---
title: "Hamburg-basierte Gründer nehmen am DSM 2026 teil; Finanzierungszugang beschleunigt"
sdDatePublished: "2026-08-27T04:08:00Z"
source: "https://startupcity.hamburg/news-events/news/marc-engelmann-why-your-vote-for-the-startup-monitor-is-important-for-hamburg"
topics:
  - name: "business enterprise"
    identifier: "medtop:20000349"
  - name: "economy, business and finance"
    identifier: "medtop:04000000"
  - name: "government policy"
    identifier: "medtop:20000621"
  - name: "business information"
    identifier: "medtop:20000170"
  - name: "business strategy and marketing"
    identifier: "medtop:20000192"
  - name: "public contract"
    identifier: "medtop:20001159"
  - name: "business financing"
    identifier: "medtop:20000183"
  - name: "commercial contract"
    identifier: "medtop:20000196"
locations:
  - "Hamburg"
  - "Germany"
---


Hamburg-basierte Gründer nehmen am DSM 2026 teil; Finanzierungszugang beschleunigt

Why your vote for the Startup Monitor is important for Hamburg
    |

    Startup City Hamburg

Why your vote for the Startup Monitor is important for Hamburg

The German Startup Monitor (DSM) has been regarded for many years as the most important source of information on the German startup ecosystem. The survey for the 2026 edition closes on 30 August. Marc Engelmann, founder of the startup Boomerang and regional spokesman for the organising Startup Association , explains in an interview why Hamburg-based founders in particular should take part now, and what is especially important to him personally.

What specific changes could Hamburg-based Startups achieve by taking part in the DSM?

The German Startup Monitor provides the data on which the association bases its arguments to policymakers, for example regarding access to funding or reducing bureaucracy. With regard to Hamburg, one specific example that springs to mind is: If enough founders state that access to capital is less than ideal and that bank financing is cumbersome and lacking in transparency, then this becomes a reliable statistic rather than just an individual opinion. It is precisely these kinds of figures that we use to press politicians and key partners for swift change. Without participation, such matters will always remain nothing more than a gut feeling.

From the Hamburg Association’s point of view: Which part of the survey is particularly important to you?

From our perspective, many of the question sets are particularly interesting, such as those relating to corporate partnerships. According to the DSM 2025, the proportion of startups with corporate partnerships has fallen from 72 per cent in 2020 to 56 per cent. For Hamburg, with its high concentration of mid-tier and large corporations, including companies such as Otto and Edeka, as well as the port, this is a cause for concern. The more Hamburg-based Startups provide specific answers here, the better we can take local countermeasures, for example through initiatives that bring founders and established companies together.

You’re a founder yourself: which issues have you found particularly challenging?

For me personally, as a founder, there have been many issues over the past few years that have really got on my nerves. When it comes to funding and grants, I would definitely highlight the bureaucratic burden involved in applying for public funding, for example with the research allowance or other funding programmes. The application process is complex, and you’re forced to rely on expensive external consultants.

There is also definitely room for improvement when it comes to practical collaboration with Startups. This applies to public tenders, which can now often be awarded directly to startups without going through the traditional procurement process – an option that, unfortunately, is used far too rarely. The same applies to collaboration between established Hamburg-based companies and startups. In my view, this would be a clear win-win: both public and private clients would strengthen their own business hubs whilst benefiting from Hamburg’s innovative strength. This is precisely what needs to improve.