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This Month in German, Swiss, and Austrian Startups - June 2024 | Startuprad.io
Welcome to our June 2024 wrap-up, where we bring you the latest news from the startup and tech entrepreneurship scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, all in under 30 minutes!
In this episode, recorded with Chris in New York City and Joe joining from Frankfurt, we cover the top highlights from June 25th:
### Highlights:
- Check24's Massive Marketing Campaign: Check24 launched a major campaign, distributing 5 million free Puma football jerseys in Germany, costing around €100 million. This initiative has sparked vibrant online discussions and driven app downloads, despite privacy concerns.
- Aviation News: Lilium seeks €300M in government aid to advance its "Lilium Jet," while Volocopter continues to vie for funding.
- Insurtech Updates: WeFox faces internal strife that could significantly lower its valuation from $4.5 billion, while Clark is preparing for a substantial funding round under new leadership.
- Amazon's Investment in Germany: Amazon announces an additional €10 billion investment in Germany, focusing on cloud data storage and logistics, bringing their total investment in the country this year to €17.8 billion.
- DeepL's Milestone: DeepL becomes Germany’s most valuable AI startup with a $2 billion valuation, following a $300 million investment.
- Black Semiconductor's Major Funding: Black Semiconductor secures €254.4 million to boost Europe's semiconductor industry, with plans to open a pilot facility in Aachen by 2026.
- Cognigy's AI Advancements: Cognigy raises $100 million to enhance AI-driven customer service automation, supported by major brands like Lufthansa, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz.
- Flix's Strategic Moves: Flix considers private equity investment from EQT, potentially acquiring a 30% stake and altering Flix's path to a public offering.
Join us as we delve into these stories and more, highlighting the dynamic changes and strategic shifts in the DACH startup ecosystem. Stay informed with the latest developments in tech and entrepreneurship in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
For more in-depth coverage and analysis, visit our blog at [startuprad.io/blog](https://startuprad.io/blog).
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### Podcast Description: The Path to US VC Funding: Tips from JC2 Ventures Partner Yvette Kanouff
In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger sits down with Yvette Kanouff, Partner at JC2 Ventures, to discuss the secrets to optimizing your VC pitch. Drawing from her extensive background in mathematics and technology, Yvette shares invaluable tips on crafting concise and compelling presentations, simplifying complex concepts, and understanding the perspectives of venture capitalists.
Join us as we delve into the importance of networking, building long-term relationships, and the power of personal meetings in the fundraising journey. Yvette also highlights key investment areas such as AI, security, fintech, and clean energy, emphasizing the role of disruptive technologies and stringent financial criteria in successful pitches. Additionally, Yvette shares her experiences with investments in anti-drone technology and the potential for European startups in deep tech and green tech.
Whether you're navigating cross-country investments, leveraging AI advancements, or preparing for your next pitch, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed. Tune in for a conversation that’s sure to inspire and inform your entrepreneurial journey. Don't miss out on this engaging and informative episode!
Key Topics:
- Yvette's career in mathematics and technology
- Tips for concise and effective pitching
- Understanding VC perspectives and financial criteria
- The role of disruptive technologies in investment
- Networking strategies and building long-term VC relationships
- Insights into AI investments and the startup ecosystem
- The future of deep tech and green tech in Europe
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Guest:
Yvette Kanouff, Partner at JC2 Ventures, brings her robust expertise in technology and investment. Learn more about her groundbreaking work and investment strategies: https://www.jc2ventures.com/jc2-ventures-team-1-1
Tune in now for expert advice on securing VC funding and taking your startup to the next level!
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Fehlende Folgen?
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Welcome to our May 2024 wrap-up, delivering vital news from the startup and tech entrepreneurship scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—all in 30 minutes or less! 🎧
Join Chris from New York City and Joe from Frankfurt as they bring you the latest updates in the GSA region. Due to Whit Monday and travel plans, this news cut is from May 16th. Any news not covered today will be included in our next wrap-up.
#### Schedule:
- Next Episode: June 27th
- Summer Wrap-Up: September 2nd (Labor Day)
We'll have a lighter summer program, possibly with more frequent updates, based on listener requests.
#### Highlights:
The startup scene is roaring back in GSA, with large investments and early-stage innovations. Grab a drink and a snack—this episode is packed with positive news and is longer than usual.
- New VC Funds Raised: Over $7.5 billion
- Germany's Air Taxi Dilemma: Lilium and Volocopter are at a crossroads, with France offering subsidies while Germany debates state support.
- Amazon's €7.8 Billion Investment: Development of a purely European cloud storage infrastructure in Brandenburg.
- WeFox Challenges: Valuation setbacks amid growth challenges.
- Alzheimer's Research Boost: Takeda and AC Immune's $2 billion partnership.
- Biontech's Resilience: Despite Q1 losses, Biontech advances its oncology pipeline and prepares for a renewed push in COVID vaccine demand.
For detailed news and updates, visit our [blog](https://startuprad.io/blog) with all the latest stories. Interested in collaborations or advertising opportunities? [Storefront](https://workspace.passionfroot.me/startupradio).
