Bielefeld Tech Ecosystem: B2B, Crypto & Deep Tech Growth

Bielefeld City Tech Survey: An Overview

This article presents the findings of our city survey focusing on Bielefeld, Germany, as part of a broader investigation into European urban tech ecosystems. Cities interested in being featured are invited to submit their details via the provided form, potentially gaining exposure on TechCrunch once sufficient data is collected.

Recent Tech Growth in Bielefeld

Reports from local news sources indicate that Bielefeld has witnessed significant technological expansion in recent years. This growth is fueled by accelerators such as the Founders Foundation – supported by the Bertelsmann Foundation – and Garage 33, affiliated with the University of Paderborn. These initiatives are attracting a new generation of entrepreneurs to the East Westphalia-Lippe area.

Emerging Startups

Several noteworthy startups have originated in Bielefeld, including Semalytix, Valuedesk, Zahnarzt-Helden, StudyHelp, PartWorks, and AMendate. These companies represent a diverse range of innovative ventures.

Challenges: Startup Migration

Despite this progress, Bielefeld, like much of Germany, faces the challenge of startup migration. The majority of new companies tend to locate in Berlin, followed by Munich and Hamburg, as highlighted by an initiative from UnternehmerTUM in Munich.

Regional Strengths and Opportunities

However, the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region, situated in northern North Rhine-Westphalia, is recognized as a hub for established German businesses. This presents a unique advantage for startups focused on assisting large organizations with digital transformation in the post-pandemic era, providing them with direct access to major corporations and institutions.

B2B Focus and Capital Availability

Survey participants emphasized the region’s strength in the B2B sector, attributable to the concentration of traditional B2B companies in the manufacturing industry. Access to capital is also relatively strong, with numerous large family offices present, including Dr. Oetker, Miele, CLAAS, Schüco, and Bertelsmann.

Founders Foundation's Influence

One respondent noted, “The region demonstrates positive momentum for startups, largely due to the Founders Foundation. However, its position as the sole major institutional driver can lead to a degree of uniformity within the ecosystem.”

Deep Tech Specialization

The Bielefeld ecosystem is characterized by a focus on deep tech technologies, although there is a relative scarcity of B2C or direct-to-consumer startups, according to another survey participant.

Investment Landscape

Regarding investment, respondents indicated that investors maintain “strong ties to industry and the Mittelstand.” Conversely, another observer pointed out a limited number of local investors specifically focused on North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) or the Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) region, beyond entities like EnjoyVenture (Technologiefonds OWL).

National Investor Interest and Angel Activity

Companies are receiving considerable attention from “national” investors, and the Founders Foundation has significantly enhanced the regional startup environment. Furthermore, angel investors are becoming increasingly active, fostering “a robust business angel community in Bielefeld that actively supports the emerging startup scene.”

Survey Participants

• Jonathan Maycock, co-founder and CEO, margin
• Louis Schulze, ecosystem development manager, Founders Foundation
• Stefan Trockel, founder and CEO, Mercury.ai
• Jasper Steinlechner, CTO, Pektogram
• Victoria Erdbrügger, co-founder and managing director, circuly
• Manuel Rüsing, CTO, Synctive
• Conner Kuhlmeyer, founder, reportio
• Miriam Kleiner, talent acquisition manager, Founders Foundation

Jonathan Maycock, Co-founder and CEO, margin

In what technology sectors does Bielefeld demonstrate particular strength? What developments generate the most enthusiasm for you, and what areas require further development?
Bielefeld possesses a robust ecosystem centered around cryptotrading. We are particularly encouraged by the increasing acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate financial instrument among corporations and institutional investors. Furthermore, the continuing network effect and broader public adoption are promising. Currently, our focus is on expanding support to include Decentralized Finance (DeFi) trading platforms, complementing the centralized exchanges we currently integrate.

Could you highlight some of the most compelling startups located in Bielefeld?
Notable startups include Semalytix, Zahnarzt-Helden, Coindex, and Valuedesk.

How would you characterize the tech investment landscape in Bielefeld, and what are the primary areas of investment focus?
The Bielefeld startup environment has experienced significant growth since the establishment of Founders Foundation in 2016. We participated in their initial accelerator program, and since then, 24 startups have successfully completed their programs. A strong network of business angels within Bielefeld has consistently provided valuable support to this emerging startup community.

Considering the increasing prevalence of remote work, what impact do you foresee on Bielefeld’s population – will individuals remain, relocate, or be drawn to the city?
Our company transitioned entirely to a remote work model following the onset of the pandemic. This arrangement has proven highly effective, and we currently have three employees based outside of Bielefeld. The increased flexibility this provides is a significant benefit.

