Startup news for the weekend week 15/26

Funding

Pixel Photonics receives 13.5 million euros for quantum technology

The Münster-based deep-tech company Pixel Photonics has closed a total financing of 13.5 million euros, consisting of a seed round of 5 million euros and 8.5 million euros from the EU's EIC Accelerator. The aim of the funding is to drive the industrial scaling of single-photon detection technologies and accelerate the transition from research solutions to marketable products. The company is developing compact, chip-based detectors that are intended to replace previously complex laboratory systems and can be used in areas such as quantum computing, communication and medical technology. The funding from investors and the EU underlines the strategic importance of the technology for European innovation and competitiveness in the global environment.

Awards & Events

Innovations for the energy transition at the AXEL Startup Demo Day in Karlsruhe

At the "AXEL Startup Demo Day" in Karlsruhe, ten startups from Baden-Württemberg presented their innovative approaches to the energy transition to an audience of experts from business, science and investors. The spectrum ranged from AI applications, energy storage and efficiency analyses to technologies for hydrogen transportation and CO₂ storage. The pitches were followed by in-depth discussions on implementation, scalability and market opportunities, which highlighted the great interest and practical relevance of many solutions. The event also provided space for networking and potential collaborations. The winner was the Karlsruhe-based start-up "Blade Breakwaters", which aims to reuse rotor blades from wind turbines for coastal protection and is now receiving a one-year funding program. Overall, the event demonstrated the dynamism and continued innovation potential in the energy sector.

GANS26 networks AgriFood innovation drivers

The Growth Alliance Networking Summit 2026 will bring together leading players from start-ups, research, business and investment in Frankfurt am Main on May 7 to discuss innovations for a sustainable agriculture and food industry under the guiding theme of "Future Farming". The focus is on topics such as digital agriculture, plant breeding, livestock farming and aquaculture as well as the exchange and initiation of new collaborations along the value chain. With panels, pitches and networking formats, the established industry event offers a platform to drive forward technological developments and sustainable solutions for the transformation of the agrifood sector.

Mergers & Acquisitions

onyo and designfunktion join forces for hybrid working environments

onyo GmbH and designfunktion FaaS GmbH ("furnable") have agreed to merge with retroactive effect from January 1, 2026, whereby furnable will become part of onyo and the company will operate under the "onyo by designfunktion" brand in the future. The aim of the partnership is to pool expertise: onyo will contribute its digital platform, scalable processes and operational implementation, while designfunktion will add brand strength, procurement expertise and an established sales network. Together, the partners want to expand their offering for hybrid working environments and develop solutions that integrate office and home office. The merger is also intended to strengthen the market position, increase reach and tap into new customer groups by combining technological and operational capabilities with sales power and market access.

Ambienta expands water infrastructure platform with acquisition in Norway

Investment manager Ambienta has acquired Norwegian specialist Altiva through its portfolio company No Dig Alliance (NDA), further expanding its presence in the underground water infrastructure market. Altiva, based in Bergen and employing around 25 people, specializes in the rehabilitation of pipelines and manholes and complements the existing service portfolio of NDA, which now has around 300 employees. The acquisition is part of a buy-and-build strategy to consolidate a fragmented market and represents the second add-on for the platform. The aim is to further spread sustainable, trenchless rehabilitation technologies that reduce resource consumption, emissions and business interruptions. Against the backdrop of increasing demands for the modernization of water infrastructure in Europe, the acquisition should also help to reduce efficiency losses such as water leaks and strengthen the resilience of the systems.

Personnel

better ventures expands management team for further growth

The angel investor alliance better ventures is strengthening its management team with the appointment of Moritz Vohler as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Alexey Kovtunets as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Vohler, who has been part of the platform for several years, will be responsible for the investment strategy, while Kovtunets will drive technological development. With these personnel decisions, better ventures aims to further scale its "operator capital" model, which combines capital with entrepreneurial expertise and technology. The aim is to optimize data-based investment processes and offer founders not only financing but also access to a broad network of experienced entrepreneurs.

More exciting news

Start-up funding programs strengthen L3montree's growth

According to the press release, the NRW.HUBS initiative is having a tangible impact in the example of cybersecurity startup L3montree, which was able to expand its market position as part of the LEVELHUB program of the Digital Hub Bonn. During the accelerator, the company developed the "DevGuard" software solution, a scalable SaaS platform for secure and efficient software development, which is already being used by several customers as well as the Center for Digital Sovereignty in the public sector. L3montree plans to further expand sales and use of the solution and implement additional proof-of-concepts with major customers. At the same time, the team has grown to 15 employees. The support provided through workshops, coaching and networks within the program has contributed significantly to the further development and scaling of the business model.

cylib drives forward recycling for sodium-ion batteries

The Aachen-based company cylib is participating in the research and industry consortium SIB:DE, which aims to develop Europe's first industrial recycling process for sodium-ion batteries with 25 partners. The project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry, will run until 2029 and aims to ensure not only cell production but also their recyclability at an early stage in order to establish a circular value chain. Together with the Technical University of Braunschweig, cylib is taking over the management of recycling activities and is pursuing two approaches: conventional processing and direct recycling, in which materials are reused without being completely chemically broken down. The company is thus continuing its strategy of establishing a recycling infrastructure even before the large-scale accumulation of used batteries. The aim is to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the new battery technology in the long term.