Don't forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to stay updated with the latest news from the GSA startup scene!
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Detailed Topics:
1. Will German Air Taxis Fly?
Germany debates support for air taxi startups Lilium and Volocopter, while France offers subsidies. Lilium is in advanced talks with the French government for expansion plans and potential financial aid. [Read more](https://buff.ly/3UBNCHS).
2. Amazon's Investment in Brandenburg:
Amazon's €7.8 billion investment in Brandenburg to develop purely European storage capacities highlights its commitment to data sovereignty. [Read more](https://buff.ly/3V1PJpN).
3. WeFox Valuation Takes a Hit:
WeFox faces valuation woes amid growth challenges, impacting its once promising trajectory in insurtech. [Read more](https://buff.ly/3UIByES).
4. Alzheimer's Research Collaboration:
Takeda teams up with Swiss firm AC Immune in a deal potentially exceeding $2 billion to fight Alzheimer's. [Read more](https://buff.ly/4dJN5wk).
5. Biontech's Oncology Advances:
Despite significant Q1 losses, Biontech continues to advance its oncology pipeline and prepares for a renewed push in COVID vaccine demand. [Read more](https://buff.ly/3wDhn33).
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🌟 April 2024 Startup & Tech Wrap-Up 🌟 | Germany, Austria, Switzerland | Biotech Breakthroughs, Fintech Boom & Space Innovation 🚀In just 30 minutes, get the latest on the hottest entrepreneurship news from the heart of Europe! From groundbreaking acquisitions to futuristic ventures, here's what you need to know:
🔬 Novo Nordisk's €1.025B Biotech Splash! Discover how Novo Nordisk's landmark acquisition of Cardior Pharmaceuticals is reshaping the biotech landscape.
🚁 Volocopter's €150M Boost! Despite challenges, Volocopter gets a significant funding injection for its flying taxi vision.
💡 Zolar Shines with €100M! Learn about Zolar's massive credit line and its innovative financing options.
💰 ELEMENT Scores €50M! Explore how ELEMENT is revolutionizing InsurTech with its latest funding round.
🏦 Berlin: Fintech Capital! Berlin solidifies its status as the Fintech Capital with 160 thriving startups.
🛰️ Mynaric's Space Laser Triumph! Witness Mynaric's milestone in global space development with the CONDOR Mk3.
Don't miss out on the latest tech and entrepreneurial breakthroughs! Watch now for all the details. #entrepreneurship #technews #startupscene #startupradio
Find all links and show notes here:https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-march-april-bb97d8243696
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Welcome to our March 2024 wrap-up with vital news from the startup and tech entrepreneurship scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 30 minutes or less 🙂.
Our startup news is recorded with Chris in New York City and Joe in Frankfurt. Recording date is March 25th 2024 and all news not included will be in our next news to be released on April 25th 2024.
Happy Easter!Today we publish on Holy Thursday (Gründonnerstag) in Germany. Note that the Friday before and Monday after Easter are public holidays. Many people will take off around the holidays. So don’t expect your calls to be returned promptly during this time.
A Seismic Shift in the Regional Startup SceneYou are witnessing a seismic shift in the GSA startup scene with us here and today. The headlines of our startup news used to be dominated by fintech funding. Now we have more than 7 billion € investments in green startups (battery, renewable energy) vs. “only” around 150 million in fintech funding in different forms. This is surely a foretaste of what’s to come.
Our Highlights:The European energy landscape is witnessing significant developments with key investments across sectors.
Northvolt’s Gigafactory in Northern Germany, backed by €900 million in subsidies and a €4.5 billion investment, aims to produce 1 million car batteries annually, driving electric vehicle adoption and job creation.
Enpal secured €1.1 billion in refinancing commitments, while Sunfire raised over €500 million, bolstering Europe’s green hydrogen economy.
ENVIRIA secured $200 million in capital from BlackRock, signaling confidence in the solar sector.
Solaris Bank secured €96 million in funding but faced a €6.5 million fine from BaFin, reflecting fintech regulatory challenges.
Magic gained traction with open AI’s and Tesla’s former Andrej Karpathy as investor, and Bitpanda established a €50 million VC fund for blockchain startups. However, the startup community grapples with stress, with nearly half considering quitting, underscoring the toll of rapid innovation.
Let’s talk startups: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-march-2024-a49996ca44f9
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The HostsThe news are co-hosted by Jörn “Joe” Menninger, startup scout, founder, and host of Startuprad.io. And Christian “Chris' ' Fahrenbach, co-founder Startuprad.io, freelance reporter, lecturer, author and blogger . Reach out to them:
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In this episode, we dive deep into the latest tech and startup highlights shaping the landscape of innovation. Join us as we explore groundbreaking developments and game-changing investments that are driving progress in the tech world.
🔍 Our Highlights:1. Microsoft's bold move to invest 3.3 billion euros in expanding data centers in Germany is a testament to the importance of AI and cloud computing. Chancellor Olaf Scholz applauds this commitment to progress and global openness.
