Comments on: Why Berlin is poised to be Europe’s new tech hub

By: Amith Brahm

Amith Brahm — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:06:05 +0000

om, i just want to let you know i moved from new york to berlin after reading this article. i took a job with a startup and moved here on feb 13. it’s been five days and already it is shaping up to be an awesome experience. the rent is still super cheap and you can walk everywhere. thanks for your post.. it gave me the confidence to pack up and leave

By: Jason Forrest

Jason Forrest — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:43:13 +0000

I can vouch for the non-existence of city-funds. Cheapness of rent – yes, but big initiatives? No…

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:41:31 +0000

Thanks Bobbie for summarizing what I was trying to say. Hopefully next year when the new airport launches, everything changes.

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:38:37 +0000

I am looking forward to coming through the new airpot later this year and it should be fun. I am already sold on Berlin and would be coming back more often.

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:37:39 +0000

Alex I cannot wait to get back.

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:36:30 +0000

Mirco

If you ask SoundCloud then you know that is not true. The city wasn’t spending any money to attract anyone at that time. And frankly they should be spending money on Berlin and improving its attractiveness to tech infrastructure.

By: Aləx

Aləx — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:28:19 +0000

Berlin is an amazingly cultural and inspiring environment, I agree @100%, the city is going to be more attractive in particular in that sector.

By: Henryk Lippert

Henryk Lippert — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:23:40 +0000

“A city’s importance on a global stage is measured typically by the size and scope of its airport: Shanghai, New York, London, Los Angeles, Frankfurt and Paris are good examples.”
I am missing San Francisco, or do you wanna say that SF and the Valley are not as important as these cities with their huge airports? Finally Berlin is opening a new airport in 2012 (BBI). This should bring Berlin more on the international destination map ;).
The secret of Berlin is “speciality” and a flow which is not comparible to any other city.

By: Bobbie Johnson

Bobbie Johnson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:15:13 +0000

Good point, Dev. The level of monoculturalism in Berlin is certainly higher than the other European cities it wants to compete with, which is a big deal. Yes, there’s a big Turkish-origin population, but in my experience they almost form a shadow city.

In most legal terms, immigration in Germany is roughly the same as most other European countries — however the smaller language footprint of German and state bureaucracy do make it harder than (say) getting started in London. This stuff is important, although remember that Berlin draws much of its immigrant tech population from the eastern reaches of Europe.

By: Dan Brickley

Dan Brickley — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:53:57 +0000

From a few years back:

http://www.plasticbag.org/archives/2006/05/how_american_are_startups/