Startupnews KW 48 - 2024

Semanux joins the alfa group of companies. W1NNAS launches presale for sports nutrition products. Unzer and Mastercard. Tomorrow launches new crowdinvesting campaign with WIWIN. EMGA secures 210 million US dollars. HHL honors startups. Bau Digital and Rubus merge. Everyman Health receives CHF 2.4 million. Partnership for sustainable construction.

Semanux joins the alfa group of companies

The Karlsruhe-based tech startup Semanux has been part of the alfa group of companies since November 22, 2024. Under the leadership of Managing Director Niko Fostiropoulos, Semanux will work together with alfatraining, alfaview and EML Speech Technology on the further development of existing products and the development of new AI-based solutions. Semanux brings expertise in the field of accessible control and artificial intelligence, which will be seamlessly integrated into the Group's technologies. In particular, the collaboration aims to promote digital participation and accessibility. Semanux was founded in 2023 and has already won several innovation awards.

Financing rounds & venture capital

Tomorrow launches new crowd investing campaign with WIWIN

Fintech Tomorrow has launched its fourth crowdinvesting campaign, once again in cooperation with the Mainz-based platform WIWIN. Private individuals can invest in the company from EUR 100 via the Tomorrow app or WIWIN. The digital security offers an interest rate of five percent per year plus a variable bonus and has a term of ten years. Tomorrow plans to invest the capital raised in business development. Since its foundation in 2018, the Hamburg-based social business has invested more than 140 million euros sustainably and supports projects with a positive impact on the climate and society. WIWIN and Tomorrow share a vision of creating positive change through sustainable financing.

EMGA secures USD 210 million financing for BTG Pactual through the EIB

Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) has arranged a USD 210 million financing for the Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual. The funds will be provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and will support BTG Pactual's green lending portfolio, which promotes projects with a positive climate impact. The transaction strengthens the long-standing partnership between EMGA and BTG Pactual. BTG Pactual, a leader in climate finance in Brazil, is one of the largest investment banks in Latin America. The EIB, the world's largest multilateral financial institution, is underlining its commitment to supporting climate-friendly initiatives with this financing.

Everyman Health receives CHF 2.4 million

The Swiss platform Everyman Health has closed a seed financing of CHF 2.4 million. Following a successful appearance on Höhle der Löwen, the company plans to expand its market leadership in Switzerland and develop new health areas such as skin and heart problems. The platform offers men with erectile dysfunction and hair loss discreet access to medical advice and treatment. Everyman Health is supported by investors such as Calm/Storm Ventures and LEAD VC, who see the company's innovative approach as trend-setting for the growing "TabooTech" sector in Europe.

Partnerships, cooperations, M & A

Unzer and Mastercard

The payment company Unzer has gained Mastercard as a strategic partner for Germany, Austria and Denmark to promote account-based open banking payments in e-commerce. The aim of the cooperation is to create a digital payment ecosystem that offers secure and seamless payment options for consumers and makes commerce more efficient. By using Open Banking, customers can make payments directly from their account to merchants, supported by biometric verification and existing authentication processes. Unzer sees the partnership as an important step in expanding its integrated payment solutions, while Mastercard is leveraging its expertise in global payment infrastructure to create more flexible and secure payment options.

Partnership for sustainable building

Polycare Research Technology GmbH and BERDING BETON GmbH have agreed a partnership for the cement-free masonry system SEMBLA®. From 2025, the innovative system, which is based on geopolymer concrete and enables a CO₂ reduction of up to 70%, will be produced at the BERDING plant in Essen. The aim of the cooperation is to offer the sustainable building blocks in larger quantities and with shorter delivery times. BERDING BETON is thus expanding its portfolio and focusing on the circular economy in building construction. Production takes place in a resource-saving manner on converted plants.

Bau Digital and Rubus merge

The software companies Bau Digital and Rubus have announced their merger to strengthen their market position in the European construction and proptech industry. Rubus acquires Bau Digital and secures €2 million in additional capital to support the merger and future growth. The combined company combines the strengths of Bau Digital in the DACH region and Rubus in Scandinavia to offer an expanded portfolio of digital solutions for project developers and construction companies. The aim is to optimize the entire customer journey with end-to-end support from apartment planning to handover.

Awards, events & other

HHL honors startups with a social mission

On November 26, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management presented the Public Value Award for Startups, which recognizes companies whose business models make a measurable contribution to the common good. The winner of the competition, in which seven finalists presented their ideas, is PRAMOMOLECULAR with innovative cancer therapies. It was followed by Microwave Solutions for recycling solutions and regryd, which also won the audience award for its high-temperature heat storage system. Special prizes were awarded to the iWS - Institute for Effective Social Work and the association Momo hört zu e.V. The prize, which was initiated in 2016, is sponsored by HHL together with partners such as EY and Leipziger Messe and recognizes start-ups that address social challenges with innovative approaches.

W1NNAS launches presale for innovative sports nutrition products

The Cologne-based start-up W1NNAS has launched the exclusive presale of its Performance Pouches. Available in two flavors - Apple Mint and Spicy Orange - the pouches are now available online in limited quantities. The pouches, developed for professional athletes, offer a nicotine- and tobacco-free alternative for performance enhancement, with active ingredients that are absorbed through the oral mucosa. Following a successful financing round in May 2024, the company, which already has partnerships with sports and music stars such as Breel Embolo and rapper Reezy, has reached another milestone. The aim is to establish the products as lifestyle items in the long term.