2. Vienna-based AI startup Magic secures a whopping $117 million in funding, setting ambitious goals to surpass ChatGPT-4 with its AGI ambitions. Meanwhile, Stuttgart's Instagrid raises an impressive $95 million to expand into North America with its innovative portable battery systems.
3. Amidst the success stories, we also shed light on the challenges faced by fintech and MedTech sectors. Elinvar grapples with insolvency despite a hefty €50 million investment, while Sanity Group, a cannabis company, makes tough decisions by cutting staff.
4. But there's no shortage of triumphs! BioNTech emerges victorious in a lawsuit, Flixbus makes strides by expanding to India, and Mondu secures a massive €30 million for its expansion plans. However, changes in German insolvency regulations pose new challenges for debt-funded startups like Instafreight.
5. And lastly, EV charging platform Monta electrifies the scene by raising an impressive €80 million for its European expansion, signaling a bright future for sustainable transportation.
Stay ahead of the curve with Startuprad.io as we bring you the latest updates and insights from the dynamic world of tech entrepreneurship. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to never miss out on our exclusive content! #technews #startupradio #entrepreneurship #innovation #techinvestments #ai #cloudcomputing #AGI #fintech #medtech #biontech #evcharging #MontaExpansion
Let's talk startups: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-february-2024-c5d6ea9a5b5c
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Executive SummaryIn this episode, Joe interviews Andrea Tüttenberg, a female founder and professor at the University Clinic of Mainz. Andrea is the co-founder of Actitrex, a biotech startup focusing on immune cell therapy. She explains the journey from being a doctor and researcher to founding a company that develops treatments to minimize or avoid severe immune responses in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation and beyond. Andrea discusses the potential impact of their therapy, their need for funding, and the importance of talent acquisition. She also shares personal insights including the influence of her children and her dual roles as a doctor and entrepreneur.
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The FounderAndrea is a remarkable female founder and entrepreneur in the biotech industry. Andrea is the co-founder of ActiTrexx, a biotech startup focused on developing treatments for severe immune responses and immune-mediated diseases. With a background in medicine, Andrea has a strong foundation in clinical research and experience as a doctor, a professor at the University Clinic of Mainz, and a recipient of prestigious awards in the field of research and academia. Her journey from medical doctor to researcher and now entrepreneur is a testament to her passion for pushing the boundaries of medical science to create impactful treatments for patients in need.
The StartupAndrea Tüttenberg is the co-founder of Actitrex, a pioneering biotech startup focused on developing a novel cell therapy to treat severe immune responses in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation for conditions such as leukemia. Actitrex is waiting for the first patient for its clinical trials. As the company gears up for the next stage of development, Actitrex is actively seeking series B funding to support its expansion and the advancement of its groundbreaking therapy.
Find all links and show notes on our blog post: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/from-doctor-to-entrepreneur-shaping-the-future-of-stem-cell-transplants-54d02049dfd3
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Tune in to the latest episode of our podcast, where we discuss the top news and trends in German, Swiss, and Austrian (GSA) startups. From European unicorns to emerging tech companies, we cover it all in this monthly show. Don't miss out on the latest tech news and startup updates!
Our Highlights:Joe already did a 2023 review focused on valuations and investments. All publications more or less agreed that 2023 was hopefully rock bottom for startups, their valuation, funding and founding of new ones and it should get better. Thumbs pressed for that (as is German custom). Our former guest Finn raises 100 M€, unicorn 1Komma5 Grad is looking for 100 M€, Unzer loss amounts to 400 M€ and Everphone raises 270 M€. Despite the dire situation, almost 2,500 new startups were founded in Germany. Also one should take notice of Karlsruhe, a city with a world-class technical university, that is home to INTERATEC which raised 118 M€ for efuels. Please, take a moment and match again all the bad news we have gathered here and weigh it against entrepreneurs sticking their heads out and even raising hundreds of millions from investors. Congratulations to those brave ones! Let's talk startups:
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Find all links and Show Notes Here:https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-january-2024-startuprad-io-e-412-8aed840bed61
#startupradio #startupnews #startuppodcastgermany #technews #technologynews #techpodcast
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Join us for a deep dive into the startup world of Germany in 2023! We'll recap the latest trends in startup valuations and investments, featuring top Berlin, Hamburg, and other German startups. Learn about the innovative ideas and entrepreneurs driving the German startup scene forward. Don't miss out on this valuable information for investors and aspiring entrepreneurs alike!
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All Links and Show Notes Here is our blog post:https://medium.com/startuprad-io/deep-dive-a-recap-of-2023s-startup-valuations-and-investment-trends-d0d876b4cd1e
We are talking about #Startupscene #germanstartuppodcast #germanstartups #startups #innovation #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #businessnews #insolvencies #earlystageinvestment #seed #seedfunding #preseedfunding #laterstagefunding #valuation #privateequity #venturecapital #fundraising #deeptech #biotechnology #AI #europeanstartupodcast #europeanstartup #startupeurope #ecosystem #ecosystems #scalablestartups #jobcreation #marketcapitalization #dealvolume #europeanperspective #cleantechnology #cleantech #fundingslump #biotechcompanies #entrepreneurinterviews #startupradio
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Welcome to our December 2023 wrap-up with vital news from the startup and tech entrepreneurship scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 30 minutes or less 🙂. Our startup news is recorded with Chris in New York City and Joe in Frankfurt. The recording date is December 19th, 2023 and all news not included will be in our next news to be released on January 25th, 2024. Note: We will take a holiday break until January 18th, 2023, when you can expect the first publication in the new year.
