Blog

Fintechs are companies that develop and market technology-driven financial innovations. In recent years, they have developed into serious competition for traditional financial service providers such as banks and insurance companies. This is also true for the top 5 financial startups presented here. Here, we define the largest fintech startups as the respective best-funded startups in Germany according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. N26 GmbH

As a young direct bank, N26 has focused on account management and payment transactions via smartphone. This is not only particularly easy and convenient, but also extremely fast. Real-time banking – processing in seconds – is part of the service promise. N26 was founded in Berlin in 2013 and launched its offering in 2015, taking its name from its first office address “Unter den Linden 26” in the capital. Today, N26 already has over five million – mostly younger – customers and offers its services in 25 countries, with a focus on Europe.

2. wefox Germany GmbH

The digital insurance platform wefox was launched in 2015 – initially focusing on the German and Swiss markets. The Berlin-based startup offers a tool that brokers can use to manage their customers’ insurance policies. At the same time, customers can check their policies and report claims via the wefox app. wefox sees itself as a digital marketplace where insureds, brokers and insurance providers can come together. In the meantime, the business has also been launched in Austria. With Italy and Spain, two southern European markets are being targeted. Over 600,000 policyholders use the app. The digital insurer One belongs to the wefox Group.

3. Raisin GmbH

Raisin GmbH has been around since 2012 and is almost a startup oldie. Founded by three former McKinsey consultants, the company has become best known in Germany for its WeltSparen brand – a digital marketplace for overnight money and fixed-term deposits in other European countries. It now also offers ETF investments under the WeltInvest brand. In 2019, Raisin acquired MHB Bank. This was originally a joint venture between Helaba and the Polish bank Handlowy, since 2005 the bank belonged to the US investment bank Lone Star. The bank now operates under the name Raisin Bank. Raisin is one of the few fintechs with its own full banking license.

4. Solarisbank AG

Solarisbank was founded in Berlin in 2016 and sees itself as a banking-as-a-service platform. The institute has a full banking license and can thus carry out all types of banking transactions. As a banking-as-a-service platform, Solarisbank primarily wants to be a service provider for other fintechs that offer financial services to their customers without having a banking license themselves. In this sense, Solarisbank acts as a background “service provider” and processor. At the end of 2019, the bank had total assets of more than EUR 435 million and employed more than 230 people.

5. Clark Germany GmbH

Berlin-based tech startup Clark is all about insurance. Founded in 2015, the young company aims to offer its users continuously optimized insurance coverage via the Clark app. To do this, an intelligent system analyses customers’ insurance data, compares it with offers from other insurance companies and shows potential for optimisation. This all works in a matter of minutes and without having to study the famous fine print in policies. According to its own information, Clark has already gained more than 200,000 users since its launch and generated over 600 million euros in premium volume. Originally focused on Germany, the company also wants to open up other European markets.
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

Logistical processes are particularly well suited for digitization and online applications. This often allows efficiency improvements and cost savings to be realized. The 3 largest logistics startups in Germany are also focusing on this. As the largest logistics startups, we define the best-funded startups in each case according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. sennder GmbH: online forwarding

The Berlin-based startup sennder offers a digital logistics platform that connects commercial shippers and forwarders. Its declared goal: optimal use of loading capacities, maximum transport efficiency and thus more sustainability in transport. sennder sees itself as Germany’s and Europe’s leading digital freight forwarder. In its short history, the company has already made some remarkable leaps forward. In mid-2020, the merger with the French competitor Everoad took place, and in September 2020, the European freight business was taken over by Uber Freight. sennder has around 800 employees and is targeting over one billion euros in revenue by 2023.

2. Cargo One GmbH: Digital air freight booking

Cargo One is one of many growths of the Berlin startup scene and was founded in 2017 by three friends from this environment. The young company is focused on brokering air freight capacities and operates a digital booking platform under the same name for this purpose. Driving the digitalization of the air freight business is the declared goal of the three founders. The platform currently serves 347 air freight destinations worldwide with 15 airline partners for over 2,000 forwarders and intends to grow further. Lufthansa Cargo, among others, is an important investor and partner.

