How Dealroom classifies companies by sector — from top-level industries to granular sub-categories. Click any industry to explore its sub-industries and tags.
Startups working towards transitioning to sustainable energy, making our energy consumption greener and more efficient, and solutions for recycling and handling waste. From energy-efficient buildings to AI-powered smart meters to enterprise-grade solutions for solar and wind power, renewable energies and storage are a few examples.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Clean Energy | Reduces carbon dioxide emissions through significant energy efficiency improvements, the sustainable use of resources, or environmental protection activities. Renewable energies such as wind, solar, hydro-power or geothermal are examples. |
| Energy Efficiency | Using less energy to provide the same level of energy: energy-saving technologies, smart grid, energy-efficient buildings. |
| Oil & Gas | Oil refining technologies, pipe monitoring systems, oil & gas transport tech or software. |
| Energy Providers | Startups providing energy, such as electricity or gas. |
| Waste Solution | Process of treating solid wastes and offers a variety of solutions for recycling items that don't belong to trash. Solutions for sustainable waste disposal. |
| Water | Water treatment, water waste, producing industrial water, filtration technologies, water monitoring, and irrigation. |
| Energy Storage | Technologies meant to capture energy to store it for later use, such as batteries, electric storage devices, hydrogen. |
Technology that enables a fashion experience when you wear it or interact with it.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Apparel | Clothing technology. It can involve the manufacturing, materials – innovations that have been developed and used. New fibres or virtual reality fitting for example. |
| Luxury | New luxury fashion items, VR & AR luxury experiences. |
| Accessories | Accessories such as glasses, sunglasses, jewellery, connected accessories. |
| Footwear | Footwear (Shoes) incorporating smart textiles, smart tech, wearable tech. |
Fintech is the intersection between finance and technology. The following categorisation is constantly evolving to keep up with the sector evolution. ABN AMRO Ventures, our main partner for Fintech and a leading Fintech CVC, also contributed to this taxonomy.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Payments | Startups developing solutions to improve the way financial transactions are settled, and how money is transferred between two parties. |
| Banking | Startups developing solutions, and/or digitising the activities, services and products of traditional banks. |
| Crypto and DeFi | Startups developing solutions for the use and exchange of cryptocurrencies or financial startups using cryptocurrencies as a core feature in their business. |
| Wealth Management | Startups developing solutions assisting in investment decision-making or providing a way to invest in assets, stocks, securities and other assets. |
| Mortgages & Lending | Startups developing solutions enabling digital lending (loans, lending platforms), providing online mortgage brokerage services, providing finance for individuals and businesses. |
| Insurance | InsurTech is the intersection between insurance and technology. Includes startups providing insurance services with digital-first and innovative models, or helping insurers, agents and brokers increase the efficiency of their processes. |
| Financial Management Solutions | Solutions such as software and algorithms helping companies and consumers better manage their financial operations and processes. e.g. accounting software, billing software. |
| RegTech | Solutions to comply with regulatory requirements in financial services, from customer identification (KYC), anti-money laundering, fraud detection and compliance & reporting. |
FoodTech is an ecosystem made of all the agrifood entrepreneurs and startups (from production to distribution) innovating on the products, distribution, marketing or business model.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Logistics & Delivery | Startups answering the delivery challenges in the food industry, with home delivery of groceries, restaurant meals or meals prepared in their own kitchens. |
| In-Store Retail & Restaurant Tech | Startups reinventing the restaurant industry and improving the management of restaurants and institutional catering. Developing solutions for the food retail industry, from the digitalisation of the supply chain to a better in-store shopper experience. |
| Innovative Food | Startups developing new food products answering the need for more transparency, health and environmental concerns. Products range from market innovations to radical disruptions using revolutionary ingredients. |
| AgriTech | Startups disrupting agriculture with solutions to improve farming output and quality using drones, sensors and farm management software. AgTech also covers new farm products, next-generation farms and urban farming. |
| Kitchen & Cooking Tech | Startups developing a new generation of appliances or cookware, providing more technology, new distribution channels or more personalisation. |
Startups involved in the development, marketing, and monetisation of games e.g. video games, online games, board games, etc.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| eSports | Startups in the electronic sports sphere, where a multiplayer video game is played competitively for spectators, typically by professional gamers. |
| Mobile Gaming | Startups involved in the development, marketing, and monetisation of mobile games (iOS and Android games). |
| Console & PC Gaming | Startups involved in the development, marketing, and monetisation of video games for console and PC. |
| Board Games | Startups involved in the development, marketing, and monetisation of board games. |
| Betting & Gambling | Startups involved in the development, marketing, and monetisation of online betting & gambling games. |
