Startup news for the weekend week 5/26

Investments

capacura invests in MetaAIDiagnostic and home test for ADHD diagnostics

The Cologne-based impact investment company capacura is investing in the Rostock-based start-up MetaAIDiagnostic GmbH, which is developing a biomarker-based home test to support ADHD diagnostics. The aim of the investment is to address existing bottlenecks in the diagnosis of mental illnesses and to enable new, scalable approaches for patients, the healthcare system and research. MetaAIDiagnostic relies on a blood test that is carried out at home and analyzed in the laboratory. The result should be available digitally within a few days. The procedure is based on the analysis of several biologically validated markers with high diagnostic accuracy.

metergrid receives 10 million euros in Series A funding

The Stuttgart-based energy tech start-up metergrid has completed an oversubscribed Series A financing round of 10 million euros, which the company claims is the largest growth financing in the German tenant electricity market. The lead investor is the venture capital fund SET Ventures, which specializes in energy issues, while existing investors such as LBBW Venture Capital and the Hager Group participated again. metergrid develops solutions for the local power supply of multi-party buildings, in which solar power generated on site is supplied directly to residents. The company intends to use the fresh capital to expand its platform into a holistic energy and building supply system and also integrate charging infrastructure, energy management and other services in the future.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Sword Health acquires German Kaia Health for 285 million dollars

Sword Health has acquired the digital health company Kaia Health for 285 million US dollars, expanding its AI-supported care platform in both the USA and Europe. The transaction strengthens Sword's position in the US market for digital musculoskeletal care and gives it access to the German reimbursement market for digital health applications, which covers over 70 million people. In the US, Sword will replace Kaia's MSK solution and seamlessly transition existing customers to its own AI Care platform. In Germany, Sword builds on Kaia Health's established presence in the healthcare system and thus establishes a strategically important European location. Overall, the acquisition expands Sword's reach to around 100 million potential users.

Collaborations & partnerships

Seamless Therapeutics signs billion-euro deal with Eli Lilly for gene therapies

The Dresden-based biotech start-up Seamless Therapeutics has signed a global research and license agreement with the US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to develop new gene therapy approaches against genetic hearing loss. At the center of the collaboration is Seamless' proprietary recombinase platform, which enables precise DNA modifications independent of cellular repair mechanisms. Lilly will receive an exclusive license for the developed programmed recombinases and will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development as well as commercialization. For Seamless, the agreement includes a guaranteed upfront payment, research funding and success-based milestone payments with a total potential of more than USD 1.12 billion. The partnership is a significant milestone for the three-year-old company and underscores the potential of programmable recombinases for other genetic diseases.

Wolt and BIO COMPANY expand quick commerce partnership

The Wolt delivery platform and the organic supermarket chain BIO COMPANY are further expanding their collaboration. Following the successful launch in Berlin in fall 2025, five locations are now in operation, including a branch in Dresden for the first time; further Berlin locations and a branch in Potsdam are to follow. The aim of the collaboration is to offer customers quick access to organic food, with delivery times of 35 minutes on average via the Wolt app or website. The range comprises around 4,000 products, including fresh produce, frozen food, natural cosmetics and BIO COMPANY's own brands. Orders are assembled directly in the stores and delivered with low emissions.

More exciting news

BIOTRONIK launches first LivIQ electrodeless pacemaker

BIOTRONIK has announced the first successful implantations of its LivIQ electrodeless pacemaker system. The procedures, part of the BIO|CONCEPT.LivIQ early clinical trial, were performed by physicians in Melbourne and Brisbane. LivIQ is the world's first intracardiac pacemaker that enables AV-synchronous pacing via atrial far-field signals - both at rest and during exercise - without additional electrodes. The physicians particularly praised the intuitive operation, precise positioning and good visibility of the implantation catheter. Electrodeless systems such as LivIQ reduce the complications of conventional pacemakers and are expected to improve bradycardia therapy in the future. A global pivotal study is planned for the coming months.

Record year for Cologne's start-up scene: new start-ups increase significantly

Cologne's start-up scene had a record year in 2025: With 112 new startups founded, the number of new startups rose by 53 percent compared to the previous year, significantly exceeding the national average of 29 percent. The ecosystem has a total of around 890 startups. At the same time, the level of investment remained stable at a high level: in 73 financing rounds, around 380 million euros flowed into Cologne startups, almost at the record level of 2024. Large financing rounds dominated the overall volume, including empact, 1nce and DISCO Pharmaceuticals. Growth was driven in particular by scaleups, whose number rose by 22% to 72 companies. The positive development is supported by KölnBusiness, which supported a total of 645 start-up projects in 2025 and thus contributed to the dynamic development of the location.

Flexvelop launches business in Austria

The Hamburg-based FinTech company Flexvelop is expanding beyond the German market for the first time and is now also offering its digital device financing in Austria. The expansion is based on financing of 44 million euros concluded in spring 2025. Austrian companies, especially SMEs and the self-employed, can use the "Flexen" model to flexibly rent, take over or return equipment such as IT and office equipment, coffee machines or medical technology. The fully digital solution combines elements of rental, leasing and credit and also includes the new "Service-as-a-Service" offering, which allows additional services to be co-financed via dealers. Flexvelop is focusing on scalable, digital partnerships with manufacturers and specialist dealers as it enters the market.

MBG Sachsen drives investment: €93 million for regional companies

In 2025, Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Sachsen (MBG) invested a total of €16.7 million in 88 companies, thereby initiating investments with a total volume of €93.1 million. With its capital, MBG supported the preservation and expansion of over 1,100 jobs in the Free State. One focus was on technology-oriented start-ups: €8.1 million was invested in 28 early-stage investments via the TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen Basic, while the newly launched Mikromezzaninfonds Deutschland III specifically supported micro and small enterprises, including ecological and public welfare-oriented projects. MBG thus provided impetus for sustainable growth in sectors such as life sciences, industrial tech and digital tech and demonstrated that targeted equity capital is a powerful lever for investment and innovation, particularly in challenging economic years.

Build-A-Bear opens new stores in Stuttgart and Sindelfingen

The toy retailer Build-A-Bear Workshop is continuing its expansion in Germany and is opening two new locations in Stuttgart and Sindelfingen on January 30. After entering the market in Berlin and Frankfurt at the end of 2025, where around 10,000 teddies were sold according to the company, the brand is now expanding its presence in Baden-Württemberg. Build-A-Bear is focusing on an experience-oriented concept in which customers can customize their stuffed animals. The company sees this as a response to the structural change in the retail sector and points to an increasing demand for stationary offers with an experiential character, especially for families.

Interactive Paper launches "Interactive Paper Tap Premium"

The Viennese start-up Interactive Paper has expanded its product portfolio with Tap Premium, a high-end print product that combines NFC technology and high-quality finishes. The solution is aimed at brands that want to make their print communication interactive and digitally measurable. Tap Premium enables the integration of videos, AR experiences or landing pages directly via a tap with a smartphone, without an app. At the same time, the product offers premium paper, embossed 3D elements, metallic foiling and customizable colour options. Content can be edited and interactions analyzed via the "Let's interact" dashboard. With Tap Premium, Interactive Paper aims to combine printed electronics and luxury print in a scalable production process for the first time, bringing digital interactivity to the premium segment.