startport

What startport does

startport GmbH is a private innovation platform and wholly-owned subsidiary of Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport), operator of Europe's largest inland port. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Duisburg's Inner Harbor, the company connects startups, investors, and industrial partners to drive logistics innovation, serving a network of 50+ established logistics companies and 200+ startup innovation drivers primarily across the Rhine-Ruhr region and North Rhine-Westphalia. Its core offerings combine physical infrastructure (850 m² coworking space), structured corporate-startup matching via Innovation Challenges, six-month incubator batches, specialized accelerators (Reverse Logistics Accelerator with Circular Valley), the FUTURE LOGISTICS trade fair, workshops, and the CellPort 5G testing environment.

The underlying platform architecture is service- and network-oriented rather than software-product-oriented: it consists of an event-driven, partner-funded ecosystem in which logistics operators subscribe as exclusive or standard partners to access startup scouting, custom innovation projects, and co-developed solutions. Technology differentiation comes from the proprietary matching process (with defined roles, binding objectives, and rapid decision pathways), domain specialization in logistics sub-sectors (LogTech, Port/Terminal, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Transportation, Warehousing), and privileged access to duisport's trimodal logistics infrastructure for real-world pilot testing. Strategic partnerships with companies such as DTG, Hero Group, Knauf Interfer, TanQuid, Dortmunder Hafen AG, Yusen Logistics, and LogCoop's 140-member network anchor demand on the enterprise side.

startport generates revenue through four streams: recurring partner sponsorships (corporate subscriptions), recurring coworking and event venue rentals, professional services from incubator/accelerator program fees and event hosting, and project-based CellPort engagements. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated individually. Following an April 2026 rebrand, the company repositioned from innovation scout to operational implementation partner for logistics, packaging services into four modules (Scouting/Matching/Implementation, Events, Communication, Workshops) under the mission 'Together we transform logistics'.

Name

startport

Legal name

startport GmbH

Website

https://startport.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

startport is a Duisburg-based innovation platform and duisport subsidiary connecting 50+ logistics enterprises with 200+ startups through matching, a six-month incubator, coworking, and the FUTURE LOGISTICS trade fair in the Rhine-Ruhr region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Duisburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Partner Sponsorships: Logistics companies pay to become exclusive or standard partners, gaining access to innovation scouting, startup matching, and participation in innovation challenges. Partners receive conceptual and financial support from startport.
2. Coworking Memberships: startport offers 850 m² of coworking space with flexible booking models for workspaces, meeting rooms, and event spaces. Attractive network rates are available for innovation drivers in the network.
3. Incubator and Accelerator Programs: Six-month incubator programs (batches) providing intensive support including customer matching, workshops, networking with investors, and workspace access. Also includes CellPort project-based program.
4. Event Hosting: Revenue from hosting events including the FUTURE LOGISTICS innovation trade fair, workshops, deep dive sessions, and partner events at their venue and through event management services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

startport operates an innovation platform that connects logistics startups (Pre-Seed to Series A) with established logistics and industrial companies through a structured matching process and innovation challenges. It runs a six-month incubator program, the Reverse Logistics Accelerator (with Circular Valley), the CellPort 5G testing project, and the annual FUTURE LOGISTICS trade fair, while also providing 850 m² of coworking space and event venue infrastructure in Duisburg's Innenhafen. core_offerings_detailed in the data should describe the actual products and services offered. The schema requires 'core_offerings_detailed' (a 2-3 line factual description of what startport fundamentally does and sells) and 'source_id' (the supporting source).

