Episoder
-
🎙️ Next Step in Machine Learning with Danko Nikolic | Startuprad.io Podcast
Join Jörn "Joe" Menninger as he interviews Danko Nikolic, CEO and Founder of Robots go Mental. Dive into their groundbreaking machine learning algorithms inspired by brain research, shaped by Danko's background in psychology and statistics from the Max Planck Institute. Discover how Robots go Mental is transforming AI with innovative self-training algorithms and impactful collaborations, including a project with NASA.
This episode highlights the challenges of launching a deep tech startup in Germany and the critical need for supportive infrastructure. Danko invites talent and investors to join their mission to revolutionize AI.
🔗 [Read more](https://www.startuprad.io/blog)
Follow us:
💼 https://linktr.ee/startupradio
💡 https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio
-
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).
Interested in Working with us?
Have a look here: https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio
Our Sponsor Startupraven
The best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
Find all options to follow us and subscribe here: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
-
Manglende episoder?
-
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!
---
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).
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder -
Revolutionizing Data Analysis: The Journey of Scavenger.ai
In this exciting episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger sits down with Maximilian Hahnenkamp, the co-founder of Scavenger.ai. Max shares his remarkable journey from being a professional field hockey player in Austria to founding an innovative AI startup in Frankfurt. Scavenger.ai is making waves in the world of data analysis, offering cutting-edge AI tools that simplify complex data management for businesses.
Max discusses the company’s impressive €1.1 million pre-seed funding and their plans for a full software launch by June 2024. He also emphasizes the need to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for startups and talks about the ongoing efforts to expand their team and attract new investors.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Early Beginnings: How Max’s field hockey career shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills.
- Internship Insights: The impact of Max’s internships at Deloitte and the Financial Times Challenge on his journey.
- AI Challenges and Opportunities: The unique challenges in the AI and big data landscape that led to the creation of Scavenger.ai.
- Technical Innovations: How Scavenger.ai’s trio of AI tools work together to provide unparalleled data insights.
- Scalability and Growth: The factors that have enabled Scavenger.ai to scale effectively.
- Funding and Investment: The role of early funding from HTGF and CampStorm Ventures and future investment plans.
- Customer Focus: How Scavenger.ai’s flexible AI solutions cater to a diverse range of industries and customers.
- International Expansion: Preparations for global expansion and the advantages of GDPR compliance.
- Team Growth: The skills and qualities Scavenger.ai looks for in new hires.
- Support for Startups: How local governments and innovation hubs can better support early-stage startups.
About Maximilian Hahnenkamp:
Maximilian Hahnenkamp is a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Vienna, Austria. His journey combines a background in professional sports and academia. He led Austria's youth national field hockey team and pursued studies in business law and management. Max’s innovative thinking and leadership skills culminated in the creation of Scavenger.ai, an AI startup focused on transforming data analysis for enterprises.
About Scavenger.ai:
Scavenger.ai, based in Frankfurt, aims to revolutionize data analytics through AI. With €1.1 million in pre-seed funding, the startup offers a unique solution for data analysis, featuring AI tools for data cleaning, statistical analysis, and interpretation. Their scalable infrastructure supports multiple languages and ensures GDPR compliance, catering to clients ranging from SMEs to large enterprises in various sectors.
Venture Capital Funding:
Scavenger.ai’s notable investors include HTGF and CampStorm Ventures. Interested in participating in the next funding round? Reach out to explore investment opportunities.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of AI-driven data analysis.
Find all blog posts with all the links on our blog
https://www.startuprad.io/blog
Subscribe Here
https://linktr.ee/startupradio
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy -
Lower your Costs of ISO 27.001 and SOC 2 Compliance by up to 85% [with our Partner Vanta]
Achieving ISO 27001 or SOC 2 compliance can unlock major growth for your company and build customer trust, but this process can be time-intensive and costly. Vanta automates compliance, getting you audit-ready quickly and saving you up to 85% of associated costs. And Vanta scales with your business, helping you enter new markets. Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian, Flo Health, and Quora that trust Vanta. Claim 20% off Vanta at vanta.com/startupradio
Interested in Working with us? Have a look here:https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio
Find all options to follow us and subscribe here:https://linktr.ee/startupradio
🌟 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
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy -
Lower your Costs of ISO 27.001 and SOC 2 Compliance by up to 85% [with our Parnter Vanta]
Achieving ISO 27001 or SOC 2 compliance can unlock major growth for your company and build customer trust, but this process can be time-intensive and costly. Vanta automates compliance, getting you audit-ready quickly and saving you up to 85% of associated costs. And Vanta scales with your business, helping you enter new markets. Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian, Flo Health, and Quora that trust Vanta. Claim 20% off Vanta at https://www.vanta.com/startupradio
🚀 Discover the Future of Infrastructure Inspection with Twinsity's AI-Driven Technology! 🛠️Welcome to Startuprad.io! In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of cutting-edge innovation with Twinsity, a startup revolutionizing infrastructure inspection using AI and drones. 🌐 Join us as we chat with Fabien Chalas, co-founder of Twinsity, who unveils their groundbreaking drone technology for inspecting aging infrastructure. 🏗️ Their software creates high-resolution 3D models and utilizes AI to detect defects like cracks and rust, ensuring safety and efficiency.
