News from the startup world week 34 - 2024

Apheros receives 1.65 million euros. planeed launches platform for integrated corporate communications. Markus Rottmaier becomes Chief Sales Officer of aimpower. Sheers: New rum especially for women. Pathalys Pharma secures 105 million dollars in Series B. AAX Biotech expands management team with Patrik Strömberg. Q-Day Conference 2024 in Lisbon. Human Longevity, Inc. with oversubscribed Series B for USD 39.8 million. XO Life receives 7 million euros.
Financing rounds & partnerships
Contentful acquires Ninetailed
Contentful has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Berlin-based Ninetailed. The acquisition will enable Contentful to expand its AI-driven personalization solutions and integrate them into its own platform. Ninetailed, previously known for its structured content personalization, will add scalable and user-friendly personalization capabilities to the Contentful platform. The integration promises better ROI and simplified customization through a combination of API architecture, generative AI and fast data delivery. The acquisition will further strengthen Contentful's position as a leading content management platform.
Zurich startup Apheros receives 1.65 million euros for innovative data center cooling
The ETH spin-off Apheros from Zurich has raised 1.65 million euros in a pre-seed financing round to further develop its cooling technologies based on metal foams. The capital, led by Founderful, will be used to drive forward production and research. Apheros' patented metal foams provide heat transfer and are designed to improve energy efficiency in data centers.
XO Life receives 7 million euros for international expansion

The German medtech start-up XO Life, founded by Dr. Friderike Bruchmann, has raised 7 million euros in a financing round to expand its patient platform ImpactMonitor™ internationally. The platform offers patient-verified health information, therapy support and exchange opportunities. Investors such as Sandwater, Grazia Equity, VI Partners and Bayern Kapital are leading the financing round. The aim is to offer an alternative to conventional search platforms such as Google and to close a gap in the digital healthcare sector. The platform also enables pharmaceutical companies to better develop patient-oriented therapies. We already reported on 2022 2 million round for XO Life.
Pathalys Pharma secures 105 million dollars in Series B funding
The biopharmaceutical company Pathalys Pharma has successfully closed an oversubscribed Series B financing round of 105 million dollars. The financing was led by TCGX and supported by other investors including JP Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital, Samsara BioCapital and Marshall Wace. The funds will be used to complete the two ongoing Phase 3 studies for the kidney drug Upacicalcet and to prepare the regulatory filings and market launch. Pathalys is aiming for an early submission to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Trunk Tools secures 20 million dollars in Series A financing round to expand AI solutions in the construction industry
Trunk Tools, a company specializing in AI, has successfully closed a Series A financing round of 20 million dollars. Led by Redpoint Ventures and with the participation of Innovation Endeavors and other investors, the capital will be used for further development and market expansion. Trunk Tools uses AI to revolutionize the construction industry by automating administrative processes and optimizing project workflows. With the introduction of a new AI agent for deadline monitoring, the company aims to minimize delays and rework on construction sites and increase efficiency.
Human Longevity, Inc. closes $39.8 million extended financing round
Human Longevity, Inc (HLI) has closed an oversubscribed $39.8 million Series B financing round led by TVM Capital Healthcare. The company will use the funds to further develop its AI-powered health risk analytics platform, advance new longevity technologies and services, and expand globally. HLI, which was founded in 2013 by pioneers in precision medicine, has developed its 100+ Longevity Care program, a model designed to extend the duration of health through early diagnosis of age-related diseases. Future locations are planned in Europe, Asia and Saudi Arabia.
Personnel
Markus Rottmaier becomes Chief Sales Officer of aimpower

The MarTech company aimpower has appointed Markus Rottmaier as its new Chief Sales Officer. In this role, he will further develop the global sales strategies to strengthen the market presence of the company and its AI-based SaaS platform Brainsuite. With over 20 years of experience in sales of B2B SaaS solutions, including at Awin and Microsoft, Rottmaier brings extensive expertise. aimpower sees his appointment as a strategic reinforcement to drive international growth and market the innovations of the Brainsuite technology globally.
AAX Biotech expands management team with Patrik Strömberg

The Swedish biotech start-up AAX Biotech has appointed Patrik Strömberg to its Board of Directors. Strömberg brings over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the areas of research and development, innovation management and business development. AAX Biotech develops technologies to improve antibody therapeutics and aims to increase collaboration with biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The appointment of Patrik Strömberg, who previously worked at AstraZeneca and Biovitrum/Sobi, marks an important step in the company's strategic expansion.
Product launches
Sheers: New rum especially for women

Cologne-based start-up Sheers is bringing a breath of fresh air to the traditionally male-dominated market with an innovative rum. The two founders Tatjana Peters and Laura Marie Walter have developed a spirit that is specially tailored to women's tastes. The rum impresses with natural flavors of lime and grapefruit and is now available exclusively in the online store. The company is also planning a non-alcoholic version. In addition to the taste aspect, Sheers is committed to women's rights and donates part of the proceeds to a women's advice center in Cologne.
planeed launches platform for holistic corporate communication

Munich-based startup planeed has launched software that aims to revolutionize corporate communication across analogue and digital channels. The platform introduces the "Echoverse" - an interactive space in which corporate messages are not only disseminated but also actively shaped by users. The solution includes physical touchpoints such as print media and outdoor advertising as well as digital channels such as websites and social media. With innovative features such as "Adopt" and "Spread", users can adopt and spread messages to promote dynamic, co-creative communication.
Events
Q-Day Conference 2024: Generative AI as a business driver

On September 17, 2024, the 15th Q-Day Conference will take place in Lisbon under the motto "Generative AI: from hype to business". The venue will be Culturgest, where Prof. Alberto Rodrigues da Silva, Secretary of State for Modernization and Digitalization in Portugal, will open the event. The event will feature thematic panels on the practical applications and business potential of generative AI as well as contributions from renowned experts. Denmark will be represented as a guest country. The conference, which can be followed both on site and online, is aimed at professionals and decision-makers who want to drive digital transformation.

Newsletter
Startups, stories and stats from the German startup ecosystem straight to your inbox. Subscribe with 2 clicks. Noice.
LinkedIn ConnectTake care, give care
Did this news inform or entertain you? Then we would be happy if you tell your network about it.
Share on Linkedin Share on Facebook Share on XingRelated companies





FYI: English edition available
Hello my friend, have you been stranded on the German edition of Startbase? At least your browser tells us, that you do not speak German - so maybe you would like to switch to the English edition instead?
FYI: Deutsche Edition verfügbar
Hallo mein Freund, du befindest dich auf der Englischen Edition der Startbase und laut deinem Browser sprichst du eigentlich auch Deutsch. Magst du die Sprache wechseln?