StartupBlink

346 Top startups in Cologne for July 2026

We rank SoSafe Cyber Security Awareness, 1NCE and bezahl.de in Cologne along with 343 other startups based on an algorithm that scores startups based on total investment, employee count, and quarterly website traffic. Cologne startup ecosystem ranks #127 globally and #4 in Germany.

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Top Unicorn Startups in Cologne for 2026

DeepL is the only unicorn in Cologne raising more than USD 2B. It is the undefined ranked unicorn in Western Europe.
SB Score:832

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

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Total amount:1

Best Startups in Cologne for 2026

SoSafe empowers organizations to build a security culture and mitigate risk with its GDPR-compliant awareness programs. Powered by behavioral science and smart algorithms, SoSafe delivers engaging personalized learning experiences and smart attack simulations that turn employees into active assets against online threats. Comprehensive analytics measure ROI and tell organizations where vulnerabilities lie. Programs are easy to deploy and scale, fostering secure behavior in every employee.​

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

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2nd

1NCE
SB Score:522

1NCE is a provider of an IoT software and connectivity platform for connected products to customers managing various devices across different countries. Its platform enables customers to collect device data and turn it into actionable intelligence and accelerates time-to-market for data collection projects, increasing device lifetime, and allowing efficient management of sensors from initial deployment to the end of the product lifecycle.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

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SB Score:489

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

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5th

tldv
SB Score:482

tl;dv is a developer of a meeting productivity tool aimed at improving meeting attention. The company's software enables teams to easily catch up on relevant and significant moments to save time and stay informed. It also allows teams to record remote meetings and marks critical points during live meetings. tl;dv was established in April, 2020 by Raphael Allstadt and Carlo Thissen in Köln, Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Artificial Intelligence

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SB Score:480

Talespin is building the spatial computing platform to power talent development and skills mobility for the future of work. Founded in 2015, the company leverages its proprietary platform to offer enterprise customers, partners, and individuals an end-to-end solution for creating, distributing, and measuring the impact of immersive learning content. Talespin is building a future of work where the distance between learning and execution is collapsed, enabling people to explore unique career paths that meet the needs of both businesses and individuals.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

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SB Score:463

A borderless internet that is open, safe and free. Ever since Open-Xchange was founded back in 2005 the philosophy driving the company has been clear: develop software and services that give businesses the flexibility and freedom to excel, create an open, safe environment for people to connect and collaborate, build platforms based on the idea that maximizing value to both customers and users is a sustainable long term strategy in fast moving competitive markets. Today, with a proven record in agile software development, Open-Xchange continues to evolve their products and services based on this approach by delivering the only integrated, open-source messaging, collaboration and productivity stack for Telcos, Hosters and Service Providers.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Software

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SB Score:442

rankingCoach is the AI-powered digital marketing automation platform for small businesses and resellers. With over 40 international awards and availability in 38 countries and 14 languages, rankingCoach provides an all-in-one solution for SEO, SEA, local listings, online reputation, and social media — all fully automated by AI in a single, easy-to-use app. rankingCoach is trusted by over 50 global partners, including leading hosting providers, telcos, and SaaS platforms worldwide.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

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SB Score:431

Seer is a developer of a life sciences and health data platform intended to facilitate early, pre-symptomatic detection of chronic life-threatening diseases. The company's platform captures and translates molecular insights from the proteome with improved accuracy and speed, enabling healthcare professionals to detect cancer and neurological diseases, drive earlier treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

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10th

Ordio
SB Score:427

Building the Category Leader for Deskless Workforce Management. All processes digitally optimized by Ordio lead to time savings, cost reduction & effectiveness - in an industries with increasing administrative burden and suffering core business.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

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11th

epilot
SB Score:424

The software-as-a-service cloud platform epilot is the digital foundation for scaling sales, service, grid and implementation processes in the energy transition. epilot brings more transparency to solution providers, utilities, grid operators as well as their partners, B2C and B2B customers. The Cologne-based tech company supports more than 100 enterprise customers with modern customer experiences and efficient collaboration management. At the customer interface, inquiries are digitally captured or products and services are sold online with epilot. The management and implementation of incoming inquiries is carried out with the help of a transparent 360° view and an automated workflow management in cooperation with partners. A modern customer portal helps expanding customer potential.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cloud

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Total amount:346

SoSafe empowers organizations to build a security culture and mitigate risk with its GDPR-compliant awareness programs. Powered by behavioral science and smart algorithms, SoSafe delivers engaging personalized learning experiences and smart attack simulations that turn employees into active assets against online threats. Comprehensive analytics measure ROI and tell organizations where vulnerabilities lie. Programs are easy to deploy and scale, fostering secure behavior in every employee.​

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

City Rank (Cologne)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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2nd