Interested in Working with us?Have a look here: https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio
🌟 What You'll Learn: How Twinsity's technology is reshaping infrastructure inspection. Their journey from a family business to a global startup. Plans for expansion into North American and Latin American markets.Sponsored by Hessen Trade Invest and the European Enterprise Network, this episode explores the transformative impact of Twinsity's work on infrastructure maintenance. Whether you're an investor, tech enthusiast, or curious about the future, this episode is a must-listen!
Subscribe HereWe are always sharing new resources with you. Find all of our options below. We want to make sure that we provide what's best for your growing team, so please take a look at these additional ways in which can help! https://linktr.ee/startupradio
🔍 Key Questions Discussed: How does Twinsity's remote-first approach impact recruitment and company culture? What are the technical challenges behind drone-based inspections? How does AI enhance defect detection compared to traditional methods?
🌐 About the Founder:Fabien Chalas, co-founder of Twinsity, brings a wealth of experience from his background in software engineering and renewable energy infrastructure. His vision drives Twinsity's mission to revolutionize infrastructure inspection.
🚀 About Twinsity:Twinsity, founded by Fabien Chalas, leads the way in infrastructure inspection with its advanced drone technology and AI-driven defect detection. Their innovative approach ensures safety and reliability for critical assets worldwide.
Don't miss out on the future of infrastructure management! Tune in now to learn how Twinsity is transforming the industry.
💡 Find all blog posts with all the links on our bloghttps://medium.com/startuprad-io/twinsitys-ai-driven-approach-to-safeguarding-structural-integrity-startuprad-io-e-423-4d0af81e5ca7
Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved
Mentioned in this episode:
Startupraven.com
The best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here:...
-
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
Find All Other Channels HereFind all options to subscribe here: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Housekeeping & Time to Brag — Celebrating one Million Downloads in a Quarter!1 Million confirmed downloads in Q4 2023: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7176895440510955520/
FeedbackWe would love to hear from YOU!!!
https://forms.gle/mLV6mVKwGwKuut8BA
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:
Joe on LinkedIn
Joe on Twitter
Chris on LinkedIn
Chris on Twitter
This podcast uses the following... -
🚀 Welcome to Startuprad.io – Your Ultimate Destination for Tech Entrepreneurship News! 🌟Interested in Working with us?
Have a look here: https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio
SubscribeHere https://linktr.ee/startupradio
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
Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy -
Executive Summary
In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger interviews Martin Cudzilo, founder of ARCheck, discussing the challenges in the cleaning industry and the development of augmented reality technology. Cudzilo shares his entrepreneurial journey, the potential for AR and AI to revolutionize cleaning, and the impact of ARCheck on efficiency and cleaner support. They delve into the challenges of managing sick leave, the early development of ARCheck, and the upcoming launch of the minimum viable product. The episode provides insights into the transformation of the cleaning industry and the powerful potential of augmented reality technology.
Interested in Working with us?Have a look here: https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio
Follow Us on Social Media!If you are listening to our content for the 2nd time please consider following us on social media. https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Our Enabler 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. Learn more here: https://www.htai.de/ and https://www.een-hessen.de/
Find all blog posts with all the links on our bloghttps://medium.com/startuprad-io/from-cleaning-company-to-tech-startup-ar-transforming-the-industry-startuprad-io-e-412-afcada77e0fa
Subscribe HerePlease take a look at these additional ways in which can help! https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Our Sponsor StartupravenThe best way to find investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up here: https://startupraven.com/
The FounderIn this episode of Startuprad.io, Jörn "Joe" Menninger welcomes Martin Cudzilo as the esteemed guest. Martin, with over 25 years of experience in the cleaning industry, has a deep understanding of the challenges faced in this sector. His entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of his own cleaning company, where he recognized the need for innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cleaning operations.
The StartupAR-Check, the innovative startup founded by Martin Cudzilo, has emerged as a game-changer in the cleaning industry. The company has completed two rounds of fundraising and is currently open to new investors for its third funding round. AR-Check's groundbreaking and disruptive project aims to revolutionize the market by integrating augmented reality (AR) technology with cleaning processes, providing real-time guidance and quality checks for cleaners.