3. Seven Senders GmbH: Delivery platform

Seven Senders sees itself as a service provider for online retailers who want to impress their customers abroad with first-class shipping quality. This is not always easy, especially with shipments across borders, and is associated with hurdles. Seven Senders’ delivery platform with a virtual network of parcel delivery companies aims to overcome these hurdles. The company, founded in Berlin in 2015, is successfully proving this – with now over 100 employees, over 100 parcel delivery companies as cooperation partners and the possibility to deliver to destinations in 50 countries around the globe in a timely manner.
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is part of cloud computing and means the use of software and IT infrastructure for a fee via an external IT service provider. Many startups in Germany are now based on SaaS models and serve a growing market. SaaS offers users efficiency and cost advantages. Here are the three largest German SaaS startups. As the largest SaaS startups, we define the best-funded startups according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. Celonis SE (Munich): Process SaaS for Business

“Mining” is a word from mining and means “digging”. Mining knowledge hidden in processes – process mining – is what the Munich-based company Celonis is all about. For this purpose, the company has developed a software offered as a SaaS solution. It can capture real company processes, create a digital image of these processes and perform “knowledge mining” analyses on this basis. Celonis was founded in 2011 and is based in Munich and New York. Over 100 million US dollars in annual revenue and more than 750 employees stand for a successful business.

2. Personio GmbH (Munich): HR SaaS

In 2015, Munich-based startup Personio set out to digitize human resources (HR) management in companies. Today, Personio employs 600 people. The digital mapping of HR processes enables more efficient workflows in corporate HR. The software developed by Personio is comprehensive and covers all HR processes from recruiting to personnel administration to payroll accounting. HR-Saas by Personio is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized companies with up to 2000 employees. Already more than 3,000 companies in 80 countries worldwide have been convinced by this offer.

3. Adjust GmbH (Berlin): Mobile Analytics SaaS

The software of the Berlin-based startup Adjust is already used by more than 30,000 apps and the number is growing every day. It analyzes user behavior with apps in a similar way as cookies do with websites. The information gained in this way provides app providers with important information for their marketing and target group processing. No wonder such “added value” is in demand. It has given the Adjust business a powerful boost. With now more than 350 employees and offices in New York, Paris and Moscow, among others, the company has by no means reached the end of its growth.

4. Signavio GmbH (Berlin): Business Process SaaS

In 2009, the startup Signavio was founded by students of the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam. The word “Signavio” is Italian and means “signpost” in German. Indeed, the software developed by the company wants to be groundbreaking. As a professional process, decision and workflow management system, Signavio’s Business Process Manager shows central paths and directions within an organization. Thus, business processes can be designed much more efficiently. Today, Signavio has more than 300 employees and is also represented in Switzerland, France, Great Britain and Australia.

5. Mambu GmbH (Berlin): Banking SaaS

Unlike fintechs that advertise loudly in the market, only insiders know about Berlin-based fintech startup Mambu. Yet it is by all means a heavyweight. The low profile is explained by the business model. Mambu offers its customers (other fintechs and banks) the services of a core banking system. Such systems are essential for account management and processing banking transactions. Originally focused only on microfinance, Mambu can now also do savings accounts and payments. The business is international and growing dynamically. Around 500 employees work at Mambu.
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

Even after Brexit, the UK remains an interesting market for office property. In our list, we present three well-known investors with their current investments in the UK. This article is based on the unique Top 150 Property Investors UK – List of residential, commercial and hotel property buyers..

