Startup news for the weekend week 43/25

BMW Foundation and IFC launch pilot program to scale up European CleanTech startups

The BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have launched the RESPOND Scaleup Program, one of the first European pilot programs to support CleanTech startups in the growth phase. The aim is to bring innovative technologies such as energy storage, green fuels and low-carbon industrial processes from development to industrial application. The six-month pilot cohort comprises seven companies from Germany, Sweden, Israel and Romania, including Cylib, H2Pro and Kraftblock. The program provides capacity building, industry partnerships, access to investors and global visibility to accelerate the scaling of CleanTech solutions in Europe and international markets. The kick-off took place on October 22-23, 2025 in Berlin.

Investments

Printr secures USD 4.5 million in funding

Printr has raised USD 4.5 million and officially launched its product. Backed by Bybit Venture Studio and investors including Mantle EcoFund, Mirana Ventures and LayerZero, Printr enables simultaneous token launches on multiple blockchains (including Solana, Ethereum, BNB, Sui and Base) with cross-chain swaps and one-click bridging. Partnerships with Bybit, Mantle and Byreal provide seamless liquidity, trading and token discovery. Users can create, trade and move tokens across chains, while a reward system for creators, traders and referrals is integrated.

Awards & Events

Nexoya wins Zurich Innovation Championship for AI-based campaign optimization

The marketing analytics platform Nexoya was named EMEA winner at the Zurich Innovation Championship 2025. In the pilot phase with direct insurer DA Direkt, the AI-based budget optimization significantly increased digital insurance sales while maintaining the same budget. Nexoya analyses cross-channel data from Google, Meta, TikTok and Bing and automatically optimizes budgets. The award enables the solution to be rolled out in other Zurich Insurance Group markets. CEO Marco Hochstrasser emphasizes the potential of AI for future-proof, data-based marketing.

Future Leaders 2026: Paris Packaging Week

Paris Packaging Week has presented the ten participants of the "Future Leaders Class of 2026". The program recognizes young professionals who are driving sustainability in the packaging industry with innovative projects in research, design and material development. The selected talents come from France, Hungary, the United Kingdom and the USA and combine scientific expertise, creativity and environmental awareness. Their work ranges from AI-supported recycling apps to reusable and bio-based materials and resource-efficient production solutions. The Future Leaders will have the opportunity to present their projects in panels and presentations during the trade fair on February 5 and 6, 2026.

SurFunction wins second place in the "Best Award 2025"

SurFunction GmbH, a leader in laser-based surface functionalization, was awarded second place in the "Best Award 2025" in the steel, metal service and surface technology category at Blechexpo 2025. The fully industrialized ELIPSYS® technology platform and the world's first demonstration of Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) technology in series production with the E 960 C₁ laser system were recognized. A decisive step forward for the industrial production of functional micro- and nanostructures.

EDURINO wins the SevenVentures Pitch Day 2025

The Munich EdTech start-up EDURINO has won the SevenVentures Pitch Day 2025. Co-founder Irene Klemm impressed the jury with the digital learning platform for children and beat Knowunity in the final. EDURINO receives media services from ProSiebenSat.1 worth three million euros for a TV campaign. Founded in 2021, the company offers a learning system for preschool and primary school children that combines haptic figures, ergonomic pens and an ad-free app to promote digital skills through play.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Quantum Systems acquires AI specialist Spleenlab

Quantum Systems, European provider of unmanned ISR and autonomous systems, acquires Spleenlab GmbH to expand its own AI expertise. Spleenlab, founded in 2016 with locations in Saalburg-Ebersdorf and Jena, specializes in machine learning solutions for edge perception, multi-object detection, navigation without GPS and multi-platform autonomy. The VISIONAIRY® AI suite and Spleenlab's expertise will be integrated into Quantum Systems' product and research ecosystem, accelerating the development of safe, autonomous missions in air, land and sea. Existing projects with the German Ministry of Defense and other authorities will be continued. The Spleenlab team will be fully acquired and Quantum Systems' AI competence center will be expanded, tripling the number of software and AI employees.

TKD strengthens security expertise through acquisition of milanconsult

The portfolio company of Deutsche Private Equity (DPE), TKD Group, acquires milanconsult GmbH from Tuttlingen, thereby expanding its leading position in the European market for Device as a Service (DaaS). Through the integration, TKD gains additional expertise in the field of mobile security. The result is an overall portfolio for the secure and sustainable management of mobile devices that is unique in Europe. The management of milanconsult will remain on board. According to TKD Managing Directors Ulrich Winkler and Oliver Torlée, the acquisition is a strategic step towards further expanding security, efficiency and digital sovereignty for over 2,000 corporate customers.

Personnel

NAO strengthens management team with ex-Trade Republic manager Aaron Rosen

Berlin-based WealthTech NAO is expanding its management team with the appointment of Aaron Rosen as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The former Trade Republic Growth manager and experienced marketing strategist brings international scaling experience from over 50 projects, including Facebook, eBay and idealo. With the new CMO, NAO is preparing for its next growth phase as a private markets broker, after the FinTech recently launched with €1 investments, expanded into the Netherlands and doubled its team. At the same time, co-founder Amel Hasanovic will take over the management of product and technology as CPTO. CEO Robin Binder emphasizes that the strengthening of the management team is a key step in further advancing NAO's goal of democratizing access to alternative investments in Europe.

Ex-GE Hydro CEO Yves Rannou joins the Board of RheEnergise

RheEnergise, developer of High-Density Hydro® technology for long-term storage solutions, appoints Yves Rannou, former CEO of GE Hydro and Alstom Wind, to its Board. With his many years of experience at GE, Alstom and Suez, Rannou will advise the management around CEO Stephen Crosher on commercialization, project development and strategy. The UK government-funded demonstration project in Devon is due to start shortly, with the first commercial plants planned by 2028. Chairman Jim Campion described Rannou's expertise in pumped storage and green technologies as a great asset.

More exciting news from the ecosystem

Irish trade delegation visits Germany to strengthen bilateral economic relations

Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland sent an Irish trade and investment delegation to Germany this week to deepen economic ties and explore new trade and investment opportunities. Led by Minister Niamh Smyth, the delegation is focusing on Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and promoting collaborations in sectors such as construction, agricultural technology, automotive and aerospace. Numerous Irish companies, including Réaltra, AMACH, Combilift, Portwest, ProSys, TireCheck, Aerogen and EASYFIX, presented new partnerships, projects and technologies for the German market. Germany is Ireland's third largest export market and exports by Irish companies rose to €2.65 billion in 2024.