Venture Capital FundingAR-Check is currently in the process of raising its Series A funding. You can reach out to Martin via LinkedIn, or leave it to us to make
-
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:
Interested in Working with us?Have a look here: https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio
Our Sponsor StartupravenThe best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
Find all options to follow us and subscribe here:https://linktr.ee/startupradio
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
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy -
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!
Like what you hear?You can tip us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Startuprad.io F
Subscribe HereWe are always sharing new resources with you. Find all of our options below. We want to make sure that we provide what's best for your growing team, so please take a look at these additional ways in which can help! https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Our Sponsor StartupravenA startup's journey can be a tough one, but it doesn't have ́to feel like you're alone on your quest! Invest in others' success with us by joining our community of entrepreneurs who are building amazing things every day - no matter how big or small their ideas may seem at first glance. The best way to find investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up here: https://startupraven.com/
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
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy -
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:
Our Partners (AL)Are you a startup founder, looking for a bank account in the EU? We are banking with Qonto. Sign up, using this link: https://qonto.com/r/pb0kq1
🔥 Supercharge your sales game with Pipedrive! 🚀 Unlock the ultimate tool for lead management and conversion. 💼 Seize this exclusive offer: Get a jaw-dropping 30% OFF for an entire year! 🌐 Elevate your business 💥 #Lead https://www.joinsecret.com/?r=c94534197f2d
🎉 Elevate your customer support game with Zendesk! 🚀 Experience excellence for FREE - get 6 months on us! 🌐 Revolutionize your service and delight your customers. ⏳ Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! 🚀 #CustomerSupport https://www.joinsecret.com/?r=c94534197f2d
🚀 Elevate your business with Freshworks! 🌐 Unlock a game-changing 90% OFF on their powerful customer engagement tools! 🌟 Seize the moment to supercharge your success. ⏰ Don't miss out - the future of seamless customer experiences awaits! 🚀 #deals https://www.joinsecret.com/?r=c94534197f2d
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Startupraven.com
The best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy -
Like what you hear? You can tip us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Startuprad.io
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:
Our Sponsor StartupravenThe best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
Find all options to follow us and subscribehttps://linktr.ee/startupradio
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
Mentioned in this...
-
Like what you hear? You can tip us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Startuprad.io
Executive SummaryIn this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger interviews Michael Duttlinger from Cashlink. They discuss the importance of transparency with shareholders and how communication is key during a pivot. Cashlink, a leading registrar for tokenized securities in Germany, aims to disrupt the securities market and provide a more cost-efficient and transparent alternative to traditional intermediaries. They recently raised €7 million in a fundraising round and are collaborating with major financial institutions in Germany. Cashlink is focused on growth, acquiring new issuers and clients, and building its regulated financial institution to support the growing market for tokenized securities in Germany.
Subscribe Herehttps://linktr.ee/startupradio
Our Enabler StartupravenThe best way to find investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up here: https://startupraven.com/
Our Enabler 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. Learn more here: https://www.htai.de/ and https://www.een-hessen.de/
Questions Discussed in the InterviewHow has transparency played a role in Cashlink's relationship with shareholders? In what ways did the communication with shareholders intensify during the pivot period? How does Cashlink differentiate itself from traditional infrastructure providers such as Clearstream Banking Frankfurt? What benefits does tokenization bring to participants in the securities market? How has Germany's progressive regulation for tokenization contributed to the growth of Cashlink and the ecosystem as a whole? What challenges did Cashlink face during its pivot from a fintech for money transfers to a tokenization market focus? How did Cashlink navigate investor and stakeholder concerns during the pivot period? How does increased competition in the tokenization market disrupt the traditional securities market and benefit investors? What role does automation play in making securities handling more cost-efficient and creating new investment opportunities?
The FounderMichael Duttlinger, the founder of Cashlink, started his fintech journey with a typical garage story reminiscent of those heard in Silicon Valley.
All Links and Show Noteshttps://blog.startuprad.io/revolutionizing-securities-exploring-tokenization-and-transparency-with-cashlink-e-403-f655217533fc
Mentioned in this episode:
Startupraven.com
The best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for...
-
Like what you hear? You can tip us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Startuprad.io
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
Startupraven.comThe best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
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...
