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Berlin: City of Startups – Why Business English Is Essential Here
Berlin is Europe's startup capital – and Business English is the key to this dynamic ecosystem. Whether pitching to investors, networking at tech events, or interviewing at N26: without confident English, you won't get far in Berlin's startup scene. In this lesson, you'll learn the most important pitch vocabulary, networking phrases, and interview strategies you need for Berlin's international working world. With 12 interactive exercises, you'll practise real-world skills for everyday startup life.
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Learning Content
Business English for Berlin's Startup Scene
Over the past few years, Berlin has become Europe's startup capital. With over 4,000 active startups and an international ecosystem attracting founders from around the world, the city is a melting pot of innovation. What all these companies share: English as their common working language.
This lesson specifically prepares you for the language demands of Berlin's startup world. You will learn:
- Pitch vocabulary – from "burn rate" to "product-market fit"
- Networking phrases for events and meetups
- Interview English for applying at startups
- Why Berlin's international teams have made English the standard
All exercises are geared towards B2 level and use authentic situations from everyday startup life.
Includes interactive exercises and final test. Duration: approx. 18 minutes.
Email Vocabulary
0/6 learned
I am writing to...
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Please find attached...
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Could you please...
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I look forward to...
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Kind regards
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As discussed...
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Startup Vocabulary: Pitch & Funding
6 words
pitch deck
nounA presentation that summarises the business model for investors.
We need to update our pitch deck before the investor meeting.
seed funding
nounThe first round of financing for an early-stage startup.
They secured €2 million in seed funding last quarter.
to scale (up)
verbTo grow a business systematically without proportionally increasing costs.
We need to scale our operations across Europe.
burn rate
nounThe speed at which a startup spends its available capital.
Our current burn rate gives us a runway of 18 months.
product-market fit
nounThe state where a product satisfies a real market demand.
We achieved product-market fit after pivoting to B2B.
runway
nounThe remaining time until a startup's capital runs out.
With this investment, we've extended our runway to 24 months.
Cultural Note
Berlin Startup Culture: In hardly any other German city is English as commonplace as in Berlin's startup scene. Many companies like Zalando, N26, or SoundCloud have English as their official corporate language – even when the majority of employees speak German. Meetings, emails, and documentation are consistently conducted in English.
Exercise 1: Startup Vocabulary in Context
Our ______ shows that we can reach profitability within two years.
Exercise 2: Understanding Pitch Language
What does 'We've achieved product-market fit' mean?
Networking in Berlin's Startup Scene
Networking Phrases for Startup Events
Berlin offers an unparalleled density of startup events: from Tech Open Air to meetups in Kreuzberg to co-working events in Mitte. To make valuable connections at these events, you need more than just small-talk skills.
The following phrases will help you introduce yourself professionally, describe your startup, and build lasting business relationships. Note: in Berlin's startup world, the tone is noticeably more informal than in traditional German companies – but still professional.
Networking Phrases: Introductions & Making Connections
5 words
elevator pitch
nounA 30-60 second summary of your business idea.
Can I give you my elevator pitch? We're building AI-powered language tools.
to disrupt
verbTo fundamentally change an existing market through innovation.
Our platform is disrupting the traditional recruitment industry.
pain point
nounA specific problem that customers have and that your product solves.
The biggest pain point for our users is managing multiple tools.
traction
nounMeasurable progress and growth signals of a startup.
We've gained significant traction with 10,000 users in three months.
to pivot
verbTo fundamentally change the business strategy to better respond to the market.
We pivoted from B2C to B2B after analysing our user data.
Exercise 3: Match Networking Phrases
Click on a word on the left and then on the matching translation on the right.
Exercise 4: Build Networking Sentences
Translation: We're disrupting the traditional recruitment industry.
Job Interviews at Berlin Startups
Mastering Job Interviews in English
When applying at a Berlin startup, the interview is almost always conducted in English – even when the company is based in Germany. Hiring managers don't just look at your professional qualifications, but also at how confident and natural your English sounds.
The most common interview formats at startups are:
- Culture fit interview: Does your personality match the team?
- Technical interview: Can you handle the job technically?
- Case study: How do you solve a specific business problem?
Tip
Insider Tip: At Berlin startups, people often use informal address – even in interviews. Nevertheless, you should remain professional in English. Avoid slang expressions and pay attention to correct grammar. A relaxed but error-free style makes the best impression.
Exercise 5: Translate Interview Answers
German
Ich bin besonders motiviert, weil Ihr Unternehmen den Markt verändert.
Exercise 6: Order Interview Sentences
Translation: I have five years of experience working with cross-functional teams.
Berlin's International Startup Ecosystem
Why Berlin Attracts Founders from Around the World
Berlin is not just Germany's startup capital – the city has developed into one of Europe's most important tech hubs. What makes Berlin so special: comparatively low living costs (compared to London or Paris), a vibrant creative scene, and an enormous diversity of talent from over 180 nations.
For German professionals, this means: Business English is not optional, but a prerequisite. Whether you work at a 5-person startup or a scale-up with 500 employees – the working language is English. And this is exactly where the wheat is separated from the chaff: those who communicate fluently and confidently in English have a clear advantage in applications, promotions, and networking.
Final Quiz: Berlin Startup English
What best describes 'traction' in the startup context?
More Lessons
English Proofreading for Academic Texts: What You Need to Know
Academic Writing in English: The Complete Guide for German Students
English Proofreading: 10 Tricks for Error-Free Texts
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