Who are the pivotal figures within Bielefeld’s startup community – encompassing investors, founders, legal professionals, designers, and others?
Key individuals include Sebastian Borek, CEO of the Founders Foundation, and Eduard R. Doerrenberg, managing director at Dr. Wolff Group.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for Bielefeld’s tech scene over the next five years?
Given Bielefeld’s location within the German “Mittelstand,” substantial opportunities exist for tech startups to facilitate advancements within these established industries. This can be achieved through the application of technical solutions leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, and other innovative approaches. Bielefeld University consistently produces a strong cohort of highly skilled computer science graduates annually. Combined with the exceptional support provided by the Founders Foundation, the future of Bielefeld’s startup ecosystem appears exceptionally bright.

Louis Schulze, Ecosystem Development Manager, Founders Foundation

What are the prominent sectors within Bielefeld’s technology ecosystem? What developments generate the most enthusiasm for you? And where are the areas needing improvement?
The ecosystem demonstrates particular strength in the B2B sector, alongside advancements in deep tech technologies.

Could you highlight some of the most compelling startups currently operating in Bielefeld?
Valuedesk, lemon.markets, and Schüttflix are all particularly noteworthy.

How would you characterize the current state of tech investment within Bielefeld? What are the primary areas of investor focus?
The investment landscape isn't yet highly developed; ongoing efforts are focused on its expansion.

Considering the increasing prevalence of remote work, what impact do you foresee on Bielefeld’s population – will there be a net outflow, inflow, or will it remain stable?
My assessment is that the population distribution will largely remain consistent.

Who are the pivotal individuals driving the startup community in Bielefeld, encompassing investors, founders, legal professionals, and designers?
Key figures include Sebastian Borek, Oliver Flaskämper, Liz Mohn, and Christian Hülsewig.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for Bielefeld’s tech scene over the next five years?
It is anticipated that Bielefeld will emerge as a leading startup ecosystem within Germany.

Stefan Trockel, Founder and CEO, Mercury.ai

What sectors demonstrate strength within Bielefeld’s technology ecosystem? What developments generate the most enthusiasm for you? What areas require improvement?
A favorable trend exists for B2B businesses, coupled with robust technology. However, a definitive regional profile is still emerging.

The area currently exhibits strong forward momentum for startups, primarily attributable to the influence of the Founders Foundation.

Conversely, the Foundation’s position as the sole significant institutional force contributes to a degree of uniformity within the ecosystem.

Could you highlight some of the most promising startups located in Bielefeld?
Several companies stand out, including Semalytix, Valuedesk, Matchmetrics, and Mercury.ai.

How would you characterize the tech investment landscape in Bielefeld? What are the primary investment interests?
Local companies are attracting considerable interest from investors operating on a national scale.

While local investment options are available, their terms are generally less competitive than those found in more established tech hubs.

Considering the increasing prevalence of remote work, what impact do you foresee on Bielefeld’s population? Will there be a net retention, outflow, or influx of individuals?
An increase in skilled professionals relocating to Bielefeld is anticipated.

Who are the pivotal figures driving the startup community in Bielefeld – encompassing investors, founders, legal professionals, designers, and others?
Key individuals include Prof. Philipp Cimiano, affiliated with Bielefeld University and a serial entrepreneur, Sebastian Borek of the Founders Foundation, and Janik Jaskolski from Semalytix.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for Bielefeld’s tech scene in five years?
Bielefeld is poised to become a firmly established player in the tech sector, positioned just behind leading centers like Berlin and Munich.

This future success will be underpinned by a strong specialization in B2B technology.

Jasper Steinlechner, CTO, Pektogram

What are the prominent sectors within Bielefeld’s technology landscape? What developments generate the most enthusiasm for you? What areas require further development?

Bielefeld demonstrates considerable strength in fostering connections between emerging startups and established, large family-owned enterprises, particularly regarding office space. The region is home to multi-billion dollar companies like Dr. Oetker, Miele, CLASS, Schüco, and Bertelsmann, among others.

These organizations possess substantial capital available for potential investment in local startups. This area represents one of the wealthiest regions in Germany – and consequently, Europe – boasting numerous successful, yet often lesser-known, companies and significant corporate entities.

Could you highlight some of the most compelling startups currently operating in Bielefeld?

Notable startups include Coindex, Zahnarzt-Helden, Valuedesk, and Semalytix.

How would you characterize the tech investment environment in Bielefeld? What are the primary areas of investment focus?

The investment focus is heavily oriented towards B2B tech and the platform economy.

Considering the increasing prevalence of remote work, what impact do you foresee on Bielefeld’s population? Will there be a net influx, efflux, or remain stable?

It is likely that Bielefeld will experience an influx of new residents. The city provides ample space and access to natural environments.

Furthermore, property prices remain comparatively reasonable when contrasted with exceptionally expensive cities such as Munich or Berlin.

Who are the influential individuals driving the startup ecosystem in Bielefeld – including investors, founders, legal professionals, and designers?

The team at the Founders Foundation plays a key role.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for Bielefeld’s tech scene in the next five years?