Health Tech, or digital health, uses technology (databases, applications, mobiles, wearables) to improve the delivery, payment, and/or consumption of care, with the ability to increase the development and commercialisation of medicinal products.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Medical Devices | Startups developing devices or instruments with the purpose of preventing, monitoring, alleviating or treating diseases and handicaps. Also the investigation, replacement or modification of the anatomy or of a physiological process and the control of conception. |
| Health Platform | Startups developing digital health platforms with the aim of improving health management for both patients and service providers. |
| Biotechnology | Solutions leveraging biological systems or living organisms to develop products and processes for healthcare and medicine. |
| Pharmaceutical | Startups developing and discovering new drugs. |
Startups developing solutions, software, tools and machines used to solve problems or improve conditions with respect to the movement of people and goods.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Mobility | Startups developing transportation solutions getting people from point A to point B. This includes ride hailing, ride sharing, public transport and micromobility. |
| Search, Buy & Rent | Marketplaces and other solutions to enable and facilitate new and used vehicle purchasing, vehicle rental and leasing, as well as financing. |
| Maintenance | Solutions to improve maintenance and aftermarket for vehicles including platforms to connect users to networks of repair dealers, claim estimation for insurance, B2B solutions and marketplaces for parts. |
| Navigation & Mapping | Startups developing solutions to track vehicles, provide navigation and mapping. This includes navigation apps, telematics providers, platforms for mobility data sharing, logistics tracking. |
| Autonomous & Sensor Tech | Startups developing solutions for autonomous driving or to enhance other vehicle sensing capabilities, including autonomous driving vehicles, software, sensors and V2X. |
| Vehicle Production | Startups producing or developing solutions for vehicle production, as well as vehicle parts such as motors and chassis. |
| Logistics & Delivery | Startups developing solutions for the transportation of goods, the packaging of products for storage and shipment involving both internal and external distribution networks. |
Real Estate tech or PropTech (property technology) is the use of information technology to help individuals and companies research, buy, sell and manage real estate.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Mortgages & Lending | These subsets of Real Estate startups provide financial services specifically tailored towards the real estate market, focused on mortgages. Note: there might be an overlap with FinTech startups. |
| Workspaces | Premises (either private or public) provided to help new businesses establish themselves — offering physical space, utilities, administrative services, and peer support. In Dealroom, a "Workspace" doesn't take equity from its tenants, whereas an "Accelerator" does. |
| Search, Buy & Rent | Platforms that facilitate the discovery, purchase or rent of homes/rooms. Often marketplace-based, generating revenue with commissions. |
| Construction | Startups providing solutions that facilitate the construction/surveying of real estate properties. |
| Real Estate Software | Startups providing software-based solutions to make the management and overview of facilities easier and more efficient, including energy efficiency solutions for smart buildings. |
| Real Estate Services | Companies providing services around the real estate world that cannot be categorized under the aforementioned categories, e.g. tailored customer service and interior design solutions. |
Startups dealing with the design, construction, operation, and use of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Consumer Robotics | Robots used in the consumer market such as lawn mowing robots, pool cleaning robots, robot vacuums and other home automation systems. |
| Service Robots | Robots used to carry out service-related tasks such as cleaning buildings, serving food in restaurants, including companion robots. |
| Logistics Robots | Not only robots that tackle warehouse logistics but also logistic drones, food delivery robots, etc. |
| Industrial Robotics | All robotics for industrial use — a very large part of robotics (apart from service robots, consumer robotics, and medical ones). |
| Agriculture Robots | Robots for farming operations, from weed removal to seeding and picking fruits. |
Marketing technology (also known as MarTech) describes any number of systems and tools that help marketers better engage with potential and existing customers.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| AdTech | Advertising Technology (AdTech) is defined as different types of analytics and digital tools used in the context of advertising. |
| CRM & Sales | Startups developing tools and software for managing relationships and interactions with customers and potential customers. |
| E-commerce Solutions | Startups developing products and services that help a company conduct and grow its e-commerce business electronically. |
| Marketing Analytics | Startups developing tools and software to help companies derive insights and analytics from their marketing activities, and understand how their customers interact. |
Media technology is any hardware, software, or tool that is used to compose, create, produce, deliver and manage media including audio, video, images, information, interactive media, video games, virtual reality, and augmented reality environments.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Content Production | Startups that develop tools, physical or digital products or a platform that allows users to create and share content of various types: writing, images, music, videos. |
| Publishing | Startups whose product or platform is about the distribution of free or paid content — text, images, music, information — such as a newsletter, self-publishing, or book reviews. |
| Social Media | Startups whose product or platform is about the creation and sharing of various forms of content — text, images, music — in one or more virtual communities. |
| Streaming | Startups that develop a streaming product or platform where content — video, music, audio — is constantly delivered to the end-user by a provider. Live-streaming is when this content is delivered in real-time. |
