Latest / Blockchain Germany – Web3 Startups, Crypto Innovation & Venture Capital by Startuprad.io™ / Dec 2024 News: Black Forest Labs & Upvest's Fintech Round
Transcript
- WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:05.600 Welcome to this month in terms of Swiss and Austrian startups for December 2 00:00:05.600 --> 00:00:09.440 2024, and I already made Chris laugh. Hey. How are you doing 3 00:00:09.440 --> 00:00:13.135 there in New York? I'm doing well. The 4 00:00:13.135 --> 00:00:16.915 most Christmassy I got is this sweater, but you're 5 00:00:17.455 --> 00:00:20.895 succeeding. Yes. I got an ugly Christmas 6 00:00:20.895 --> 00:00:24.630 sweater and a Santa hat here for everybody who's just listening to that. 7 00:00:24.869 --> 00:00:28.470 By the way, listening, we will get later to it, but we surpassed already to 8 00:00:28.470 --> 00:00:32.229 2,300,000 downloads for 2024, so we are 9 00:00:32.229 --> 00:00:35.989 doing good. As you already heard, this is our 10 00:00:35.989 --> 00:00:39.675 December news wrap up with Vital News from the start up at tech 11 00:00:39.675 --> 00:00:43.355 entrepreneurship scene in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Our 12 00:00:43.355 --> 00:00:47.034 news cut today is December 17th. As always, 13 00:00:47.034 --> 00:00:50.394 all news not in this, not included here will be 14 00:00:50.394 --> 00:00:54.020 included in our next news wrap up. The news 15 00:00:54.020 --> 00:00:57.540 cycle is picking up considerably. In October, we plowed 16 00:00:57.540 --> 00:01:01.220 through around 20 pages of GSA startup news. We 17 00:01:01.220 --> 00:01:04.519 had collected since last news. In November, we had 36, 18 00:01:05.315 --> 00:01:09.075 and now it's 18 pages for only around 3 weeks. Fair 19 00:01:09.075 --> 00:01:12.595 to say activity is picking up. We needed to cut it 20 00:01:12.595 --> 00:01:16.435 seriously to have, like, really brief news and not having you 21 00:01:16.435 --> 00:01:20.090 here for hours. So let's hope it finds you, 22 00:01:20.730 --> 00:01:24.490 you like it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for all 23 00:01:24.490 --> 00:01:27.950 of you. We are steadily adjusting our approach here. 24 00:01:28.730 --> 00:01:32.505 Now we mentioned more frequently the source where we got the news from and 25 00:01:32.505 --> 00:01:36.265 a bit more about the news itself. Let us know how you like it. That 26 00:01:36.265 --> 00:01:39.405 said, let's plow through more than 100 27 00:01:39.784 --> 00:01:43.625 news pieces for these news. And I think Chris will, as 28 00:01:43.625 --> 00:01:47.360 always, take the highlights in New York. Yes. And even the 29 00:01:47.360 --> 00:01:50.900 highlights are long today. So we saw that December 30 00:01:50.960 --> 00:01:54.720 really showcased, an impressive momentum across the German startup 31 00:01:54.720 --> 00:01:58.565 ecosystem. For example, Black Forest Lab 32 00:01:58.625 --> 00:02:02.165 reportedly, was hitting a $1,000,000,000 valuation, 33 00:02:02.465 --> 00:02:06.305 and Upvest raised, Germany's largest 34 00:02:06.305 --> 00:02:10.110 fintech round of the year with more than a €100,000,000. On the green 35 00:02:10.110 --> 00:02:13.010 tech front, Focused Energy secured €2,500,000 36 00:02:13.950 --> 00:02:17.570 for nuclear fusion innovation, while Hessen 37 00:02:17.630 --> 00:02:21.090 Startups advanced, groundbreaking c 02 to bioplastic 38 00:02:21.710 --> 00:02:25.385 solution. The, DACH startup ecosystem, DACH 39 00:02:25.525 --> 00:02:29.065 being the German equivalent for Deutschland Osterreich Schweitz of GSA, 40 00:02:29.845 --> 00:02:33.465 the DACH startup ecosystem also saw major ecommerce 41 00:02:33.605 --> 00:02:37.320 moves with Zalando acquiring About You, 42 00:02:37.380 --> 00:02:39.800 selectifying the market leadership in Germany, 43 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:44.840 Zalando probably being a German version of Zippos 44 00:02:44.900 --> 00:02:48.595 probably, if you wanna compare, From AI adoption 45 00:02:48.595 --> 00:02:52.355 in Germany to record breaking VC mega rounds for European AI 46 00:02:52.355 --> 00:02:55.655 start ups, innovation remains a core driver across the region 47 00:02:55.955 --> 00:02:59.555 with, small and medium enterprises steadily embracing digital 48 00:02:59.555 --> 00:03:03.209 transformation. Key industries we see are Fintech, Greentech, 49 00:03:03.209 --> 00:03:06.750 robotics, AI. Those are standing out, making the month as 50 00:03:06.890 --> 00:03:10.650 a vibrant finale for the year. In total, we covered 51 00:03:10.650 --> 00:03:14.410 €1,500,000,000 more than, actually, in start up fundings 52 00:03:14.410 --> 00:03:17.975 across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, highlighting 53 00:03:18.195 --> 00:03:21.795 probably, yeah, as you said, like a, like a rather 54 00:03:21.795 --> 00:03:25.315 optimistic end of the year and resilience and investor confidence in 55 00:03:25.315 --> 00:03:29.155 emerging technologies and sustainable solutions. New VC funds 56 00:03:29.155 --> 00:03:33.000 raised include Elstin Capital's €175,000,000 and 57 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:36.780 Fly Ventures' €80,000,000 Deep Tech Fund, signaling 58 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:40.519 growing national interest in German Fintech startups and, again, 59 00:03:40.519 --> 00:03:43.980 AI powered innovation, buzzword of the year maybe. 60 00:03:44.275 --> 00:03:47.735 Notable deals include Anybotix, €57,000,000 61 00:03:48.435 --> 00:03:52.195 funding, WoodSpace's 8 figure investment, and Berlin based, Carp Me securing 62 00:03:52.195 --> 00:03:54.615 €20,000,000 for carbon management solutions. 63 00:03:56.420 --> 00:04:00.180 And a little note on the certain, on the current 64 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:03.400 uncertain environment, though, just 65 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:07.620 yesterday, chancellor Olaf Scholz took the first step to pave 66 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:11.315 the way for new elections in February 2025. So those 67 00:04:11.315 --> 00:04:14.755 are snap elections, which are an issue since there will be no 68 00:04:14.755 --> 00:04:18.375 debt boosting of debt funded boosting of the economy anymore. 69 00:04:18.514 --> 00:04:21.954 It's one of the hugest disputes is how to get to a balanced 70 00:04:21.954 --> 00:04:25.680 budget or whether Germany should invest more in future 71 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:29.360 oriented technologies. There might not 72 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:33.060 be any, tax cuts or any larger political initiatives 73 00:04:33.200 --> 00:04:36.800 until the new government is in power, which may be the case in 74 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:40.565 March or April 2025 if we are optimistic, maybe even a 75 00:04:40.565 --> 00:04:44.165 bit later. We see the first effects of this, for 76 00:04:44.165 --> 00:04:47.845 example, on the e for business climate index that we will be 77 00:04:47.845 --> 00:04:51.445 talking about a bit more in-depth later on. So let's see how this all plays 78 00:04:51.445 --> 00:04:54.185 out for the overall economy and startups, especially. 79 00:04:55.669 --> 00:04:58.490 Let's talk startups, but first, let's talk schedule. 