Our Highlights:Aleph Alpha's AI models get bad press. Escooter Tier lays of one-fifth of the workforce. Solarisbank also fires employees, and so does the Austrian scale-up neoom. Sport Alliance gets 100 M US$ funding and Hugo Boss chips into a sustainable fashion fund. Trade Republic is now a fully licensed bank and Instafreight has to file for insolvency. In total, we have more than 30 M US$ new VC investments in Austria, more than 25 M US$ investments in Switzerland, and more than 400 M US$ investments in Germany, vs only three insolvencies. Yes at the core we are very positive :-). It feels better, at least a bit. Let's talk startups:
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All Links and Show NotesHere is our blog post: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-december-2023-startuprad-io-e-409-f30d787f0c1f
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WelcomeWelcome to our November 2023 wrap-up with vital news from the startup scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 30 minutes or less 🙂.
Our HighlightsAI startup Aleph Alpha raises half a billion dollars, CMBlu raises 100 mn € for energy storage, WeFox gets 55 M US$ from Deutsche and Unicredit, and Vanguard pulls the plug on their German robo advisor. It seems that Sono Motors has found an investor to keep going at least until the end of 2024 and the German subsidiary of WeWork also has to file for insolvency.
Let's talk startups:
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Our EnablersThis recording is supported by HTAI and the Enterprise Europe Network Hessen. Look for our dedicated sub-podcast in partnership with them: Tech Startups Germany on our https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Top NewsAleph Alpha raises 500 mn US$Heidelberg-based Aleph Alpha raises a total investment of more than half a billion US Dollars from a consortium of industry leaders and new investors for their AI for Enterprises and Governments.
CMBlu Energy raises 100 mn €German Energy scale-up CMBlu offers „warehouses for energy", with batteries storing up to gigawatt hours. They now raised 100 million Euros, with Strabag being the sole investor, one of Europe's largest construction companies, based in Vienna.
WeFox Raises 55m US$Deutsche Bank and UniCredit back $4.5 billion insurance startup Wefox with $55 million in fresh funds. WeFox is an online insurance broker and it did not raise equity, so their valuation stayed the same.
Sono Motors May Have Found An InvestorSono Motors was once hailed as a new hope for the German startup scene, listing early in the US in November 2021. The company wanted to increase the reach of electro-cars by adding solar cells but ran into many problems while developing electro-cars. In the end, they had to file for insolvency but are now restarting with tech that allows the retrofitting of solar panels for fossil fuel busses. Sono Motors filed a 6-K form with the SEC saying that the company secured its survival for 2024, apparently most of the 250 employees can find further employment. Read more in our blog post: Sono Motors Finds Investor https://buff.ly/3Rjuo9t
Vanguard Pulls The Plug on Their Robo Advisor in GermanyVanguard's German robo advisor costs millions and scores only 4 mn assets under management (AuM) at the end of 2022. A disaster according to FinanceFWD. To put this in perspective: Scalable Capital had 11 months after launch more than 100 mn AuM
WeWork Germany Files For InsolvencyWeWork's German subsidiary filed for insolvency - the company had issues everywhere.
Find the full news with all links and show notes here:https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-november-2023-startuprad-io-e-405-99d9efb6f3ff
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Executive Summary
In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger interviews Jenny von Podewils, the co-CEO and co-founder of Leapsome. Leapsome is a company that helps organizations build exceptional teams based on data. Their clients include Spotify, Monday.com, Bolt, Nortvolt and others. Jenny shares the journey of Leapsome, from its inception to becoming the winner of the Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the German Startup Awards 2023. They discuss how Leapsome uses AI and data analysis to support managers in areas like goal setting and feedback. They also delve into the importance of effective performance management and talent development. The episode provides insights into Leapsome's products, success stories, and their current hiring.
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German Startup Awards 2023
This interview is in media partnership with the German startup association (Bundesverband Deutscher Startups https://deutschestartups.org/). Their German Startup Awards #GSA23 honor each year outstanding female and male founders and investors in special categories.
The Founder
Despite the business focus at St. Gallen, Jenny was determined to pursue her passion for tackling global challenges. Inspired by her politics teacher, she developed a keen interest in diplomacy and wanted to make a difference on a global scale. With this goal in mind, Jenny enrolled in St. Gallen's international relations program, which seemed like the perfect path to her desired career. However, she soon discovered that the school had a strong emphasis on business studies. Undeterred, she decided to make the most of her situation and use her business education to her advantage. Throughout her time at St. Gallen, Jenny developed a unique perspective that blended her passion for global issues with a strong business acumen. This combination of skills and knowledge set her apart and opened doors to exciting opportunities. After completing her studies, Jenny went on to co-found Leapsome, an innovative company aiming to revolutionize employee feedback and development. As the co-CEO, Jenny brings her deep understanding of business and her unwavering commitment to addressing global challenges to the forefront, driving the company's success. Jenny von Podewils is a shining example of how one's passion and determination can shape their path, even in the face of unexpected obstacles.
