Startupnews week 42 - 2024

BayBG invests in AI-based parking system from Parkstory. Searchtalent and Talentlobby join forces. LOUHE.ai receives 3 million euros. Shiftmove takes over Optimum Automotive. Robin Wittland appointed CCO at planqc. Eyeball.club secures 5 million euros in seed. H&Z merger with Haselhorst Associates. Storfund and Mangopay expand partnership. Elias Bitzer becomes new VP Strategy & Finance at LIQID. Jannik Hense becomes new COO at nucao. pacemaker and University of Stanford cooperate. Gamebook Studio is "Content Start-up of the Year 2024".

M & A

Shiftmove acquires French fleet management company Optimum Automotive

The Berlin-based company Shiftmove, a leader in fleet management software, has acquired the French company Optimum Automotive. As a result of the merger, the two companies together serve over 18,000 customers with more than 550,000 vehicles and employ more than 350 people. With the acquisition, Shiftmove aims to drive its expansion and become Europe's market leader for digital fleet solutions by 2027. The use of AI-supported software and telematics is intended to increase the efficiency of fleets and reduce emissions.

Financing rounds

LOUHE.ai receives 3 million euros

The Finnish company LOUHE.ai has raised over 3 million euros in a recent financing round to accelerate its international growth. The main investor is the VC Lifeline Ventures, accompanied by other technology experts and companies. LOUHE.ai develops AI-based solutions in the field of cyber-physical security, including new analytics for security environments and machine vision technologies. The company plans to use the financing to expand its international markets and further develop its technological offerings.

BayBG invests in AI-based parking system from Parkstory

BayBG Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft is investing one million euros in the Munich-based company Parkstory, which develops fully automated, AI-controlled parking systems. These systems enable up to 50% more efficient use of space in parking garages thanks to rotary and lift modules. Parkstory offers a complete solution from planning to maintenance and is aimed at real estate developers, architects, local authorities and investors. The technology, which also includes an integrated e-charging solution, aims to optimize parking space in cities and thus sustainably solve the parking space shortage.

Eyeball.Club secures 5 million euros in seed financing round

Eyeball.Club has successfully closed a seed financing round of 5 million euros. The round was led by Vendep Capital, with participation from Sportlogiq, Heartland and Founderment. The funds are intended to drive international growth, particularly in the USA and Latin America, as well as the further development of the AI-supported technology platform. Eyeball.Club enables soccer clubs to search for talent more efficiently and precisely using data-based analysis tools. The platform is already used by over 100 clubs worldwide, including the majority of Premier League and Ligue 1 clubs.

Personnel

Robin Wittland appointed Chief Commercial Officer at planqc

The quantum computing startup planqc has appointed Robin Wittland as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In his new role, Wittland will expand sales, further develop the go-to-market strategy and strengthen the partner network. He brings with him more than 20 years of management experience, most recently as Senior Director of Solution Sales at Microsoft Germany. Wittland sees great potential in quantum computing, which can enable far-reaching breakthroughs in areas such as pharmaceutical research, logistics and climate research. planqc, a spin-off of the Max Planck Institute, is one of the market leaders in quantum technology and recently completed a financing round of recently completed a financing round of over 50 million euros.

Elias Bitzer becomes new VP Strategy & Finance at LIQID

LIQID, a provider of digital asset management, appoints Elias Bitzer as new Vice President Strategy & Finance. Bitzer will drive the strategic development and growth of LIQID and will report directly to CEO Christian Schneider-Sickert. With his many years of experience in investment banking and private equity, including at Deutsche Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bitzer brings valuable expertise to the company. He was previously a partner at Afinum, a private equity investor. Bitzer sees great potential in the further development of innovative technologies and expansion into new markets. LIQID manages around 3 billion euros and offers discerning private investors access to exclusive asset classes such as private equity and venture capital.

Jannik Hense becomes new COO at nucao

The Leipzig-based chocolate start-up nucao has appointed Jannik Hense as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Since September 2024, Hense has been responsible for the strategic development of the operational business areas, with a focus on optimizing the supply chain, quality management and purchasing. Hense brings extensive experience from the organic and food industry and aims to make production processes more efficient without compromising nucao's high sustainability standards.

Partnerships

Searchtalent and Talentlobby join forces

The Berlin recruitment companies Searchtalent and Talentlobby are joining forces under the newly founded Search & Talent Holding GmbH in order to strengthen their market position and accelerate their growth. Both companies, which are already working together successfully, will remain active under their existing brand names. The close cooperation is intended to optimize digital processes and drive expansion, particularly internationally. The management of the holding company will be shared by Benjamin Visser, Philipp Habring and Paul Hagler, with allygatr, the investor behind both companies, pursuing the goal of creating a leading recruiting company.

H&Z merger with Haselhorst Associates

The H&Z Group is expanding its expertise in crisis management and restructuring through an exclusive partnership with Haselhorst Associates. The renowned consulting firm from Starnberg specializes in results-oriented restructuring approaches for companies in difficult situations. The merger strengthens H&Z's position as a European consultant and combines its expertise in management consulting and transformation with Haselhorst Associates' restructuring expertise. The alliance aims not only to support clients in times of crisis in the short term, but also to secure their long-term competitiveness.

Storfund and Mangopay expand partnership

Fintech company Storfund is deepening its partnership with payment infrastructure provider Mangopay to offer enhanced payment and currency services to sellers on global marketplaces. By integrating the Mangopay wallet, local accounts and FX solutions, sellers on platforms such as Amazon, TikTok Shop and Back Market can access their funds faster and convert them into different currencies. This partnership facilitates cash flow and enables instant payouts in local currencies. Storfund is thus expanding its financing and payment platform and strengthening its position as a comprehensive partner for international marketplace sellers.

pacemaker and University of Stanford cooperate

pacemaker, a thyssenkrupp corporate venture specializing in AI-based forecasting and emissions calculations in supply chains, announces a collaboration with the University of Stanford. Together with the Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering (ICME), new data science and AI methods will be researched to increase efficiency in supply chains and enable predictive decision-making processes. This collaboration gives pacemaker access to the latest findings in artificial intelligence to further improve its forecasting solutions.

Awards

Gamebook Studio is "Content Start-up of the Year 2024"

Gamebook Studio was named "Content Start-up of the Year 2024" at the Frankfurt Book Fair today. The start-up came out on top against 36 competitors and won 10,000 euros. With its platform, Gamebook Studio enables interactive book experiences in which readers canbecome heroines themselves through animationsand immerse themselves in well-known characters. The jury, including representatives from Cornelsen, Bastei Lübbe and Hugendubel, praised the innovative combination of classic reading and gaming elements, which is particularly attractive for young target groups and offers publishers new opportunities.