80 00:04:59.270 --> 00:05:02.949 Yes. Exactly. Christmas is approaching. Expect our last episode 81 00:05:02.949 --> 00:05:06.330 of 2024 to drop on Friday, December 20th. 82 00:05:06.870 --> 00:05:10.630 Our legendary Fintech review, which is, by the way, already recorded and 83 00:05:10.630 --> 00:05:14.445 right now in editing. We will be back with the next regular 84 00:05:14.445 --> 00:05:17.805 start up interview on January 9th, also already 85 00:05:17.805 --> 00:05:21.645 recorded and in editing, and our next news will drop 86 00:05:21.645 --> 00:05:25.009 on January 30th. Get used to the 87 00:05:25.229 --> 00:05:28.830 25 at the end. Business in Germany around 88 00:05:28.830 --> 00:05:32.530 the holidays expect most companies to work only with a skeleton 89 00:05:32.750 --> 00:05:36.129 staff between December 23rd and January 7th 90 00:05:36.525 --> 00:05:40.285 at least. They also will be quite busy with preparing their annual 91 00:05:40.285 --> 00:05:44.125 accounts. December 24th, most companies will either 92 00:05:44.125 --> 00:05:47.565 be completely closed or like grocery stores only open 93 00:05:47.565 --> 00:05:51.410 until 2 in the afternoon, 1400 hours 94 00:05:51.470 --> 00:05:55.230 max. December 25th 26th are public 95 00:05:55.230 --> 00:05:58.910 holidays across Germany. And the the the most 96 00:05:58.910 --> 00:06:02.535 southern states here in Germany, Baton, Wurttemberg, and Bayern, they start the 97 00:06:02.535 --> 00:06:06.135 New Year off pretty well because January 6th is also a 98 00:06:06.135 --> 00:06:09.495 public holiday there. So most people will start working around 99 00:06:09.495 --> 00:06:13.255 January 7th again. The video and audio podcast 100 00:06:13.255 --> 00:06:15.355 will go live on December 19th. 101 00:06:17.640 --> 00:06:21.000 You can also always turn into our Internet radio station 102 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:24.680 247 startup.radio and, get 103 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:27.260 your content right to your inbox, startup radio.substack.com. 104 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:32.595 We will also publish now exclusive content covering the German 105 00:06:32.595 --> 00:06:36.355 startup scene. All other channels are to be found on 106 00:06:36.355 --> 00:06:40.115 the link tree. And for the last time, for very, very long 107 00:06:40.115 --> 00:06:43.650 cooperation, thank you very much, our enablers. This recording is 108 00:06:43.650 --> 00:06:47.350 supported by Hessen Trade and the best and the enterprise Europe network. 109 00:06:47.490 --> 00:06:50.950 Really sorry to see them go, but it's public money. And after a few years, 110 00:06:51.010 --> 00:06:54.450 you just have to enter contract for, EU 111 00:06:54.450 --> 00:06:58.275 reasons. We also have our partner, Modern 112 00:06:58.275 --> 00:07:01.795 IQs, which could help you write at least 2 sale 113 00:07:01.795 --> 00:07:05.315 pieces AI assisted every month. You can watch the 114 00:07:05.315 --> 00:07:08.940 video how to do that here as well. And Chris, 115 00:07:09.080 --> 00:07:12.920 now we get to the top news this month. Right? Yes. And there 116 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:16.600 we have rather surprising news, about a company in 117 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:20.060 Karlsruhe called Black Forest Lab. It's one of Germany's 118 00:07:20.520 --> 00:07:24.175 leading AI startups, and it has reportedly already reached a 119 00:07:24.175 --> 00:07:27.695 1,000,000,000 valuation, as its 120 00:07:27.695 --> 00:07:31.135 technologies gain traction globally, which is rather 121 00:07:31.135 --> 00:07:34.415 surprising because the company is still really young. The, 122 00:07:36.070 --> 00:07:39.110 the time frame that is referenced in the article in our show notes is on 123 00:07:39.190 --> 00:07:43.030 it's only 4 months old, but, it has gotten 124 00:07:43.030 --> 00:07:46.550 so big because of interest by through Elon Musk or of 125 00:07:46.550 --> 00:07:50.195 Elon Musk. They he's leveraging their innovations 126 00:07:50.195 --> 00:07:53.715 and therefore has added fuel to their 127 00:07:53.715 --> 00:07:57.315 meteoric rise, one can say. The 128 00:07:57.315 --> 00:08:00.755 company is working on AI 129 00:08:00.755 --> 00:08:03.735 powered imaging, and that is used 130 00:08:04.410 --> 00:08:07.630 from Musk's AI model, 131 00:08:07.770 --> 00:08:11.290 Grok. So, that report was made in, was 132 00:08:11.290 --> 00:08:15.050 published in Welt, which is one of Germany's largest publishers. It should be 133 00:08:15.050 --> 00:08:18.810 rather substantiated. And so, I mean, I guess we're basically on the 134 00:08:18.810 --> 00:08:22.525 way that Carswell rivals Silicon Valley, obviously, as they all 135 00:08:22.525 --> 00:08:26.125 say. It would be by the way, it would be very 136 00:08:26.125 --> 00:08:29.905 great to have, like, a third, start up hop of European 137 00:08:29.965 --> 00:08:33.725 rank here in Carswell. It would be just great. Carswell actually does really, really 138 00:08:33.725 --> 00:08:37.530 well. There's kit. So there's a big engineering, and 139 00:08:37.530 --> 00:08:41.370 and a big engineering university that also has quite 140 00:08:41.370 --> 00:08:44.430 good entrepreneurial initiatives going on for years. 141 00:08:44.890 --> 00:08:48.510 Hasbwe in Institute For Technology. Sorry. Here you go, Chris. 142 00:08:49.375 --> 00:08:53.135 Germany's economic minister Robert Haberk, also running for 143 00:08:53.135 --> 00:08:56.595 chancellor for the Green Party, remains optimistic about North Wall's 144 00:08:56.815 --> 00:08:59.795 €600,000,000 loan despite production delays. 145 00:09:00.575 --> 00:09:04.380 The Swedish battery start up's massive factory in Schleswig Holstein is a 146 00:09:04.380 --> 00:09:08.000 key bet of your all of the whole of the European 147 00:09:08.060 --> 00:09:11.820 Union for their green energy push. But for now, the government, 148 00:09:11.820 --> 00:09:15.520 it's keeping its patient and the checkbook open even though, 149 00:09:16.175 --> 00:09:19.635 as there's probably always the case with such new big developments, 150 00:09:20.654 --> 00:09:24.415 the they are a bit behind schedule. Yes. 151 00:09:24.415 --> 00:09:27.855 Plus plus one should not forget that Northwell fight for 152 00:09:27.855 --> 00:09:31.620 insolvency, which we reported last month. So it's it's very, 153 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:35.220 very much unclear how much money is is there invested and 154 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:38.900 lost. And the whole case is a good example for an 155 00:09:38.900 --> 00:09:42.200 overall discussion in Germany about the energy 156 00:09:42.260 --> 00:09:45.960 transformation and the question of how much government should subsidize 157 00:09:46.260 --> 00:09:49.135 and help with those changes. 158 00:09:50.875 --> 00:09:54.575 Deutsche start ups, Dave, writes about Upvest, Germany's 159 00:09:54.635 --> 00:09:56.975 largest Fintech round of 2024. 160 00:09:58.955 --> 00:10:02.589 That is a €100,000,000 to expand its API 161 00:10:02.589 --> 00:10:05.810 powered investment infrastructure supported by heavyweights 162 00:10:06.190 --> 00:10:09.709 like Michael Bloomberg. Upset is set to redefine Europe's 163 00:10:09.709 --> 00:10:13.389 Fintech ecosystem. So probably also another German 164 00:10:13.389 --> 00:10:17.065 unicorn in the making. In manager magazine, 165 00:10:17.065 --> 00:10:19.964 one of the most renowned business, titles. 166 00:10:21.865 --> 00:10:25.545 Oh, yeah. And we also have a blog post about, Upvest on 167 00:10:25.545 --> 00:10:29.250 our own website. In, manager magazine, one of 168 00:10:29.410 --> 00:10:32.310 Germany's most renowned business titles, we see, 169 00:10:34.850 --> 00:10:38.630 report about Wefox's survival deal. It's an Intuitech 170 00:10:38.850 --> 00:10:42.495 unicorn in Germany, which secured a lifeline, but the 171 00:10:42.495 --> 00:10:46.195 terms were reportedly harsh, requiring significant concessions 172 00:10:46.255 --> 00:10:50.015 from existing shareholders. It's a Berlin based startup that has 173 00:10:50.015 --> 00:10:53.075 struggled to balance its valuation with profitability. 174 00:10:54.470 --> 00:10:58.070 So, yeah, just in general highlighting, problems for the 175 00:10:58.070 --> 00:11:01.610 European intro tech scene. Handelsblatt, 176 00:11:02.310 --> 00:11:06.010 a business daily in Germany, wrote about Zalando 177 00:11:06.390 --> 00:11:10.055 and many other news, titles wrote about Zalando 178 00:11:10.115 --> 00:11:13.795 too. Since Zalando is really, really big in Germany and probably one of the 179 00:11:13.795 --> 00:11:17.635 most relevant Amazon competitors, at least when it comes to 180 00:11:17.635 --> 00:11:21.480 clothing and shoes, and Zalando acquires about you 181 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:25.000 from the OTO Group, one of the most traditional German, 182 00:11:26.520 --> 00:11:30.200 home shopping catalog providers over 183 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:33.160 decades. They are, 184 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:37.265 consolidating its position as Europe's leading fashion ecommerce 185 00:11:37.325 --> 00:11:41.005 giant with that, and that is, they, in that case, is 186 00:11:41.005 --> 00:11:44.845 Zalando. The deal marks a significant shift in the retail sector as 187 00:11:44.845 --> 00:11:48.225 Zalando aims to expand its market share and strengthen 188 00:11:48.285 --> 00:11:51.720 profitability. Capitale, 189 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:55.640 another renowned, German media 190 00:11:56.580 --> 00:12:00.420 title writes about Google in Google's 191 00:12:00.420 --> 00:12:04.100 investment in Usercentrics. And Usercentrics is a 192 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:07.795 Munich based company, a start up specializing in consent 193 00:12:07.795 --> 00:12:11.475 management solution for GDPR compliance. The 194 00:12:11.475 --> 00:12:15.154 investment now signals confidence in the growing need for privacy solutions in the 195 00:12:15.154 --> 00:12:16.774 digit digital space. 