News from the startup world week 35 - 2024

Lidia Oshlyansky becomes CPO at Gilion. Urlaubsguru takes over travel platform 5vorFlug. Hopper Mobility secures 1.63 million euros via Companisto. Revoltech cooperates with ID Genève. Startup Summit in Braunschweig. Kini secures pre-seed financing for digital recruiting platform. First Startupland Conference in Cologne. Tom Schmitt new CCO at Nikola. Urban Sports Club takes over myClubs. 4 million Series A for Thryve.
Personnel
Lidia Oshlyansky becomes CPO at Gilion
The Swedish growth and financing platform Gilion has appointed Lidia Oshlyansky as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO). With over 25 years of experience, including at Google, Spotify and Schibsted, she brings extensive expertise in product development and user experience. Oshlyansky will lead Gilion's product strategy and focus on user-centered innovation and scalable growth. Her appointment will help Gilion to establish itself as the leading platform for founders worldwide.
Tom Schmitt becomes new Chief Commercial Officer at Nikola Corporation

Nikola Corporation, a leader in zero-emission transportation and infrastructure solutions, has appointed Thomas "Tom" Schmitt as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Schmitt, a seasoned transportation industry executive, will lead Nikola's commercial operations, including sales, marketing and customer service. With over 35 years of experience, including as CEO of Forward Air and FedEx Supply Chain, Schmitt will be responsible for driving Nikola's business development. CEO Stephen Girsky emphasized the importance of the appointment for the expansion of the zero-emission truck market. Schmitt sees his new role as a contribution to the decarbonization of the transport industry.
Financing rounds & partnerships:
Hopper Mobility secures 1.63 million euros via Companisto
The startup Hopper Mobility has completed a successful financing round on the private investor network Companisto and received around 1.63 million euros in capital. Around 310 investors participated in the round. Hopper Mobility is developing the HOPPER, a covered e-bike that combines the advantages of bicycles and cars and is particularly suitable for urban transportation. The capital will be invested in further development, sales and production. The company, founded in Augsburg in 2021 and now based in Hamburg, wants to respond to the growing demand.
Revoltech cooperates with ID Genève

The German start-up revoltech has entered into an important partnership with the Swiss watch brand ID Genève. The new ELEMENTS collection from ID Genève, consisting of five watch models, is the first to use the sustainable material LOVR™ developed by revoltech. This textile, made from hemp waste, is used for the straps and is fully recyclable and biodegradable. The collaboration marks a breakthrough for revoltech in the luxury sector and underlines the potential to establish sustainable materials in the high-end segment.
Cardboard from Oslo receives 1.9 million euros
Oslo-based Cardboard has raised €1.9 million in a seed funding round to revolutionize SaaS subscription management for businesses in Europe. The round was led by Skyfall Ventures, with additional support from RunwayFBU and Sondo. Cardboard offers a platform that enables companies to centrally manage their software subscriptions and reduce risk through personal payments. The capital will be used to further develop the platform and expand the offering across Europe.
Kini secures pre-seed funding for digital recruiting platform

The Hessian start-up Kini, founded in 2023, offers a digital integration platform for recruiting processes that seamlessly connects existing systems. Over 50 recruiting solutions have already been integrated and the company is recording steadily growing sales. Kini has now received pre-seed financing from bmh Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen mbH, Vimajo and renowned business angels, including Dr. Jan Brinckmann, Marvin Homburg and Heiko Hubertz. The high six-figure sum will be used to further advance digitalization in the HR sector. Kini wants to increase efficiency in data-driven recruiting and enable significant savings for its partners.
4 million euros in Series A financing for Thryve
The Berlin-based HealthTech company Thryve, which specializes in the integration and analysis of health data from fitness trackers, has received 4 million euros in a Series A financing round. Thryve plans to use the capital to expand its platform in over 20 countries and improve its analysis capabilities for the early detection of diseases. The company's API enables healthcare services to uniformly collect and analyze health data from hundreds of trackers, promoting preventive and automated healthcare. Major European investors such as Capricorn Partners and IBB Ventures participated in the financing round.
M & A
Urlaubsguru takes over travel platform 5vorFlug

Urlaubsguru has announced the acquisition of the last-minute travel portal 5vorFlug from the FTI GROUP. Urlaubsguru intends to use a two-brand strategy to target price-sensitive and spontaneous travelers in addition to its existing lifestyle offering. Both portals will remain independent: Urlaubsguru will continue to focus on inspirational content and community proximity, while 5vorFlug will primarily appeal to last-minute travelers. The takeover is a further step in Urlaubsguru's expansion following its entry into the tour operator business.
Urban Sports Club acquires myClubs and offers full-service fitness in the DACH region

Urban Sports Club, a European platform for sports and wellness, has acquired the Austrian and Swiss provider myClubs. The acquisition marks a major shift in the European fitness market and enables the first full-service fitness offering for the entire DACH region. The acquisition combines the regional reach of myClubs with the innovative strength and broad network of Urban Sports Club, which will benefit both corporate and private customers. myClubs will continue to operate under its own brand name for the time being.
Events
Startup Summit in Braunschweig brings founders and investors together

On September 5, the Startup Summit BIG UP will take place in Braunschweig, bringing together start-up teams and investors from all over Germany. Under the motto of innovation and cooperation, the event offers startup pitches, workshops and lectures at four locations in the city. Highlights include the closing party in the Walhalla Skate Hall and a performance by DJ Mad from the Beginners. Participating investors include regional players such as PSD Bank Braunschweig and well-known funds such as Capnamic and Peppermint VenturePartners. The patron is Lower Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs, Olaf Lies.
First Startupland Conference in Cologne
On 6 November 2024, the first Startupland Conference will take place at the RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne, organized by the Deutsche Startups magazine team. The event is aimed at startups, venture capitalists and corporates and offers keynotes, workshops and pitches on three stages. Over 800 participants from the national and international startup scene are expected to attend. Top speakers include Philipp Schröder from 1Komma5°, Mirko Novakovic from Instana and New Forge, as well as other founders such as Hanna Marie Asmussen from Localyze and Sophie Chung from Qunomedical.

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