The joint presentation GERMAN HAUS – GERMANY AT SXSW 2025 is a project coordinated by German Music Export by Initiative Musik in collaboration with Startup Germany and numerous other partners from the tech, digital, start-up and music sectors. The German Haus is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) through its Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative.
The cultural and creative industries are the embodiment of diversity; they encompass a broad spectrum of market segments, including architecture, books, design, film, art, the performing arts, music, press, broadcasting, software/games, and advertising.
The cultural and creative industries are of major significance to Germany’s economy, the continue growing gross value added totalling 125 billion euros in 2023. The sector’s work force is characterized by a large number of self-employed creative entrepreneurs, with roughly 238.000 freelancers and commercial companies providing around 2.0 million jobs. The cultural and creative industries are also drivers of innovation for many other industries such as manufacturing and particularly for small and medium-sized companies.
One of the Initiative for the Cultural and Creative Industry’s central goals is to raise public awareness for the importance of the sector and to improve the future prospects of the cultural and creative industries by strengthening their competitive ability and tapping into their full potential for creating jobs.
FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND CLIMATE ACTION
DIVISION CULTURE AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES; GAMES
Scharnhorststrasse 34–37, 10115 Berlin
P +49 30 186 15 67 74
buero-vib5@bmwk.bund.de
www.kultur-kreativ-wirtschaft.de
Initiative Musik is the central funding institution and music export office for the German music industry. Its programmes, projects and awards focus on supporting professional newcomers, musicians, live music clubs and music businesses, as well as developing sustainable structures for rock, pop and jazz.
As a division of Initiative Musik, GERMAN MUSIC EXPORT aims to strengthen the presence of German music abroad. Through various international activities, such as collaborations with international showcase festivals, active membership in international networks like EMEE and European Talent Exchange and the initiation of its own funding programs (International Tour Funding, DO! Export, and GO! Export), GERMAN MUSIC EXPORT offers musicians and music professionals based in Germany various opportunities to enhance their visibility abroad and expand their network on an international level.
Since 2010, Initiative Musik coordinates the German joint presence “Germany at SXSW” and GERMAN HAUS at South by Southwest, organized with the support of the Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Action (BMWK).
Initiative Musik
Friedrichstraße 122, 10117 Berlin
export@initiative-musik.de
www.initiative-musik.de
KATJA LUCKER, Managing Director Initiative Musik
NEUS LÓPEZ, Head of Export
neus.lopez@initiative-musik.de
ANNA SOPHIE ROSENHAYN, Communications & Project Manager German Music Export
anna.rosenhayn@initiative-musik.de
The Digital Hub Initiative by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) connects startups, companies, and research to drive digital transformation and innovation. It strengthens Germany’s position as a global digital leader.
Digital Hub Initiative
Lützowstraße 106, 10785 Berlin
https://www.de-hub.de/en/
BIRGIT HORACK, BMWK Referat VIA4, Start-ups, Digitale Vernetzung, Digital Hub Initiative
CLAUDIA BEHRENDT, Hub Agency Lead
claudia.behrendt@rckt.com
DANIEL KRIEBEL, Lead Ecosystem
daniel.kriebel@rckt.com
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is the national economic development agency. It supports foreign companies entering the German market and promotes Germany as a business location, fostering innovation, investment, and collaboration across industries.
Germany Trade and Invest – Gesellschaft für Außenwirtschaft und Standortmarketing mbH
Friedrichstrasse 60, 10117 Berlin
https://www.gtai.de/de/trade
YILDIZ GÖTZE, Head of Department, Internationalization Funding Programs
Yildiz.goetze@gtai.de
KIANA FRANK, Senior Manager
kiana.frank@gtai.de
REBECCA GOFFIN, Project Manager
Rebecca.goffin@gtai.de
Berlin Partner works on economic growth, promotes business, technology and innovation, and presents the advantages of the capital to companies, investors and talents.
Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH
Fasanenstraße 85, 10623 Berlin
https://www.berlin-partner.de/
ANNA WIESE, Manager International
anna.wiese@berlin-partner.de
CARL-PHILIPP WACKERNAGEL, Chief Marketing Officer
carl-philipp.wackernagel@berlin-partner.de
The ministry supports SMEs in doing business worldwide. The companies here have international experience, think globally, and act quickly and flexibly. The strong media orientation calls to mind the great heritage of Johannes Gutenberg of Mainz.
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viniculture of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate
Stiftsstraße 9, 55116 Mainz
https://mwvlw.rlp.de/
DANIELA HEIMSTADT, Officer Foreign Trade
daniela.heimstadt@mwvlw.rlp.de
ELISABETH WAGNER, Business Representative of the German Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate in the USA
usa@rlp-international.de
hannoverimpuls is the joint economic development agency of the City and Region of Hannover. It supports business startups, expansions, and growth, promotes innovation, and facilitates internationalization.
hannoverimpuls
Vahrenwalder Straße 7, 30165 Hannover
https://www.wirtschaftsfoerderung-hannover.de/de/Wir_ueber_uns/Hannoverimpuls/Startseite_hannoverimpuls_GmbH_en.php
JANA AUGUSTIN, Project Director International Affairs
jana.augustin@hannoverimpuls.de
We are XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria – an initiative for the media location of Bavaria! We promote people who are shaping the media world of tomorrow, inform about trends and developments in the industry, and help you discover the latest media events.
XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria
Balanstraße 73/Haus 11, 81541 München
https://www.xplr-media.com/en/
NINA BRANDTNER, Teamlead
nina.brandtner@xplr-media.de
LILY MARSH, Marketing
lily.marsh@xplr-media.de
Munich Startup is the official startup portal for Munich and the surrounding region.
Munich Startup
Gollierstr. 70, Eingang D, 80339 München
https://en.munich-startup.de/
ARNO EGGERS, Management
a.eggers@munich-startup.de
REBECCA KUTSCHEIT, Project Manager
r.kutscheit@munich-startup.de
Munich: where innovation meets tradition. A hub for cutting-edge tech, startups and creative industries, Munich blends beer gardens, art, and global business. International talents flock to the city for its top universities and career opportunities.
City of Munich
Herzog-Wilhelm-Str. 15, 80331 München
https://www.munich-business.eu/en/
KATJA SCHLAUG, Deputy Head of Marketing & International Business Relations
katja.schlaug@muenchen.de
DR. OLAF KRANZ, Head of Team of Excellence Culture & Creative Industries
olaf.kranz@muenchen.de
Kulturbetriebe has bundled the city’s cultural/educational offerings More than 500 employees attach great importance to a balanced relationship between top-class and broad-based culture, established cultural institutions and independent cultural work
Kulturbetriebe der Stadt Dortmund
Südwall 2-4, 44122 Dortmund
https://www.dortmund.de/rathaus/verwaltung/kulturbetriebe/
CHRIS STEMANN, Night Mayor City of Dortmund, Special Envoy for International Projects
nachtbeauftragter@stadtdo.de
DR. STEFAN MÜHLHOFER, Managing Director at Kulturbetriebe Dortmund
smuehlhofer@stadtdo.de
BW_i is the central location agency for business and science in and for the State of Baden-Württemberg. BW_i is your first point of contact if you are looking for the perfect investment object or if you would like to establish business relationships.
Baden-Württemberg International
Lautenschlagerstraße 21/23, 70173 Stuttgart
https://www.bw-i.de/
MANUEL MIELKE, Manager Internationalization USA & United Kingdom
manuel.mielke@bw-i.de
CORNELIA FRANK, Director Internationalization & Investment
cornelia.frank@bw-i.de
The Film Commission Region Stuttgart serves as an information center for all issues of film production. We are able to be of assistance in preparing for production and special questions about our film and media infrastructure.
Film Commission Region Stuttart
Friedrichstraße 10, 70174 Stuttgart
https://film.region-stuttgart.de/
JENS GUTFLEISCH, Head Of Film Commission Region Stuttgart
jens.gutfleisch@region-stuttgart.de
The Pop-Büro Region Stuttgart is the only publicly funded institution for the promotion of pop music and pop culture and is the central point of contact for artists and those involved in pop culture in Stuttgart.
Pop-Büro Region Stuttgart
Naststraße 11a, 70376 Stuttgart
https://www.popbuero.de/
MANUEL ALBANI, Project Lead
manuel.albani@region-stuttgart.de
The German Consulate General in Houston includes the states of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexiko and Oklahoma in its jurisdiction and represents Germany, German trade and industries, and German citizens living in those states. The Consulate General strives to strengthen and expand the multifold economic, political, and cultural relations between Germany and the United States.
The German Consulate General in Houston
1330 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 1850, Houston TX 77056
https://www.germany.info/us-en/embassy-consulates/gkhoustonen
KAI HENNIG, Consul General
info@houston.diplo.de
MARKUS HATZELMANN, Deputy Consul General
The DWIH New York was established in 2010 to strengthen Germany’s reputation as a land of research, science, and innovation by providing a platform for leaders in science, technology, and the humanities to engage in transatlantic exchange.
The EU Delegation in Washington, D.C., represents and promotes the interests and values of the European Union in the United States.
German Accelerator helps high-potential German startups scale into leading innovation hubs across the globe. German Accelerator is proudly financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
Innovative cultural products for the music industry: we provide artistic and entrepreneurial inspiration. With a focus on diversity and sustainability, we shape the Reeperbahn Festival, Europe’s largest club festival.
As a global leader in enterprise applications and Business AI, SAP stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR supply chain, and customer experience. SAP Labs U.S., serves as an essential entity to unite SAP’s core research and development teams, connect with the ecosystem, attract talent, foster growth from within and embrace emerging technologies. We accelerate innovation and bring groundbreaking solutions to market faster.
philoneos is an innovation consultancy empowering businesses to thrive in dynamic markets. We specialize in tailored strategies, fostering creativity, and building sustainable solutions for SMEs. Let’s shape the future together.
TOWA is the end-to-end partner for digital go-to-market in B2B. We orchestrate sales, marketing, commerce & CX with consulting, design, software, data & cloud – from strategy to operations. Our goal: growth and efficiency for B2B champions.
VibeLab is a data-driven research, consultancy and advocacy agency dedicated to supporting creatives and preserving nighttime culture and nighttime economies.
