workflows and improve business efficiency. Germany is emerging as a key player in scaling this technology respon…
- Aiming High – Germany Joins the New Space Race
Germany is actively participating in the new space race, with companies focusing on satellite manufacturing, Earth observation, and reusable spacecraft. The German space sector is experiencing growth, supported by public-private partnershi…
- Replotting the Course: Full Steam Ahead for German Business
The podcast reviews Germany's economic course alignment in 2025 following snap elections, detailing the impact of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's pro-business policies, government support for industry and startups, and international investment…
- Scaling New Heights – Germany’s Start-Up Comeback
Germany’s start-up ecosystem is experiencing a resurgence, with over 1,500 new companies founded in H1 2025. The episode discusses factors driving this comeback, including government support, industry clusters, and international appeal, fe…
- From Prospect to Powerhouse - Offshore Wind in Germany
The podcast episode celebrates 15 years of offshore wind energy in Germany, examining its current contribution to the energy mix and its potential to quadruple by 2045. It features insights from Vattenfall and the WAB network on the sector…
- A Fresh Start? New German Government, New Business Opportunities
Germany's tenth chancellor, Friedrich Merz, leads a new coalition government focused on business, growth, and competitiveness. Julia Braune, CEO of Germany Trade & Invest, discusses the opportunities this political shift presents for inter…
- Defying Death Valleys: Germany Promotes Disruptive Innovations
The German government, through its agency SPRIND, is supporting disruptive innovations by providing financial aid to entrepreneurs and startups with potentially game-changing ideas. The episode features SPRIND's Olav Carlsen and Roland Dam…
- Charging Forward: E-Trucks and Germany’s Road to Sustainable Transport
Germany is leading the charge in adopting electric trucks, with registration figures double the EU average. This episode delves into the transition to sustainable road transport, discussing challenges and the future outlook with experts fr…
- (Re-)Searching for New Ideas – Germany’s Unique R&D Landscape
Germany invests heavily in research and development, with a decentralized, bottom-up approach. Guests from the Ministry of Education and Research and a startup founded by a neurologist discuss the special characteristics of R&D in Germany.
- Top German Business Stories of 2024 – A Year in Review
INTO GERMANY reviews 2024's German business successes, including expansions, technological advancements in pharma and AI, significant foreign investment, and green energy infrastructure projects, despite overall economic stagnation.
- Finally Fintech – How Germany Caught On to Digital Finance
This episode of INTO GERMANY! explores the rise of fintech in Germany, detailing the shift from initial skepticism to the rapid adoption of digital financial solutions. Experts discuss current opportunities and future prospects in the evol…
- Food for the Future – The Growing German Vegan, Vegetarian and Meatless Sector
Germany's plant-based food sector is experiencing significant growth, with over a third of Germans adopting plant-based diets. The market, valued at €1.9 billion, is Europe's largest. Discussions with companies like Hooked Foods and Better…
- Self-Driving Solutions – Autonomous Mobility and German Automotive
Germany is preparing for a future of driverless cars, being a global pioneer in autonomous vehicle technology. The episode discusses the country's readiness, featuring insights from Yang Ji of LiangDao on LiDAR technology and Christoph Mes…
- Germany’s Hydrogen Highway – A new grid for the transition to clean energy
Germany is establishing a 10,000-kilometer hydrogen distribution network to support its decarbonization goals. The episode discusses the challenges of the new grid, the potential repurposing of existing natural gas pipelines, and the exten…
- Making Renewables Circular – Recycling green energy hardware in Germany
Germany's renewable energy transition presents a business opportunity in recycling aging solar and wind equipment. This episode features discussions with ROSI, a company building a German plant for PV module recycling, and RDRWind, an asso…
- Creature Comforts – Germany’s red-hot house pet market
Germany's pet market is experiencing significant growth, with over 34.3 million pets and a turnover exceeding 7 billion euros in 2023. This diverse market offers numerous opportunities in areas like pet food, accessories, services, and tec…
- Eastern Germany’s “Third Wave” of Business Investments
Eastern Germany is experiencing a significant increase in business investments from major companies such as Intel, TSMC, and Tesla. Experts discuss the region's economic advantages and the potential for sustained growth, suggesting a redra…
- Green Grids, Good Business?