1NCE
SB Score:522

1NCE is a provider of an IoT software and connectivity platform for connected products to customers managing various devices across different countries. Its platform enables customers to collect device data and turn it into actionable intelligence and accelerates time-to-market for data collection projects, increasing device lifetime, and allowing efficient management of sensors from initial deployment to the end of the product lifecycle.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

City Rank (Cologne)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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SB Score:489

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

City Rank (Cologne)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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Total amount:346

SoSafe empowers organizations to build a security culture and mitigate risk with its GDPR-compliant awareness programs. Powered by behavioral science and smart algorithms, SoSafe delivers engaging personalized learning experiences and smart attack simulations that turn employees into active assets against online threats. Comprehensive analytics measure ROI and tell organizations where vulnerabilities lie. Programs are easy to deploy and scale, fostering secure behavior in every employee.​

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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2nd

1NCE
SB Score:522

1NCE is a provider of an IoT software and connectivity platform for connected products to customers managing various devices across different countries. Its platform enables customers to collect device data and turn it into actionable intelligence and accelerates time-to-market for data collection projects, increasing device lifetime, and allowing efficient management of sensors from initial deployment to the end of the product lifecycle.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:489

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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Total amount:346

SoSafe empowers organizations to build a security culture and mitigate risk with its GDPR-compliant awareness programs. Powered by behavioral science and smart algorithms, SoSafe delivers engaging personalized learning experiences and smart attack simulations that turn employees into active assets against online threats. Comprehensive analytics measure ROI and tell organizations where vulnerabilities lie. Programs are easy to deploy and scale, fostering secure behavior in every employee.​

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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2nd

1NCE
SB Score:522

1NCE is a provider of an IoT software and connectivity platform for connected products to customers managing various devices across different countries. Its platform enables customers to collect device data and turn it into actionable intelligence and accelerates time-to-market for data collection projects, increasing device lifetime, and allowing efficient management of sensors from initial deployment to the end of the product lifecycle.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
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SB Score:489

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

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Total amount:346

Most Funded Startups in Cologne for 2026

The top three most funded startups in Cologne have raised total funding of more than USD 353M. metru has 0.54% more funding than 1NCE.
SB Score:431

Seer is a developer of a life sciences and health data platform intended to facilitate early, pre-symptomatic detection of chronic life-threatening diseases. The company's platform captures and translates molecular insights from the proteome with improved accuracy and speed, enabling healthcare professionals to detect cancer and neurological diseases, drive earlier treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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2nd

1NCE
SB Score:522

1NCE is a provider of an IoT software and connectivity platform for connected products to customers managing various devices across different countries. Its platform enables customers to collect device data and turn it into actionable intelligence and accelerates time-to-market for data collection projects, increasing device lifetime, and allowing efficient management of sensors from initial deployment to the end of the product lifecycle.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Internet of Everything

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
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SoSafe empowers organizations to build a security culture and mitigate risk with its GDPR-compliant awareness programs. Powered by behavioral science and smart algorithms, SoSafe delivers engaging personalized learning experiences and smart attack simulations that turn employees into active assets against online threats. Comprehensive analytics measure ROI and tell organizations where vulnerabilities lie. Programs are easy to deploy and scale, fostering secure behavior in every employee.​

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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Total amount:346

Top Hiring Startups in Cologne by Employee Number

The top three hiring startups in Cologne have an median employee size that is between [5001-10000]
SB Score:333

CompuGroup Medical, Inc. provides software and communications solutions that assist doctors, dentists, general practitioners, clinics, rehabilitation centers and care facilities, health insurers, pharmaceutical companies, public bodies, hospitals, pharmacists, associations, networks, and other service providers with workflow, diagnosis, and therapy worldwide. It offers EHR/PM, a solution to meet the needs of physician practices and clinics or community health centers; Alteer Office, an integrated electronic healthcare record-practice management solution.

Industry:
Healthtech
Subindustry:
Health Care

City Rank (Cologne)

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

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SoSafe empowers organizations to build a security culture and mitigate risk with its GDPR-compliant awareness programs. Powered by behavioral science and smart algorithms, SoSafe delivers engaging personalized learning experiences and smart attack simulations that turn employees into active assets against online threats. Comprehensive analytics measure ROI and tell organizations where vulnerabilities lie. Programs are easy to deploy and scale, fostering secure behavior in every employee.​

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Cybersecurity

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:118

DPAii is a web-based platform used for shareholder identification and corporate action transmission. It facilitates secure communication between issuers and intermediaries. The platform supports regulatory compliance in financial markets. DPAii helps streamline processes related to shareholder data and event notifications.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

City Rank (Cologne)

0

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Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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Total amount:346

Explore the Startup Ecosystem of Cologne

National Rank

(Germany)

4th

2

Regional Rank

(Western Europe)

26th

13

Global Rank

(WorldWide)

127th

27

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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.
2026 National Rank CityGlobal RankTotal ScoreAnnual GrowthQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
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