Startupnews KW 26 - 2025

Investments

aedifion receives 17 million euros in Series B

Cologne-based PropTech aedifion has raised around 17 million euros in a Series B financing round to further develop and internationalize its AI-based cloud platform for optimizing technical building operations. The round is led by European growth investor Eurazeo, accompanied by existing investors such as Drees & Sommer, World Fund, BitStone Capital, Hopp Family Office and Phoenix Contact Innovation Ventures. aedifion's technology uses real-time data analysis, autonomous energy management and generative AI to reduce CO₂ emissions and operating costs by up to 40 percent. The company currently manages around 500 buildings in several European countries and the USA.

Soccer star Thomas Müller invests in Austrian children's furniture start-up poptop

The Austrian children's furniture start-up poptop has secured seven-figure funding. German professional footballer Thomas Müller is also on board. The company is backed by woom founders Marcus Ihlenfeld and Christian Bezdeka as well as e-commerce expert John Brady. poptop develops sustainably produced, functional furniture for children and recorded sales growth of over 400 percent in its first year. The fresh funds will be used for product development, brand building and international expansion.

KAYA launches fifth fund: 70 million euros for start-ups from CEE

Early-stage investor KAYA Capital has raised around 70 million euros for its fifth fund to support up to 25 start-ups from Central and Eastern Europe from the pre-seed to Series A phase. With the new fund, KAYA is expanding its geographical focus beyond its previous core markets of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia to the entire CEE region. In addition to a strengthened team, including new partner Karel Zheng, KAYA is relying on technological tools such as its own data platform for the early identification of promising companies. The fund is planning initial investments of one to three million euros and has funds available for follow-up financing. The portfolio comprises over 45 companies, including the unicorns Rohlik and Docplanner as well as promising candidates such as Booksy, Better Stack, Upheal and Superlinked.

Sygno receives strategic investment from TIN Capital

Sygno, a startup specializing in AI-based anti-fraud and anti-money laundering, has received a strategic investment from TIN Capital and ROM Utrecht Region. The funding will support the further development of explainable AI models that strengthen financial institutions in reliably detecting suspicious transactions. Sygno offers a European solution that complements existing systems while ensuring full data sovereignty and transparency. The investors emphasize the growing need for trustworthy, ethical AI in the financial sector and see Sygno as an important innovation driver for Europe's digital sovereignty.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Main Capital Partners acquires majority stake in PRIM'X

Main Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in the French security software provider PRIM'X. Founded in 2003, the company develops encryption and data security solutions for security-critical sectors such as defense, government and financial services. With over 1,000 customers worldwide, PRIM'X is active in several international markets, including Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico and South Korea. The aim of the partnership is international expansion, the development of new sectors and the expansion of the product portfolio. The management will remain operationally active and involved to ensure continuity. With this acquisition, Main underlines its commitment to cybersecurity and its ambitions in France and beyond.

Cooperations & partnerships

Tractive and mammaly cooperate for data-based health analysis in dogs

GPS and health tracker provider Tractive and pet health startup mammaly have announced a strategic partnership to make the health effects of dog supplements measurable based on objective data for the first time. Tractive provides detailed vital data such as resting heart rate, respiratory rate, sleep and activity behavior via its devices. In combination with the functional supplements from mammaly, this data enables a scientifically sound analysis of the effect on circulation, mobility and general well-being. The cooperation combines modern tracking technology with evidence-based animal nutrition.

digitalHUB Aachen cooperates with Zoho

digitalHUB Aachen e.V. is now cooperating with Zoho Corporation to provide its more than 350 startup members with access to the "Zoho for Startups" program. Available for the first time in Germany, the program offers young companies software credit, training and personal support. Startups can access more than 55 integrated Zoho applications covering sales, accounting, customer service and more. The cooperation strengthens the digitalHUB's position as a hub for digital innovation in the Aachen region and brings Zoho into direct contact with local talent, universities and companies. Zoho also supports HUB events such as DemoDay and Girls Day to specifically promote digitalization and entrepreneurial spirit.

Awards & Events

eleQtron honored as Technology Pioneer 2025 by the World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum has named eleQtron as one of 100 "Technology Pioneers 2025" worldwide, recognizing the technological innovation of the first German quantum computer manufacturer. With its MAGIC® technology, the Siegen-based company brings a scalable, microwave-based solution for industrial quantum systems to the market. Inclusion in the program underlines the growing application potential of quantum computing and gives eleQtron access to global exchange with leading players from business, politics and science.

Caeli Wind among the Electrify Everything Top 30 Software Innovators

Caeli Wind has been recognized by Energize Capital as one of the world's 30 most innovative software companies in the renewable energy sector. The Berlin-based company is the only German platform among the Electrify Everything Top 30 Software Innovators and impressed with its technological excellence, scalability and measurable contribution to the energy transition. Caeli Wind's digital solution accelerates the development of wind energy projects by identifying suitable sites, supporting owners in their exploitation and connecting project developers via a digital auction process. The award is part of an initiative to promote climate software and underlines the growing importance of digital innovation for the expansion of renewable energies.

