Sixty percent of all German start-ups are founded in Berlin -- more than in any other German city. An increasing number of venture capitalists are also investing here, too. The number of spectacular purchases and takeovers is on the rise as well: In 2011, Google shelled out an estimated 250 million euros for the German portal DailyDeal. In February, American shopping portal Fab.com took over German bargain furniture website casacanda.de. One reason Berlin is so attractive is that the cost of living is lower than in many other big cities. This also makes it easier for companies to attract skilled workers.