Legal tech refers to the use of technology and software to provide legal services, support legal professionals, or improve access to justice. It encompasses a wide range of tools and platforms designed to automate, streamline, or enhance legal processes.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Legal Documents Management | Tools to negotiate, prepare, sign, act on and track agreements. |
| Intellectual Property | Tools to manage intellectual property (patents, trademarks, etc.) and other related assets — tools for IP and brand, content protection, IP analytics/intelligence. |
| Legal Information | Litigation databases and search engines. E-discovery tools to discover and collect electronically stored information for legal proceedings, justice intelligence platforms. |
| Legal Matter Management | Legal practice management and legal operations tools. Tools to resolve legal disputes online. |
| RegTech & Compliance | Tools to manage and automate governance, risk and compliance, AML (Anti Money Laundering), payment fraud technologies, and tax governance. |
| Self-service & Lawyer Marketplace | Platforms providing on-demand legal services and legal talent. |
Startups developing solutions aiming at disrupting the telecommunications industry: startups offering mobile plans, internet subscriptions, better communication services.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Telecom-as-a-Service | Companies offering telecom platforms and services that allow companies to build and manage their own telecom applications without heavy infrastructure investment. Keywords: TaaS, telecom API, cloud communications, CPaaS, MVNO. |
| Network Infrastructure | Companies providing hardware or software solutions for networking infrastructure, including fiber optics, 5G deployment, small cells, and network slicing. |
| Network Optimization and Automation | Companies offering solutions for network optimization, orchestration, and automation, including AI-driven network management, self-organizing networks (SON), and software-defined networking (SDN). |
| Cloud and Edge Computing | Companies focusing on cloud-native and edge computing infrastructure, including multi-access edge computing (MEC) for faster, low-latency applications. |
| IoT and Connectivity Platforms | Companies specializing in connectivity solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), including cellular IoT, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), and device management platforms. |
Startups developing solutions, services & software designed to improve the recruitment process within a business or for individuals seeking a job.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Human Resources | Startups offering tools and platforms for managing employee data, performance, benefits, and HR workflows. |
| Recruitment Enabler | Startups that support recruiters with tech solutions like talent sourcing, screening, and engagement tools. |
| Recruitment Efficiency | Startups focused on automating and optimizing the hiring process to reduce time and cost per hire. |
| Remote Teams | Startups that help companies hire, manage, and support distributed or fully remote teams across borders. |
| Recruitment and Onboarding | Startups offering end-to-end hiring and onboarding solutions, from job posting to employee integration. |
Startups developing products and services improving the comfort of homes. It includes home automation or domotics, smart home tech, garden tech, connected devices to be used inside the home.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Interior Design | Startups offering digital tools or services to plan, visualize, and personalize interior spaces. |
| Property Management | Startups that provide tech solutions for landlords and property managers to handle maintenance, rent, and tenant communication. |
| Furniture | Startups focused on designing, manufacturing, or delivering furniture — often customizable, sustainable, or direct-to-consumer. |
| Smart Home | Startups developing connected devices and systems for automating and enhancing home security, energy use, and convenience. |
| Home Improvement | Startups offering products or services for renovating, repairing, or upgrading residential spaces. |
| Pets | Startups that create products or services for pet care, including food, health, tracking, and pet-friendly home solutions. |
Startups developing solutions, software and tools designed to enhance teacher-led learning in classrooms and improve students' education outcomes.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Learning Tools and Resources | Startups that build platforms, apps, or content to support learning — such as interactive lessons, study aids, or tutoring tools. |
| Education Providers | Startups that directly deliver educational programs or courses, including online schools, bootcamps, or training platforms. |
| Education Management | Startups offering tools for schools and institutions to manage operations like student records, scheduling, and communication. |
Startups developing computer software designed to satisfy the needs of an organisation rather than individual users.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Generative AI | Startups building AI models or tools that generate text, code, images, or other content to support business tasks. |
| Developer Tools | Startups creating software, platforms, or APIs that help developers build, test, and deploy applications more efficiently. |
| Analytics | Startups offering platforms for collecting, processing, and visualizing data to support business decisions and insights. |
| Productivity Tools | Startups providing software to streamline tasks, collaboration, and workflows across teams and departments. |
| No-code and Low-code Software | Startups enabling users to build apps or automate workflows without deep coding skills, using visual interfaces. |
| AI Applications | Startups applying AI to specific business needs, like customer service, document processing, or sales automation. |
Startups developing apps, solutions and technology for the dating industry (Tinder, online dating, facilitating people to meet with a potential partner).