The Startup
Leapsome, co-founded by Jenny von Podewils, is a remarkable startup that has made significant strides in the realm of organizational alignment and people enablement. What sets Leapsome apart is not only their unique approach to building exceptional organizations but also their impressive growth trajectory.
Find all Links and Show Notes here:
https://medium.com/startuprad-io/scaling-exceptional-organizations-female-entrepreneur-of-the-year-2023-episode-401-696b49a38009
Mentioned in this...
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Welcome to our October 2023 wrap-up with vital news from the startup scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 30 minutes or less 🙂.
This time we wrap up October 2023 in our 400th episode!
Our startup news are recorded with Chris today in Germany and Joe in Frankfurt. The recording date is October 25th and all news not included will be in our next news to be released on November 30th.
This time we made more cuts to our news here. We hope you like the lighter version of it. If you think we cut too much, feel free to let us know.
For everyone who celebrates it: Happy Halloween AAAAAAAAAAAAAAND Happy Thanksgiving!
Our Highlights:BioNTech is a very special case in Germany, but now one of their former Senior Vice Presidents (Katalin Karikó, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine 2023 for her research in mRNA). Two German companies IPOed (yes, no startups, but still a good sign). Solar startup Nexwafe starts 120 M € funding, Black Semiconductor from Aachen is looking to raise 500 M €, and there is bad news about the former unicorn Infarm.
Let's talk startups:
Subscribe HereFind all options to subscribe to our newsletter, podcast, YouTube channel, or listen to our internet radio station here: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Our EnablersThis recording is supported by HTAI and the Enterprise Europe Network HessenThis recording was made possible by HTAI and the Enterprise Europe Network Hessen. These organizations have made tremendous contributions to helping startup businesses succeed and thrive, providing a range of services from helping to find grants to ongoing partnerships. By taking advantage of these resources, startup companies can network and develop innovative strategies for success on the international stage. The dedicated support of HTAI and the Enterprise Europe Network Hessen is paramount in providing startup businesses with the tools for lasting success. Look for our dedicated sub-podcast in partnership with them: Tech Startups Germany on our https://linktr.ee/startupradio
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Top NewsFormer Employee of BioNTech Receives as 13th Women Nobel Prize in MedicineBioNTech is a very special case in the German startup world. During corona, they have been assumed to be responsible for 0.5% of GDP growth of all of Germany, one of the five largest economies in the world. Now they have another very unique distinction: A former Senior Vice President (2013–2022) of the company Katalin Karikó, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine 2023 for her research in mRNA. Congratulations to her, being the 13th woman to have won a Nobel prize in medicine, she is sharing the prize with Drew Weissman.
Solar Startup Hunting for 100+ M € in Funding at 500 M ValuationFreiburg, Germany-based solar startup Nexwafe starts new funding, aiming for 120 m € in Venture Capital at a valuation of up to 500 M €
Black Semiconductor 500 M € in FundingAachen, Germany-based chip startup Black Semiconductor about to close large funding of 500 M €, with up to 70% of government funding. The founders are looking to develop a new way to connect elements on semiconductors but may need up to 7 years for the...
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Executive Summary
In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger interviews Gülsah Wilke, the winner of the Impact Entrepreneur of the Year Award, at the German Startup Awards. They discuss Gülsah's background, including her studies at a private university and her career in consulting and media. They also talk about her experiences in Montreal and her unique perspective as someone with a dual cultural identity. Throughout the conversation, the focus is on Gülsah's impact-focused work and her role in supporting entrepreneurs.
Find all blog posts with all the links on our blog https://medium.com/startuprad-io/impact-entrepreneur-of-the-year-two-hearts-two-cultures-german-startup-awards-startuprad-io-14cfc0739aa9
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German Startup Awards 2023
This interview is in media partnership with the German startup association (Bundesverband Deutscher Startups https://deutschestartups.org/). Their German Startup Awards #GSA23 honor each year outstanding female and male founders and investors in special categories. You can learn more about the winners in our interview and on this website: https://germanstartupawards.de/rueckblick/rueckblick-2023
We already covered most winners of the #GSA21 and #GSA22
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Impact Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 - German Startup Awards
Gülsah is a talented and highly intelligent individual who stumbled upon the world of private business schools during her high school years. While attending the Akademie Verbegartiungliche, she met a girl named Iman, who shared with her the wonders of a private university where one could learn various languages and travel extensively. Intrigued by the opportunity, Gülsah decided to explore this new path instead of pursuing her original plan to study law in Bonn. She attended an information day at the school with her father and became even more interested in the possibilities it offered.