-
Executive Summary
In today's episode, we have a very special guest joining us, Christian Rebernik, CEO & Co-Founder of Tomorrow University. We'll dive into Christian's journey, from his early days as a CTO of companies like Scout24 Group, dating Website Parship, World Food Program, bwin, or N26 to his current role in shaping the next generation of banking and now building a next-generation university. We'll explore how he's bridging the gap between technology and education, revolutionizing the way we learn and empowering future change-makers. Stay tuned for an engaging and enlightening conversation on the innovation landscape, the role of online learning, and the power of meaningful connections in business and personal relationships. Let's get started!
Like what you hear? You can tip us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Startuprad.io
Our Sponsors
This recording is supported by HTAI and the Enterprise Europe Network Hessen
This 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
Startupraven
Sign up here: https://startupraven.com/
The Founder
Christian is the CEO and Co-Founder of Tomorrow University. He is a CTO with a strong technical background, but his key strength lies in his ability to understand and leverage technology for business growth. Christian believes that it is crucial for developers to have a clear understanding of the customer's needs and the reasons behind the work they do. In his past experiences, he noticed the negative impact of treating developers as mere "coding monkeys" without involving them in customer interactions. This motivated him to establish Tomorrow University, where developers are encouraged to engage with customers and align their work with business objectives. Christian's mission is to bridge the gap between business and technology, empowering developers to make a meaningful impact through their work.
The Startup
What sets Tomorrow University (https://www.tomorrow.university/) apart from its competition is its unique approach to learning. They have developed a cutting-edge learning model that emphasizes real-world challenges and hands-on experiences, taking students out of their comfort zones.
All Links and Show Notes Here is our blog post: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/from-cto-of-n26-to-founding-a-non-profit-online-university-startuprad-io-0e68274207aa
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy -
Like what you hear? You can tip us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Startuprad.io
Our Sponsor Startupraven
The best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
Find all options to follow us and subscribe here: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
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
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy -
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
Like what you hear? You can tip us here: https://startupradio.captivate.fm/support
Our Sponsor StartupravenThe best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
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
Startupraven.com
The best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
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...
-
Like what you hear? You can tip us here: https://startupradio.captivate.fm/support
Find all blog posts with all the links on our blog https://medium.com/startuprad-io/navigating-the-insurtech-landscape-thinksurances-rise-in-the-digital-insurance-era-startuprad-io-1555e1d35e0a
Subscribe Herehttps://linktr.ee/startupradio
Our Sponsor StartupravenSign up here: https://startupraven.com/
Executive SummaryIn this episode of Startuprad.io, our guest is Florian Brokamp, CEO and Co-Founder of Thinksurance. Brokamp discusses the positive economic state of the company, the importance of smart investors analyzing macroeconomic trends, and the growing industries of AI and insurtech. He emphasizes the stability of the insurance industry and the need for digitalization. He shares insights on their fundraising journey and the different parts of their company's offerings. Florian also highlights the importance of proper risk valuation, data transparency, and providing value to distributors, customers, and insurers. Overall, Thinksurance's vision is to connect insurance carriers, distributors, and customers through its technology platform.
Questions Discussed in this Interview:How did Thinksurance navigate the fundraising process and secure funding for their business?
What were some of the challenges Thinksurance faced during the fundraising process, and how did they overcome them?
How does Thinksurance differentiate itself in the B2B commercial insurance space in Germany?
How does Thinksurance use data to address the lack of transparency in the insurance industry?
What is the importance of properly pricing risks in the insurance industry, according to Thinksurance?
How does Thinksurance define their target user and how do they cater to the needs of different types of users?
How has Thinksurance's market coverage and relevance increased through onboarding large associations and brokers?
How does Thinksurance aim to streamline the consultation process and provide value to distributors, customers, and insurers?
What is Thinksurance's approach to hiring and maintaining a strong company culture?
How does Thinksurance plan to further penetrate sales channels and collaborate with partners to address their digitalization needs?
The FounderIn this episode, our guest is Florian, the CEO and Co-Founder of Thinksurance, an insurtech startup from Frankfurt, focused on revolutionizing the commercial insurance industry through their technology platform. Throughout the episode, Florian shares insights into the economic landscape, the challenges of fundraising, and the growth potential of industries like AI and insurtech. He highlights the importance of finding investors who believe in the long-term vision and emphasizes the need to update legacy systems in the insurance industry.
The StartupThinksurance is a German insurtech company that provides digital insurance solutions for businesses and brokers. As mentioned by Florian Brokamp, the CEO and Co-Founder of Thinksurance, the company focuses on updating the legacy systems of the insurance industry, enabling a seamless and efficient consultation process between customers, insurers, and brokers. They offer a comprehensive suite of services including core consultation, Consult Direct service, and a data suite that collects and analyzes market...
-
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,
Mentioned in this episode:
Startupraven.com
The best way to identify investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up for early access here: https://startupraven.com/
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy - Vis mere