Product overview

startport is an innovation platform for logistics and supply chain management that operates as a physical hub and service provider rather than a software product. The offering consists of a physical coworking space (850 m² in Duisburg's Innenhafen), the FUTURE LOGISTICS innovation trade fair, and a startup incubator/accelerator program. The platform connects startups with established logistics companies through Innovation Challenges and provides supporting services including workshops, Deep Dive Sessions, and communication/PR support. Key programs include the Reverse Logistics Accelerator (in partnership with Circular Valley) and CellPort (5G testing environment for logistics startups). The company also facilitates networking events and provides access to its innovation network spanning LogTech, Port | Terminal, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Transportation, and Warehousing categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Coworking Space (Innenhafen Duisburg) 850 m² of coworking and event facilities in Duisburg's Innenhafen, offering focused workspaces, meeting rooms, and event spaces equipped with high-speed internet and modern conference technology for startups, companies, and innovation drivers.
• FUTURE LOGISTICS Innovation Trade Fair The largest innovation trade fair for logistics in the Rhine-Ruhr region, bringing together technology providers, logistics companies, decision-makers, scientists, and capital providers through workshops, keynotes, panels, and networking sessions.
• Startup Incubator Program Six-month incubator program (run in batches) supporting logistics and supply chain startups with customer matching, workshops, networking with investors, and workspace access.
• CellPort Innovation project in Duisburg port providing technology-oriented logistics startups with a realistic testing environment for 5G-based products and business models, including an accompanying Masterclass program.
• Reverse Logistics Accelerator Specialized accelerator program (joint with Circular Valley Foundation) supporting startups in reverse logistics, circular economy, and sustainable logistics through virtual and on-site modules, including workshops, mentoring, pitch training, and networking.
• Innovation Challenges Structured matching process connecting startups with established logistics and industrial companies on specific practical challenges, providing defined roles, binding objectives, and rapid decision pathways for targeted implementation.
• Deep Dive Sessions Smaller community sessions focused on trend and innovation topics in logistics and supply chain, connecting the startport community with expert speakers, startup pitches, and networking opportunities.
• Workshops Interactive, customized work sessions focused on partner-specific challenges such as innovation strategy, digital transformation, supply chain topics, and team development, delivered with tailored conception and moderation.

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DTG (Deutsche Transport-Genossenschaft Binnenschifffahrt eG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2025Two-year partnership signed at transport logistic in Munich focusing on innovation and marketing for inland shipping. Jointly develops innovative ideas, tests new technologies, and strengthens industry competitiveness through digitalization. Integrates startups addressing inland shipping logistics challenges.
• Circular ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2025Joint Reverse Logistics Accelerator program launched on behalf of Circular Valley Foundation to support startups in reverse logistics and circular economy. Combines virtual and on-site modules including workshops, mentoring, and networking. Kick-off at November 14, 2025 Circular Valley Forum. First cohort successfully completed with 13 startups.
• Weiss+Appetito Services GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2025Programme partner hosting events like we.digitize Summit on digital infrastructure. Part of FUTURE LOGISTICS 2025 fleet sponsors.
• Hero Group GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2025Partnership for developing AI-based, automated, and environmentally friendly solutions for supply chain. Kick-off workshop on fleet management, dispatch, tour optimization, and administrative process automation. Hero Group gains access to startport's startup network.
• EMO-LOG GmbHminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 May 2025Fleet sponsor for FUTURE LOGISTICS 2025 innovation trade fair.
• M. Zietzschmann GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Independent family business with 100+ years in freight forwarding, seeking digital solutions for bulk and general cargo logistics. Focus on automation, smart technologies, and sustainability through inland vessel use.
• Dortmunder Hafen AG (Dortmund Port)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2025Three-year partnership for innovation, digitalization, and promotion of forward-looking solutions. Positions Dortmund Port as important player in port network. Joint marketing strategies and startup integration.
• avitea Group (avitea GmbH and avitea Industrieservice GmbH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Exclusive partnership for logistics and HR services innovation. avitea teams moved into startport coworking space. Joint workshops, training sessions, and networking events planned, including HR innovations in logistics event. avitea provides staffing expertise.
• LogCoop GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2024Collaboration connecting innovative startups with LogCoop's 140 mid-sized logistics members from across Europe. Joint events including FUTURE LOGISTICS trade fair. Focus on know-how transfer of innovations and digital solutions in warehousing, transport, and administration.
• TanQuid GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's largest independent tank farm operator (15 locations) seeking startup solutions for data structure optimization, tank truck dispatch tracking, and robotics automation in handling processes.
• Knauf Interfer SEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partner supporting innovation in steel and aluminum logistics at Duisburg's trimodal location. Supports startups as sparring partner and user. Relocated headquarters to Duisburg in 2021 near production facilities.
• Yusen LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal logistics company strengthening startport network internationally with strong presence in Japanese market and ties to Rhine-Ruhr region. Part of network partnership seeking exchange with startups.
• Rhenus Port Logistics Rhein-RuhrcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports startup hub in digitalization of logistics in Rhine-Ruhr region. New partner supporting innovation platform for logistics and supply chain.
• Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partner in startport network contributing to trimodal logistics hub capabilities in Duisburg.
• DBI (Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocation and business development agency of Duisburg strengthening focus on attracting startups and driving innovation in Duisburg and surrounding area.
• Wirtschaftsbetriebe DuisburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of largest municipal companies in Duisburg responsible for waste disposal, street cleaning, and urban drainage. Supports innovation platform conceptually and financially.
• Haeger & Schmidt LogisticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry expert supporting startups in the future as part of startport program.
• Kompetenznetz Logistik.NRW / LOG-IT ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint efforts to shape future of logistics industry in NRW. Collaboration marks important step towards promotion of innovations in logistics sector.
• duisport (Duisburger Hafen AG)coreOthersParent company and operator of Europe's largest inland port. startport is a wholly-owned subsidiary providing innovation platform services within the duisport ecosystem.
• BASFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPanel participant at FUTURE LOGISTICS 2025. Fleet sponsor and supporter of logistics innovation events.
• DHLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPanel participant at FUTURE LOGISTICS 2025 sharing expertise on logistics trends.
• Kuehne+NagelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFleet sponsor for FUTURE LOGISTICS 2025 innovation trade fair.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Lufthansa Innovation Hub: Corporate innovation arm of Lufthansa Group focused on aviation, mobility, and travel tech startups. Comparable as a large corporate-backed innovation subsidiary with structured startup scouting and corporate customer access, though focused on aviation rather than logistics.

