Insights
Should Your Startup HQ Be in Germany or Just Your IP?
It’s a question we hear more often – especially from founders in the UK, US, and Switzerland.
Germany offers access to capital, talent, and one of the strongest economies in Europe. But does that mean your headquarters (HQ) – your main company entity and management base – should be here?
Not always.
For many startups, the smarter move is to structure their German entity as a:
✅ Holding company – for shares, IP, and future capital
✅ IP-owning company – to benefit from legal protections and favorable tax regimes (IP = intellectual property, such as patents, software code, product designs, or proprietary algorithms)
✅ Operating subsidiary – to serve the DACH market, hire talent, or support logistics
Here are some key structuring questions we help clients evaluate:
🔹 Where are your founders based?
🔹 Where do you plan to raise capital?
🔹 Where will IP be developed vs. owned?
🔹 Do you need access to EU R&D incentives?
🔹 What jurisdictions are your customers and investors comfortable with?
From shelf company setup to IP structuring and financial management, we provide modular support for founders who want clarity – not complexity.
Germany can be your headquarter, but it could also be your IP engine, your EU foothold, or your capital bridge. Let´s talk!