Germany is expanding its electrical grids with renewable energy to attract businesses, despite significant costs. Guests from Northvolt and 50Hertz discuss the potential for green energy to draw companies committed to carbon-neutral produc…
- A Shot in the Arm: Pharma Benefits from a New German Legal
Germany is reforming pharmaceutical regulations to boost domestic production, creating new opportunities for the sector. Eli Lilly and Company is building a $2.5 billion facility, one of the largest investments in the industry, in response…
- Cautious Optimism and Wild Cards: What FDI Says About the German Economy
Kearney's FDI Confidence Index indicates international companies are still optimistic about Germany, evidenced by major investments in critical sectors like pharma, microchips, and battery production, despite recent GDP growth slowing.
- How Germany Works Out
Germany's aging population is driving demand in the health and fitness sectors. Opportunities exist in med-tech, particularly physiotherapy powered by AI, and the fitness market for active seniors. International companies can find success…
- The Surge in Energy Storage
Germany aims for climate neutrality by 2045, necessitating advancements in energy storage beyond renewable generation. The episode explores the growing opportunities in the energy storage sector, driven by the increasing share of renewable…
- What Makes a Smart City Smart
This episode delves into the meaning of 'smart city', questioning if it's a buzzword or a framework for better urban living. It features Andreas Kleinau of HafenCity Hamburg and smart city experts Tamlyn Shimizu and Robert Compton discussi…
- Slaying the Digital Dragons
Germany's cybersecurity market is experiencing high demand due to increased digitization, remote work, and the war in Ukraine. The episode features insights from cybersecurity expert Torsten Strufe and NVISO managing director Pierre-Alain…
- The Race to Net Zero
Germany is experiencing a second solar power boom as it aims for carbon neutrality. The episode explores the potential success of solar energy in Germany's transition, featuring insights from Chris Case, CTO of Oxford PV, and David Wedepoh…
- BioNTech and Beyond
Germany is regaining its status as a pharmaceutical hub after BioNTech's success. This episode explores future opportunities, featuring insights from Merck, a serial entrepreneur, and a biotech journalist on topics like personal medication…
- Gaming in Germany
Germany's gaming sector is a significant economic force, boasting Europe's largest market with 49 million active players. This episode features discussions with industry leaders Benedikt Grindel of Ubisoft and Felix Falk of game, the Germa…
- Logistics Reloaded
Germany is a major global logistics hub, but geopolitical and sustainability concerns are driving change. This episode discusses the future of the sector with experts from DHL and the podcast 'Irgendwas mit Logistik'.
- Battery Recycling - the Next Big Thing
This episode of INTO GERMANY! The German Business Podcast examines the growing battery recycling industry in Germany, a crucial element for the nation's clean energy transition. Guests Chris Reed and Dr. Philipp Rose discuss the economic p…
- Artificial Intelligence
This episode explores the state of artificial intelligence in Germany, discussing potential areas of growth, the feasibility of international companies setting up business there, and the role of German researchers in AI development. Guests…
- Making Energy Efficiency More Efficient
Specialists discuss increasing energy efficiency in Germany, driven by the need to reduce reliance on Russian energy and combat climate change. The episode explores opportunities for international companies and the current high demand for…
- New hopes on chips
This episode discusses the revival of Germany's chip industry, which saw production move to Asia in the 1990s. It features interviews with Christin Eisenschmid of Intel Germany regarding expansion plans in Magdeburg and Frank Bösenberg of…
- Putting the E in German Mobility
This episode discusses Germany's automotive sector gearing up for electric mobility, featuring Matthias Zentgraf on attracting battery suppliers, Stefan Di Bitonto on market opportunities, and Prof. Martin Winter on battery advancements.
- Trailer - INTO GERMANY! The German business podcast
This trailer introduces the INTO GERMANY! podcast, an English-language show focusing on the German business landscape. It promises monthly deep dives into key sectors and success stories for international business expansion.