Comment by jhoh

That‘s simply not correct. Instead of founding as a GmbH you can start with an UG. A UG is legally virtually the same thing as a GmbH and you only need 1€ Stammkapital.

Once you start generating money with it, you can transform it to a GmbH. The only thing you achieve by that is displaying that your business is at least backed by 25k€.

In addition to that, you could also just start your business as a GbR. Funding this can be done completely for free (without needing any lawyers, paying fees etc.). As a GbR you‘re personally liable as a founder but when starting small that usually isn‘t a problem.

Founding in Germany kind of sucks, but for many different reasons.