The newest hub was opened in November 2022 in Berlin. CV Labs already has blockchain hubs in Switzerland (Zug), Liechtenstein (Vaduz), and South Africa (Cape Town). This growing global presence is exciting for the worldwide blockchain startup scene and a testament to CV Labs' growth and the strength of its international team. 

Berlin is the perfect location for another hub. Berlin has been a startup hotspot in Germany and Europe for years. In addition to excellent infrastructure, access to top talent, and comparatively low living costs, many ideas are developed and brought to life here. Meanwhile, 25 of Germany's 50 Unicorns are based in Berlin. Of course, this also attracts VCs and accelerators, further promoting the industry.  

Ulrike Lierow-Schad is head of the new hub in Germany. She has more than a decade of experience building sustainable organizations and bringing the right people together. During her 15+ years in the consulting industry, she gained a sustainable network internationally as well as in Berlin. Ulrike Lierow-Schad is a female founder and business angel for companies focusing on circular economy and sustainability.

Germany as a country for startups

CV VC publishes various insightful reports on the blockchain sector. In the latest report, they have devoted themselves entirely to the German blockchain ecosystem. Germany accounted for 6.2% of European blockchain funding and 1% of global blockchain funding. Decreasing blockchain funding in Germany reflects global trends observed this year, where blockchain companies secured a total of US$21.7 billion against US$26.2 billion in 2021. It also becomes clear why CV VC is so interested in Germany:  Germany maintained its leading position in Europe's blockchain scene, the report says, and is home today to the most significant number of blockchain companies across the whole European Union (EU).

In 2019, Germany formally showed its commitment to supporting the use of the technology, becoming the first country to adopt a national blockchain strategy. The strategy provides, among other things, guidelines for funding blockchain-related projects and considers various application areas, including financial services and digital identity.

A deeper look into blockchain funding activity in the first three quarters of 2022 reveals that infrastructure and development was the highest-funded segment, making up 55% of all blockchain funding of the period, followed by decentralized finance (DeFi) with a 27% share. Regarding funding volume, infrastructure, and development, DeFi companies amassed a total of US$120 million and US$57.7 million, respectively.  

Ulrike Lierow-Schad, MD of CV Labs Berlin, said about the report: «CV VC is a driver of innovation and holds great value in precision and knowledge sharing. Our objective with the German Blockchain Report is to share a data-driven blockchain account and begin an annual collection of benchmarkable venture data and solidly referenced German insights.»

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