Startup News for the Weekend of Week 43, 2026

Funding & Venture Capital

Blackwall Secures $100 Million at a $2.2 Billion Valuation

Blackwall, a company specializing in web traffic management and cybersecurity, has raised $100 million in a Series C funding round. The company is now valued at $2.2 billion. The round was led by AVP, with existing investors Dawn Capital, MMC Ventures, and Tera Ventures also participating. Blackwall develops security solutions for hosting, cloud, and managed service providers that protect websites from malicious bot traffic, DDoS attacks, and other threats. The technology is integrated directly into the providers’ infrastructure and is designed to reduce operating costs. With the new capital, Blackwall plans to expand into twelve strategic regions in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. The company also intends to develop new technologies to control and secure AI-driven web traffic.

Dalfilo Raises Two Million Euros for International Expansion and Retail Growth

The Italian home textiles brand Dalfilo has raised two million euros from ten new investors as part of a capital increase. According to the company, which was founded in 2020 by Davide Trabucchi and Matteo Bertasa, it has already sold more than 500,000 products to over 150,000 customers. In 2026, revenue rose by 20 percent to more than nine million euros. With the fresh capital, Dalfilo plans to expand its product range, drive international expansion, and open additional brick-and-mortar stores. In addition to expanding its presence in the DACH region, the company is focusing on Spain, France, and the United Kingdom. The company is also investing in its technology and data infrastructure to integrate artificial intelligence more deeply into its operational processes.

BioStack raises $9.5 million to convert global hospital data into multimodal training datasets for medical AI.

WILDE secures $40 million from S2G Investments to accelerate its growth in the high-protein snack market.

Mave raises $34 million to develop an AI-agent-based security platform for enterprises.

Coast raises $35 million to build a financial platform for the real economy.

Whop secures funding led by Sequoia and Shopify Ventures at a valuation of $5.1 billion to promote economic independence in the AI era.

Watchtower Labs emerges from stealth mode with $35 million in funding and is developing AI-based decision-making systems for military operations.

Awards, Events & Calls

QIMP High-Tech Incubator offers startups up to 300,000 euros in funding

The QIMP High-Tech Incubator in Braunschweig has launched a new application round for technology-oriented startups. Young companies in the fields of quantum technologies, information technology, mobility, and production engineering can apply through November 25, 2026. Selected teams will receive funding of up to 300,000 euros over a period of up to 18 months, as well as six months of coaching and workshops. The joint program run by Braunschweig Zukunft GmbH, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), and the Technical University of Braunschweig also offers access to research infrastructure, industry partners, and investors. Companies that are no more than five years old and are based in Lower Saxony or plan to establish a presence there are eligible to apply. The program is funded by the State of Lower Saxony and the European Union.

eBay Honors Seven Sellers with the 2026 eBay Awards

As part of eBay OPEN in Berlin, eBay Germany honored seven sellers for their entrepreneurial achievements. The title “Founder of the Year” went to Andi and Sophia Strieder for their company Wonderprint, founded in 2025, which manufactures custom products for gaming and LEGO collectors. Other awards went to, among others, Leon Pawelzik, who uses AI he developed himself to automatically catalog and market historical postcards, as well as to Jannik Alfter for his livestream trading of trading cards. Awards were also given for achievements in the areas of sustainability, community building, long-standing entrepreneurship, and international trade. All seven winners will each receive 5,000 euros in prize money as well as a 1,000-euro credit toward their eBay selling fees.

Mergers & Acquisitions

YellowFox Acquires Berlin-Based AI Startup Peregrine.ai for Intelligent Fleet Telematics

The telematics provider YellowFox is acquiring the Berlin-based AI company Peregrine.ai, thereby expanding its expertise in the field of intelligent video telematics. Both companies have been working together for more than three years on a solution for professional fleet management. Peregrine.ai’s technology uses artificial intelligence to analyze traffic conditions, driving behavior, and vehicle surroundings in real time, detect potential hazards, and support drivers with alerts. Founded in 2019, the startup will remain an independent brand with its Berlin office and continue its existing research and development activities. YellowFox was founded in 2003, employs approximately 125 people, and manages more than 125,000 connected vehicles.

