270 Top startups in Cologne for April 2025

We rank 1NCE, SoSafe Cyber Security Awareness and Learnship in Cologne along with 267 other startups based on an algorithm that scores startups based on total investment, employee count, and quarterly website traffic. Cologne startup ecosystem ranks #154 globally and #6 in Germany.

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Top Unicorn Startups in Cologne for 2025

DeepL is the only unicorn in Cologne raising more than USD 2B. It is the undefined ranked unicorn in Western Europe.
SB Score:863

DeepL is a pioneering deep learning company based in Cologne, Germany, founded in 2009. It harnesses artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance language translation services, including the bilingual dictionary Linguee and the advanced machine translation tool DeepL, providing users with accurate and efficient translation solutions.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Artificial Intelligence

National Rank (Germany)

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Total amount:1

Best Startups in Cologne for 2025

1st

1NCE
SB Score:524

The startup offers IoT connectivity solutions as a network carrier, MVNO, and platform-as-a-service provider. Their services enable seamless connectivity for IoT devices, making it easier for businesses to manage and monitor their devices remotely.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

National Rank (Germany)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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SoSafe empowers organizations to cultivate a strong security culture and reduce risks through engaging, GDPR-compliant awareness programs. By providing targeted training and resources, it helps teams stay informed and vigilant against potential threats, fostering a safer workplace environment.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

National Rank (Germany)

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SB Score:497

Learnship has globalized traditional face-to-face language training with a proprietary distance learning technology and has created an innovative Live Teaching Method for online training. The German company’s mission is to help employees communicate in foreign languages in their everyday working life, with highly customized and effective trainer-based online training. With their product, Learnship has established itself as an effective alternative to face-to-face onsite training, generating significant cost savings and ROI for clients without compromising on teaching quality. Meanwhile, courses are taught successfully in more than 75 countries around the world at approximately 2,000 European and American corporations.

Industry:
Edtech
Subindustry:
Education-Other

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

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SB Score:495

Homelike offers businesses and corporate travelers a convenient online platform for renting temporary furnished and serviced apartments. Simplify your accommodation needs with Homelike's easy-to-use service.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Proptech

National Rank (Germany)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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SB Score:493

Rausgegangen is a Cologne-based startup that curates daily tips for exciting outings and events in the city. By providing personalized recommendations, it helps locals and visitors discover the best experiences, ensuring they never miss out on the vibrant social scene.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

National Rank (Germany)

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6th

tldv
SB Score:484

tl,dv is a developer of a meeting productivity tool designed to enhance focus during meetings. Its software helps teams effortlessly catch up on key moments, saving time and ensuring everyone stays informed. With tl,dv, teams can maximize productivity and improve collaboration.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Artificial Intelligence

National Rank (Germany)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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SB Score:473

bezahl.de automates, digitizes, and streamlines the entire receivables process, from invoicing and dunning to financial accounting booking. Bezahl is a financial technology startup.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

National Rank (Germany)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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SB Score:453

Open-Xchange champions an open, secure, and unrestricted internet, empowering users to safeguard their personal data and privacy.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Software

National Rank (Germany)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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SB Score:450

A comprehensive digital marketing solution for small businesses, offering user-friendly tools for social media management, email marketing, and website optimization. Increase online visibility and drive customer engagement with our all-in-one platform.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (Germany)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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SB Score:443

Mammaly creates specialized snacks designed for aging dogs, addressing common health concerns to enhance their overall well-being. These thoughtfully formulated treats help improve the quality of life for senior pets, ensuring they enjoy their golden years with vitality and comfort.

Industry:
Foodtech
Subindustry:
Agtech

National Rank (Germany)

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SB Score:439

A virtual SaaS procurement team assisting finance and tech departments in optimizing digital tools for startups. Streamlining processes and maximizing efficiency in digital-first companies.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

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Total amount:270

Top 102 Software & Data Startups in Cologne for 2025

The top three Software & Data startups in Cologne have raised more than USD 352M. Cologne startup ecosystem ranks #123 globally for the Software & Data industry.

SoSafe empowers organizations to cultivate a strong security culture and reduce risks through engaging, GDPR-compliant awareness programs. By providing targeted training and resources, it helps teams stay informed and vigilant against potential threats, fostering a safer workplace environment.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:493

Rausgegangen is a Cologne-based startup that curates daily tips for exciting outings and events in the city. By providing personalized recommendations, it helps locals and visitors discover the best experiences, ensuring they never miss out on the vibrant social scene.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

National Rank (Germany)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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3rd

tldv
SB Score:484

tl,dv is a developer of a meeting productivity tool designed to enhance focus during meetings. Its software helps teams effortlessly catch up on key moments, saving time and ensuring everyone stays informed. With tl,dv, teams can maximize productivity and improve collaboration.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Artificial Intelligence

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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Total amount:102

Top 36 Ecommerce & Retail Startups in Cologne for 2025

The top three Ecommerce & Retail startups in Cologne have raised more than USD 99.5M. Cologne startup ecosystem ranks #127 globally for the Ecommerce & Retail industry.
SB Score:495