196 00:12:19.009 --> 00:12:22.850 So maybe Google is playing a bit nicer, at least for now, when it 197 00:12:22.850 --> 00:12:26.610 comes to data and data security. And that's a little 198 00:12:26.610 --> 00:12:29.670 overview of some of the most important top stories. 199 00:12:31.329 --> 00:12:34.725 Yes. Housekeeping and time to brag. Simply 200 00:12:34.725 --> 00:12:38.165 put, 2024 was a smashing success for 201 00:12:38.165 --> 00:12:41.145 us. For the first time, we had more than 2,300,000 202 00:12:42.245 --> 00:12:46.085 downloads in a single year. We may even reach 2.5 until the 203 00:12:46.085 --> 00:12:49.800 end of the year. There is now also a paid option for 204 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:53.079 our block on Substack where we got detailed current 205 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:56.920 where we go into details about current events like UNSA, 206 00:12:56.920 --> 00:13:00.675 KKR's failed attempt to buy and build as well as Germany's 207 00:13:01.035 --> 00:13:04.714 semiconductor subsidies or the impact of 208 00:13:04.714 --> 00:13:07.935 North Wall Insolvency on domestic politics. 209 00:13:08.795 --> 00:13:12.235 Also, we follow-up on what Chris already mentioned that the 210 00:13:12.235 --> 00:13:15.730 highlights, a former interview guest of our c 02 211 00:13:15.730 --> 00:13:19.090 Bio Clean, Invest in Hesson Fermentation Unit 212 00:13:19.090 --> 00:13:22.630 converts c 02 in bioplastics, a cutting edge fermentation 213 00:13:22.690 --> 00:13:25.910 unit in Hesson is transforming c 02 into biodegradable 214 00:13:26.290 --> 00:13:30.045 plastics, offering a scalable solution for carbon reduction. 215 00:13:30.105 --> 00:13:33.644 Innovation marks a significant milestone in sustainable 216 00:13:33.945 --> 00:13:37.384 manufacturing. You can learn more in our 217 00:13:37.384 --> 00:13:40.524 interview and, of course, in the link, and there is 218 00:13:43.660 --> 00:13:47.259 there is, of course, always interest in working with us. Go down here in the 219 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:50.079 show notes or reach out to us at at stutterbreak.o. 220 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:54.860 As we said, our sub stack, or you can find all options 221 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:58.635 to follow us on Linktree. Chris, I hand the ecosystem over to 222 00:13:58.635 --> 00:14:02.315 you. Yes. So this is where we, zoom in 223 00:14:02.315 --> 00:14:06.075 from some of the most general news about startups and 224 00:14:06.075 --> 00:14:09.755 the entrepreneurial scene to some of the most specific German 225 00:14:09.755 --> 00:14:13.560 news. So let's start with a worldwide worldwide 226 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:16.680 view. TechCrunch 227 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:21.000 writes about defense tech. Led by Anduril, 228 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:24.820 defense tech startups secured an unprecedented funding in 229 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:28.264 2024, highlighting a search and investor interest for 230 00:14:28.264 --> 00:14:32.024 security and military innovations. The this funding 231 00:14:32.024 --> 00:14:35.704 boom underscores the growing intersection of advanced tech and national 232 00:14:35.704 --> 00:14:39.545 defense. Start ups in that sector are now armed with 233 00:14:39.545 --> 00:14:41.790 cash. Little wordplay here. 234 00:14:43.370 --> 00:14:46.990 But, I mean, it's also a rather serious topic because 235 00:14:47.290 --> 00:14:50.589 the, situations in the Middle East and in 236 00:14:51.050 --> 00:14:54.825 the Ukraine with the Russian war definitely contributed, 237 00:14:55.605 --> 00:14:59.285 to the rise in funding in 238 00:14:59.285 --> 00:15:02.965 this sector. Crunchbase writes about biotech and 239 00:15:02.965 --> 00:15:06.680 health care funding surges. They have also seen a 240 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:10.060 significant rise in funding driven by demand for innovative solutions 241 00:15:10.280 --> 00:15:13.960 in AI driven diagnostics, in therapies, and digital 242 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:17.640 health. And, start ups across Europe and North America are leading 243 00:15:17.640 --> 00:15:21.235 this funding resurgence. Healthy and westmans equal 244 00:15:21.235 --> 00:15:23.815 healthier returns. Another wordplay. 245 00:15:24.995 --> 00:15:28.515 In Europe, we see, an article from 246 00:15:28.515 --> 00:15:32.275 PitchBook about European AI VC mega 247 00:15:32.275 --> 00:15:36.010 rounds also surging. European AI, 248 00:15:36.890 --> 00:15:40.649 startups are enjoying a search of VC Mega Rounds as investor 249 00:15:40.649 --> 00:15:43.550 appetite grows for advanced AI technologies. 250 00:15:44.410 --> 00:15:47.390 There are countries like Germany and France leading the charge, 251 00:15:48.405 --> 00:15:51.465 with funding rounds often exceeding €100,000,000. 252 00:15:53.045 --> 00:15:56.885 And, yeah, Europe's definitely having a seat 253 00:15:56.885 --> 00:15:59.705 at the table when it comes to AI solutions. 254 00:16:00.325 --> 00:16:03.980 But we also saw reports about 255 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:07.820 AI startups often stumbling when scaling their enterprise 256 00:16:07.880 --> 00:16:11.560 go to market strategies. So, yeah, as a as a whole, AI 257 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:14.840 is used as a buzzword that very often does not have a lot of, like, 258 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:18.455 practical solutions yet. But industry 259 00:16:18.515 --> 00:16:21.815 insiders suggest a mix of pilot programs, iterative 260 00:16:22.115 --> 00:16:25.795 sales approaches, and understanding enterprise decision making 261 00:16:25.795 --> 00:16:29.395 timelines to crack the code. Startups like those headquartered in 262 00:16:29.395 --> 00:16:33.040 Munich and Berlin have particularly excelled in creating value 263 00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:36.720 driven partnerships by aligning deeply with 264 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:40.560 enterprising needs. So winning big contracts isn't about AI 265 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:44.240 buzzwords, as we said, but solving real problems, which is a hard truth for 266 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:47.245 many founders. More about that, you can read at speedinvest.com. 267 00:16:48.505 --> 00:16:52.145 Tech AU writes about innovation during Europe's in 268 00:16:52.185 --> 00:16:55.704 driving sorry, driving Europe's space industry. The 269 00:16:55.704 --> 00:16:59.390 European Space Startups are driving innovation with advancements in satellite 270 00:16:59.390 --> 00:17:03.230 technology, reusable launch systems, something we know also 271 00:17:03.230 --> 00:17:06.990 from SpaceX, from Elon Musk, and AI for space 272 00:17:06.990 --> 00:17:10.690 applications. An article in Tech EU highlights 273 00:17:10.750 --> 00:17:14.195 how ESA, which is the European Space Administration 274 00:17:14.815 --> 00:17:18.415 Administration Agency? Which is 275 00:17:18.975 --> 00:17:22.115 we cut that. Which is the European Space Agency. 276 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:29.060 They back accelerators that are fostering a new wave of 277 00:17:29.060 --> 00:17:32.740 space entrepreneurship. So, yeah, Europe seems 278 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:35.720 on a rocket fueled start up trajectory there. 279 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:39.640 Sifted, writes about European HealthTech 280 00:17:40.335 --> 00:17:44.015 and their funding trends because we see that health tech startups across 281 00:17:44.015 --> 00:17:47.695 Europe have seen steady investor interest, focusing on 282 00:17:47.695 --> 00:17:51.375 areas like AI powered diagnostics, telemedicine, and 283 00:17:51.375 --> 00:17:55.149 digital health platforms. Even though we see economic 284 00:17:55.149 --> 00:17:58.750 challenges in a couple of the biggest German, the biggest 285 00:17:58.750 --> 00:18:02.510 European economies, we see that the sector continues to attract 286 00:18:02.510 --> 00:18:05.409 funding, particularly in Switzerland and Germany. 