Omnidocs Acquires WoodWing and Expands International Software Group

The Danish software provider Omnidocs is acquiring the Dutch company WoodWing with support from private equity investor Main Capital Partners. The merger creates an international software group with more than 8,000 customers, over 400 employees, and revenue exceeding 70 million euros. Omnidocs specializes in document creation and automation, while WoodWing develops solutions for content publishing, digital asset management, and knowledge and document management. Together, the companies aim to cover the entire lifecycle of digital documents and content. Plans include the further development of AI-powered applications as well as international expansion, particularly in Europe, North America, and Asia. Main Capital Partners has held a stake in Omnidocs since 2024 and in WoodWing since 2020.

Partnerships & Collaborations

AtechX and JM Form Partnership for Innovation in Residential Construction

The AtechX scale-up program, run by the real estate group Aroundtown, is expanding its international partner network to include the Scandinavian housing developer JM. The collaboration aims to give startups access to real-world construction projects so they can test and further develop new technologies under real-world conditions. The focus is on sustainable building materials, the circular economy, innovative energy systems, and the automation of planning and construction processes. In addition, joint pilot projects, collaborations, and potential investments are planned. AtechX supports young technology companies through a four-month program and offers them access to its partners’ real estate portfolios—with a total value of more than 400 billion euros—as well as to venture capital networks.

Wolt and Deliveroo Merge Advertising Operations in Nearly 40 Markets

The delivery platforms Wolt and Deliveroo are merging their advertising businesses and launching a joint commerce media offering in nearly 40 countries across Europe and the Middle East. At an advertising summit in Copenhagen, the companies unveiled three revamped solutions: the prominent “Spotlight” ad format, sponsored product placements, and a new Ads Manager for independent campaign management. Brands and retailers can use these tools to run ads across platforms and analyze their impact on purchasing decisions. According to the companies, in the first half of 2026, more than 80 percent of eligible advertising campaigns were linked to a purchase within seven days. Catalina Salazar, who took over as head of the joint advertising business in early 2026, is responsible for the operation.

dragonize and FRYTE Mobility Integrate Charging Planning for Electric Trucks

The logistics charging network dragonize and the mobility startup FRYTE Mobility have transitioned their collaboration on charging planning for electric trucks into regular operation. Following a test phase, FRYTE’s route and charging planning platform is now integrated into dragonize’s DepotOS and is being used at multiple locations. More than 30 electric trucks from the TST fleet, as well as external logistics partners, can now reserve charging stops as early as the route planning stage. The solution combines route planning, charging station reservation, authorization, and billing into a single system. dragonize was founded as a spin-off from the TST Group and is building a shared charging network for freight forwarders. The partners aim to make the transition to electric commercial vehicles easier, particularly for small and medium-sized logistics companies.

Feast Ventures and 5P Future of Health Join Forces

The Munich-based early-stage investor Feast Ventures is joining forces with 5P Future of Health, an investment firm specializing in digital health and health technologies. At the same time, Feast Ventures has completed the first closing of its new fund. By integrating the 5P team, the investor is expanding its expertise at the intersection of agriculture, nutrition, and health. The focus is on startups developing new technologies for sustainable food production, functional and personalized nutrition, and digital preventive healthcare. The partners see particular opportunities in the combination of nutritional data, diagnostics, artificial intelligence, and preventive medicine. The joint investment platform intends to continue financing primarily European early-stage startups while also leveraging its international network, particularly in Asia.

OroraTech and ICEYE Develop Joint Satellite Solution for Wildfire Monitoring

The Munich-based space technology company OroraTech and the Finnish satellite operator ICEYE have entered into a strategic partnership to improve wildfire monitoring. The companies are combining thermal satellite data with radar observations to detect fires early, track their spread, and assess damage to buildings and infrastructure. The joint solution enables monitoring day and night, as well as through smoke and clouds. This should allow government agencies, energy providers, and insurance companies to respond more quickly to fire incidents. According to the companies, damage assessments for disaster declarations can be prepared within 24 hours.

Personnel News

orderbird Strengthens Leadership Team with Two New Hires to Drive Further Growth

The Berlin-based point-of-sale system provider orderbird is expanding its leadership team with Alexander Kammerath as Chief Customer and Revenue Officer (CCRO) and Josephine Wick Frona as Head of Marketing. Kammerath brings more than 15 years of experience in e-commerce, sales, and growth strategies and previously worked for orderbird in 2019. Most recently, he served as COO at SunaCare, among other roles. Wick Frona joins from HubSpot, where she was Head of Marketing for DACH & France and responsible for the regional marketing strategy. Prior to that, she worked at Eventbrite, among other companies. With these new appointments, the company, under CEO Dirk Schmidt, aims to strengthen its customer service, sales activities, and brand positioning. According to the company, orderbird serves nearly 20,000 customers in the restaurant industry and aims to further expand its market position in Europe.