Saxon Innovation Conference 2025 impresses with record attendance and new state awards

With over 1,500 participants, 150 exhibitors and 80 speakers, the Saxon Innovation Conference 2025 in Dresden sent a strong signal for innovative strength in the Free State of Saxony. Under the motto "SCALE 2030", the event offered impulses, matchings and an award ceremony for the Saxon State Prizes for Founding, Transfer and Innovation. New prize categories and special prizes were awarded for the first time, highlighting the diversity of Saxony's innovation ecosystem. The winners included windfire GbR, SaxonQ GmbH, Soul of Concrete GmbH, as well as successful transfer and innovation projects from research institutions and companies.

dotSource wins the K5 COMMERCE AWARD again

The Jena-based digital agency dotSource has won the K5 COMMERCE AWARD in the Best E-Commerce Agency category for the second time at the K5 FUTURE RETAIL CONFERENCE 2025 in Berlin. The jury was impressed by dotSource's practical, scalable digitalization approach and strong overall package. Since its foundation in 2006, the agency has developed into a comprehensive digitalization partner with over 500 employees and a focus on strategic consulting, AI solutions, PIM, CRM and user experience. Despite economic uncertainties, dotSource is committed to stable growth, new investments in future fields and an employee-oriented approach. The company is also actively shaping the digital transformation in retail through its own formats such as the "Handelskraft" knowledge portal.

Personnel

Imprivata strengthens DACH team with Detlev Riecke and Michaela Hansen

Imprivata, specialist for access management in healthcare and other critical industries, has filled two new positions for the DACH region: Detlev Riecke has assumed responsibility for sales in Central Europe as Sales Director since April 2025 with the aim of expanding the indirect channel in particular. Michaela Hansen is working as Clinical Workflow Specialist for the region for the first time and brings extensive clinical experience in optimizing digital processes for customers. The personnel decisions underline Imprivata's strategic commitment in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where digitalization and IT security are becoming increasingly important in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

Marco Pfuhl takes over management of Wasabi Technologies in the DACH region

Wasabi Technologies, provider of cloud-based object storage, has appointed Marco Pfuhl as the new Country Manager for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Pfuhl brings over 25 years of industry experience and was most recently Director Cloud Provider Sales Central EMEA at VMware. In his new role, he will further expand Wasabi's presence in the DACH region, strengthen the partner landscape and support companies in the secure, high-performance and cost-efficient storage of growing data volumes. Wasabi is committed to a partner-first strategy and offers scalable S3-compatible storage solutions that also meet strict data protection and compliance requirements.

More exciting news

Food Influencers United launches in Germany with one-click recipe solution.

The Dutch scale-up Food Influencers United (FIU) has launched its one-click-to-cart technology on the German market. The solution makes it possible to add ingredients from online recipes to the shopping cart of a partner supermarket such as Rewe with just one click. Following successful deployment in the Netherlands (with brands such as Maggi, Iglo and Bonduelle), FIU is now cooperating with companies such as Rewe, Knorr and Kraft Heinz in Germany. The platform links content with retail by converting recipe calls directly into purchases. The aim is to make the digital customer journey in the food sector more efficient, emotional and conversion-boosting for both brands and retailers.

Quantum technology for ESA's Ariane 6 rocket

The European Space Agency ESA has commissioned quantum computer developer planqc, software company nebumind and aerospace specialist MT Aerospace to develop quantum-inspired quality assurance processes for Ariane 6. The aim of the project is to use tensor network algorithms from quantum physics to evaluate image and sensor data from safety-critical production steps in real time. This enables the early detection of errors and therefore more efficient, faster and more cost-effective production. The cooperation is supported by InfraTec, AMiquam and the Springs engineering office. The processes are tested directly in the production environment at MT Aerospace.

Urlaubsguru takes positive stock of the 36-hour week

Since the beginning of 2025, the team at the Urlaubsguru travel platform has been working a 36-hour week with full pay. After six months, it is clear that the reduced working hours lead to more relaxation and greater satisfaction without affecting productivity. The number of overtime hours remained constant, while workshops and an improved meeting culture ensured more efficient processes. The free Friday afternoon in particular is perceived by many employees as a benefit for their work-life balance. Urlaubsguru sees the model as a long-term, sustainable measure for modern working conditions.

Ledger becomes new jersey sponsor of the San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs have introduced the French tech company Ledger as their new jersey partner. The company, known for its security solutions in the field of digital assets, will be present on the jerseys of the Spurs and their G-League team Austin Spurs in future. The partnership is intended to strengthen the Spurs' international positioning and also includes joint social projects, particularly in Paris, as well as youth and technology development programs such as the Tech & Basketball Camp. With this deal, the Spurs are underlining their ambitions as a globally oriented brand within the NBA.

Statement on the US-EU tariff negotiations

In an open letter, the Startup Association and other European startup associations oppose US proposals in the customs negotiations that provide for a suspension of the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for US digital companies. They emphasize that such "horse-trading" would thwart efforts to achieve digital sovereignty and damage trust in European legislation. The DMA is fundamental for fair competitive conditions and market access for start-ups in Europe.