287 00:18:07.115 --> 00:18:10.815 In Germany, though, we already talked about in the political 288 00:18:10.875 --> 00:18:14.015 arena where Germany's main parties are galloping up, 289 00:18:15.035 --> 00:18:18.655 for the snap election, which right now is planned for February 290 00:18:18.795 --> 00:18:22.230 23rd, following the collapse of 291 00:18:22.390 --> 00:18:26.070 chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition. So he 292 00:18:26.070 --> 00:18:29.510 is a social democrat, only the 4th one of his party 293 00:18:29.510 --> 00:18:33.049 who ran the country so far. And fun fact, 294 00:18:33.190 --> 00:18:36.010 none of these 4 actually finished 295 00:18:36.735 --> 00:18:40.195 their, terms as 296 00:18:40.655 --> 00:18:44.415 intended. So they all had, snap elections or had, 297 00:18:44.655 --> 00:18:48.175 other issues. The conservatives who are 298 00:18:48.175 --> 00:18:51.750 being led or the biggest opposition party right now who are being led 299 00:18:51.750 --> 00:18:55.429 by Friedrich Mads, they proposed tax cuts, lower electricity prices 300 00:18:55.429 --> 00:18:58.950 to spur growth, but also a lot of critics argue that their 301 00:18:58.950 --> 00:19:02.485 plans lack detailed, funding. Meanwhile, 302 00:19:02.705 --> 00:19:06.065 the Social Democrats and the Greens are advocating for 303 00:19:06.305 --> 00:19:09.665 to reform the so called debt break in Germany, meaning 304 00:19:09.825 --> 00:19:13.505 basically meaning, okay, let's get more loans in order to 305 00:19:13.505 --> 00:19:17.205 invest in infrastructure and, education. 306 00:19:17.850 --> 00:19:21.450 So we will also see that key campaign 307 00:19:21.450 --> 00:19:24.890 issues might be, migration and the 308 00:19:24.890 --> 00:19:28.730 situation in the Ukraine. We 309 00:19:28.730 --> 00:19:32.490 already talked about briefly about the Ifo Institute's Business Climate 310 00:19:32.490 --> 00:19:36.135 Index. In December, it dropped. It fell 311 00:19:36.135 --> 00:19:39.755 again and signaling a continued pessimism among businesses 312 00:19:40.935 --> 00:19:44.615 regarding the economic outlook. Challenges are rising energy 313 00:19:44.615 --> 00:19:48.220 costs, inflation, as I said, the political 314 00:19:48.280 --> 00:19:51.180 situation. And so, yeah, Germany's 315 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:55.100 economic mood definitely needs a 316 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:59.240 New Year's resolution or at least a little, like, New Year's Eve pick me 317 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:01.020 up drink, maybe. 318 00:20:03.155 --> 00:20:06.695 Tech EU writes about how the European u no. How EU 319 00:20:06.835 --> 00:20:10.534 Inc, unveils a pan European startup entity. 320 00:20:11.155 --> 00:20:14.595 The European Commission unveiled a blueprint for a new pan European 321 00:20:14.595 --> 00:20:17.860 startup entity entity designed to streamline 322 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:21.600 support for scaling startups. The initiative will include 323 00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:25.039 funding, mentorship, and regulatory harmonization across EU 324 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:28.100 markets. And, yeah. So 325 00:20:28.855 --> 00:20:32.375 the European Union startup world is also becoming a bit more of a 326 00:20:32.375 --> 00:20:35.595 union here. Support for female 327 00:20:35.815 --> 00:20:39.274 funders, is a topic of Wirtschaft 328 00:20:39.335 --> 00:20:42.774 Aktuel, and especially Germany, there is extending funding 329 00:20:42.774 --> 00:20:46.540 programs in order to support female scientists transitioning 330 00:20:46.540 --> 00:20:50.140 into entrepreneurship. It's, yeah, one of the 331 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:53.600 few concerted efforts to close gender gaps in start up funding, 332 00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:57.515 especially in the STEM field here. Factory 333 00:20:57.515 --> 00:21:01.115 Net is writing about AI adoption in Germany and, 334 00:21:01.674 --> 00:21:05.195 especially a new report that reveals that 1 in 5 335 00:21:05.195 --> 00:21:07.934 companies in Germany has integrated AI solutions, 336 00:21:09.050 --> 00:21:12.750 marking significant progress in tech adoption. However, 337 00:21:12.809 --> 00:21:16.110 smaller firms still face barriers like lack of talent implementation 338 00:21:16.330 --> 00:21:19.550 cost, and bigger companies are a bit 339 00:21:19.929 --> 00:21:22.545 further ahead. VC Margazin 340 00:21:23.405 --> 00:21:27.005 writes about Bavarian startups, which are set to 341 00:21:27.005 --> 00:21:30.305 benefit from a 70 50 €750,000,000 342 00:21:31.485 --> 00:21:35.245 funding injection aimed at boosting innovation and growth in key sectors 343 00:21:35.245 --> 00:21:39.060 like AI, biotech, and 344 00:21:39.060 --> 00:21:42.500 energy tech. So, yeah, Bavaria also has a 345 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:45.800 reputation for being one of the economic powerhouses of Germany. 346 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:50.120 Maybe be now they also become a European startup powerhouse. 347 00:21:51.335 --> 00:21:54.955 Handelsblatt writes about the German government easing financial 348 00:21:55.095 --> 00:21:58.475 market access, because the German government has introduced 349 00:21:58.535 --> 00:22:01.915 reforms to simplify those, or this access, 350 00:22:03.095 --> 00:22:06.775 in order to attract more investments and support start ups 351 00:22:06.775 --> 00:22:10.510 better. This time it's an initiative focusing on reducing red 352 00:22:10.510 --> 00:22:13.970 tape and boosting competitiveness for growth 353 00:22:14.030 --> 00:22:17.870 stage companies. Yeah. We will 354 00:22:17.870 --> 00:22:21.330 see how the political Berlin is being able to 355 00:22:21.795 --> 00:22:25.315 keep the capital for the start up scene, especially also in the 356 00:22:25.315 --> 00:22:28.055 capital flowing. HTGF, 357 00:22:30.595 --> 00:22:34.275 the high-tech Grunderfon in Germany, writes, has a 358 00:22:34.275 --> 00:22:37.670 new managing director, Achim Ploom. 359 00:22:38.210 --> 00:22:41.110 It's probably Germany's most prominent early stage 360 00:22:41.650 --> 00:22:45.490 investor. And, yeah, Ploom's 361 00:22:45.490 --> 00:22:49.155 leadership will focus on strengthening the fund's role in scaling 362 00:22:49.155 --> 00:22:51.095 innovative startups across Europe. 363 00:22:52.915 --> 00:22:56.755 And last but not least, Handelsblatt writes about the 364 00:22:56.755 --> 00:23:00.355 stagnant investments in many startups since Germany 365 00:23:00.355 --> 00:23:03.095 startup ecosystem faces still considerable 366 00:23:03.795 --> 00:23:07.310 headwinds amid the economic and political uncertainty, 367 00:23:07.690 --> 00:23:11.450 prompting high profile voices like Verena Pauster to call for stronger 368 00:23:11.450 --> 00:23:15.130 government support. The report highlights the need for 369 00:23:15.130 --> 00:23:17.230 systemic reforms to boost innovation. 370 00:23:19.050 --> 00:23:22.845 That was all I got about the ecosystem. Now let's look at specific 371 00:23:22.985 --> 00:23:26.445 spaces and places in Germany. Let's have a look at the hubs. 372 00:23:27.545 --> 00:23:31.305 Yes. Of course. As always, they're more in the order we found 373 00:23:31.305 --> 00:23:34.890 them than any other thing. Of course, Frankfurt Online 374 00:23:34.890 --> 00:23:37.950 leads to charge again. 21 x receives 375 00:23:38.490 --> 00:23:42.010 regulatory license. A Fintech startup focused on 376 00:23:42.010 --> 00:23:44.590 decentralized securities trading is, 377 00:23:47.585 --> 00:23:49.605 hang on. Madu, we're going to 378 00:23:51.265 --> 00:23:54.885 cut this out. Nope. Sorry. I'll restart. 379 00:23:57.390 --> 00:24:01.170 21x, a fintech startup focused on decentralized securities 380 00:24:01.310 --> 00:24:05.150 trading, secured its regulatory license, paving the way for its launch 381 00:24:05.150 --> 00:24:08.990 in Europe. The approval marks a milestone for decentralized finance 382 00:24:08.990 --> 00:24:12.130 adoption in regulated markets. Mannheim, 383 00:24:12.735 --> 00:24:16.275 Business insider writes, Snox acquires oceans apart. 