Startupnews week 9 - 2025

Unique with 30 million US dollars Series A. Taktile receives 54 million dollars. VRAI secures 5 million euros. Travelnest relies on Mangopay. Exuberance Capital sells majority stake in Contentserv to Centric Software. Vev acquires TIME Sites. Nina Krüger becomes CFO at Zenjob. limehome expands to France. edyoucated acquires Peers Solutions.

Financing rounds

Unique with 30 million US dollars Series A

The Zurich-based AI startup Unique has raised 30 million US dollars in a Series A financing round. The round was led by CommerzVentures and DN Capital, with further support from existing investors such as VI Partners and Pictet Group. Unique develops specialized Agentic AI solutions for banks and asset managers and already counts renowned financial institutions such as Pictet, UBP and LGT among its clients. The platform optimizes processes in the areas of research, compliance and KYC for over 30,000 financial experts and measurably increases efficiency. Unique plans to use the fresh capital to accelerate product development and drive its global expansion - particularly in the USA.

VRAI secures 5 million euros for US expansion

Irish simulation data company VRAI has closed a €5 million funding round to accelerate its expansion into the US. The company plans to use the capital to double its workforce from 25 to 50 employees, triple its turnover over the next three years and open a US office. The funding round is led by Beringea, a transatlantic venture capital investor that is helping VRAI develop the US market for immersive technologies in the aerospace, defense and security sectors. VRAI's existing customers include Kongsberg, BAE Systems and the British Army.

Tactile receives 54 million dollars

Taktile, a fintech company specializing in AI-supported decision-making, has raised 54 million dollars in a Series B financing round. The round was led by Balderton Capital, with participation from existing investors including Index Ventures, Tiger Global and Prosus Ventures. Since Series A in 2022, Taktile has quadrupled its customer base and continues to grow in the fintech, banking and insurance sectors. The platform enables companies to optimize AI-driven risk management strategies and provides a centralized solution for complex decision-making processes.

Personnel

Nina Krüger becomes CFO at Zenjob

Zenjob, the digital recruitment marketplace, has appointed Nina Krüger as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With her many years of experience in finance and growth strategies, most recently as CFO of ebay Kleinanzeigen, she will be responsible for Zenjob's financial strategy, controlling and corporate structures. CEO Fritz von Trott emphasizes that Krüger's expertise will support the company's further growth and drive its expansion.

M & A

edyoucated takes over Peers Solutions

The HR tech market leader edyoucated is acquiring key assets of the Berlin-based AI-based training platform Peers Solutions. The aim of the acquisition is to strengthen its own market position and expand industry-specific offerings, particularly in manufacturing and banking. Peers Solutions, founded in 2019, supports over 100,000 users at well-known companies such as Volvo, TRUMPF and KUKA. The award-winning AI technology is now being integrated into the edyoucated platform. Founder Elisa Hertzler sees the acquisition as an important step for the future of data-driven HR development.

Vev takes over TIME Sites

Norwegian scaleup Vev has acquired TIME Sites, TIME's web design platform, strengthening its position within interactive content and digital storytelling. The acquisition expands Vev's offering to media, marketing and technology teams by enabling technical freedom in the creation of creative web content. As part of the deal, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, owner of TIME, will become a shareholder in Vev. The acquisition accelerates Vev's growth in the US market, with Kristina Valkanoff leading the expansion as Country Manager for the US.

Exuberance Capital sells majority stake in Contentserv to Centric Software

Exuberance Capital and Armin Dressler have sold their majority stake in Contentserv to Centric Software, a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes. The €220 million acquisition strengthens Centric Software's position in Product Information Management (PIM) and Product Experience Management (PXM). Contentserv's cloud platform helps companies to efficiently manage product information and optimize digital sales channels. CEO Michael Kugler sees the integration as an opportunity to further develop AI-supported product experiences. Exuberance Capital remains active as a strategic partner and continues to invest in PIM and e-commerce innovations.

Cooperations

Travelnest optimizes payment processes with Mangopay

Travelnest, a platform for the rental of vacation apartments, is now relying on Mangopay to optimize the payment process with a flexible wallet infrastructure. The integration enables smooth processing of deposits and withdrawals in multiple currencies, reduces costs and improves the flow of money between booking platforms, guests and property owners. According to Travelnest CFO Chris Brooks, the partnership simplifies the administrative burden and strengthens the service offering for landlords. Mangopay sees the collaboration as an ideal solution to efficiently manage complex payment flows in the travel and hospitality industry.

Exciting

limehome expands into France with locations in Paris and Versailles

The German serviced apartment provider limehome is continuing its international expansion and launching in France. By fall 2025, 25 design apartments will open in Paris Suresnes and 19 units in the historic old town of Versailles. The new locations are aimed at both business travelers and tourists and underline the scalability of the digital limehome model. CEO Josef Vollmayr sees great growth potential in the French market and is planning further expansion. The company remains a strong partner for the real estate industry and focuses on flexible usage concepts.