  Digital platforms offer vast potential for increased value creation and
innovation, especially through cross-organizational data sharing. It appears
that SMEs in Germany are currently hesitant or unable to create their own
platforms. To get a holistic overview of the structure of the German
SME-focused platform landscape (that is platforms that are led by or targeting
SMEs), we applied a mixed method approach of traditional desk research and a
quantitative analysis. The study identified large geographical disparity along
the borders of the new and old German federal states, and overall fewer
platform ventures by SMEs, rather than large companies and startups. Platform
ventures for SMEs are more likely set up as partnerships. We indicate that high
capital intensity might be a reason for that.