384 00:24:16.335 --> 00:24:19.855 Mannheim based Snox, an ecommerce brand specializing in socks and 385 00:24:19.855 --> 00:24:23.695 apparel, has acquired insolvent competitor, Ocean Support. The 386 00:24:23.695 --> 00:24:26.595 deal reflects Snox, a crisis growth strategy, 387 00:24:27.300 --> 00:24:30.680 as its transits its mock positions 388 00:24:30.820 --> 00:24:34.580 amid retail consolidation. To the, 389 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:38.820 in. Desk now files 390 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:42.625 for insolvency. Based startup, Desk now, a provider 391 00:24:42.625 --> 00:24:45.924 flexible workspace booking solution, has entered its solvency 392 00:24:45.985 --> 00:24:49.764 proceedings despite initial traction during the remote work boom, 393 00:24:49.985 --> 00:24:53.504 financial difficulties, and market saturation has taken their 394 00:24:53.504 --> 00:24:57.110 toll. Desk now joins the pivot or perish 395 00:24:57.110 --> 00:25:00.650 club for start ups. Aachen, the next web, writes, 396 00:25:00.870 --> 00:25:04.570 fiber code secures 20,000,000 for advanced fibers. 397 00:25:05.670 --> 00:25:09.245 A spin out focus on advanced material rate 20,000,000 to 398 00:25:09.245 --> 00:25:13.085 accelerate the production of its high performance fibers for aerospace and 399 00:25:13.085 --> 00:25:16.605 spacecraft. The start up aims to revolutionize lightweight 400 00:25:16.605 --> 00:25:20.304 solution and advanced engineering industries. Lubeck. 401 00:25:20.524 --> 00:25:24.160 Lubeck. Ln. Lubeck and Acheson, I do believe, 402 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:28.000 ln online pure foods insolvency situation. Lubeck startup, 403 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:32.160 Irfood, known as Specializd Nutrition 404 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:36.235 Solutions, is navigating insolvency under court 405 00:25:36.235 --> 00:25:39.995 supervision despite financial troubles. Discussions are 406 00:25:39.995 --> 00:25:43.675 ongoing to structure and save the business. A spoon of 407 00:25:43.675 --> 00:25:47.215 hope may it have to be curved for the struggling food 408 00:25:47.275 --> 00:25:50.960 tech. Chris, you wanna take Austria? Yeah. Let's go 409 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:54.639 further south. In Austria, we see that the Austrian 410 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:58.000 software startup Firestar has solved for 411 00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:01.600 insolvency, following the challenges of repaying a 412 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:05.445 COVID 19 relief loan. FireStart had 413 00:26:05.445 --> 00:26:09.145 strong early growth, but market pressures and repayment issues 414 00:26:09.205 --> 00:26:12.965 then led to financial struggles. We 415 00:26:12.965 --> 00:26:16.645 also see that UB files for insolvency. It's a 416 00:26:16.645 --> 00:26:20.409 BTEC startup, and, they 417 00:26:20.409 --> 00:26:23.950 had challenges in scaling its precision beekeeping 418 00:26:24.250 --> 00:26:27.149 solutions. So, yeah, even agritech, 419 00:26:28.169 --> 00:26:31.815 startups relying on niche innovations are struggling a bit here. 420 00:26:33.014 --> 00:26:36.695 And we also see that WoodSpace raises an 421 00:26:36.695 --> 00:26:40.455 8 figure investment, so there's Happier News, on that side. 422 00:26:40.455 --> 00:26:44.134 It's a prop tech startup, and they are going to expand 423 00:26:44.134 --> 00:26:46.554 its sustainable timber construction solutions. 424 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:51.900 So it's also also very nature driven. Austrian 425 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:55.020 startup scene this month is all about nature. The, 426 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:58.960 investment will help the company meet rising demand for 427 00:26:59.275 --> 00:27:02.875 eco friendly building alternatives. Moving on 428 00:27:02.875 --> 00:27:06.635 to the west of Austria. In Switzerland, we 429 00:27:06.635 --> 00:27:10.395 see that this month we have no giant news 430 00:27:10.395 --> 00:27:14.179 there. We have several big fundings in Switzerland in our 431 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:18.000 upcoming section further down, though. But that allows us now 432 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:21.679 to look for VC news and new funds in case 433 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:25.280 you're looking for money. It's only a small selection. Let me quickly 434 00:27:25.280 --> 00:27:28.815 run through it. Alstom Capital, the venture capital form 435 00:27:28.975 --> 00:27:32.675 firm funded by billionaire, Carsten Maschmeyer, has successfully 436 00:27:32.735 --> 00:27:36.575 raised €175,000,000 for its 3rd fund. Focus 437 00:27:36.575 --> 00:27:40.095 remains on European tech startups with a particular emphasis on scalable 438 00:27:40.095 --> 00:27:42.275 business models in Fintech and HealthTech. 439 00:27:43.750 --> 00:27:47.530 Berlin based VC firm, Fly Ventures, announced €80,000,000 440 00:27:48.310 --> 00:27:51.990 in for a fund targeting technical founders building 441 00:27:51.990 --> 00:27:55.670 deep tech solutions. The fund reflects a growing appetite for tech 442 00:27:55.670 --> 00:27:58.330 heavy, high risk investments in Europe. 443 00:28:00.765 --> 00:28:04.365 And yeah. So we see that 5 Ventures isn't 444 00:28:04.365 --> 00:28:07.985 just investing. They are soaring into the deep tech frontier. 445 00:28:08.925 --> 00:28:12.630 Sorry. I kept a couple of the jokes to 446 00:28:12.630 --> 00:28:16.309 myself for the other ones. But yeah. A prominent German 447 00:28:16.309 --> 00:28:19.850 VC firm has brought founders from SumUp and FELIX, 448 00:28:21.029 --> 00:28:24.825 FELIX, f e l y x, on board as partners to 449 00:28:24.825 --> 00:28:28.585 strengthen its leadership team. This move highlights a growing trend 450 00:28:28.585 --> 00:28:32.265 of VCs incorporating operational expertise to support for 451 00:28:32.265 --> 00:28:36.025 portfolio startups more effectively. We 452 00:28:36.025 --> 00:28:39.420 see that not the NATO Innovation Fund has 453 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:43.260 outlined its strategy for 2025. They're going to focus on 454 00:28:43.260 --> 00:28:46.880 investments in defense and dual use technologies, which probably 455 00:28:47.020 --> 00:28:50.705 isn't too much of a surprise given what NATO does. The 456 00:28:50.705 --> 00:28:54.465 initiative will support deep tech startups across Europe to 457 00:28:54.465 --> 00:28:58.225 bolster national security innovation. An ousted 458 00:28:58.225 --> 00:29:01.605 CEO is plotting a return to the company they founded 459 00:29:01.825 --> 00:29:05.285 and leveraging shareholder support to reclaim leadership. 460 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:09.140 That is basically the story of Grover, 461 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:13.920 a story, yeah, that reflects common founder investor conflict at 462 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:17.600 startup scale. So we will see how that 463 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:21.415 comeback is going to come to pass. Yahoo Finance has 464 00:29:21.415 --> 00:29:24.855 a bit more about that in our show notes. And 465 00:29:24.855 --> 00:29:28.295 Berlin based travel startup, Omeo, reported over 466 00:29:28.295 --> 00:29:31.835 30% cent growth in 2024, achieving profitability 467 00:29:32.135 --> 00:29:35.900 after years of scaling. It's all due to 468 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:38.960 strong demand for its cross border travel booking platform. 469 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:43.020 And so, yeah, we are happy that we 470 00:29:43.020 --> 00:29:46.620 have a success story here. Moving on to a 471 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:49.885 couple of industries now. Green Tech first. 