1. M7 Real Estate Germany GmbH

London-based investment manager M7 Real Estate has recently acquired three office buildings in partnership with Kuwait-based KAMCO Investment Company KSC. The properties are Artadius House in Cardiff, the Keypoint building in Bristol and Objects House in Maidenhead. The properties have a combined total of 213,000 square metres of usable space. They increase the joint UK portfolio of M7 Real Estate and KAMCO to 400,000 square metres. Properties in Bristol, Hamilton and Chertsey were already purchased in 2020. M7 Real Estate manages around four billion euros in real estate assets.

2. Schroder Real Estate Kapitalverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH

Schroder Real Estate is part of Schroders, a global asset manager based in the City of London. Within the group, Schroder Real Estate is responsible for real estate investments – including office properties. Recently, St. James House in Cheltenham in the southwest of England was acquired for GBP 21.8 million. The purchase was made for the “Regional Office Property Unit Trust”, an in-house office property fund with a regional focus. The building has a usable floor space of just over 81,000 square metres and is fully let to public authorities and other solvent users.

3. Corum

Corum XL is a Europe-focused real estate fund launched by investment company Corum Asset Management with a strong UK focus. Properties in the UK account for more than half of the fund’s assets. The recent acquisition of “The Point” office building in Maidenhead on the western outskirts of London once again confirmed this focus. The property was acquired from another fund provider for GBP 38.85 million. The building, which is centrally located and has around 7,250 square metres of usable space, is let long-term to Maersk Line and Sequirus UK.

Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• List of the 150 largest real estate investors from the Benelux countries
• List of the 100 largest real estate investors from Spain
• List of the 900 largest real estate investors from Europe

e-commerce has become a real competitor for stationary trade. The business of online shops is growing at double-digit rates per year, with no end in sight. No wonder e-commerce is an almost inexhaustible source of business ideas. Here are the 3 biggest German e-commerce startups. We define the biggest e-commerce startups as the best-funded startups in Germany in each case, according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. ABOUT YOU GmbH (Hamburg): Fashion e-commerce

The name Otto, among others, stands for the great history of mail order in the Federal Republic. Early on, the Hamburg-based company adapted to the changes brought about by the Internet and is now one of the world’s largest online retailers. ABOUT YOU is also an Otto product and – founded in 2014 – is part of the group’s portfolio. The start-up sells all kinds of fashion with a focus on younger and middle-aged people. To these, ABOUT YOU offers a broad assortment of 1,500 brands and 350,000 items. 75 percent of sales (2019/20 approx. 7.6 billion euros) are generated by the ABOUT YOU app!

2. Grover Group GmbH (Berlin): Equipment rental

Sharing economy is a buzzword that refers to more effective use of goods by sharing with others. There are now a variety of business models for this – one of which has been put into practice by Berlin-based Grover Group. The idea is to rent out electronics for a limited period of time instead of selling them. The company, founded in 2015, makes this possible on its platform grover.com or via partners such as Media Markt, Saturn, Gravis, Conrad and Tchibo. The offer ranges from smartphones to game consoles or cameras to e-scooters. More than 2,000 tech products can be rented – even for companies.

3. Mister Spex GmbH (Berlin): Eyewear e-commerce

Mister Spex is one of the pioneers of online retail in Germany. The company was founded back in 2007, when e-commerce was so slowly picking up speed. Today, Mister Spex is the largest online optician in Germany. The company has long been active beyond Germany’s borders – throughout the DACH region, in France, Great Britain, Spain, the Netherlands and, thanks to an acquisition, in Scandinavia as well. Mister Spex pursues a multi-channel approach: eyewear sales are essentially online-based. For service and repairs, there is a partner network with around 500 local opticians. Annual sales have exceeded the 100 million euro mark.
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

When it comes to software development, Germany is not necessarily one of the international giants. Only SAP in Walldorf, Baden-Württemberg, stands out as an exception. But there are some young software startups that give hope for the future. Here are the TOP 3! As the largest software startups, we define the best-funded startups according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. Celonis SE (Munich): process analysis software

Process mining is the business model of Celonis. Processes often contain hidden knowledge about workflows and process design. Celonis wants to bring this know-how to light. It is not for nothing that the term “mining” comes from mining. For this purpose, Celonis has developed a software that captures and digitally maps real business processes in order to analyze them. The software can be used in a wide variety of areas. Celonis was founded in 2011 and today has a second headquarters in New York, employs 750 people and generates annual sales of over 100 million US dollars.

