Data analysis and artificial intelligence are the two top technologies in German startups. This has a Bitkom-survey of 203 tech startups from Germany. According to the survey, 53 percent of startups currently use big data and data analytics, and 49 percent use artificial intelligence. And this share is likely to continue to rise, as both are at the top of the list of technologies startups are considering adopting. For AI, the figure is 39 percent, and for big data and data analytics, the figure is 31 percent.
This clearly sets young companies apart from the rest of the market. In the overall economy, only 15 percent use AI, while another 25 percent are planning to use it or are discussing it. For data analytics, the figures are 39 percent and 37 percent, respectively.
Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst sees this development as a positive sign. He predicts that founders will leverage AI and big data, develop them further, and bring new products and services to market:
“Startups will help make the technology more accessible, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.”
From Bitkom’s point of view, the aim of bringing AI applications from startups to the masses is to help Federal Government's startup strategy AI vouchers intended for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Breakthrough of VR, Blockchain and Metaverse
Approximately one in four startups (27 percent) uses technologies related to the Internet of Things (IoT), and 29 percent are discussing it. 5G is in use in 14 percent of startups, and 17 percent are in the planning and discussion phase. Eleven percent are already using 3D printing, and six percent are planning or discussing its use.
Virtual and augmented reality are only used by eight percent of startups. However, the gap here is particularly large, at 22 percent, compared to those planning or discussing their use. A similar picture emerges for blockchain, which only five percent are using, but 22 percent are discussing or already planning its use. And for the metaverse, three percent of current users compare to 15 percent of startups planning or discussing metaverse use.
Winter barley says:
"The metaverse, virtual and augmented reality, and blockchain are technologies that have been discussed for some time, but whose breakthrough is still pending. Companies should closely monitor developments in the startup sector and gain their own experience with the technology in a timely manner."
According to the survey results, drones (five percent of users, eight percent planning), robotics (four percent and 13 percent), and autonomous vehicles (three percent and eight percent respectively) have only a low relevance in the German startup scene. Quantum computers are currently at the bottom of the list, with two percent already working on them. However, at least one in ten startups is discussing or planning to use them.
