Fast-growing digital bank N26 isn't only winning over consumers, it's winning over more and more of Germany's labor force.

From its inception in 2013, the lender has garnered lots of attention, not only from renowned investors like Tencent Holdings Limited and Peter Thiel's Valar Ventures; but also LinkedIn, who has crowned the challenger bank as the top start-up in Germany for 2018.

To be eligible in this year's list, which features 25 German-based start-ups, businesses must be no older than seven years, have a minimum of 50 employees and be privately held. From then, to make this definitive ranking, LinkedIn analyzed the actions of its 500 million-plus users, to distinguish the level of employee growth a company has, along with job seeker interest, engagement and ability to attract top talent from renowned firms featured on the top companies list.

CNBC checks out which start-ups have whisked away parts of the German workforce this year — and earned a place in the top 10.

10. Infarm

Global Headcount: 150+

Headquarters: Berlin

What Infarm hopes to achieve is to crack down on farming's environmental impact and make cities more self-reliant in producing food. The firm has developed its own indoor hydroponic growing systems, to be used in restaurants, grocers and distribution centers; each of which can grow an array of different plants regardless of the weather.