Startupnews week 14 - 2025

Vereinsticket and AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland extend partnership. ecoplanet wins HERMES Startup Award 2025. met[ads] expands management team with Otto Schmidt. Festival of the Future 2025. Red Bull now gives startups wings. Nayax takes over Inepro Pay. Cyberhaven secures 100 million US dollars in Series D. Aria expands partnership with Mangopay. Hornetsecurity takes over Altospam. Lucid Software acquires airfocus. VivaTech 2025. UniteLabs with 2.77 million euros pre-seed round.

Financing rounds & VC

Cyberhaven secures 100 million US dollars in Series D funding

Cyberhaven, which specializes in data security, has raised 100 million US dollars in a Series D financing round, bringing its valuation to 1 billion US dollars. The round was led by StepStone Group, with participation from Schroders and Industry Ventures. Cyberhaven develops a security platform that uses data lineage and AI to track data movement in real time and accurately detect risks. According to CEO Howard Ting, conventional security solutions are no longer able to cope with the increasing fragmentation of data through AI and cloud technologies. The funds are to be invested in the further development of the platform, strategic acquisitions and increased market expansion.

Red Bull is now giving start-ups wings

Red Bull is launching a new initiative with Red Bull Ventures to support innovative start-ups. Under the motto "Giving wiiings to people & ideas", Red Bull Ventures invests in visionary founders who challenge existing boundaries and redefine industries. The mission is to promote groundbreaking ideas that revitalize industries, inspire communities and drive them forward with a spirit of adventure. The focus is on six key areas: Media & Entertainment Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Sports & Human Performance, Digital & Technology Innovation, Consumer Engagement & Retail, and Sustainability & Environmental Protection. The team led by Nai-Tseng Chen (Global Head) focuses on strategic capital and entrepreneurial energy to support early-stage startups in their development.

UniteLabs with 2.77 million euros pre-seed round

The Munich-based start-up UniteLabs has raised 2.77 million euros in a pre-seed round led by NAP (formerly Cavalry Ventures) to develop the operating system for AI-supported biotech research. The platform enables cross-manufacturer networking and automation of laboratory equipment for the first time - a decisive step towards the use of AI in drug discovery. Instead of developing individual interface solutions, researchers can use UniteLabs to control devices, record data in real time and automate workflows.

M & A

Lucid Software takes over airfocus

The Hamburg-based software company airfocus becomes part of US-based Lucid Software, a leading provider of visual collaboration software. With the acquisition, Lucid is expanding its platform - consisting of Lucidchart and Lucidspark - with a specialized solution for product strategy, prioritization and agile implementation. The aim is to offer a seamlessly integrated system for the entire product development process. Airfocus has established itself as one of the most innovative product management platforms in Europe with AI-supported tools and a modular approach. The acquisition is a strategic step towards strengthening Lucid's global product strategy and underlines the importance of Germany as a tech hub. airfocus has been supported by the Franco-German investor XAnge since 2021. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hornetsecurity takes over Altospam

Hornetsecurity, an international provider of cloud-based cyber security solutions based in Hanover, Germany, has announced the acquisition of French company Altospam. The transaction, which is still subject to approval by the French Ministry of the Economy, was announced at the INCYBER Europe forum in Lille. With this acquisition, Hornetsecurity strengthens its presence in France and consistently pursues its strategy of offering European cyber security solutions globally. The acquisition is part of Hornetsecurity's growth strategy, which is supported by investors PSG Equity, TA Associates and Verdane. Financial details were not disclosed.

Nayax acquires Inepro Pay

Israel-based Nayax Ltd (Nasdaq: NYAX; TASE: NYAX), a global merchant facilitation and payments platform, announces the acquisition of Inepro Pay, a Nayax distribution partner in the Benelux region. Through this strategic acquisition, Nayax strengthens its market position, improves efficiency and customer proximity and eliminates duplicate processes. Inepro Pay will operate as a full-service subsidiary in the Netherlands, complementing the existing locations in Germany and the UK. Nayax CEO Yair Nechmad sees this as a significant step towards further expansion in Europe, where around 36% of global revenue was generated in 2024. Jeroen Pynenburg, CEO of Inepro Group, emphasizes that the integration of Inepro Pay will provide access to enhanced resources and sales tools to provide merchants with a unified commerce platform.

Personnel

met[ads] expands management board with Otto Schmidt

The startup met[ads], which specializes in 3D advertising, is expanding its management team with the addition of Otto Schmidt, who will be responsible for sales and scaling. Schmidt, previously Vice President Sales at Welect, brings extensive experience from the media and advertising industry and will strategically expand the sales business. Founder Lukas Flöer will remain on board as Managing Director and will focus on the further development of the product and the development of the company's own 3D screens. In addition to the creation and implementation of 3D advertising, the startup plans to drive forward its own innovative advertising spaces and new 3D formats such as Fake-Out-Of-Home and CTV in the future.

More exciting news from the world of startups

ecoplanet wins HERMES Startup Award 2025 for innovative energy solution

The Munich-based software provider ecoplanet has been awarded the HERMES Startup Award 2025. The award ceremony took place during the opening ceremony of HANNOVER MESSE and recognizes the company's AI-supported energy management solution, which supports industrial companies in optimizing energy consumption and costs. The HERMES Startup Award is one of the most important innovation prizes for young technology companies in Europe. The company will be represented at the trade fair with two stands and specialist presentations on energy cost strategies and the role of SMEs in the energy transition.

Vereinsticket and AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland extend partnership

The digital club platform Vereinsticket and AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland are continuing their successful collaboration to support clubs in the region with digitalization and health promotion. The focus is on the "Health & Fitness" project, through which clubs can book free health offers from the AOK, including digital information offers, prevention programs and special campaigns to promote a healthy lifestyle. Vereinsticket also offers digital solutions such as an optimized ticket system and membership management. "The extension of the partnership shows how important it is to support clubs with digitalization and at the same time actively shape health promotion," says Gregor Demmer, Managing Director of Vereinsticket.

Aria extends partnership with Mangopay

B2B payment specialist Aria is integrating the wallet infrastructure and virtual IBANs of fintech company Mangopay to drive its international expansion. The technical integration is designed to simplify the management of payment flows in GBP and USD and make payout and refund processes more efficient. Aria provides embedded invoice financing for B2B marketplaces, offering instant payouts to sellers and deferred payments to buyers. By deepening its collaboration with Mangopay, Aria aims to further automate its API-based solution and enter new markets.

The events

VivaTech 2025: Europe's leading tech event returns

From June 11 to 14, 2025, VivaTech will once again bring together over 14,000 startups and 4,000 partners in Paris to showcase technological, economic and social innovations - with a special focus on artificial intelligence, sustainability, health and geopolitics. Highlights include humanoid robots, AI-based healthcare solutions and international awards such as the Tech for Change and the AfricaTech Awards. With Canada as "Country of the Year" and new participants from Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the event is more global than ever. VivaTech is therefore not only Europe's leading tech event, but also a central location for future strategies, innovation transfer and new partnerships.

Festival of the Future 2025

From July 3 to 6, 2025, the Festival of the Future at the Deutsches Museum will once again bring together leading minds from the fields of technology, science, business and art. Under the motto "Growing Up", over 150 speakers, including AI pioneer Prof. Björn Ommer, futurologist Florence Gaub and artist Jonathan Meese, will discuss innovations and social challenges. Key topics range from next-gen AI and quantum technology to solutions for biodiversity and climate protection. The event offers interactive exhibitions, tech demonstrations and artistic performances and expects more than 10,000 participants.