2. Personio GmbH (Munich): HR software

Personnel management – newly also known as human resources (HR) management – is a costly but important area of business.
With digitization, many processes in the HR area can be made leaner and more efficient. The Munich-based startup Personio, founded in 2015, offers a comprehensive software solution for this purpose. It is intended for small and medium-sized companies that do not have their own resources for digitization. Personio now has 600 employees. Over 3,000 companies in 80 countries around the globe are already using the software, and the potential is far from exhausted.

3. Adjust GmbH (Berlin): Mobile Measurement, Fraud Prevention Software

Since 2012, the Berlin-based company Adjust GmbH has been developing solutions for analyzing app usage behavior – a rather “behind the scenes” business model, but one that has been very successful. Adjust software can already be found in more than 30,000 apps. In addition to marketing analysis, the startup now also offers software against digital advertising fraud and for fraud prevention. Adjust is growing rapidly – through organic growth and company acquisitions. There are now already 15 Adjust offices – including in New York, Paris and Moscow. The company has more than 350 employees.
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia is still often associated with coal and steel. However, a fundamental structural change has long since taken place and many innovative startups have emerged on the Rhine and Ruhr. Here are the TOP 3. As the largest startups in North Rhine-Westphalia, we define the best-funded startups from the state according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. LeanIX GmbH: SaaS Cloud Governance Solutions

LeanIX was founded in 2012 and is based in the former German capital Bonn. The young company, which now has around 250 employees, offers software-as-a-service (SaaS) for the analysis of IT systems in companies. Especially in large corporations, the IT landscape often resembles a jungle of countless software and server packages. LeanIX has developed cloud software that makes it easy to gain an overview of this jungle – the basis for better data-based IT decisions. Obsolete IT can be identified more efficiently and redundant systems can be cleaned up faster. LeanIX customers include Adidas, DHL, Merck and Vodafone.

2. Flaschenpost SE: beverage delivery service

Beverage delivery is a very traditional business model that can also be digitized. This is proven by the Münster-based online beverage delivery service Flaschenpost SE. Founded in 2012, Flaschenpost was taken over in 2020 by the Radeberger Group, which in turn belongs to the Oetker Group. The company and brand continue to exist. Flaschenpost enables online ordering of beverages and everyday products and promises delivery within two hours. Up to 100,000 crates are delivered daily throughout Germany. The business focus is in North Rhine-Westphalia. Sales reached around 200 million euros in 2019.

3. EPMap-System GmbH & Co KG: Medtech startup for ERM

Many a digital startup finds its business model in a special niche where it has a unique position. This is undoubtedly also true for the medtech company EPMap-System GmbH & Co KG in Herdecke, just outside Dortmund. The owner-managed company has existed in its current form since 2014, but can look back on a history of over 20 years. Originally, the company operated as a medical trading company with self-developed products for cardiology and radiology. Today, EPMap-System is a cardiology specialist that develops IT solutions for the application and networking of top cardiological products. The goal is an optimally coordinated offer for complete cardiology laboratories.
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

Baden-Württemberg has always been the land of inventors and innovative business ideas. Unsurprisingly, you can also find many forward-looking digital startups here. Here are the TOP 3. As the largest startups in Baden-Württemberg, we define the best-funded startups from the state according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. Jedox AG: Business Intelligence Software

Jedox was founded in Freiburg back in 2002, making it almost a startup Methuselah. Today, around 200 employees work here. The company offers its corporate customers a cloud-based, so-called enterprise performance management software. It is also offered on a rental basis under the name jedox. The software was developed for planning, analysis, reporting and consolidation of corporate data. The system pulls the required data from operational pre-systems, prepares it and makes it available to defined users. The software can be used across industries and business areas.

