In this feature article, the grafting of hyperbranched polymers to different substrates is reviewed. Both grafting onto macromolecules with different topologies (homogeneous grafting) and the resulting complex polymer architectures containing highly branched segments as well as their applications are discussed. In the second part grafting of hyperbranched polymers on surfaces, i.e., planar surfaces and spherical particles (heterogeneous grafting), with respect to specific applications, such as bio-repellent surfaces or soluble carbon nanotubes is described. In all cases, the one-step synthesis and the resulting highly branched topology of the hyperbranched building blocks is beneficial for the convenient introduction of a large number of functional groups to the substrates. These multifunctional hybrid materials open interesting options for applications, e.g., for highly functional nanoparticles or nanocomposites. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.