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.

Powered by:

Category

Startups

Unicorns

Exits

Coworking Spaces

Accelerators

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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
View full page
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

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
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

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

Total amount:346

Top 147 Software & Data Startups in Cologne for 2026

The top three Software & Data startups in Cologne have raised more than USD 310M. Cologne startup ecosystem ranks #105 globally for the Software & Data industry.

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

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

3rd

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

Total amount:147

Top 7 Transportation Startups in Cologne for 2026

The top three Transportation startups in Cologne have raised more than USD 9.05M. Cologne startup ecosystem ranks #116 globally for the Transportation industry.
SB Score:260

Colonia is a digital sharing platform for commercial vehicles. It also offers to rent trucks, trailers, tractors, tarpaulin trailers, box trailers, refrigerated trailers, and electric vehicles.

Industry:
Transportation
Subindustry:
Logistics

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:245

123Fahrschule offers intelligent application software for administration, e-learning, and individual learning status control for driver's license training for all driver's license classes.

Industry:
Transportation
Subindustry:
Automotive

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:211

Freightly TMS (transport management system) combines IT with expertise in the logistics sector and will digitalize your company – depending on your requirements, easily and accessible from anywhere. At Freightly TMS, we have the vision of making logistics digital in order to enable access at any time. With the aid of our smart data analysis techniques, it is possible to make qualified decisions more quickly. The management of logistics services is fundamentally simplified, and complex tasks are optimized. Information and document exchange with your forwarding agents, shipping lines and airlines is a key element of Freightly TMS. Freightly TMS covers all your logistics processes, from procurement and shipping to billing, to form a cloud-based solution aimed at reducing volatility within the supply chain and open up the opportunity to enter the age of digitalization. Every decision in the shipping process, from booking and documentation to payment, is supported by our intelligent database processes. Recurring work steps are automated, saving you enormous amounts of time. Freightly TMS also offers the possibility of live tracking your shipments and real-time checking for changes in freight prices or previously negotiated rates. Use our statistics and analysis tools to recognize trends in the market and react to them. We are a new form of logistics – from the bottom up for quick and qualified decisions for all those involved in the supply chain. Check out our Freightly advantages & modules: + digital freight purchase + white-label-solution + reports / statistics + real-time tracking / diver app + route management / disposition + parcel shipping + article PO management + airline management + carrier matching + warehouse management + work planning + ocean carrier management + SAP / ERP interface + freight rates upload + customer login + manage multiple locations + supplier login

Industry:
Transportation
Subindustry:
Logistics

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

Total amount:7

Top 9 Edtech Startups in Cologne for 2026

The top three Edtech startups in Cologne have raised more than USD 13.9M. Cologne startup ecosystem ranks #117 globally for the Edtech industry.
SB Score:398

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

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:280

DeepSkill is a tech-driven agency & platform that enables every employee to profit from tailored coaching-programs for the first time with the help of a modular coaching system and intelligent algorithms.

Industry:
Edtech
Subindustry:
Education-Other

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:167

Bikablo is a design service firm that offers training and products for visual storytelling, graphic recording, visual facilitation, and visual consulting. It specializes in graphic recording, sketch noting, and visual dictionary for academic courses and industries. Bikablo also organizes training courses for beginners, advanced learners, and subject specialists.

Industry:
Edtech
Subindustry:
Education-Other

City Rank (Cologne)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

Total amount:9

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

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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
View full page

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

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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)

0

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
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

View

Regional Rank (Western Europe)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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

Visit

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
No Data Available
Microsoft Excel icon
Download CSV file