Venture studioBuilding cash-flow positive businesses.
The startup scene in Germany
KölnBusiness counted 894 active startups at its Cologne location in data dated June 17, 2026, and reported 76 startup formations in the first half of 2026. It also counted 28 disclosed funding rounds totaling €47.3 million in that period. (Claims 34575, 34576, 34577)
About
KölnBusiness counted 894 active startups at its Cologne location in data dated June 17, 2026, and reported 76 startup formations in the first half of 2026. It also counted 28 disclosed funding rounds totaling €47.3 million in that period. (Claims 34575, 34576, 34577)
KölnBusiness listed software, advertising, education, e-commerce, legal services, and medicine among sectors represented in Cologne’s first-half 2026 startup formation cohort. (Claim 34578)
For 2025, KölnBusiness reported 112 new startups and about €380 million across 73 disclosed funding rounds. Its snapshot counted 890 startups, including 72 scaleups, and put the seed-stage share at about 60%. (Claims 34580, 34581)
KölnBusiness named JUPUS (€13 million), Foodforecast (€8 million), eternal ag (€8 million), and UMH System (€5 million) among the largest disclosed Cologne funding rounds in the first half of 2026. (Claim 34582)
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Köln ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Listed as | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Innovation Index: Innovation Cluster Ranking (formerly Science and Technology Clusters) | 2026 | Cologne | #46 | Down 3 | B | Innovation, Research, Activity |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | Cologne | #119 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
6 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Köln
Venture studios 3
Venture studio
Venture studioInnovating the packaging industry through new ventures.
Venture studioCreating exciting companies.
Investors 2
InvestorEmpowering startups in low-income countries through impact investment.
InvestorInvesting in the German middle market for sustainable growth.
Accelerators 1
AcceleratorBridging startups and established industries in Germany.
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Köln
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Köln
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Köln
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Köln
NRW.BANK and local savings banks anchor neoteq's regional early-stage fund.
Source: NRW.BANK investment in neoteqCologne-based neoteq publishes a pre-seed to Series A focus and a pitch-deck route.
Source: neoteq investment focusThe city page lists a grant up to €3,000 and a December 1 deadline with defined eligibility.
Source: Soft Landing ProgrammeGateway offers free startup support to teams meeting its stated university-affiliation rules.
Source: Gateway founder adviceDeepL describes translation, API and live meeting-caption products.
Source: DeepL company historyDeepL's company history says Kutylowski founded it in Cologne in 2017.
Source: DeepL company history
Questions about Köln
How does Köln rank as a startup ecosystem?
Köln is #119 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 2 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Köln?
2 investors based in Köln have a profile here, including RAIN - Redsalt Angel Investment Network GmbH and aplitcapital. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Köln?
Yes. Köln has 1 accelerator and 3 venture studios on record, including #STARTUPNATION TO MITTELSTAND and Boring Ventures.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Köln
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