Startup news for the weekend week 39 - 2025

Investments

1.5 million pre-seed for Optimeleon

The Berlin-based platform Optimeleon has received €1.5 million in a pre-seed round from caesar. ventures, adesso ventures and several business angels. With its AI-based technology, Optimeleon automatically creates conversion-optimized webpage variants that are displayed to user segments in real time and can achieve double-digit conversion increases within weeks. The capital flows into the further development of the platform and go-to-market activities in the DACH region. Pilot customers such as Enpal and Dentolo are already using the solution successfully.

BeeSpeaker secures 2 million euros in seed funding for international expansion

The Polish-Swedish language learning startup BeeSpeaker has raised 2 million euros in a seed round from Movens Capital, SpeedUp Venture Capital and angel investors. With its AI-supported app, which enables language practice through virtual tutors in video formats, the company already has 60,000 paying users in over 100 countries and expects to generate sales of around EUR 5 million in 2025. The funds will be used for expansion in 16 key markets, the development of new languages such as German and French and the further development of personalized AI functions.

Santhera receives CHF 20 million in growth capital

Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) has secured approximately CHF 20 million from existing investors Highbridge and R-Bridge to accelerate the global launch of AGAMREE® (vamorolone) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is due to higher than expected demand in the USA and China as well as higher stock requirements. More than 1,000 patients worldwide are already being treated with AGAMREE; in the USA alone, partner Catalyst generated sales of USD 49.4 million in the first half of 2025. The financing includes a royalty monetization of USD 13 million with R-Bridge and an additional CHF 10 million convertible bond from Highbridge.

ANYbotics receives fresh capital

The Zurich-based robotics company ANYbotics has expanded its financing to over 127 million euros. Climate Investment (CI), an investor specializing in decarbonization, is investing alongside existing partners such as Aramco Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, NGP Capital, Qualcomm Ventures and Swisscom Ventures. ANYbotics is using the capital to drive global expansion and the market launch of ANYmal X, the first Ex-certified four-legged inspection robot for hazardous industrial environments. The technology is designed to increase safety and efficiency and reduce emissions in energy-intensive industries.

Awards & Events

Application deadline for the 35th Family Business Career Day at FIEGE

Applicants have until October 20 to register for the 35th Family Business Career Day, which will take place on November 14, 2025 in the new X-Dock at FIEGE in Münster. Around 600 selected candidates will have the opportunity to talk directly to the owners and HR managers of over 50 leading family businesses. These include HARIBO, Rossmann, Vorwerk and hidden champions such as B. Braun, Coroplast and Viega. The recruiting and networking event has been regarded as the most important platform for careers in family businesses since 2006. Host FIEGE, led by fifth-generation Co-CEOs Felix and Jens Fiege, presents the diversity of the logistics industry at the event. Applications can be submitted online at karrieretag-familienunternehmen.de.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Arsipa takes over Bloom and becomes leading full-service provider for occupational safety

The Arsipa Group is taking over the Berlin-based health tech start-up Bloom, thereby expanding its market leadership in occupational health and safety in Germany and Austria. For the first time, the service provider and customer sides will be fully digitalized and combined in one platform. While Arsipa ensures personal support nationwide with over 850 specialists, Bloom is contributing its SaaS solutions. These include a digital health and safety file, risk assessment, a book of associations and mental health tools, all of which can be seamlessly integrated into more than 50 HR systems. Together, they are creating a hybrid provider that combines personal expertise with efficient software and provides end-to-end occupational health and safety. Bloom will remain a brand and will continue to be managed by its founders Viktoria Lindner and Leonie Ellerbrock.

Connect Earth acquires Datia and launches Sustainable Finance OS

Climate fintech Connect Earth has announced the acquisition of ESG reporting platform Datia. Together, the companies are developing a Sustainable Finance Operating System (OS) that will provide banks and asset managers with a unified database for regulation, client engagement and ESG finance. The integration of Datia's reporting technology with Connect Earth's API-based infrastructure will create a complete solution for requirements such as SFDR, CSRD and EU taxonomy. The aim is to replace fragmented systems and duplicate data sets and make sustainability data efficiently usable. Datia founder Juan Manuel Serruya will remain associated with the combined company as a Board Observer.