472 00:29:50.505 --> 00:29:54.345 Yes. Green Tech. We do have some particular news here. There was 473 00:29:54.345 --> 00:29:57.725 an article in, attacking 474 00:29:57.945 --> 00:29:58.445 unicorn, 475 00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:04.460 And, the data they used 476 00:30:05.080 --> 00:30:08.760 appear to have been just a piece of the overall information. So 477 00:30:08.760 --> 00:30:12.280 Philip Schroeder, the founder of unicorn hits 478 00:30:12.280 --> 00:30:16.035 Bob back publicly on LinkedIn. Philippe 479 00:30:16.174 --> 00:30:19.934 Schroder highlights via business, news via Business Insider from 480 00:30:19.934 --> 00:30:23.535 2 reporters showcasing that they simply misunderstood the internal 481 00:30:23.535 --> 00:30:26.890 documents they have obtained. Also, they did not take into 482 00:30:26.890 --> 00:30:30.490 consideration the current market environment. Learn more on his link 483 00:30:30.490 --> 00:30:34.330 directly. A new section, biotech news, to get, like, 484 00:30:34.330 --> 00:30:37.710 all the big fundings in there, especially concerning 485 00:30:37.850 --> 00:30:38.350 Switzerland. 486 00:30:41.355 --> 00:30:44.875 Kimeo signs 300,000,000 agreement. The Swiss biotech 487 00:30:44.875 --> 00:30:48.475 startup, Kimeo, has signed a 300,000,000 partnership with 488 00:30:48.475 --> 00:30:51.835 Japanese pharma giant, to advance a 489 00:30:51.835 --> 00:30:55.070 cell therapy technology. FinSMEs 490 00:30:55.370 --> 00:30:59.130 writes about Nuema Pharma extend its 0 speed 491 00:30:59.130 --> 00:30:59.870 to 147,000,000 492 00:31:03.690 --> 00:31:07.070 to accelerate the development of treatments for central nervous 493 00:31:07.210 --> 00:31:09.470 system disorders. Startup 494 00:31:12.544 --> 00:31:15.764 Tika. That news is double. Sorry, Madu. We checked this out. 495 00:31:16.304 --> 00:31:19.985 Transcript. Bayer opens CoLab Incubator in 496 00:31:19.985 --> 00:31:23.524 Berlin. Bayer, the large, former former 497 00:31:23.745 --> 00:31:27.250 and, I would say, chemical company has launched 498 00:31:27.630 --> 00:31:31.390 CoLab Berlin, a new biotech incubator designed to 499 00:31:31.390 --> 00:31:35.170 accelerate startups developing health and life science innovations. 500 00:31:35.230 --> 00:31:38.850 The initiative underscores Berlin's growing status as a hub for biotech 501 00:31:38.910 --> 00:31:42.115 entrepreneurship, a shot of innovation 502 00:31:42.575 --> 00:31:45.155 straight into the veins of the startup scene. 503 00:31:45.934 --> 00:31:49.395 Handelsblatt, Germany's top biotech startups. Germany's 504 00:31:49.535 --> 00:31:53.075 biotech sector is buzzing with potential featuring 5 startups 505 00:31:53.294 --> 00:31:57.139 identified as major hopes for investors. The list 506 00:31:57.139 --> 00:32:00.980 includes companies tackling health care, diagnostic, and 507 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:04.820 biotech manufacturing. Bio biotech isn't just science. 508 00:32:04.820 --> 00:32:08.565 It's serious business. Let's go a little bit 509 00:32:08.565 --> 00:32:12.405 into the Fintech news. BTC echo, Bitpanda launches 510 00:32:12.405 --> 00:32:16.165 trading platform for pros. Austrian Fintech Bitpanda has unveiled a 511 00:32:16.165 --> 00:32:19.785 new platform tailored for professional crypto traders offering advanced 512 00:32:20.005 --> 00:32:23.780 features and tools. Finance forward. Stringman twin 513 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:26.840 finance forward. Stringman twin back. 514 00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:31.400 Again, finance forward. Stringman 515 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:35.955 wins back Fintech. The Stringman twins, 516 00:32:36.274 --> 00:32:40.115 famous for backing BioNTech, are now turning their attention to Fintech 517 00:32:40.115 --> 00:32:43.875 Investments, boosting several prominent German startups. Their 518 00:32:43.875 --> 00:32:47.575 involvement highlights growing institutional confidence in Fintech innovation. 519 00:32:47.955 --> 00:32:51.174 When billionaires bet on Fintech, everyone should pay attention. 520 00:32:52.009 --> 00:32:55.450 Plus, we have them on the radar since at least 521 00:32:55.450 --> 00:32:58.889 2020. If you've been following our blog back then, we 522 00:32:58.889 --> 00:33:02.730 had a, a blog post about the twin 523 00:33:02.889 --> 00:33:06.485 the only self made twin billionaires in the 524 00:33:06.485 --> 00:33:10.245 world who have been backing, then barely known 525 00:33:10.245 --> 00:33:14.085 company called BioNTech, to prepare them 526 00:33:14.085 --> 00:33:17.845 for their Nasdaq IPO. Finance forward, the biggest 527 00:33:17.845 --> 00:33:21.200 Fintech flops, a roundup of recent Fintech flops 528 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:25.279 revealed reveals challenges facing even the most promising 529 00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:28.720 startup from regulatory hurdles to scalability 530 00:33:29.100 --> 00:33:32.700 issues. The failures offer valuable lessons on product 531 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:36.000 market fit and funding reliance in turbulent markets. 532 00:33:37.515 --> 00:33:40.895 Finanzina, Scalable Catable Scalable Capital 533 00:33:41.035 --> 00:33:44.715 launches its own exchange. Scalable Capital, a German Fintech leader, 534 00:33:44.715 --> 00:33:48.235 has launched its own exchange in partnership with 535 00:33:48.235 --> 00:33:51.920 Deutsche Bank to simplify investing for retail clients. The 536 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:55.680 move aims to increase markets x market access while reducing 537 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:58.900 trading costs. Raisin is unicorn 538 00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:02.880 again. After correction where we, I 539 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:06.065 do believe, blocked about it, the valuation of holding of, 540 00:34:07.745 --> 00:34:11.425 of investors raising lost its unicorn status. So it 541 00:34:11.425 --> 00:34:14.945 was just a booking correction of one of the holdings for one 542 00:34:14.945 --> 00:34:18.245 investor that we're aware of. But after secondary transaction 543 00:34:18.785 --> 00:34:22.200 just recently, it is now valued at above 544 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:25.880 2,000,000,000 US dollars. Liquid 545 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:29.640 launches new investment product, wealth management Fintech 546 00:34:29.700 --> 00:34:33.239 Liquid has unveiled a new investment vehicle 547 00:34:33.540 --> 00:34:36.895 aimed at high net worth individuals. The 548 00:34:36.895 --> 00:34:40.255 ELTIF product offers access to private 549 00:34:40.255 --> 00:34:43.315 equity and alternative assets, strengthening 550 00:34:43.935 --> 00:34:47.699 strengthening liquid's value proposition in Europe's wealth 551 00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:51.699 management market. Financing as SMAVA sale 552 00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:55.219 nears completion. The fintech leader, SMAVA, reportedly in the final 553 00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:59.060 stages of being sold with the debates over 554 00:34:59.060 --> 00:35:02.445 realistic valuation dominating discussions. The deal 555 00:35:02.445 --> 00:35:06.285 reflects a cooling trend in Fintech m and a, where buyers are pushing 556 00:35:06.285 --> 00:35:10.065 for lower valuations. Founders repurchase 557 00:35:10.445 --> 00:35:13.965 right. The richer founders of of start up 558 00:35:13.965 --> 00:35:17.650 right have repurchased their company after earlier selling to 559 00:35:17.650 --> 00:35:21.410 investors. Move highlights founders driven turnaround as a growing 560 00:35:21.410 --> 00:35:25.250 trend in the European start up ecosystem. That was 561 00:35:25.250 --> 00:35:29.010 already a lot. Let's go a little bit into the general news, but 562 00:35:29.010 --> 00:35:32.575 I do believe that is something where Chris could take over, and 563 00:35:32.575 --> 00:35:36.255 then I'll be joining him again. Let's do it. 564 00:35:36.255 --> 00:35:39.775 So manager Magat Zinn, writes about the Munich based flying 565 00:35:39.775 --> 00:35:43.580 taxi startup, Lilium. We also talked a lot about it. And the fact 566 00:35:43.580 --> 00:35:47.020 that Lilium is facing a class action lawsuit in the US over 567 00:35:47.020 --> 00:35:50.720 allegations of misleading investors regarding its financial performance 568 00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:54.540 and timelines. The legal challenges add pressure to the already 569 00:35:54.540 --> 00:35:57.565 struggling company there. Germany's 570 00:35:57.945 --> 00:36:01.385 transport minister Volker Wissing, now without a 571 00:36:01.385 --> 00:36:04.905 party since the coalition, broke apart, and he 572 00:36:04.905 --> 00:36:08.425 decided not to stay with the Liberal party, the business friendly 573 00:36:08.425 --> 00:36:11.865 partly party. He announced plans for air taxi test 574 00:36:11.865 --> 00:36:15.290 tracks to launch by 2026, supporting 575 00:36:15.290 --> 00:36:18.810 innovations in urban mobility. The initiative aims to position 576 00:36:18.810 --> 00:36:21.870 Germany as a leader in next generation transport solutions. 