StartupDB
Methodology

How we categorise technology companies

Every company in the directory is filed along two independent dimensions — the market it serves and the way it builds and delivers technology. Together they make 2,462 companies comparable, filterable, and easy to navigate. Here's exactly how the system works.

The framework

Two dimensions, not one

A payments startup and a payments consultancy both work in FinTech — but they are very different businesses. Splitting what a company does from how it operates keeps the directory honest.

Dimension 1

Industry sector

The market — what they do

The primary industry and customer base a company serves. Each company sits in exactly one of 9 sectors, then one of 66 finer sub-sectors.

Example
B2B Infrastructure
Dimension 2

Company type

The model — how they build

How the company creates and delivers its technology — whether it owns a product, integrates others', or works to order. One of 4 types.

Example
Solution Provider / Systems Integrator
10 Infinity
B2B InfrastructureSolution Provider / Systems IntegratorOne sector × one type = a precise, filterable position
Dimension 1 · 9 sectors, 66 sub-sectors

Industry sectors

Sectors are ordered by share of the directory. A company is placed by its primary market — where most of its revenue and product focus sits — then narrowed to a single sub-sector.

💼
B2B
795 companies · 16 sub-sectors
32%
AnalyticsCommerce & MarketplacesEngineering & Product ToolsFinance & AccountingHuman ResourcesInfrastructureLegalMarketingOffice ManagementOperationsProductivityRecruiting & TalentRetail TechnologySalesSecuritySupply Chain & Logistics
🛍️
Consumer
517 companies · 12 sub-sectors
21%
Apparel & CosmeticsConsumer ElectronicsContent & MediaFood & BeverageGamingHome & PersonalImmersive Media (VR/AR)Retail & CommerceSocial PlatformsTransportation ServicesTravel, Leisure & TourismWork & Careers
🏭
Industrials
388 companies · 7 sub-sectors
16%
AgricultureAutomotive & MobilityAviation & Autonomous SystemsClimate & Environmental TechnologiesDefenseEnergyManufacturing & Robotics
💳
FinTech
188 companies · 6 sub-sectors
8%
Asset ManagementBanking & Capital MarketsConsumer FinanceCredit & LendingInsurancePayments
🏥
Healthcare
182 companies · 7 sub-sectors
7%
BiotechnologyDiagnosticsDrug Discovery & DeliveryHealthcare ITHealthcare ServicesMedical DevicesTherapeutics
🎓
Education
159 companies · 5 sub-sectors
6%
Assessment & CredentialingEdTech PlatformsEducation Services & ContentLearning Management SystemsWorkforce & Skills Training
🏗️
Real Estate & Construction
132 companies · 5 sub-sectors
5%
Building Materials & SystemsConstruction TechnologyProperty Management & OperationsReal Estate Platforms & MarketplacesSmart Buildings & Facilities
💻
General Technology
90 companies · 3 sub-sectors
4%
Developer ToolsEmerging TechnologyPlatforms & Infrastructure
🏛️
GovTech
11 companies · 5 sub-sectors
0%
Civic Engagement & ServicesDigital Government PlatformsPublic Safety & SecurityRegulatory & Compliance SystemsSmart Cities & Urban Tech

Why one sector each? Many companies could plausibly sit in two or three sectors. We assign the single dominant one so that counts add up, filters stay clean, and no company is double-counted across the ecosystem.

Dimension 2 · 4 types

Company types

The second axis captures the business model — how a company actually builds and ships technology. This is what separates a product company from a services one, regardless of sector.

Product-Led Startup/Scaleup

1,702 cos

Builds and owns a proprietary technology product or platform. Typically venture-backed and scaling a single repeatable product to many customers.

How to spot one
Owns its core IP and roadmap
Sells the same product at scale
Revenue from subscriptions or usage

Solution Provider / Systems Integrator

645 cos

Designs, integrates and implements technology solutions — often combining third-party platforms with their own work — to solve a client's problem end to end.

How to spot one
Delivers tailored implementations
Mixes own and partner technology
Project- and retainer-based revenue

Custom Software Developer

94 cos

Builds bespoke software to order, on a project or contract basis, for individual clients rather than productising a single offering.

How to spot one
Work is built per-client
Client owns the deliverable
Billed by project or engagement

ICT Partner & Reseller

21 cos

Distributes, resells, or provides channel and partner services for established technology vendors, handling supply, licensing, and local support.

How to spot one
Represents external vendors
Revenue from resale & margin
Provides local supply & support
The process

How a company gets classified

Each listing is reviewed against three questions, in order. The result is one sector, one sub-sector, and one type per company.

1

Find the sector

What market and customers does the company primarily serve? This answers the what and sets one of the 9 sectors.

2

Pin the sub-sector

Within that sector, which of the finer categories best describes the core product or service? One of 66.

3

Set the type

How does the company build and deliver — owned product, integration, custom build, or reseller? This answers the how.

Multi-market

Companies operating across several markets are filed under their dominant revenue line — not split into multiple listings.

Tech-first only

A company must build, deliver, or fundamentally run on technology to be listed. Pure offline businesses are excluded.

Continuously reviewed

Categories and counts update as companies are added, claim their profiles, or change focus. The numbers here are live.

Good to know

Common questions

Only claimed profiles can upload a profile picture. If you own this company, claim the profile to add one and keep your listing up to date.

Missing from the directory?

Help keep the directory complete — add a company we've missed.