2. Volocopter GmbH: Innovative helicopter concepts

Since 2007, Volocopter-GmbH in Bruchsal near Karlsruhe has been working on innovative helicopter and drone concepts. At its core, the company is concerned with ultra-light, electrically powered multicopters – aerial vehicles with a plurality of rotors on the same level – that can be used as autonomous air taxis. The goal is not only to produce the corresponding aircraft, but also to develop a holistic urban air mobility ecosystem on a digital basis. Volocopter thus aims to revolutionize mobility in urban areas. The company has around 150 employees.

3. Novaliq GmbH: Specialty pharma biotech company

Novaliq GmbH in Heidelberg is a research-based pharmaceutical company that specializes in a particular type of ophthalmic drugs. They are based on the EyeSol technology invented and patented by the company. This technology enables the production of water- and oil-free eye drops and ointments. This can significantly improve the product efficacy and safety of ophthalmic products. Novaliq was spun off from Fluoron GmbH, now based in Ulm, in 2007. This company develops innovative biomaterials for retinal and cataract surgery.
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

Hamburg is considered one of Germany’s startup hotspots after Berlin, Munich and the Rhine-Ruhr region. In line with Hamburg’s tradition, the business models focus on trade, logistics and real estate. This is also reflected in our startup list. As the largest startups in Hamburg, we define the best-funded startups in the Free and Hanseatic City according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. ABOUT YOU GmbH: Fashion e-commerce

ABOUT YOU is a company of the Otto Group and was founded in 2014. Otto itself is a traditional mail order company and today a significant player in the international e-commerce business. ABOUT YOU was geared towards internet commerce from the very beginning and offers its customers clothing, shoes and accessories. The target group is women and men between the ages of 18 and 49. Around 350,000 articles and over 1,500 brands are offered. Sales are primarily made via the ABOUT YOU smartphone app, which generates over three quarters of sales. The company generated around EUR 7.6 billion in sales in the 2019/20 financial year.

2. Exporo AG: Digital real estate investments

Crowdinvesting is an innovative form of financing and investing money via the web. The platform Exporo, founded in 2014, uses this idea in the field of real estate investments. Real estate project promoters present their projects on the platform and users – “the crowd” – can participate financially and profit. The Exporo platform acts as a virtual marketplace and processor. A business model that is obviously convincing. Since its founding, more than 732 million euros have already been brokered for 385 projects by almost 30,000 crowd investors. Exporo is thus by far the largest digital platform for real estate investments in Germany.

3. WunderCar Mobility Solutions: Mobility Solutions

The future of mobility has long since begun – thanks to networking, innovative mobility models and intelligent solutions. Founded in 2014, Hamburg-based startup WunderCar Mobility Solutions is all about this brave new world: with a digital platform for new mobility services. Users range from small startups to large car manufacturers to municipalities that want to lead the way in mobility. “Becoming a kind of Bosch for New Mobility” is the declared goal of founder Gunnar Froh. The service portfolio includes software and hardware, operational services for smart shuttles, carpooling and fleet management (car, bike and scooter sharing).
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

Berlin is considered the hottest location for digital startups in Germany. Many an innovative business model has been hatched here. The capital offers good framework conditions – also for investors. The list of digital startups is long – we present the biggest ones. As the biggest startups in Berlin, we define the best-funded startups according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. AUTO1 Group GmbH: Online used goods trading

AUTO1 is a digital used car marketplace and has been around since 2012. However, the company only received real momentum with the entry of the Japanese telecom and media group Softbank at the beginning of 2018. AUTO1 has also recently been listed on the stock exchange. Thanks to this development, AUTO1 Group has become a real heavyweight in the used car trade. The company operates three online platforms (wirkaufendeinauto.de, AUTO1.com, Autohero), employs more than 4,000 people and generated revenue of around EUR 3.5 billion in the 2019 financial year.

