The funding crisis among German start-ups has worsened significantly, according to a study published on Tuesday by the auditing and consulting firm EY. Young companies raised around €6 billion ($6.6 billion) in venture capital in 2023, 39% less than in the previous year (€9.9 billion), the study indicated. It was the second annual decline in a row, with a sharp decline in venture capital financing, which has fallen by almost two-thirds since the record year 2021, when almost €17.4 billion was invested. EY Partner Thomas Prüver blamed high inflation, rising interest rates, the weak German econo…