| Factor | Germany | UK | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Formation Speed | 2 | 5 | UK can be incorporated online in <24h; Germany often takes weeks. |
| Min. Capital Requirement | 2 | 5 | Germany GmbH: €25k (min €12.5k upfront); UK Ltd: £1. |
| Corporate Tax Burden | 3 | 4 | Germany ~30%, UK 25% (small profits 19%). |
| Stock Option Friendliness | 2 | 5 | UK EMI scheme very favorable; Germany improving but still complex. |
| Foreign Investment Climate | 3 | 5 | London is a global VC hub; Germany’s investor culture more conservative. |
| Labor Flexibility | 2 | 5 | Germany has strict labor laws; UK much more flexible. |
| Talent Pool (Tech) | 5 | 4 | Germany strong in engineering; UK strong but more generalist. |
| Market Access | 5 | 3 | Germany = EU access; UK outside EU (post-Brexit). |
| Bureaucracy Level | 2 | 5 | Germany paperwork-heavy; UK relatively lean. |
| Visa/Immigration Ease for Entrepreneurs | 3 | 4 | Both have programs, UK generally faster to process. |
Score Totals:
- Germany: 29 / 50
- UK: 45 / 50
- UK is generally better for speed, fundraising, and equity incentives.
- Germany is stronger for EU access, manufacturing ties, and engineering talent.
If speed, VC access, and equity incentives are critical → UK wins.
If EU market access, manufacturing integration, and deep tech talent are top priority → Germany is strong.