German startups see artificial intelligence and cybersecurity as the most important tech trends

 

  • Nearly 9 in 10 consider AI an important technology trend
  • Around one in two cite cybersecurity, sovereign cloud solutions and data sovereignty
  • Bitkom survey among tech startup founders

Berlin, 19 February 2026 – Artificial intelligence is the dominant technology topic for the vast majority of tech startups in Germany in 2026: 86 per cent cite AI as the most important trend. At the same time, several topics related to digital sovereignty are gaining prominence. Around one in two startups (52 per cent) identify cybersecurity and privacy tech – technologies for data protection – as a key trend. Almost as many see sovereign cloud and edge solutions (51 per cent) as a central topic, referring to technologies that enable independent and decentralised data processing and storage. Data sovereignty – technologies that ensure control over data – is cited by half of startups (50 per cent). 

These are the findings of a survey of 133 tech startup founders conducted on behalf of the digital association Bitkom. “It is a clear signal that startups are placing digital sovereignty alongside AI at the centre of their focus. Startups are particularly close to technological developments, and their assessment is also significant for the wider economy,” says Bitkom President Dr Ralf Wintergerst. “German startups are developing innovative solutions both in AI and in the field of digital sovereignty. We need to make much greater use of these, particularly in business and public administration.” 

Other key trends include autonomous systems – such as self-driving vehicles or drones – cited by around four in ten founders (44 per cent). This is followed by biotechnology, health technologies and bio-AI (31 per cent), robotics (30 per cent) and quantum technologies (29 per cent). Around one in four startups mention humanoid robots (24 per cent) and space technologies (23 per cent) as important trends for 2026, while one in five cite semiconductor and hardware innovations such as neuromorphic chips (21 per cent). Environmental technologies (14 per cent), blockchain (13 per cent), and virtual and augmented reality (7 per cent) are mentioned less frequently. The metaverse ranks last, at 5 per cent.

Share