Startupnews KW 2-26

Funding

Parloa raises 350 million dollars and climbs to a three-billion-dollar valuation

Berlin-based AI startup Parloa has raised 350 million US dollars in a Series D financing round, tripling its valuation to three billion dollars within eight months. The round was led by existing investor General Catalyst, which is further expanding its commitment and sees Parloa as a leading provider in the rapidly growing market for AI agents. Parloa intends to use the fresh capital primarily to accelerate its international expansion. Following the US location in New York, a further office is planned in San Francisco, and the company also plans to expand its business in Europe. Founded in 2017, the company develops AI-based solutions for automated customer interactions, making it one of the most valuable AI start-ups in Germany.

2NA FISH secures pre-seed funding

Munich-based biotech startup 2NA FISH, which is developing a novel platform for spatial RNA biomarker detection for oncology, has received additional pre-seed funding. The round is led by GF BRYCK Ventures, with follow-on investment from existing investor Twip. The capital will be used to further develop and validate the platform, expand early access collaborations and strengthen the software for analysis in routine pathology workflows. The technology combines nanostructure-enhanced probes with standard fluorescence microscopes, supported by AI-based analysis applications, and aims to make spatial RNA testing more affordable and practical in everyday laboratory workflows. CEO Christina Port emphasizes that the funding completes important validation steps and prepares the market launch.

Accelerator

SpinLab launches anniversary cohort with ten new start-ups

SpinLab has launched the 20th and thus an anniversary class of its accelerator program in Leipzig. Over a period of six months, the accelerator will support ten start-ups in the further development of their business models and validation on the market, with a particular focus on venture clienting and collaboration with established companies. The selected teams range from energy and construction solutions to the circular economy, digital health and AI. The current cohort includes biddingground, HammerDrum, Hydroyal, FiberFlow, KauSchlau, Levelbuild, Navou, VON KAI, Points2BIM and nextract energy.

Start of applications for free 4C Accelerator for MedTech start-ups

The Medical Innovations Incubator and the Foundation for Medical Innovations have opened the application phase for the 4C Accelerator. Startups from the fields of medical devices, software as a medical device (SaMD) and in-vitro diagnostics can apply until February 10, 2026. The English-language online program is aimed at early-stage MedTech teams and combines 15 interactive workshops on 4C business modelling with six months of individual coaching. The aim is to prepare the participating start-ups specifically for investors. They also gain access to the 4C community and exclusive events. Thanks to funding partners, participation is free of charge. Further information & registration.

Awards & Events

ASAP Finale #15 starts application phase for university startup teams

The application phase for the national ASAP Finale #15 has begun. On February 25, 2026, student and start-up teams from various colleges and universities in Baden-Württemberg will compete against each other in a virtual pitch competition and present their start-up ideas to the jury and audience. Teams with business ideas, business models or innovative solutions can take part. In addition to feedback and networking opportunities, prize money will be awarded in several categories, including the Overall Winner Award as well as awards for Business Model, Innovation, Impact and Pitch. In addition, a place in the speed mentoring program of Wissensfabrik - Unternehmen für Deutschland e.V. will be awarded. Applications are possible until February 4, 2026: https://asapbw.gruendermotor.io/finale/

Bavarian Impact Festival 2026

The Bavarian Impact Festival on January 28, 2026 in Nuremberg will bring together Bavaria's impact entrepreneurship scene to share ideas for a sustainable future, build networks and develop practical solutions. Participants can look forward to keynote speeches from founders such as koawach and Eye-Able, a panel discussion, a startup fair with regional innovations and interactive workshops. The festival, part of the U4Impact project of Nuremberg Institute of Technology and the University of Bayreuth and funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, is free of charge. There will be free snacks, drinks and a shuttle bus from Bayreuth for visitors. Tickets are limited and can be booked online: bavarianimpactfestival.de

Mergers & Acquisitions

Whitevision expands with acquisition of Document Logistix

The Dutch IDP startup Whitevision is taking over the British document automation company Document Logistix and expanding into the UK for the first time. The acquisition is the fourth step in the buy-and-build strategy since the entry of Main Capital Partners and also marks the company's entry into the UK and US markets. Document Logistix brings established customers and expertise in automated document workflows, which Whitevision is now combining with its end-to-end IDP platform. The aim is to accelerate international growth and position itself as a leading provider of intelligent document processing.

SoftProject acquires dataspot

SoftProject has acquired Vienna-based metadata management and data governance provider dataspot. The acquisition is the second add-on acquisition since SoftProject's partnership with Main Capital Partners in June 2024 and is expected to strengthen the company's position in data management and process digitization. dataspot, founded in 2016, offers an integrated platform for data cataloging, data lineage, automation and ISO-compliant governance. In combination with SoftProject's X4 BPM Suite and Blueway, which was acquired in 2025, this creates an end-to-end offering ranging from process integration and workflow automation to metadata management and data governance.

Cooperations & partnerships

TALOS and EnduroSat build European satellite constellation for the "Internet of Animals"

The German space start-up TALOS and the Bulgarian satellite manufacturer EnduroSat have entered into a European partnership to build the ICARUS 2.0 satellite constellation. The aim of the research project initiated by the Max Planck Society is to collect data on animal movements and environmental changes worldwide using its own satellites. Following a successful technology demonstrator in November 2025, the first operational satellite will be launched in early 2026, followed by others by the end of 2026 and early 2027. The constellation will provide several updates every day and ensure the continuation of the ICARUS project originally operated on the ISS. TALOS is responsible for mission planning, operations and tracking technology, while EnduroSat provides the satellite platform and ground station connection; the project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the German Space Agency at DLR, among others.

Höhle-der-Löwen-Perfect-Match becomes reality: Finanzguru integrates KassenKompass

Two "Höhle der Löwen" start-ups with Carsten Maschmeyer backing join forces. Finanzguru integrates the health insurance comparison platform KassenKompass directly into its budget planner app. This makes statutory health insurance contributions visible in the account balance for the first time and switching is completely digital in around three minutes, without any paperwork. In line with the current special right of termination until January 31, which affects millions of insured persons following premium increases, changing statutory health insurance provider goes from "I'll do it one day" to an in-app decision with savings potential. A vision from the TV show that is now a reality.

Personnel

Nox Mobility brings orderbird founder onto the team as CFO

The Berlin night train start-up Nox Mobility is expanding its founding team: Artur Hasselbach, co-founder of the fintech company orderbird, is joining as CFO and co-founder. Hasselbach brings experience from the development and exit of orderbird (sale to Nexi for over 140 million euros) as well as from investments in fintech and mobility start-ups and was active as a venture partner and CVC investor in the mobility sector. Together with CEO Janek Smalla and CMO Thibault Constant, he wants to lead Nox Mobility from the concept phase to operations. The company is planning overnight train connections with private compartments at flight-level prices from 2027 and is positioning itself as a sustainable alternative to short-haul air travel.

More exciting news

WealthTech INNO INVEST grows by 60 percent in 2025

Darmstadt-based liability umbrella and WealthTech provider INNO INVEST has significantly accelerated its growth trajectory in 2025 and increased its revenue by 60 percent. Around EUR 2.5 million in additional commissions and customer growth of 52% mark the company's strongest financial year to date, which means it has grown by at least 40% for the fifth year in a row. The drivers are scalable processes, a further expanded platform and high-margin business areas. For 2026, INNO INVEST is again planning growth of at least 40%, is continuing to invest in its team, technology and marketing and intends to systematically expand its position in the liability umbrella market in Germany and Austria.