2. N26 GmbH: Leading digital bank

N26 takes its name from its original Berlin company address “Unter den Linden 26”. The digital and direct bank primarily targets younger customers with its smartphone-based banking offering. Uncomplicated, convenient and super-fast processing of banking transactions – that is what counts above all with this target group. Originally focused purely on account management and payment transactions, N26 has since expanded its product range to include credit, savings and insurance products – with a focus on simplicity. The young financial institution already has over five million customers in 25 countries.

3. GetYourGuide Deutschland GmbH: Digital Guide and Activity Booking

Measured against other startups, GetYourGuide is an oldie. The company was founded in Switzerland in 2008. Its main location is now Berlin with two other offices in Zurich and Las Vegas. GetYourGuide is entirely focused on tourist offers and sees itself as the world’s largest internet booking platform for leisure activities. Through the website, users can buy tickets for attractions and book tours or excursions. GetYourGuide has a global offering for around 8,000 destinations with approximately 30,000 booking and ordering options. In addition to online sales, GetYourGuide uses 1,500 travel agencies as a sales channel.

4. GoEuro Corp: Digital travel search engine

A meta-search engine uses other search engines for its research and thus arguably has the broadest view of the market with the best chance for optimal results. This “meta principle” was also the original business model at GoEuro Corp, but the Berlin-based startup founded in 2012 has evolved. The platform for booking train, bus and air travel aims to become a globally functioning booking system for transport services, where you can also put together your transport services individually. Since the beginning of 2019, GoEuro officially appears on the web under the brand “Omio”, the company name GoEuro Corp has remained.

5. wefox Germany GmbH: online insurance portal

wefox was originally founded under the FinanceFox brand in Switzerland. Today, the company, which has a German focus and is headquartered in Berlin, operates throughout the DACH region and also aims to tap into southern European markets (Italy, Spain). In Germany, wefox has been on the market since 2015. The core of the business is a digital service platform that enables insurance providers, insurance brokers and insured persons to efficiently manage policies and easily handle business processes. For insurance customers, wefox offers an app that has already been used over 600,000 times. The company has more than 180 employees.
Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

Bavaria has long since become a popular location for innovative young companies with a technology orientation. The state capital Munich in particular is considered the Republic’s No. 2 “digital hotspot” after Berlin. We present the 5 biggest digital startups from the Free State. As the largest startups in Bavaria, we define the best-funded startups in each case according to our editorial selection. This article is based on the unique List of the 200 fastest growing startups in Germany.

1. Flixmobility GmbH: mobility provider

The Munich-based company Flixmobility GmbH is better known under its Flixbus brand. Founded in 2012, Flixmobility has already left startup status and is now established in the market. In 2013, Flixbus launched its own long-distance bus service in Germany as a competitor to Deutsche Bahn and is now the market leader in this sector. When planning and booking journeys, the company consistently relies on digital solutions via its own platform flixbus.de. Meanwhile, Flixmobility is even on the railways. Sales in 2019 were in the order of 500 million euros.

2. Lilium GmbH: Innovative aircraft developer

Lilium GmbH in Weßling near Munich is a startup that is still in the development stage (early stage). Lilium is developing an electrically powered air taxi that could significantly change mobility in the future. The taxis can take up to four passengers and provide fast, environmentally friendly connections in major cities and conurbations. A digital platform developed in parallel will support fleet control and bookings. Lilium was spun off from the Technical University of Munich in 2015. The air taxi is expected to be ready for the market in the 2020s.

