Ingolstadt emerges as front-runner in the predicted rankings
In the latest edition of the Prognos Future Atlas City Ranking 2025, Ingolstadt, Bavaria has once again claimed the top spot in the "Competition & Innovation" category. This consistent high ranking is a testament to the city's dynamic and innovative ecosystem, as well as its commitment to sustainability and smart city innovation.
The city's strong startup and venture capital environment is one of the key factors driving its success. Bavaria leads Germany's startup landscape, with startups in the region raising €2.1 billion in venture capital in the first half of 2025. This dynamic and well-funded innovation ecosystem benefits Ingolstadt as part of Bavaria.
Ingolstadt's academic excellence also plays a significant role in its high ranking. The Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät Ingolstadt (WFI) of the Katholischen Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt regularly achieves top rankings due to its international orientation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and excellent student support. This academic excellence contributes to a skilled workforce and innovative research activities in the city.
The Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt organizes advanced programs focused on sustainable urban development, integrating environmental, social, and economic challenges. Their challenge-based course on sustainable cities fosters strategic solutions and entrepreneurial thinking, positioning Ingolstadt at the forefront of smart city innovation.
These factors combine to create an environment that drives competitive strength and innovation capacity in Ingolstadt. The city's top position in "Competition & Innovation" and second place in "Strength" indicate a strong focus on these areas in the city's economy.
The economic research institute Prognos examines the economic future prospects of 400 German districts and independent cities every three years. The Future Atlas positively assesses the prospects of Ingolstadt based on various indicators, including economic, demographic, environmental, and innovation metrics.
Ingolstadt has been on a continuous upward trend since the introduction of the "Future Atlas City Ranking" 20 years ago. Despite current economic challenges, the city intends to continue its efforts to improve its ranking. The transformation of the automotive industry remains a significant challenge for Ingolstadt's location.
Mayor Dr. Michael Kern finds the repeated good placement of Ingolstadt in the Future Atlas encouraging. Georg Rosenfeld, Economic Affairs Referent, attributes Ingolstadt's good performance in the Prognos City Ranking 2025 to the city's continuous commitment to innovation and sustainable development. Ingolstadt is on track to remain a livable and future-proof city, according to Rosenfeld.
In conclusion, Ingolstadt's high ranking in the Prognos Future Atlas City Ranking 2025 is a testament to the city's dynamic and innovative ecosystem, academic excellence, and commitment to sustainability and smart city innovation. The city aims to continue improving the framework conditions for the economy, science, and citizens, and to strengthen Ingolstadt as an attractive location for businesses, students, and residents alike.
**References**
- Bavarian Startups Raise €2.1 Billion in Venture Capital
- Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt: Sustainable Urban Development
- Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät Ingolstadt
- Prognos Zukunftsatlas 2025
- The city's success in the "Competition & Innovation" category, as reflected in the Prognos Future Atlas City Ranking 2025, is significantly influenced by the thriving general-news environment of startups and venture capital in Bavaria, where startups raised €2.1 billion in the first half of 2025.
- Ingolstadt's academic excellence, as demonstrated by the Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät Ingolstadt's top rankings and the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt's focus on sustainable urban development, contributes to a general-news ecosystem that fosters innovation and positions the city at the forefront of smart city innovation.