N26 Appoints Michael Steen as Chief Communications Officer and Drives Growth in Europe

The Berlin-based digital bank N26 has appointed Michael Steen as its new Chief Communications Officer (CCO). He will assume his position on January 1, 2027, and previously worked, among other roles, in external communications at Deutsche Bank and in a leadership position at the European Central Bank. The appointment is part of the restructuring of the management team under CEO Mike Dargan, which recently welcomed CFO Marc Heß. N26 aims to further strengthen its compliance and governance structures and accelerate growth in its core markets of Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

lemon.markets brings on Raisin manager Markus Drubba as VP of Engineering

The Berlin-based fintech company lemon.markets is strengthening its leadership team with Markus Drubba as its new VP of Engineering. Drubba previously spent more than ten years at the savings and investment platform Raisin and will now be responsible for the technical development and scaling of the Brokerage-as-a-Service platform. Previously, lemon.markets had appointed Laura Cüppers as COO, Teresa Schneider as VP of Growth, and Andreas Rieth as VP of Legal. With this expanded leadership structure, the company is preparing for rising transaction volumes and new investment products, particularly in connection with the planned government-subsidized retirement savings account set to launch in 2027. Since August 2025, lemon.markets has been part of the dwpbank Group and aims to further expand its collaboration with banks, fintechs, and asset managers.

keyvero Brings Investment Banker Ronald Pranz On Board as COO and CFO

The Vienna-based AI company keyvero is strengthening its leadership team with investment banker Ronald Pranz, who assumed the roles of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in early October. Pranz was already an investor through his company runprosale and is now tasked with driving expansion in the DACH region as well as the company’s internationalization. Founded by Nikolaus Weber and Alexander Ortner, the company develops networked AI assistant systems for various business areas under the name “AI Office Solutions.” By the end of 2026, keyvero plans to launch an AI assistant that analyzes unstructured corporate data and uses it to create a digital twin of operational processes.

More exciting news

LITILIT Opens €6 Million Laser Factory in Vilnius

The Lithuanian laser manufacturer LITILIT has opened a new production facility for femtosecond lasers in Vilnius. The six-million-euro plant covers more than 4,000 square meters and features automated manufacturing and testing equipment as well as a cleanroom spanning approximately 2,500 square meters. Approximately 1,000 lasers are expected to be produced in the first year of operation; at full capacity, up to 3,000 units are planned annually. According to the company, this would represent the world’s highest production capacity for femtosecond lasers at a single location. The technology is used in semiconductor manufacturing, the electronics industry, and medical technology, among other fields. LITILIT plans to export the majority of its production to Europe, North America, and Asia. At full capacity, the facility is expected to create around 150 jobs.

Federal Finance Minister Klingbeil Visits TUM to Learn About Deep Tech Startups

Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil visited the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to learn about innovative technologies and Munich’s startup ecosystem. At the TUM Incubator, the startup teams EASE, Lynkeas, and topotherm presented their developments in the fields of AI-powered exoskeletons, sensor technology, and sustainable energy infrastructure. Klingbeil then toured the student space research group WARR, from which Isar Aerospace, among others, emerged. He also learned about the GIGA-M research project, which aims to make more efficient use of geothermal energy in the greater Munich area. With more than 100 startups launched annually, TUM ranks among Europe’s leading deep-tech hubs. Klingbeil emphasized the importance of reducing bureaucracy and increasing public investment to support innovative companies.

Natural Cycles Expands German Operations Following Strong User Growth

The Swedish digital health company Natural Cycles is stepping up its activities in Germany and, for the first time, establishing its own team for the DACH region. This move comes amid rising demand for the hormone-free birth control app: According to the company, the number of new female users in Germany nearly tripled in 2026 compared to the same period the previous year. This makes Germany the company’s second-largest EU market. Cara von Beust, who previously worked at Klarna and TeleClinic, is leading the regional expansion. Together with the Jenapharm team at Bayer Vital, Natural Cycles is also planning continuing education programs for gynecologists. Founded in 2013, the company has more than six million registered users worldwide. Its app has been certified in Europe as a medical device for contraception since 2017.