Zig acquires Activinnov

Zig, a European provider of ERP, CRM, real estate and BI solutions, announces the acquisition of French SaaS specialist Activinnov. By entering the largest European market for social housing, Zig is setting a further milestone in its expansion strategy to become a European PropTech group. Activinnov, founded in 2013 in Villeurbanne, supports over 50 housing associations with its platform in the management of more than 1.4 million residential units. The integration strengthens Zig's market position in France, creates cross-selling potential and expands the offering of its Zig365 suite. The transaction is supported by Main Capital Partners, which remains the majority shareholder of Zig.

Cooperations & partnerships

Berlin-based OMAMI brings chickpea tofu to the UK's supermarkets

Berlin-based foodtech start-up OMAMI is teaming up with British company THIS™ to bring its chickpea tofu to supermarket shelves in the UK from the end of September 2025. Under the name "THIS™ is OMAMI Chickpea Tofu", two marinated varieties, Lightly Seasoned and Chilli Spiced, will be launched at Sainsbury's, Tesco, Ocado and Waitrose. The soy-free tofu consists of 75 percent chickpeas, is high in protein, low in fat and ready-to-cook. Following its market success in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the move marks the international breakthrough for OMAMI.

Omio expands train range through partnership with České dráhy

Omio is integrating the entire route network of Czech rail operator České dráhy (ČD) into its platform, strengthening its role as the leading solution for multimodal travel in Europe. Travelers benefit from seamless cross-border connections between the Czech Republic and Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland as well as numerous domestic routes, for example to Prague, Brno or Český Krumlov. The cooperation offers international and domestic passengers more choice and a convenient booking option. According to Omio, the demand for ČD connections is increasing, particularly in international travel.

More exciting startup news

Spherity and Bundesanzeiger Verlag drive the European Business Wallet forward with WE BUILD

The European Commission has selected the WE BUILD consortium with over 180 partners for the second pilot phase of the EU Digital Identity Wallet. Spherity GmbH and Bundesanzeiger Verlag are part of the consortium and are working together on the introduction of the European Business Wallet. The aim is to implement the eIDAS II Regulation in practice through secure, interoperable and user-friendly solutions. The use cases range from account openings and government processes to financial transactions and data rooms. This creates a European standard for digital company identities that increases security, simplifies compliance and strengthens the competitiveness of business and administration.

User-friendliness for German founders severely restricted at Bundesanzeiger Verlag

I cannot leave this message uncommented at this point, as practically every founder in Germany has had experience with the Bundesanzeiger Verlag. Based on these experiences, I personally very much doubt whether this is the right contact for user-friendliness at all. They like to send their invoices by e-mail and with the subject of some unknown number. No appropriate address, no background and above all no mention of the company concerned, no address, just another cryptic, attached PDF. A real pain for serial founders and even when asked on the phone, you are told that you don't know what you have sent and whether the email is legitimate. At the same time, employees are told that they should never even begin to open such emails.

go AVA develops AI avatars for borderless communication

The start-up go AVA from Essen is launching the next generation of digital communication on the market with AI-based avatars. The virtual images imitate the facial expressions and gestures of real people, react in real time and communicate in over 100 languages. Founders Jan Schellenberger and Lara Dörner focus on transparency and GDPR-compliant data storage. Fields of application range from employee training and patient counseling to government offices and memorials. The patented technology reduces the workload of specialists, facilitates knowledge transfer and is already being used by companies in the telecommunications and retail sectors. Under the motto The next interface is the face, go AVA is positioning itself as a driver for secure, interactive and multilingual communication.

Patrick Gruhn becomes a partner of the German University of Digital Science

The German University of Digital Science (German UDS) is expanding its circle of shareholders to include digital entrepreneur and serial founder Patrick Gruhn. He will support the university with his international network and his experience in digital business models, offer an exclusive start-up seminar and invest up to 1 million US dollars in student projects via a start-up program. The German UDS, which has been state-recognized since February 2025, offers fully digital, internationally accessible degree programs in areas such as digital transformation, AI and cybersecurity.