Germany's "smart solutions" for "smarter business" ensure that the optimal conditions exist for international SMEs seeking to "smart-up" their business by entering new markets, developing new products, technologies and services or forging new business partnerships and ties.

Around the world, Germany's dynamic SME economy is serving as a business model for intelligent, sustainable market growth. Domestic and international SMEs located in Germany are also at the forefront in developing the ICT-based solutions driving the emerging smart industry sectors on the way to a smarter, sustainable knowledge economy.

Whether in the smart energy, mobility or ICT sector, companies in the country's thriving "Mittelstand" business environment are showing the way forward, creating innovative solutions for tomorrow's markets. That they are able to do so is thanks to Germany's thriving start-up eco-system and a welcoming business culture which provides start-ups with the support they need.

Here we look at a number of current "smart-up" operations, beginning with innovative start-up VC funding "smart-up" example from the private sector (Earlybird) and an innovative start-up project (Madvertise) through to projects in the smart energy (Next Kraftwerke) and mobility (Ubitricity) sectors on the way to a world of smarter cities (Berlin TXL - Urban Tech Republic).