• Almost 9 out of 10 consider AI to be an important technology trend
• Around half mention cyber security, sovereign cloud solutions and data sovereignty
• Bitkom survey of tech founders

Artificial intelligence is the dominant technology topic for the vast majority of tech start-ups 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 coming into focus. Around half of all start-ups (52 per cent) cite cyber security and privacy tech, i.e. technologies for data protection, as a defining trend. Almost as many see sovereign cloud and edge solutions (51 per cent) as a key issue, i.e. technologies that enable independent and decentralised data processing and storage. Data sovereignty, i.e. technologies for maintaining data sovereignty, is mentioned by every second start-up (50 per cent). These are the results of a survey of 133 founders of tech start-ups commissioned by the digital association Bitkom. ‘It is a clear signal that start-ups are focusing on the issue of digital sovereignty alongside AI. Start-ups are particularly close to technological developments, and their assessment is also significant for the economy as a whole,’ says Bitkom President Dr Ralf Wintergerst. ‘German start-ups are developing innovative solutions in both AI and digital sovereignty. We need to make greater use of them, especially in business and administration.’

Around four in ten founders (44 per cent) consider autonomous systems, such as self-driving vehicles or drones, to be another trending topic. 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 start-ups cite 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). Less frequently mentioned are environmental technologies (14 per cent), blockchain (13 per cent) and virtual and augmented reality (7 per cent). The metaverse comes in last with 5 per cent.

Note on methodology: The information is based on a survey conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the digital association Bitkom. A total of 133 tech start-ups in Germany were surveyed online. The survey took place between calendar weeks 3 and 6 of 2026. The survey is not representative, but it does provide a meaningful picture of the mood among tech start-ups in Germany. The question asked was: ‘Which of the following technologies and technological trends do you think will shape the year 2026?’