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Matchmaking | Platforms that use algorithms or curated services to connect individuals seeking romantic relationships. |
| Sextech | Innovative tools and services focused on sexual health, intimacy, and education, often blending tech with wellness. |
| Social Platform | Communities and apps that help people meet, interact, and build relationships in casual or meaningful ways. |
| Lifestyle | Services that combine dating with lifestyle experiences — such as travel, events, or hobbies — to foster deeper connections. |
Startups developing solutions and technologies helping you plan, manage and organise data when putting on an event (conference, wedding, party, etc).
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Ticketing | Tools and platforms that simplify the sale, distribution, and validation of tickets for events of all sizes. |
| Nightlife | Apps and services that connect users with clubs, parties, and nightlife experiences, often with booking or discovery features. |
| Concerts | Solutions designed to promote, manage, or enhance the live music experience for artists, venues, and attendees. |
| Live Events | Technologies that support the organization, streaming, or engagement of in-person or hybrid events. |
| Event Management | End-to-end platforms for planning, scheduling, promoting, and analyzing events for organizers and businesses. |
Startups developing innovative semiconductors (chips), working on processors, chips for sensors, chips for the automotive sector, AI chips, IoT chips, data centre chips.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Semiconductor Designers and Manufacturers | Companies that design and/or produce semiconductors, either as their own products or for clients. |
| Chips and Processors | Companies that design and/or manufacture processors and specialized computing hardware, such as quantum, AI-focused, or photonic computers. This category excludes conventional computers. |
| Semiconductor Materials | Companies that develop or produce materials used in semiconductor manufacturing, such as silicon, silicon carbide, gallium nitride, and others. |
| Photonics Tech | Companies that design and/or produce photonics technologies, including optical fibers, lasers, detectors, and related materials using semiconductor-based light sources like LEDs, lasers, and superluminescent diodes. |
| Semiconductor Engineering Tools | Firms that develop hardware or software used in the design, manufacturing, or testing of semiconductors. |
| AI Chips and Processors | Companies that design and/or produce chips, processors, or computers specifically for AI applications. |
Startups offering products and services to improve mental and physical wellbeing, including tech-driven innovations in beauty, skincare, and personal care.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Personal Health | Startups offering tools, products, or services that support overall physical and mental wellbeing. |
| Nutrition | Companies focused on personalized nutrition, supplements, or diet planning to support a healthy lifestyle. |
| Weight Management | Startups providing programs, apps, or products to help individuals reach and maintain healthy weight goals. |
| Skin Care | Companies developing tech-enabled or science-based skincare products and routines for various skin needs. |
Startups developing products, solutions and tech for children or to help parents with their children.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Parenting | Tools, content, or services designed to support parents in child-rearing and family management. |
| Remote Monitoring | Devices or apps that enable parents to monitor their children's safety and wellbeing remotely. |
| Pregnancy | Solutions focused on pregnancy health, education, and support for expecting parents through apps, products, or services. |
| Femtech | Technologies and products addressing people's health issues such as reproductive health, menstruation, menopause, and hormonal wellness. |
Startups developing products, solutions and tech related to music, streaming music, musical instruments, musical equipment, discovering music, music apps, music creation.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Cloud-based Music | Platforms and tools that enable music storage, collaboration, and production using cloud technology. |
| Entertainment | Services and apps that offer music-related experiences, including concerts, events, and fan engagement. |
| Streaming | Solutions that deliver on-demand music streaming to listeners through apps and web platforms. |
| Musicians | Tools and services designed to support artists in creation, promotion, and managing their careers. |
Startups developing solutions for housing, serving, and maintaining files and data online or offline.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Data Centres | Facilities that house servers and networking equipment to store, manage, and process data securely. |
| Cloud Infrastructure | Platforms providing scalable computing resources and services over the internet for businesses and developers. |
| Cloud Storage | Services that offer remote data storage accessible anytime, ensuring data backup and easy sharing. |
| Cloud Computing | Technologies that deliver computing power, software, and platforms via the cloud to support various applications. |
Travel startups develop digital platforms and services that streamline booking, enhance travel experiences, and connect travellers with local offerings.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Online Travel Agency | Platforms that help users search, compare, and book flights, hotels, and travel packages online. |
| Accommodation | Services offering places to stay, including hotels, vacation rentals, hostels, and alternative lodging options. |
| Booking & Search | Tools and websites that facilitate travel planning by enabling easy search and reservation of travel services. |
| Travel Analytics & Software | Solutions providing data insights, management tools, and software to optimize travel operations and decisions. |
