Invest in Germany

GTAI does not make direct investment decisions — it is a promotional and advisory agency, not an investment fund. Julia Braune, as Chairwoman and CEO, leads a team of investment advisors who guide foreign companies through the German market entry process. Final investment decisions rest entirely with the private companies GTAI advises.

GTAI operates a global office network in over 50 countries, staffed by investment advisors who proactively identify and engage companies with international expansion plans. The agency also works closely with the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) and GIZ to tap diplomatic and trade mission channels. As chair of the OECD Network of Investment Promotion Agencies, GTAI participates in cross-referral mechanisms among national IPAs.

GTAI does not provide direct funding or grants. It advises on the full landscape of federal and state-level incentive programs — including non-repayable grants, public loan guarantees, and subsidized financing via KfW Bankengruppe. The agency helps structure applications, but approval authority lies with the relevant ministries and development banks.

GTAI's active promotional focus mirrors Germany's industrial strategy: advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0, energy transition technologies including green hydrogen, battery storage, and wind, semiconductor and microelectronics fabrication, digital health and life sciences, and ICT and software infrastructure. The agency aligns its sector teams with priorities set jointly by the BMWK and the European Commission's industrial policy frameworks.

The Federal Republic of Germany is the sole shareholder of GTAI, with ownership rights exercised by the BMWK. The ministry sets GTAI's strategic mandate and annual performance targets, while day-to-day operations remain independent under CEO Julia Braune. This governance structure places GTAI at the nexus of policy-making and commercial investment facilitation.

GTAI provides ongoing advisory support for existing foreign investors, including expansion services, regulatory monitoring, and access to network events. The agency's Investor Support Services team handles aftercare inquiries, helping firms navigate Germany's tax, labor, and environmental regulatory landscape. This function is distinct from its new-project attraction mandate but operates within the same advisory framework.

GTAI is funded entirely by the German federal budget, allocated through the BMWK. The agency does not charge investors for its advisory services. This public funding model ensures that GTAI's advice remains independent and aligned with national economic development goals rather than fee-generating transaction volume.