3. Celonis SE: Process analysis software

Celonis has been around since 2011, when three students from a student consultancy decided to launch a joint startup. Today, Celonis has more than 750 employees and annual revenues of over $100 million. Besides Munich, New York is the company’s second headquarters. Celonis has specialized in so-called process mining. Real business processes are first digitally mapped and then analyzed for hidden process know-how. The whole thing is actually comparable to digging for valuable materials in a mine. The process analysis software from Celonis can be used in a wide variety of business areas.

4. Personio GmbH: HR Tool

Digitalization also opens up optimization opportunities in companies’ human resources. From recruiting to HR management to payroll accounting, there are diverse fields of application. HR software is also the business model of the Munich-based startup Personio, founded in 2015. There, the focus is entirely on HR software for small and medium-sized companies up to a size of 2,000 employees. The software aims to digitally map and support HR processes as comprehensively as possible. A concept that is catching on – Personio already has around 600 employees and over 3,000 corporate customers in 80 countries.

5. ATAI Life Sciences AG: Biotech company

ATAI Life Sciences has been in existence since 2018 and, in addition to Munich, also has offices in Berlin, London and New York. ATAI specializes in treatments for mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders and addictions. To this end, the company aims to promote more effective and potentially disease-modifying psychosocial therapies – including through the application of artificial intelligence. Acquiring, incubating and developing innovative therapeutics is part of the business model. To this end, ATAI drives research itself, but also acts as an incubator for new pharmaceutical companies seeking to develop innovative medicines in this field.

Source: Listenchampion Image source: Unsplash

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• List of the 100 largest real estate investors in Northern Europe
• Directory of the 200 largest logistics companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany

Viruses have not only had a bad reputation since the appearance of Corona – they are generally regarded as rapidly spreading pathogens. However, there are also viruses that have a positive medical effect – recently researched and used in biotechnology. One company that has turned its attention to this is Labor Dr. Merk & Kollegen (LMK) in Ochsenhausen near Biberach. LMK was recently taken over by Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the largest chemical companies in the world and one of the largest companies in Germany. This article is based on the unique List of the 600 largest chemical companies in Germany.

• Article based on database of the 600 most important chemical companies in Germany
• Detailed information on the field of activity (transport logistics, warehouse logistics, industrial logistics, pharmaceutical logistics, food logistics, port logistics, etc.)
• Including: sales (2015-2018), number of employees, e-mail, address, telephone number, management, etc.
• Direct download as Excel file via the ResearchGermany online store possible
• Free preview file available on request

Viruses in the fight against cancer – a development with a future

Labor Dr. Merk & Kollegen has been involved in virology since 1971. Only a few years ago, the business was refocused – on so-called viral therapeutics. In gene and virotherapies (oncolytic viruses), tumour vaccines and CAR-T cell therapies, viruses are specifically used for disease control and immunisation. For example, they are designed to act as tumor cell killers in certain cancer therapies or are used in vaccines. The new applications belong to the market for innovative advanced therapy solutions – called Advanced Therapies Medicinal Products (ATMP). The market is predicted to have great growth potential.

With the LMK acquisition, Boehringer Ingelheim secures a good position in this promising field. The company is to be fully integrated into the group. The approximately 130 LMK employees will continue to be employed as a separate development unit within the group. A particular advantage is that LMK’s headquarters in Ochsenhausen are located in the immediate vicinity of Boehringer Ingelheim’s largest research and development site in Biberach. Boehringer Ingelheim is considered the largest research-based pharmaceutical company in Germany. The business consists mainly of human pharmaceuticals – prescription medicines and the industrial customer business (biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical production, pharmaceutical chemicals) – as well as preparations for animal health.
Source: Businesswire Image source: Unsplash

In our industry report of the German chemical industry you will find detailed information on areas of activity, an overview of the locations and clusters of the chemical sector, key financial figures as well as insights into the gender distribution and sustainability efforts of the sector.

You might like these lists of biggest companies and investors:

• Chemistry Industry Report
• Directory of the 600 largest chemical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 150 largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany
• Directory of the 400 largest trading companies in Germany