| Business Travel | Services tailored to corporate travellers, focusing on expense management, travel policies, and seamless booking. |
Space startups develop technologies and services for satellite deployment, Earth observation, in-orbit operations, and space infrastructure.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Space Upstream | Activities and companies involved in manufacturing and launching space vehicles and infrastructure. |
| Satellites | Design, production, and operation of satellites for communication, navigation, Earth observation, and more. |
| Space Transportation | Services and technology focused on launching and transporting payloads and humans into space. |
| Space Vehicles Components and Payloads | Development of parts, instruments, and cargo that equip space vehicles for missions. |
| Space Downstream | Applications and services that use space data and technology for sectors like telecom, agriculture, and weather. |
| Space Tech for Various Industries | Use of space technologies adapted to industries such as healthcare, aviation, and environmental monitoring. |
Sports startups create technology, products, and services that improve athletic performance, fan engagement, and fitness experiences.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Sport Platform & Application | Digital tools and apps that connect athletes, fans, and teams for training, tracking, and social engagement. |
| Sporting Equipment | Companies that design, manufacture, or sell gear and apparel for various sports activities. |
| Fitness | Services and products focused on physical training, wellness, and exercise for individuals and groups. |
| Sport League & Club | Organizations managing competitive sports leagues, teams, and clubs at amateur or professional levels. |
| Sport Media | Platforms delivering sports news, live broadcasts, highlights, and fan content. |
| Sport Supplements | Producers of nutritional products aimed at enhancing athletic performance and recovery. |
Consumer electronics startups develop innovative gadgets, smart devices, and connected products that enhance everyday life and home technology.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Appliances | Companies that design and produce electronic household devices for everyday use. |
| Smart Home | Products and systems that enable automated control and monitoring of home functions and security. |
| Smart Glasses | Wearable devices combining eyewear with digital features like AR, notifications, or health tracking. |
| Generic Marketplace | Online platforms that sell a wide range of consumer electronics from multiple brands and sellers. |
Security tech startups develop innovative solutions to protect data, devices, identities, and public spaces from cyber and physical threats.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Public Safety | Solutions focused on protecting communities through emergency response, surveillance, and crime prevention technologies. |
| Cloud & Infrastructure | Security services that protect cloud environments and IT infrastructure from cyber threats and breaches. |
| Identity & Access | Technologies managing user authentication, authorization, and secure access to systems and data. |
| Device Security & Antivirus | Tools designed to protect devices from malware, viruses, and unauthorized access. |
Chemical startups typically focus on developing new materials, sustainable processes, or innovative chemical compounds. They work with areas like green chemistry, industrial biotech, advanced manufacturing, and materials science.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Advanced Materials | Developing high-performance substances — such as composites, polymers, or nanomaterials — designed for enhanced strength, durability, conductivity, or sustainability. |
| Synthetic Biology | Companies designing and engineering biological systems to produce chemicals, materials, or fuels. They use DNA programming and biotechnology to create sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical processes, often serving industries like healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. |
| Biotech & Pharma | Developing and manufacturing chemical compounds for medical and therapeutic use. They work on drug discovery, formulation, and delivery, often using biotechnological methods to create innovative treatments for diseases, vaccines, and diagnostics. |
| Chemical Technologies | Developing tools, equipment, and digital solutions to improve chemical processes. This includes innovations in reactors, sensors, automation, and data analysis to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability in chemical manufacturing and research. |
Startups in the engineering and manufacturing equipment industry design and build advanced tools, machines, and systems that support production, automation, and industrial processes. They often focus on improving efficiency, precision, and sustainability in sectors like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and heavy industry.
| Sub-industry | Description |
|---|---|
| Industrial Technology | Refers to the development and use of advanced tools, machinery, and systems to improve production efficiency, automation, and quality. It includes robotics, control systems, sensors, and software used across factories and industrial processes. |
| Additive Manufacturing | Involves creating parts by building them layer by layer, commonly known as 3D printing. It enables rapid prototyping, custom part production, and reduced material waste, used across industries like aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and industrial design. |
| Semiconductor Designers and Manufacturers | Creating and producing microchips and electronic components that power devices like computers, smartphones, and industrial systems. |
| Photonics Tech | Photonics technology in engineering and manufacturing involves the use of light (photons) for applications like sensing, imaging, communication, and laser-based manufacturing. Companies in this space develop components such as lasers, sensors, and optical systems. |