Ginkgo, a Berlin-based startup founded by Carl Meran and Philip Liebenow, addresses Germany's substantial retirement savings gap through innovative digital solutions. The company identified a critical market opportunity, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises and lower-income workers, where traditional retirement plans remain inadequate and inaccessible.

Ginkgo's business model eliminates traditional sales commissions and expensive intermediaries by offering transparent, low-cost retirement products based on ETF investments. The platform generates revenue through employer subscription fees, implementation services, and digital contract management.

By combining technology with efficient processes, Ginkgo significantly reduces administrative burdens for companies while making retirement planning more accessible. The startup emphasizes that even marginal differences in fees substantially impact long-term returns.

Recently recognized with an award at the STARTUPLAND Conference, Ginkgo aims to transform retirement planning into a standard, cost-effective component of employee compensation packages.