2Hearts
During the interview, Gülsah Wilke, the winner of the Impact Entrepreneur of the Year, discussed her startup called 2Hearts (https://www.2heartscommunity.com/). 2Hearts is a platform that aims to provide a home for individuals who have multiple cultural identities and want to connect with others who share similar experiences. The startup has gained significant attention and recognition in the industry due to its unique offering and impact-driven mission.
What sets 2Hearts apart is its focus on building a supportive community for individuals navigating multiple cultural identities. The platform goes beyond simply acknowledging the challenges faced by these individuals; it actively cultivates an environment where members can connect, share experiences, and find common ground. This unique approach has positioned 2Hearts as a light tower, with an ever-growing user base and a strong reputation for promoting inclusivity and cultural understanding. By creating a space where individuals can embrace their multiple cultural identities and find a sense of belonging, 2Hearts is making a significant impact on the lives of its members and contributing to the growth of a more inclusive society.
All Links and Show Notes
Here is our blog post: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/impact-entrepreneur-of-the-year-two-hearts-two-cultures-german-startup-awards-startuprad-io-14cfc0739aa9
Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction to Startup Red Dot IO
00:12:22 The Background Story and Origin of Two Hearts
00:14:36 Creating an Influential Network to Break Barriers in Tech
00:17:31 Joining Two Hearts: Criteria...
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Welcome to our summer 2023 wrap-up with vital news from the startup scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 30 minutes or less 🙂.
This time we wrap up September 2023. There have been a lot of news sad (insolvencies, final closures, …), but also good ones (expansions, fundings, …) that we just had to make a selection in order not to bore you to death.
Our startup news is recorded with Chris live in New York City and Joe in Frankfurt. The recording date is September 26th and all news not included will be in our next news to be released on October 26th.
Our Highlights:
We track close to 500 mn Euros in newly announced investments in GSA. We have the first defense tech unicorn in Berlin and a lot of great news from Greentech startups in Germany. Some proptechs are not doing well, but not all startups associated with construction are performing poorly, as shown by the fundraising from Schüttfix. Long-distance trucking gets more autonomous with FERNRIDE and some bank news: Deutsche Bank uses Swiss DLT startup Taurus' technology and we learn more about JP Morgan's retail offering in Germany. Unicorn Flix already hired banks for their IPO in H1 next year. We also keep you updated on the bank holidays in Germany in the next weeks.
Let's talk startups:
Find all links and show notes here: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-september-2023-startuprad-io-e-397-40c9c7b5fa2c
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Welcome to our summer 2023 wrap-up with vital news from the startup scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in around 30 minutes sometimes less 🙂.
This time we wrap up July and August. We came up with the summer news because the September news has always been very long, overcrowded, and covered 3 months. That was a bit too much of a break and too much news in one piece. So we looked to wrap up summer and since the US is an important market and Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer it seems like a good fit.
This summer has been a bit different and there has been a lot of news, so we focus more on the most recent ones and we have cut a lot of news here.
For everybody in the US who celebrates it: Happy Labor Day!
Find all links to the quoted news on our Medium blog: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-summer-2023-july-august-episode-fdb709d89fbd
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Our Highlights:Binance has not - yet - gotten permission to operate in Germany from BaFin, Nextwind raises 750 m US$, Bitpanda surpasses 1 M customers in Germany and Germany sets a new record in new founders. We also shared that SAP wants to invest in Aleph Alpha, they confirmed this and two more.
Germany's law for legalizing cannabis falls short of the expectations of cannabis entrepreneurs. Europe dominates climate fintech funding and the overall fintech funding shows a sign of life. Bafin also stopped mini VC investments - trashing the business model of some fintechs - AND we found newly closed VC funds in excess of 2.8 bn US$ that are open to European founders.
Our EnablersThis recording is supported by HTAI and the Enterprise Europe Network Hessen
Look for our dedicated sub-podcast in partnership with them: Tech Startups Germany on our https://linktr.ee/startupradio
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Top News Du kommst hier ned rein 🙂 Is the usual saying in Frankfurt if a Bouncer won't let you in a ClubFintech blog Finance Forward reports German finance oversight BaFin signals no license for Binance for Germany. So they can neither advertise nor expand in Germany. To be clear, this is not a final NO, but rather a "Binance keeps trying, but BaFin signaled a No"
750 M US$ for Wind EnergyWind Energy in Germany: StartUp Nextwind raises 750 M US$ Venture Capital investors include Sandbrook Capital, Canadian funds Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), and Imco
Bitpanda - The Austrian UnicornSurpasses 1 million customers in Germany alone https://buff.ly/44mMyKP it is not sure how many of them are really active, but that is always a tough question, even for the startups. But the question is important since one only makes money with active users.
Germany Sets a New Record in FoundersDespite the current economic situation, Germany has the highest share of founders in 24 years!!! According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Germany had a larger than 9% founder quota, meaning people from 18–64 who (co) founded a new business within the last 3,5 years (Young...
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Welcome to our June 2023 wrap-up with vital news from the startup scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 30 minutes or less 🙂.
We follow our top-down structure in the news.
Welcome to our startup news wrap-up for June 2023 by Startuprad.io with Chris from New York and Joe from Frankfurt. We recorded this news episode on June 27th, 2023. All news not yet included here will be published in our next news episode. Find all links to the quoted news on our Medium blog link below.
