#StartupsToWatch
The current Cologne Masterclass shows how diverse the Cologne startup ecosystem is. The companies cover a wide range of areas – including MindElevate, Sacred Valley Tech, Eco2Grow, pooldown and ElarixLabs. Investors should follow these startups closely.
With the Cologne Masterclass, KölnBusiness and its partners annually honor outstanding startups from the region and make them more visible to investors. The startups are nominated from the programs of local ecosystem players and receive marketing support as part of the master class as well as the chance to pitch to top-class investors at the Matching Day.
The Cologne Masterclass 2025 showed once again how diverse and innovative the Cologne startup ecosystem is. From digital health to communication solutions to tech and software developments – the range of companies nominated was impressive. The highlight of the Cologne Masterclass 2025 took place on January 29th with the Matching Day. Here is a look back at the last five of the 15 startups that made it into the Cologne Masterclass 2025.
MindElevate – Mental health in everyday work
MindElevate turns mental health into a lifestyle in everyday working life – preventative, positive and suitable for everyday use. The focus is on building mental strengths such as resilience, focus and self-confidence. The Cologne startup supports employees with individual, AI-supported training plans, short routines and the AI personal coach “Peach”, which accompanies and strengthens users in their everyday work.
Sacred Tech Valley – AI platform for circular fashion
With “Sally”, the Cologne startup Sacred Valley Tech is developing the first AI-supported platform for circular fashion that makes sustainability easy and profitable for consumers and brands alike. Through Sally, every piece of clothing is given a new life – through resale, exchange, repair, donation or recycling. Thanks to digital product passports (DPPs), which will soon become mandatory in the EU, brands earn money from every circular movement of a product.
Eco2Grow
The Cologne startup ECO2GROW is developing an integrated, AI-supported energy supplier for medium-sized industrial companies. The aim is to give companies access to 100 percent renewable energy – reliably, cost-effectively and without complexity. The startup’s platform supports companies in optimally procuring electricity, controls solar and battery systems and coordinates load profiles in real time. In this way, it strengthens the competitiveness of companies and at the same time helps to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
pooldown
The Cologne startup pooldown is developing a specially designed cold therapy system for the conventional bathtub, making controlled, safe cold therapy suitable for everyday use for the first time. Cold therapy should no longer be a niche application, but should become a widely accessible and natural part of regeneration, preventive health care and performance improvement.
Elarix Labs – AI tool to accelerate development and research
Elarix Labs, a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is developing an AI-supported platform that significantly accelerates research and development processes in chemistry and materials science. The software combines laboratory data, existing knowledge and digital models to create clear recommendations for action. This allows companies to minimize risks, plan tests more precisely and use resources more efficiently – and get from the initial concept to ready-to-use material more quickly.
Get started in Cologne – #Koelnbusiness
In our focus on Cologne, we highlight the dynamic startup ecosystem of the Rhine metropolis. What are the conditions for founders, what investments flow into innovative ideas and which startups provide new impetus? Around 800 startups have already chosen Cologne as their location – supported by a lively start-up scene, a strong investor landscape and numerous coworking spaces, trade fairs and networking events. As a central contact point for the startup and innovation scene, the Cologne Business Economic Development Agency strengthens the framework conditions for founders, connects them with investors and offers targeted support. This section is supported by KölnBusiness. #Koelnbusiness on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