577 00:36:23.290 --> 00:36:26.984 AutoOne Group, Europe's leading online car marketplace, has 578 00:36:26.984 --> 00:36:30.505 officially entered Germany's MDACS index. So that 579 00:36:30.505 --> 00:36:34.125 is equivalent to what in the US? I have no idea. 580 00:36:34.184 --> 00:36:37.865 It's a medium sized company. Yeah. Mid midcap 581 00:36:37.865 --> 00:36:41.400 index. Mid cap index. Signaling investor 582 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:45.240 confidence in its long term growth. The Berlin based company's rise highlights 583 00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:47.820 the demand for digital automotive plat platforms. 584 00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:52.780 More about that at is at stocks.com and startupradio dot, 585 00:36:53.015 --> 00:36:56.795 startupradi startuprate.i0, which is our site. 586 00:36:57.175 --> 00:37:00.875 Then, Delivery Hero's sale of Talabat was priced 587 00:37:01.095 --> 00:37:04.635 at the upper end of expectations, signaling strong investor 588 00:37:04.695 --> 00:37:06.955 demand for food delivery assets. 589 00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:11.859 It boosts Delivery Hero's liquidity as it continues focusing 590 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:15.599 on core growth markets. So, 591 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:19.140 yeah, it's still, a very active 592 00:37:19.715 --> 00:37:23.555 start up industry there. Ex Sono Motors CEO, 593 00:37:23.555 --> 00:37:27.335 Lauven Hahn, launched Alright, a new electric mobility 594 00:37:27.395 --> 00:37:31.015 solution aiming to tackle Europe's urban transport challenges. 595 00:37:32.930 --> 00:37:36.690 He's expected to leverage lessons from Sono there, and the Munich 596 00:37:36.690 --> 00:37:40.470 based start up focuses on affordable sustainable e mobility 597 00:37:40.770 --> 00:37:43.910 options. ESA and Unterneema 598 00:37:44.369 --> 00:37:47.865 TUM and TUM, TUM, being the Technical University of 599 00:37:47.865 --> 00:37:51.545 Munich, have partnered to launch Europe's 1st 600 00:37:51.545 --> 00:37:55.225 scale up accelerator program for space start ups. The 601 00:37:55.225 --> 00:37:58.905 initiative focuses on helping scale ups bring advanced space 602 00:37:58.905 --> 00:38:00.285 technologies to market 603 00:38:02.410 --> 00:38:06.170 faster. Staffbase cofounder Martin Boehringer confirmed the 604 00:38:06.170 --> 00:38:10.010 company is exploring an IPO aiming to capitalize on strong demand for 605 00:38:10.010 --> 00:38:13.530 internal communication software. It's a chem 606 00:38:13.690 --> 00:38:17.275 candidates based unicorn that has seen rapid growth and 607 00:38:17.275 --> 00:38:20.975 positioning itself as one of the global leaders in employee engagement 608 00:38:21.355 --> 00:38:24.015 tools. Now back to you. 609 00:38:29.515 --> 00:38:32.980 You're still on mute. Now back to 610 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:36.500 you. ESUT, Hellsing 611 00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:39.400 launcher smart combat drone, HX 612 00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:43.559 2 Karma, German defense startup, Hellsing, 613 00:38:44.020 --> 00:38:47.375 has officially unveiled the h HX 614 00:38:47.595 --> 00:38:51.435 2, an intelligence combat drone designed for advanced 615 00:38:51.435 --> 00:38:54.875 military operations. Trending 616 00:38:54.875 --> 00:38:58.715 topics. NXRT moves into 617 00:38:58.715 --> 00:39:02.369 military tech based in Austria. They are pivoting into 618 00:39:02.369 --> 00:39:05.970 military technology planning, new solutions for defense defense 619 00:39:05.970 --> 00:39:08.309 related training applications in 2025. 620 00:39:10.050 --> 00:39:13.589 Handelsblattformer SAP employees launched rival 621 00:39:13.730 --> 00:39:17.245 startup. They're developing a direct competitor to 622 00:39:17.245 --> 00:39:20.925 SAP's market leading enterprise software focusing on improved 623 00:39:20.925 --> 00:39:24.305 usability and speed. The startup aims to challenge SAP's 624 00:39:24.765 --> 00:39:28.225 dominance by offering a more agile alternative 625 00:39:28.500 --> 00:39:32.280 for business. Also on Handelsblatt, 626 00:39:32.580 --> 00:39:36.260 Onefootball's strategy shift, Berlin based 627 00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:39.880 Onefootball is overhauling its business model to achieve profitability, 628 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:43.640 focusing on paid features and partnerships. The football centric 629 00:39:44.195 --> 00:39:47.735 app aims to recover from recent losses by per prioritizing, 630 00:39:49.075 --> 00:39:52.915 sustainable revenue streams, 1 football may finally get back to 631 00:39:52.915 --> 00:39:56.695 the pitch. IT notes, Markt d 632 00:39:56.755 --> 00:39:59.450 e, acquires DHT24, 633 00:40:01.349 --> 00:40:04.790 Germany's classified market sees further consolidation as 634 00:40:04.790 --> 00:40:08.010 MarktDE acquires competitor dhd24.com. 635 00:40:09.030 --> 00:40:11.690 The acquisition strengthens MarktDE's 636 00:40:13.375 --> 00:40:16.115 leadership in the growing digital classroom wide segment. 637 00:40:17.695 --> 00:40:21.375 Deutsche Bahn and Flixteen performed poorly in EU rankings. 638 00:40:21.375 --> 00:40:24.755 Deutsche Bahn and Flixteen scored poorly in European 639 00:40:25.040 --> 00:40:28.820 comparison of rail service quality and efficiency. High ticket pricing 640 00:40:28.960 --> 00:40:32.720 delays and inconsistent service contributed to the 641 00:40:32.720 --> 00:40:35.700 low rankings. Finance forward, 642 00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:40.020 CEO discusses restructuring. CEO, Hubert 643 00:40:40.935 --> 00:40:44.383 Bunning Bunning highlighted the company's turnaround 644 00:40:44.383 --> 00:40:47.831 strategy, emphasizing operational efficiency and streamlining product 645 00:40:47.831 --> 00:40:51.279 focus. The fintech is positioning itself to 646 00:40:51.279 --> 00:40:54.950 regain trust and market share after facing significant 647 00:40:55.250 --> 00:40:58.610 headwinds. From fintech trouble to fintech triumph, we will 648 00:40:58.610 --> 00:41:02.390 see our take on the story where we talk about, 649 00:41:03.090 --> 00:41:06.690 UNSA, which is bay basically KKR's failed buy and 650 00:41:06.690 --> 00:41:10.345 build strategy in the payment space. Let's 651 00:41:10.345 --> 00:41:14.025 go a little bit into creative destruction before we are done for the 652 00:41:14.025 --> 00:41:17.625 day. Investment check. CASC, c a s 653 00:41:17.625 --> 00:41:21.085 c, files for insolvency, a startup in Germany's industrial 654 00:41:21.145 --> 00:41:24.730 sector, has filed for insolvency amidst liquidity 655 00:41:25.030 --> 00:41:28.329 issues. One motion's find investor 656 00:41:29.109 --> 00:41:32.950 post insolvency, Berlinberg's cargo bike startup. One motion 657 00:41:32.950 --> 00:41:36.410 has successfully found a new investor following its insolvency. 658 00:41:37.525 --> 00:41:40.985 Efara, German ebike startup, files for insolvency. A promising 659 00:41:41.045 --> 00:41:44.645 ebike startup has filed for insolvency despite unveiling a new 660 00:41:44.645 --> 00:41:48.085 model just weeks prior. Market 661 00:41:48.085 --> 00:41:51.065 saturation, production cost, and reduced consumer demand 662 00:41:51.730 --> 00:41:55.490 are cited as key reasons. And, Chris, we want to end 663 00:41:55.490 --> 00:41:58.070 today and on a high note with the access. Right? 664 00:41:59.250 --> 00:42:02.950 Yes. And here, we have a lot going on this month. 665 00:42:03.890 --> 00:42:07.515 The news here and their total value show how resilient their start up scene is. 666 00:42:07.515 --> 00:42:11.194 So keep in mind, this is only a small selection. We only included 667 00:42:11.194 --> 00:42:14.795 selected fundraising above €10,000,000, Swiss francs, or US 668 00:42:14.795 --> 00:42:18.395 dollars. So let me give you a couple of these successful 669 00:42:18.395 --> 00:42:22.020 fundraisings and exits that we found. German 670 00:42:22.020 --> 00:42:25.800 startup GeeX, a telecommunications platform, raised €73,000,000 671 00:42:26.740 --> 00:42:30.500 in funding to scale its telecom as a service model. They are 672 00:42:30.500 --> 00:42:34.040 enabling companies to offer their own branded mobile plans. 