Broad incumbents

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform with corporate partner programs and vertical-specific accelerators including mobility and logistics. Comparable in corporate-startup matching model, but operates at much larger scale with global reach that startport cannot match.

Direct peers

• hub:raum (Deutsche Telekom): Corporate-backed accelerator program run by Deutsche Telekom, focused on connecting telecom/enterprise startups with corporate customers. Comparable as a corporate subsidiary innovation platform with structured startup-to-enterprise matching, similar GTM to startport's innovation challenge model.
• TechQuartier Frankfurt: Frankfurt-based innovation hub and fintech/cross-industry startup platform. Comparable in operating model (events, coworking, corporate-startup matching) though primarily focused on fintech rather than logistics.
• Logistik-Initiative Hamburg: Regional logistics innovation network in Hamburg connecting logistics companies with startups, research institutions, and technology providers. Directly comparable as a regional cluster manager focused on logistics innovation in a major German port region, competing for partner and startup mindshare.
• Digital Hub Logistics Dortmund: Dortmund-based digital hub specifically focused on logistics innovation under the German federal Digital Hub Initiative. Highly comparable given geographic proximity to Duisburg, the same logistics focus, and similar corporate-partner-driven model.
• Startplatz: Leading German startup incubator and coworking space in Cologne with comparable mix of workspace, events, and accelerator programs. Directly comparable in operating model (coworking + events + startup support) though broader in vertical focus than startport.
• Next Logistics Accelerator: Germany-based logistics-focused venture capital fund and accelerator program. Directly comparable as a logistics-specific startup support platform with corporate partner backing, though structured as a fund with equity participation rather than a subsidiary innovation platform.

Others

• Fraunhofer IML (Institute for Material Flow and Logistics): Leading applied research institute for logistics and material flow based in Dortmund. Comparable ecosystem participant in German logistics innovation with research, pilot projects, and startup engagement, but operates as a public research institute rather than a commercial innovation platform.

Regional players

• SmartPort Rotterdam: Innovation platform connecting startups with Europe's largest seaport ecosystem in Rotterdam. Highly comparable in mission and port-operator-backed model, but operates in a different geography (Netherlands seaport vs. German inland port).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startport-gmbh
• Xx.com/startport_ruhr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about startport