Note: We will now go into the summertime: In July and August we will only publish content every other week AND the next startups news will be our summer wrap-up, to be published on September 4th, in the US celebrated as Labor Day.
Our Highlights:1 Komma 5, a Greentech startup, becomes a unicorn after only 23 months. We are wondering if this is the rise of climate tech startups already? Switzerland has a record funding with Teylor of 275 m €. GetYourGuide shows travel tech is back in favor of VCs with 194 m US$ funding. Germany and Intel agree on subsidies and investments for a new mega chip factory worth more than 30 bn Euros. Fernride, a pioneer of autonomous electric trucks, gets a 30 M US$+ Series A funding.
Let’s talk startups:
Top News The Rise of Climate Tech Startups Has Begun, So It SeemsHamburg’s 1KOMMA5° has raised €430 million — and just become a unicorn at just 23 months old
Related: 1KOMMA5 buys danish solar company Viasol
Related: 430 mn debt funding
A Record Funding for SwitzerlandSwiss-based SME lending fintech Teylor raises 275 m Euro, gaining Barclays as a new investor. Other investors include M&G Investments …
Traveltech Startups Seem to Be BackGetYourGuide raises $194 million to fuel curated travel experiences and global expansion
30 bn For a New Chip FactoryIntel, Germany strike record €30B deal for chip mega-factory
Do You Know Fernride?FERNRIDE a German pioneer of autonomous, electric trucks, raises 31 M USD in Series A funding
Find all Links and Show Notes herehttps://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-june-2023-episode-388-960515c65b87
Startups, Venture Capital, Unicorn, New Unicorn, Europe, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scaleups, Tech News, Venture Capital News, Startup News,
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Welcome to our May 2023 wrap-up with important news from the startup scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 30 minutes or less 🙂.
We follow our top-down structure in the news: First, the top news, then we look with a bird's eye view at the startup ecosystem in the German language countries, dig deeper by looking at exciting startup cities and end with general news. And for those serious about startups, there is even a collection called: "Stay Ahead of the Curve," where we share in-depth reads, articles, studies, and podcasts.
Our next news episode will be published on June 29th, and then we are - for the news - in summer break.
Our Highlights:Germany is now officially in a recession, but one with barely any unemployment. Also, we still track many startups going out of business, BUT the overall picture is improving. The German VC and PE Barometer - which captures the mood of many German investors - is showing an uptick. This shows especially in the massive amount of new funds raised; they promise a bright future for startups! We tracked at least 3,4 bn Euros of newly raised funds, which will be invested entirely or partially in startups in Europe and GSA. Look at our medium blog; we have more information on what the investors are looking for and how to pitch them. We also have investments and exits worth at least 5,4 bn Euros and news in this episode, including WeFox, Tier Mobility, Infarm, Blinkist, Bitpanda, Aleph Alpha, Sono Motors, and many more.
Let's talk startups:
Find all links and the other news here: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-may-2023-episode-385-87fd564d483a
Tune in to our 24/7 Tech Entrepreneurship Internet Radio Station here:www.startup.radio
Subscribe HereFind all options to subscribe to our newsletter, podcast, YouTube channel or listen to our internet radio station here: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Our EnablersThis recording is supported by HTAI and the Enterprise Europe Network HessenLook for our dedicated sub-podcast in partnership with them: Tech Startups Germany on our https://linktr.ee/startupradio
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Top NewsDeal or No Deal?Getir is in talks to take over German grocery app rival Flink | Financial Times
But then: Flink's sale to Getir fell through. Now Flink is raising 150 M € from investors, including grocery giant Rewe and Doordash
Tier Mobility to Merge with CompetitorEuropean e-scooter giant Tier Mobility maps route to merger
Will Infarm Be Soon Outfarm?Infarm keeps shrinking and is leaving Europe, reports Handelsblatt. The greenhouse startup reportedly has only 80 employees in Europe left and will get an investment at an unknown valuation for their relocation - likely to the Middle East with low energy prices
Blinkist Makes a Large Exit!Berlin-based startup Blinkist is sold to Australian education startup Go1 for an undisclosed amount, reported to be "hundreds of millions." Blinkist offers short wrap-ups of nonfiction books as text or audio
Large Drops in Valuations are Not Only for the Small... -
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Executive SummaryThe Startuprad.io podcast and YouTube blog covers the German-speaking startup scene and in this episode, Joe interviews Paulina Jänsch, co-founding partner at Leanox Impact Capital. Paulina discusses her seven-step approach to evaluating startups and fundraising as storytelling, emphasizing the importance of a financial model that reflects the startup's value drivers. She also talks about Leanox Impact Capital's investment criteria, which focus on impact innovation and solving environmental or social problems. The company invests in early-stage startups in Europe, with a focus on industry-agnostic but always impact-driven ventures, and prioritizes investing in female founders and LPs.
EU Startups SummitThis interview was recorded outside of the EU Startups Summit 2023 on April 20th in Barcelona. Thank you EU Startups for the great event.