Homelike offers businesses and corporate travelers a convenient online platform for renting temporary furnished and serviced apartments. Simplify your accommodation needs with Homelike's easy-to-use service.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Proptech

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:376

This startup streamlines B2B purchases, making it easy for businesses to buy supplies and services online. With a user-friendly platform and efficient process, businesses can quickly find what they need and make purchases with confidence.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Marketplaces

National Rank (Germany)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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SB Score:359

MöbelFirst, founded three years ago, connects customers with specialist retailers, featuring over 100 participating stores across Germany. With a commitment to quality and unique design, the platform aims to achieve €10 million in revenue, revolutionizing how people shop for furniture.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Ecommerce & Retail-Other

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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Total amount:36

Top 12 Hardware & IoT Startups in Cologne for 2025

The top three Hardware & IoT startups in Cologne have raised more than USD 155M. Cologne startup ecosystem ranks #119 globally for the Hardware & IoT industry.

1st

1NCE
SB Score:524

The startup offers IoT connectivity solutions as a network carrier, MVNO, and platform-as-a-service provider. Their services enable seamless connectivity for IoT devices, making it easier for businesses to manage and monitor their devices remotely.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:342

This startup revolutionizes the construction industry by providing innovative digital tools that bridge the gap between detailed planning and on-site execution. By transforming unused data into actionable insights, it enhances efficiency, streamlines workflows, and empowers teams to maximize productivity throughout the construction process.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Hardware & IoT-Other

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:316

Spot My Energy enhances the value of smart power by providing transparent energy flow insights. It streamlines metering, optimizes assets, and facilitates trading, empowering users to make informed decisions and maximize efficiency in their energy management.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Consumer Electronics

National Rank (Germany)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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Total amount:12

Most Funded Startups in Cologne for 2025

The top three most funded startups in Cologne have raised total funding of more than USD 360M. SoSafe Cyber Security Awareness has 0.29% more funding than Sastrify.

SoSafe empowers organizations to cultivate a strong security culture and reduce risks through engaging, GDPR-compliant awareness programs. By providing targeted training and resources, it helps teams stay informed and vigilant against potential threats, fostering a safer workplace environment.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

National Rank (Germany)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:439

A virtual SaaS procurement team assisting finance and tech departments in optimizing digital tools for startups. Streamlining processes and maximizing efficiency in digital-first companies.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

National Rank (Germany)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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3rd

1NCE
SB Score:524

The startup offers IoT connectivity solutions as a network carrier, MVNO, and platform-as-a-service provider. Their services enable seamless connectivity for IoT devices, making it easier for businesses to manage and monitor their devices remotely.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

National Rank (Germany)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

Total amount:270

Top Hiring Startups in Cologne by Employee Number

The top three hiring startups in Cologne have an median employee size that is between [251-500]

2nd

1NCE
SB Score:524

The startup offers IoT connectivity solutions as a network carrier, MVNO, and platform-as-a-service provider. Their services enable seamless connectivity for IoT devices, making it easier for businesses to manage and monitor their devices remotely.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

National Rank (Germany)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

SoSafe empowers organizations to cultivate a strong security culture and reduce risks through engaging, GDPR-compliant awareness programs. By providing targeted training and resources, it helps teams stay informed and vigilant against potential threats, fostering a safer workplace environment.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

National Rank (Germany)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:497

Learnship has globalized traditional face-to-face language training with a proprietary distance learning technology and has created an innovative Live Teaching Method for online training. The German company’s mission is to help employees communicate in foreign languages in their everyday working life, with highly customized and effective trainer-based online training. With their product, Learnship has established itself as an effective alternative to face-to-face onsite training, generating significant cost savings and ROI for clients without compromising on teaching quality. Meanwhile, courses are taught successfully in more than 75 countries around the world at approximately 2,000 European and American corporations.

Industry:
Edtech
Subindustry:
Education-Other

National Rank (Germany)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

Total amount:270

Explore the Startup Ecosystem of Cologne

National Rank

(undefined)

6th

0

Regional Rank

(undefined)

39th

5

Global Rank

(WorldWide)

154th

12

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Top Cities for Startups in Germany - Ranked by StartupBlink

StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of more than 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
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2024 National Rank CityGlobal Rank
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Total Score

Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries

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Quantity Score
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Quality Score
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Business Score
1st
0
13th
-
2
49.918
00.00
00.00
00.00
2nd
0
39th
-
5
21.959
00.00
00.00
00.00
3rd
0
98th
-
8
8.060
00.00
00.00
00.00
4th
+
1
134th
+
26
5.112
00.00
00.00
00.00
5th
-
1
152nd
-
4
4.237
00.00
00.00
00.00
6th
0
154th
+
12
4.149
00.00
00.00
00.00
7th
+
1
163rd
+
25
3.886
00.00
00.00
00.00
8th
+
1
178th
+
26
3.244
00.00
00.00
00.00
9th
-
2
206th
-
24
2.481
00.00
00.00
00.00
10th
+
5
225th
+
40
2.084
00.00
00.00
00.00
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