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I Closed My German Company and Started Over in Asia. Here’s Why.

  • Writer: Thomas
    Thomas
  • Jun 19
  • 2 min read

A few years ago when I started my company in Germany, a friend warned me: "Be careful with the Finanzamt and Gewerbeamt. If you miss a form, they will chase you." 


This year, when I told friends I was starting a company in Shanghai, they smiled and asked, "So, when is the IPO?" 


After two years, I closed my German GmbH. The endless paperwork, high taxes, and slow approvals turned every small win into hard work. 


Now, I'm not saying China is some kind of business paradise. There's still paperwork here, too, and yes, we pay taxes. 


But there’s one big difference: people here believe in the future. Officials reply quickly, investors answer calls, and even casual contacts introduce you to potential partners. 


Germany still produces great entrepreneurs (though I wasn’t one of them ;)), but too often I felt that German Angst—the hesitation, the fear of risk. 


Meanwhile, most funding for new technologies now flows to just two places: the United States and East Asia. 



Homeless man in New York Street


What Germany Could Learn from Asia's Startup Culture 


✅ Move fast and adapt 

In Asia, reaching the market quickly matters more than perfecting every detail. The mindset is: launch now, improve later. 


✅ Failure is part of the journey 

Here, a failed startup isn’t the end. Investors ask, "What did you learn?" not just "Why did you fail?" 


✅ The ecosystem wants you to succeed 

From government incentives to collaborative workspaces, Asia builds an environment where founders can thrive. .


Where I Am Today 


My new company is growing faster than I ever expected. My latest project is asiabits - the leading daily newsletter on Asian innovation for executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers. 

Give us five minutes each day, and we’ll turn the news into clear insights.


💡 What do you think? Have you noticed these cultural differences between doing business in Europe and Asia? I’d love to hear your perspective. 



Stay curious, 

Thomas

 

 
 
 

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