The Founding PartnerPaulina is one of two founding partners at Leanox Impact Capital and a TOP 100 most influential women in the European VC and startup space. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Maastricht University School of Business and Economics and a Master of Science from Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, as well as a Master of Science from EADA Business School. She also spent time in Singapore (Nanyang) for an exchange semester.
Paulin also worked at EY Analytics, immostore, and participated in the CFA Research Challenge by Caixa Bank. Amongst being GP at Leanox, she is also invested as Business Angel in nine companies.
The InvestorLeanox.eu is looking to raise a new fund with not only 50% female (co)founded startups, but also 50% female LPs. Leanox is also looking for parity in itself, they have 50/50 GPs in Leanox. The VC is motivated to disrupt inequalities, to tackle social and environmental issues as an opportunity to improve the world we all live in.
Find the email to pitch Leanox in our blog post (link below).
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Blog Post and Show Notes:Find all links and show notes here: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/the-seven-step-approach-to-evaluating-startups-a-storytelling-perspective-episode-382-a0cec4da3cb8
Chapters:00:00:00 Intro
00:00:20 Sponsoring Message by ExpressVPN
00:01:04 Paulina Jänsch - Co-Founding Partner at Leanox Impact Capital
00:01:50 Paulina’s Seven-Step Approach to Valuation Impact Startups
00:09:30 How to Pitch Leanox - Investing in Impact Innovation
#techstartups #germany #startupinvesting #femalefounders #femaleentrepreneur #femaleinvestor #startupinvesting #impactinvesting #startup #startups #startupradio #entrepreneurship
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Welcome to our April 2023 wrap-up with important news from the startup scenes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 30 minutes or less 🙂.
Our Highlights:Considerable funding made headlines last month. We have more than 600 M euros in funding in our highlights alone. A potential large exit: Software AG, the Darmstadt-based listed software company, is close to a 2.4 bn US$ exit with an offer from Silverlake Partners. Also, Berlin-based Blinkist may be close to a 200 M € exit. Hundreds of millions of raised funds were announced by Enpal (via ABS), Isar Aerospace, IntegrityNext, Razor Group, and Tado. Also, SAP is close to investing in Germany’s hottest AI startup Aleph Alpha from Heidelberg. Diverging picture in Airtaxi space: Lilium is looking for new investors; Volocopter builds the taxis and expects them to fly in less than 500 days at the Paris Olympics.
Let’s talk startups:
Top NewsSoftware AG Close to a Multi-Billion AcquisitionPrivate-equity firm Silver Lake Partners, based in Menlo Park, is close to buying Germany’s Software AG in $2.42 billion deal. The offer is already public, reported Reuters. Shares of listed Software AG jumped 53% at the announcement. The investor already knows the company: In February 2022, Silver Lake had invested 344 million euros in the software developer’s convertible bond, which upon conversion would represent nearly 9% of issued Software AG shares.
Enpal Raises More Than 300 M€Enpal raises up to €356 million via Securitization of Solar Receivables with first German residential solar ABS. ABS are asset-backed securities, that means if Enpal can not pay interest or pay back the final sum, the investors have the collateral (assets) backing the security
Blinkist Close to 200 M € ExitReports blog Deutsche-Startups, with an offer from an — yet unnamed — American company. The blog, with its founder Alexander Hüsing is usually pretty well informed and has been right before.
Isar Aerospace Closes €155 Million FundingIsar Aerospace closes €155 million Series C funding round, ignition sequence start, all engine running. Investors are 7-Industries Holding, Bayern Kapital via its Scale Up Fund Bavaria, Earlybird Venture Capital, HV Capital, Lakestar, Lombard Odier Investment Managers, Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Porsche SE), UVC Partners, and Vsquared Ventures
100 m € for IntegrityNextThe company has been bootstrapped for seven years, but now IntegrityNext takes €100 million from EQT Growth fund.
Razor Group Raises 88 M US$Berlin-based Razor Group, an e-commerce aggregator, closes Series C at $88M at $1.2B valuation, acquires Stryze to consolidate.
Tado Raises Money, As IPO Plans FalterSmart thermostat startup Tado wanted to IPO but then came Corona and Ukraine. They originally wanted to explore a sale or IPO after their 2021 fundraising, but the SPAC deal faltered and they needed to adapt. So they raised 46.9 M US$. Their existing investors already include Siemens, Amazon, and EON.
SAP To Invest In AI Startup Aleph AlphaGerman press reports that the software giant SAP is about to invest in German ChatGPT competitor Aleph Alpha, which also claims to have eliminated fake news from its software. As yet, the valuation and investment are not known.
Related: Heidelberg-based startup, a competitor of ChatGPT, claims to have eliminated fake news from its tool Luminous
Airtaxi Lilium is Looking for New Money, and Volocopter is Planning to FlyAirtaxi Lilium: 0 Euro revenue, 253 mn € losses. They are looking for new investors. Volocopter on the other hand, wants to start operating their drones as taxis ASAP. They also pledged to operate their air taxis in Paris, during the Olympic Games, in less than 500 days.
Related: Volocopter starts production — founders magazin
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