673 00:42:35.435 --> 00:42:38.415 Swiss robotics startups, Annibotics Annibotics, 674 00:42:38.795 --> 00:42:41.695 sorry, raised €57,000,000 675 00:42:42.955 --> 00:42:46.415 to expand operations and advance its autonomous robot solutions, 676 00:42:46.795 --> 00:42:50.175 particularly targeting industrial and inspection use cases. 677 00:42:51.170 --> 00:42:54.770 And they're aiming at global growth there. Berlin based CoachHub, a 678 00:42:54.770 --> 00:42:58.610 digital coaching platform, secured €40,000,000 in financing from 679 00:42:58.610 --> 00:43:02.050 HSBC Innovation Banking UK to fuel its global 680 00:43:02.050 --> 00:43:05.765 expansion. The investment reflects a booming demand 681 00:43:05.765 --> 00:43:09.285 for digital learning and professional development tools. Berlin 682 00:43:09.285 --> 00:43:13.125 based Koro, an ecommerce startup specializing in healthy 683 00:43:13.125 --> 00:43:16.645 foods, secured €35,000,000 in series c 684 00:43:16.645 --> 00:43:20.020 funding. They are going to expand its product range with the money 685 00:43:20.020 --> 00:43:23.160 and, growing their European 686 00:43:23.700 --> 00:43:27.300 presence. Munich based Planet A 687 00:43:27.300 --> 00:43:31.115 Foods, a creator of sustainable of a sustainable cocoa 688 00:43:31.175 --> 00:43:34.775 alternative raised $30,000,000 to scale production and meet 689 00:43:34.775 --> 00:43:38.455 rising demand. So there we also see that there might be a broader 690 00:43:38.455 --> 00:43:41.915 trend towards feud and feud food innovation. 691 00:43:43.780 --> 00:43:47.619 MoneyCap, writes about LEOOM, a 692 00:43:47.619 --> 00:43:51.140 clean energy startup that secured $25,000,000 in a series a 693 00:43:51.140 --> 00:43:54.705 funding to accelerate its innovative technology development. The 694 00:43:54.705 --> 00:43:58.145 investment will fund here expansion into European and global 695 00:43:58.145 --> 00:44:01.445 markets and targeting sustainable energy adoption. 696 00:44:02.225 --> 00:44:05.665 The Baller League, which is a European sports start up, secured 697 00:44:05.665 --> 00:44:09.119 $25,000,000 to expand its franchise model into the 698 00:44:09.119 --> 00:44:12.880 UK and US markets. So, yeah, here we see, 699 00:44:13.200 --> 00:44:16.980 that there is a worldwide growing interest in alternative sports leagues. 700 00:44:18.160 --> 00:44:21.545 Swiss based Embotech, an autonomous driving start ups for 701 00:44:21.545 --> 00:44:23.085 logistics, raised CHF23,500,000, 702 00:44:25.944 --> 00:44:29.565 an investment that will be focused on enhancing efficiency industrial 703 00:44:29.625 --> 00:44:33.464 logistics, and they will develop scalable solution for self 704 00:44:33.464 --> 00:44:37.280 driving systems with the money. Berlin based, Cargme, we already 705 00:44:37.280 --> 00:44:41.040 talked about it in the highlights a bit. It's a carbon management platform. They raised 706 00:44:41.040 --> 00:44:44.820 €20,000,000 in series a funding to drive AI powered innovation 707 00:44:44.880 --> 00:44:48.100 and emissions reduction, and 708 00:44:48.720 --> 00:44:52.204 funding that reflects increased demand for enterprise solutions addressing 709 00:44:52.744 --> 00:44:56.424 ESG requirements. Munich based Apaleo, a property 710 00:44:56.424 --> 00:45:00.025 management serve software as a service provider raised €20,000,000 to 711 00:45:00.025 --> 00:45:03.244 fuel its growth across European hospitality 712 00:45:03.464 --> 00:45:07.019 markets. That startup is focusing on to 713 00:45:07.180 --> 00:45:10.799 on enabling Hoteliers to streamline operations via 714 00:45:10.859 --> 00:45:14.380 API powered tech. Aachen based Fiber 715 00:45:14.380 --> 00:45:17.980 Code raised raised nearly €20,000,000 in a series b 716 00:45:17.980 --> 00:45:21.805 funding. They're going to take the money to scale its production their production 717 00:45:21.805 --> 00:45:25.505 of high performance fibres for industrial and aerospace applications. 718 00:45:27.244 --> 00:45:30.464 German based this out. I think we already had this, for Aachen. 719 00:45:31.484 --> 00:45:35.300 Madhu, please cut the the fiber code out. Oh, it's I I already 720 00:45:35.300 --> 00:45:38.660 read this for Aachen. Oh, German 721 00:45:38.660 --> 00:45:41.640 based Neo Plus Made raised €18,000,000 722 00:45:42.660 --> 00:45:46.420 to advance its medical technology, particularly in plasma 723 00:45:46.420 --> 00:45:50.085 based therapies, money that will be used to accelerate 724 00:45:50.085 --> 00:45:52.185 product development and clinical trials. 725 00:45:53.925 --> 00:45:57.225 And Munich Munich based Tredium 726 00:45:57.845 --> 00:46:01.525 raised €30,000,000 to continue developing its ESG focused 727 00:46:01.525 --> 00:46:02.505 property platform. 728 00:46:05.230 --> 00:46:09.069 Zurich based Relay, r e l a 729 00:46:09.069 --> 00:46:12.289 I, a Bitcoin focused start up, secured $12,000,000 730 00:46:13.309 --> 00:46:16.609 in a series e funding to drive, European expansion. 731 00:46:17.789 --> 00:46:20.685 Relay is working 732 00:46:21.385 --> 00:46:23.565 on simplifying Bitcoin investment, 733 00:46:24.905 --> 00:46:28.665 investing, and that funding emphasizes the growing popularity of 734 00:46:28.665 --> 00:46:32.410 Bitcoin services in Europe. Swiss based Brytea, 735 00:46:32.710 --> 00:46:36.090 a Fintech startup offering digital financial digital financial 736 00:46:36.150 --> 00:46:39.750 solutions, raised $10,000,000 to expand its offering and scale 737 00:46:39.750 --> 00:46:43.510 operations, highlighting a growing investor appetite for Fintech 738 00:46:43.510 --> 00:46:45.610 innovation, particularly in Europe. 739 00:46:47.325 --> 00:46:51.105 SpotMyEnergy, last but not least, reports a €10,500,000 740 00:46:51.965 --> 00:46:54.465 funding round within the energy tech space, 741 00:46:55.885 --> 00:46:59.185 that a space that is always looking for sustainable innovations. 742 00:46:59.820 --> 00:47:03.660 Startups tackling energy efficiency and carbon management are seeing strong investor 743 00:47:03.660 --> 00:47:07.340 interest. Spot My Energy is proving that. And that leaves us 744 00:47:07.340 --> 00:47:10.080 with some mergers and acquisitions news. 745 00:47:11.020 --> 00:47:14.475 Yes. Thank you. HTGF Cloud Software Group 746 00:47:14.475 --> 00:47:18.255 Acquires Device Trust, the, portfolio 747 00:47:18.315 --> 00:47:21.935 company backed by High-tech Chona Fon. The deal showcases strong 748 00:47:22.155 --> 00:47:25.455 exit opportunities for German enterprise security startups. 749 00:47:26.530 --> 00:47:30.370 TechCrunch, MIRAKL, m I r 750 00:47:30.530 --> 00:47:33.110 a k l, acquires adsberg, 751 00:47:35.810 --> 00:47:39.555 a startup specializing in ad optimization 752 00:47:39.855 --> 00:47:43.295 technology. The acquisition aims to enhance Miracles 753 00:47:43.295 --> 00:47:46.595 marketplace ecosystem by integrating AI driven 754 00:47:46.655 --> 00:47:50.355 advertising tools when marketplaces meet 755 00:47:50.575 --> 00:47:54.210 smarter ads. And as for what, 756 00:47:57.790 --> 00:48:01.390 Pacquatum acquires Easybill, a German 757 00:48:01.390 --> 00:48:05.150 invoicing software providing to expand its ecommerce service 758 00:48:05.150 --> 00:48:08.825 ecosystem. The move consolidates Pataco's strategy 759 00:48:09.445 --> 00:48:12.265 of offering end to end tools for online businesses. 760 00:48:13.205 --> 00:48:16.425 Nomadia acquires German Koradin 761 00:48:17.045 --> 00:48:20.565 Koradinate? Koradinate. Yeah. French based, Nomadia has 762 00:48:20.565 --> 00:48:24.400 acquired German company Koradinate, expanding its geographical 763 00:48:24.700 --> 00:48:27.840 footprint and capabilities in workforce management 764 00:48:28.140 --> 00:48:31.900 solutions. Chris, that was a lot, but I do believe 765 00:48:31.900 --> 00:48:35.360 that's a wrap. It was a lot, and, 766 00:48:35.980 --> 00:48:39.435 it was a wrap for December. It also was a wrap for 767 00:48:39.435 --> 00:48:42.655 2024. Challenging times ahead. 768 00:48:45.035 --> 00:48:48.315 Stay warm. I don't know what else to say. And, 769 00:48:48.715 --> 00:48:52.490 stay confident, I would say. Yes. And everybody, 770 00:48:52.870 --> 00:48:56.410 merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Enjoy the holidays. Get some energy. 771 00:48:57.030 --> 00:49:00.710 The New Year will not get easier. Thanks for 772 00:49:00.710 --> 00:49:03.450 listening. Bye. Have a good day. Bye bye.