Startupnews 2026 - KW 1
Awards, calls & events
Starting signal for the Munich Business Plan Competition 2026
BayStartUP's Munich Business Plan Competition has started its 2026 round and is aimed at start-up teams with innovative, technology- or science-based business ideas. For 30 years, the competition has supported participants at a very early stage between the initial idea and market-ready implementation and accompanies them in three stages with structured expert feedback. Participation is open to all topics, free of charge and possible for phase 1 until January 13, 2026. Numerous successful companies such as EGYM, Flix and Quantum Systems have used the competition as a starting point. As part of the Bavarian Business Plan Competitions, the program also offers access to a state-wide network of universities, investors and business partners. To register: https://www.baystartup.de/businessplan-wettbewerbe
SENovation Award 2026 launches application phase for innovations in demographic change
The SENovation Award 2026 has started its application phase and is looking for start-ups and founding teams with innovative ideas for an ageing society until June 30, 2026. The start-up prize, which has been awarded since 2018, is considered the leading award in the field of "Living in old age" and is aimed at early-stage start-ups from Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as projects that have not yet been founded in the "pre-seed" category. The competition also receives impetus from this year's CES in Las Vegas, where AgeTech was discussed as a growing future market. Awards are given to cross-industry solutions that address age-related or cross-generational needs, regardless of whether they are developed for the B2C or B2B market. To register: https://www.senovation-award.de/
Mergers & Acquisitions
FleetGO strengthens its presence in the UK and Ireland with the acquisition of DreamTec
The FleetGO Group, European provider of logistics and telematics solutions, has acquired the Irish company DreamTec Systems to expand its market presence in the UK and Ireland. DreamTec, which specializes in telematics solutions for fuel and food markets, brings technical expertise and an established customer base to the FleetGO Group. The acquisition, backed by Main Capital Partners, combines FleetGO's comprehensive logistics software with DreamTec's industry-specific expertise and is expected to strengthen the company's competitiveness in Europe. Both companies emphasize the synergies created by integrating their technologies and markets to offer customers a broader, more connected platform in the future.
Aon acquires LTA. Expertise for law firm insurance in the DACH region
Aon plc has acquired LTA Legal & Tax Assekuranzmakler GmbH, a German specialist broker for insurance and risk solutions for the legal and business advisory professions. LTA will remain an independent brand and will in future operate as a specialist broker within the Aon Group. The acquisition expands Aon's portfolio to include industry-specific expertise for professional groups such as lawyers, tax consultants and auditors and strengthens its position in the German-speaking market. At the same time, LTA clients will benefit from access to Aon's international network with expertise in over 120 countries. LTA's current management team will remain in office and support the integration.
Personnel changes
Georg Beyschlag becomes CFO at Lighthouse
Lighthouse has appointed Georg Beyschlag as its new Chief Financial Officer, while founder Matthias Geeroms moves from the CFO role to the newly created position of Head of Corporate Development. Beyschlag brings experience from TeamViewer and maxdome, particularly in IPOs, international growth and strategic financial management, and will strengthen Lighthouse's financial structures for the next phase of expansion. Geeroms will drive M&A activities and partnerships to expand the company's platform and market leadership in the hospitality sector. With over 900 employees on six continents, recently completed acquisitions and innovative solutions such as Connect AI, Lighthouse is continuing its global growth strategy.
Kathleen Schied takes over management of Kartenliebe
Kathleen Schied took over the management of Kartenliebe, an ALL IN GROUP brand, from Stefan Kick on January 1, 2026. She will be responsible for the strategic development of the brand with a focus on brand relevance, consumer proximity, digital excellence and sustainable growth. Schied brings with her more than 25 years of experience in the brand and consumer goods environment, including management positions at Campari, Jägermeister and most recently Greenforce Future Foods. The aim is to further expand Kartenliebe's market position, tap into new target groups and strengthen the brand in the lifestyle and gift sector in the long term. Kartenliebe was founded in 2019, has been active with an online store since 2020 and generated sales in the mid double-digit million range in 2025.
Management change at Hygraph: Will Robinson becomes new CEO
There will be a change at the top of the content management company Hygraph: Will Robinson will take over the role of Chief Executive Officer at the start of 2026. Co-founder Michael Lukaszczyk is moving from the position of CEO to Chairman of the Board and intends to focus more on long-term strategy and governance in future. Robinson has been part of the management team for the past three years, most recently as Chief Customer Officer, where he helped to improve closing rates and customer retention, among other things. Lukaszczyk also paid tribute to Hygraph's development over the past ten years and the collaboration with the team and co-founder Daniel Winter, and looks forward to the company's next phase of growth together with the new leadership.
More exciting news
IWH: Corporate insolvencies at a two-decade high in 2025
The number of insolvencies of partnerships and corporations in Germany reached 17,604 in 2025, the highest level since 2005. According to the latest IWH insolvency trend, bankruptcies rose by 17% in December compared to the previous month and by 14% compared to the same month of the previous year. Around 170,000 jobs were affected, particularly in the manufacturing sector. IWH researcher Steffen Müller emphasizes that the high insolvency figures no longer just reflect the catch-up effects of the pandemic, but also reflect the current economic challenges. Early indicators also point to insolvency figures remaining high in the first quarter of 2026. Despite the increase, insolvencies remain a necessary part of the market economy, creating market adjustments and space for sustainable companies.
Wingcopter drones to facilitate aerial surveying in Japan
Wingcopter is working with ITOCHU Corporation, PASCO Corporation and YellowScan Japan to deploy its Wingcopter 198 long-range drone for aerial surveys in Japan. The focus is on disaster management: the drones will create risk and hazard maps, monitor ground deformation, enable post-event damage assessments and support recovery plans. With the drone-mounted LiDAR scanner "VOYAGER" from YellowScan and PASCO's expertise, large areas can be surveyed efficiently and precisely. A 45-minute mission covers over 1,000 hectares. The collaboration is intended to automate surveying work, reduce workload and improve the ability to respond to natural disasters.
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