We anticipate the emergence of numerous new technology startups and a greater frequency of funding rounds.

This will contribute to a more expansive startup and technology ecosystem, bolstered by the contributions of local universities. Increased investment from the region’s major companies is also expected.

Victoria Erdbrügger, Co-founder and Managing Director, circuly

In what technological sectors does Bielefeld demonstrate particular strength? What developments generate the most enthusiasm for you, and what areas require improvement?
The Bielefeld area features a significant number of established B2B businesses within the manufacturing industry. However, there is a noticeable scarcity of companies focused on B2C or direct-to-consumer models.

Could you highlight some of the most promising startups currently operating in Bielefeld?
Several interesting startups are based in the city, including Zahnarzt-Helden, 1sales.io, Coindex, Evermood, PRODASO, Brandschutz-Zentrale, circuly, Valuedesk, Echometer, easimo, CodeShield, Recommendy, edyoucated, portHy, and microsynetics GmbH.

What characterizes the tech investment landscape in Bielefeld? What are the primary areas of investment focus?
A robust investment ecosystem is largely absent in Bielefeld. Local investors with a regional focus on NRW or OWL, such as EnjoyVenture (Technologiefonds OWL), are limited in number.

Considering the increasing prevalence of remote work, how do you anticipate this will impact Bielefeld’s population – will it lead to retention, influx, or outflow of residents?
Our team has expanded entirely through remote hiring, granting us access to a wider talent pool. From the outset, we’ve operated as an international team with English as our primary working language, a strategic decision that has proven beneficial.

Who are the pivotal individuals driving the startup community in Bielefeld, encompassing investors, founders, legal professionals, and designers?
The Founders Foundation in Bielefeld is a valuable resource for networking and support within the local ecosystem. Several founders associated with this organization have successfully scaled their startups, with some even relocating to cities like Berlin.

What is your vision for the future of Bielefeld’s tech scene over the next five years?
A general expansion of the tech sector is anticipated across Germany, as many cities outside of Berlin currently lag behind in development. Bielefeld, in particular, remains a location for numerous SMEs, which form a crucial component of the German economy.

However, attracting tech talent to more remote locations like Bielefeld will present ongoing challenges.

Manuel Rüsing, CTO at Synctive

What startups in Bielefeld currently capture your attention? Circuly, Valuedesk, and Zahnarzt-Helden are particularly noteworthy.

Could you describe the investment landscape for technology companies in Bielefeld? What areas receive the most funding? The focus is heavily on technology, specifically within the B2B sector.

Considering the increasing prevalence of remote work, how do you foresee this impacting Bielefeld’s population? Will residents remain, relocate elsewhere, or will the city attract new inhabitants? It is anticipated that most people will choose to remain in Bielefeld.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Bielefeld’s tech industry over the next five years? Bielefeld is poised to become a hub for successful, yet relatively unknown, technology companies – a true “hidden champion” scene.

Conner Kuhlmeyer, Founder of reportio

Bielefeld’s technology landscape demonstrates particular strengths in several key areas. A robust network facilitating knowledge exchange is a significant asset. The Founders Foundation provides a notably effective and encouraging environment for entrepreneurs.

The city is particularly well-represented by companies specializing in software development.

Notable Startups in Bielefeld

Several startups based in Bielefeld are generating considerable interest. These include Semalytics, Betriebsmittelhelden, and reportio.

These companies exemplify the innovative spirit present within the region’s tech sector.

Investment Trends in Bielefeld’s Tech Scene

The investment climate in Bielefeld appears to favor a balanced approach. There’s an expectation for both ambitious, high-growth potential ventures and pragmatic, viable business models.

This preference is reinforced by strong connections to established industry and the Mittelstand, fostering the development of resilient and impactful businesses.

The Impact of Remote Work on Bielefeld’s Talent Pool

The increasing prevalence of remote work is anticipated to encourage individuals to remain in Bielefeld. The shift doesn't seem likely to trigger a significant outflow or influx of residents.

A continued presence of talent within the city is expected as a result of these evolving work patterns.

Miriam Kleiner, Talent Acquisition Manager, Founders Foundation

In what technological areas does Bielefeld’s startup environment demonstrate particular strength? What developments generate the most enthusiasm for you? And where are the key gaps?

The strongest area is undoubtedly B2B technology startups.

Could you highlight some of the most promising startups currently operating within Bielefeld?

Several companies stand out, including Valuedesk, Semalytix, Zahnarzt-Helden, persomatch, circuly, Recommendy, and Synctive.

How would you characterize the investment landscape for technology companies in Bielefeld? What specific types of businesses are investors prioritizing?

Investment activity is largely concentrated on B2B tech ventures.

Considering the increasing prevalence of remote work arrangements, what impact do you foresee on Bielefeld’s population? Do you anticipate a net outflow, inflow, or stability in resident numbers?

It is likely that more people will choose to relocate away from Bielefeld.