We head to Frankfurt this month, where DB1 Ventures' Christoph Osburg fills us in on the tech scene, the social scene, and why a church may be the biggest 'must-see'.
While Frankfurt may not have the cultural cachet of Berlin, the nightlife of Hamburg or the breweries of Munich, it stands tall as Germany’s financial centre, rivalling London and Paris for Europe’s largest finance hub.
Suitably, the city is a hub of modernity that’s also got one of the continent’s biggest museum clusters. It’s the German city with the most ultra-wealthy citizens in the country while having one of its most ethnically diverse populations. And it’s home to several of Germany’s more prominent corporate VCs, especially in fintech, with investors flying in and out through one of the busiest airports in the world.
We asked Christoph Osburg (below), an investment principal at stock exchange operator Deutsche Börse’s DB1 Ventures, to give us the ins and outs of the city.
What makes Frankfurt’s startup scene stand out? What is the city particularly strong in?
Frankfurt’s startup scene benefits hugely from the city’s unique position as Germany’s financial hub. With the European Central Bank and major banks and financial players headquartered here, the city offers startups unparalleled direct links to capital markets and regulatory authorities. This makes it a natural hub for fintech, insurtech and regtech innovation.
The city also has a very international character and one of Europe’s largest airports, which contributes to a diverse and international startup environment.
Where are the hotspots in the local tech scene?
Frankfurt’s tech scene is centred around three key hotspots that come to mind: TechQuartier, The Squaire and Bahnhofsviertel. TechQuartier is by far the main innovation hub, connecting startups with investors and corporates, especially in fintech. It hosts over 600 startups, VCs and corporates, and is a go-to location for pitch events and venture programmes.
The Squaire offers prime office space near the airport, attracting tech companies. And then there’s Bahnhofsviertel, Frankfurt’s most vibrant district. It’s mostly known for its nightlife, but recently it’s become an unlikely hotspot for early-stage founders looking for a strong community and affordable office space.
Where’s the best place for a coffee meeting?
When it comes to coffee meetings in Frankfurt, you’ve got plenty of solid options depending on the vibe you’re going for. Hoppenworth & Ploch is a favourite among founders and creatives as it offers great coffee, a clean design, and is thus ideal for focused conversations.
For something more classic and authentically local, Wacker’s Kaffee Geschäft is a Frankfurt institution. If you’re after a quieter atmosphere with a scenic view, MainKai Café by the river is a great pick for informal catch ups. And for convenience, it’s hard to beat Café Hauptwache. It’s centrally located, always buzzing, and perfect for quick meetups between meetings.
Where would you take a founder you wanted to impress to dinner?
If there’s one thing that’s not hard to find in Frankfurt, it’s a great variety of spots for a memorable dinner. I’m sure you will find something to match every taste and occasion. For a truly unique experience, consider Tigerpalast Varieté Theater (below) which combines fine dining with a world-class variety show, the perfect setting for a memorable evening.
For modern, high-end vibes, Moriki is a go-to for Asian fusion, while Zenzakan takes it a step further. Buffalo and M-Steakhouse are excellent picks for top-tier steaks. And if you’re looking for a vegan option, Seven Swans, located close to the Main is your choice.
What are the best events for meeting local founders and investors?
There are a few key events worth considering. Between the Towers, run by my former colleagues at Neosfer, is one of the most established meetups in the city. The crowd is usually a strong mix of early-stage startups, VCs and corporate innovation teams, especially from the fintech space.
Frankfurt Founders Breakfast offers a more casual, community-driven format that’s great for meeting early-stage entrepreneurs in a low-key setting, and Startup SAFARI is another key event that spans the entire RheinMain area, including cities like Mainz, Wiesbaden and Gießen.
Besides the keynotes and events, startups have an open door concept, offering investors the unique opportunity to visit their offices. Fintech Forum, as the name suggests, is specifically targeted towards the fintech industry and remains one of the leading platforms for connecting with investors and scaleups in the DACH fintech scene.
Finally, there are frequent conferences like the Crypto Asset Conference and the Impact Festival which are conducted every year and which bring together sector experts around digital assets and sustainable finance.
(And hey, Christoph, don’t forget the fourth annual GCV Connect Germany event coming up in October. Tickets are still available! – RL)
What’s the one thing every visitor should see while they’re here?
The Römerberg and St. Paul’s Church, located in Frankfurt’s historic city centre, are must-see attractions. This area offers beautiful architecture, traditional German buildings, and a great atmosphere. Römerberg, Frankfurt’s historic town square, was the heart of the old city but was largely destroyed during World War II bombings and later reconstructed. Similarly, St. Paul’s Church was destroyed and reconstructed as a symbol of unity and freedom.
Furthermore, there’s one thing every visitor should do while in Frankfurt, it’s catching the views from the Main Tower viewing platform. The city’s skyline might not be the tallest in Europe but it’s definitely worth seeing, especially at sunset when the financial district lights up. After that, consider a walk through Börsenplatz, home of the famous Deutsche Börse Group-owned Frankfurt Stock Exchange, one of the oldest in the world, founded in 1585 to standardise currency exchange.
Who in the VC/CVC/startup scene should people make sure to meet while they’re here?
You’ll find a strong concentration of CVC units tied to major financial institutions. Firstly, there is Neosfer, Commerzbank’s early-stage CVC, and CommerzVentures for later-stage fintech. Deutsche Bank operates active CVC arms across both retail and commercial banking.
KfW Capital, the government-backed LP, plays a foundational role in supporting Germany’s VC ecosystem, and with a more regional focus there are the guys from Futury Capital which is backed by the state of Hesse but also supported by private corporate institutions (like us). From the independent VC side there are Yittrium and Heliad, which are serving the ecosystem with growth equity investments. And of course, don’t miss DB1 Ventures, my team at Deutsche Börse Group.
What’s a secret only the locals know about?
Mhm, let me see… A local favourite that often flies under the radar is Berger Straße. It’s a lively stretch full of independent shops, cafés, bars and bakeries and it’s where locals go for after-work drinks, Saturday strolls, or just to enjoy a more relaxed, authentic slice of Frankfurt life. Definitely worth checking out if you want to see the city beyond the skyline.
