In April 2025, DACH startups raised over €1.3 billion—while one of Europe’s top fintechs spiraled into crisis. This isn’t just another news roundup. This is your investor-grade, startup-founder-relevant, executive-level briefing from the DACH region’s leading podcast.

🚀 This episode is brought to you by Vanta. Automate your SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliance in weeks, not months. Learn more at vanta.com/startupradio

What You'll Learn:

• The real story behind Trade Republic’s outages and financial trust issues

Guest Spotlight:

We Love to Hear from You:

Host: Jörn Menninger, Editor-in-Chief at Startuprad.io

• Amboss Funding: Silicon Canals

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro + Sponsor

🚀 Big news from the DACH startup world! Finn raises €1B for car subscriptions, Cherry Ventures launches a €500M AI fund, but Lilium faces insolvency.

👉 Vanta automates security and compliance, save 1.000 US$ with us by signing up with this link: vanta.com/startupradio 

🤯 Finn raises €1 BILLION for car subscriptions! But is it all good news? Lilium crashes back to earth with its second insolvency.  

We unpack the hottest DACH startup stories:

• VC gold rush: Cherry Ventures' new €500M AI fund

🚀 Don't get left behind! Subscribe now for your weekly dose of DACH startup action.

The music used in our intro is "MF-297 : First Hero" licensed from Musicfox.com: https://www.musicfox.com/detailsuche/?searchtext=297&submit=search 

🚀 Tune in to Startuprad.io for an exclusive look into the dynamic world of German, Austrian, and Swiss startups! 🚀

This episode is jam-packed with the latest news and insights from the DACH startup ecosystem. We'll explore the hottest trends, major acquisitions, and exciting funding rounds that are shaping the future of innovation in the region.

Our Sponsor Vanta

Here's what you'll discover:

🔥 Acquisition Frenzy:

• Creative Dock Group acquires NFrontier: We'll break down Creative Dock Group's strategic acquisition of NFrontier, a Berlin-based hardware innovation company, and discuss how this move is bolstering their hardware development expertise.

💰 Funding Fireworks:

• Klukotopia Secures Multimillion-Dollar Funding: We'll explore how Berlin-based life science company Klukotopia is revolutionizing diabetes management with its innovative solutions, thanks to a significant funding round.

🚀 Industry Trends:

• Life Science is Booming: We'll analyze the factors driving the growth of life science startups in Austria and highlight some of the most promising companies in this sector.

This episode is perfect for:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and guidance.

Don't miss out on this exciting episode! Hit that play button and subscribe to Startuprad.io for more insights into the world of startups.

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Introducing Greg Beato on superagency, AI, and the cognitive industrial revolution from Possible.

Follow the show: Possible

In an age of increasingly ubiquitous AI, how do we maintain control of our lives and successfully plot our own destinies? In this episode, Reid is in the hotseat alongside writer Greg Beato, discussing this and more in the context of their new book, Superagency. Greg is a seasoned journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Wired, The Washington Post, Reason, Spin, and Slate, to name a few. He and Reid delve into what could possibly go right with our AI future; the cognitive industrial revolution; and the difference between AI Doomers, Gloomers, Zoomers, and Bloomers. Plus, Reid’s AI avatar makes a cameo to join for a few rounds of the game “Overrated/Underrated.” 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ 

For more on Superagency, check out superagency.ai. 

Topics:

2:04 - Overrated/Underrated Round I

5:02 - Why Reid chose Greg as his co-author

6:01 - Why Greg wanted to write this book

8:19 - Why Reid chose this book topic at this particular time

11:21 - How the rise of AI is similar to the rise of social media

16:36 - Agency, superagency, and AI

19:59 - Overrated/Underrated Round II

23:28 - Defining AI Doomers, Gloomers, Zoomers, and Bloomers

28:46 - How AI amplifies agency

32:16 - How ChatGPT shifted people’s relationship with AI

37:21 - Choosing AI vs. AI being baked into technologies 

39:28 - Speed and scale in the current AI moment

44:37 - How innovation and safety can coexist

48:49 - Rapid-fire Questions

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Achieving ISO 27001 or SOC 2 compliance can unlock major growth for your company and build customer trust, but this process can be time-intensive and costly. Vanta automates compliance, getting you audit-ready quickly and saving you up to 85% of associated costs. And Vanta scales with your business, helping you enter new markets. Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian, Flo Health, and Quora that trust Vanta. Claim 20% off Vanta at vanta.com/startupradio

https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio

https://linktr.ee/startupradio

In just 30 minutes, get the latest on the hottest entrepreneurship news from the heart of Europe! From groundbreaking acquisitions to futuristic ventures, here's what you need to know:

🔬 Novo Nordisk's €1.025B Biotech Splash! Discover how Novo Nordisk's landmark acquisition of Cardior Pharmaceuticals is reshaping the biotech landscape.

🚁 Volocopter's €150M Boost! Despite challenges, Volocopter gets a significant funding injection for its flying taxi vision.

💡 Zolar Shines with €100M! Learn about Zolar's massive credit line and its innovative financing options.

💰 ELEMENT Scores €50M! Explore how ELEMENT is revolutionizing InsurTech with its latest funding round.

🏦 Berlin: Fintech Capital! Berlin solidifies its status as the Fintech Capital with 160 thriving startups.

🛰️ Mynaric's Space Laser Triumph! Witness Mynaric's milestone in global space development with the CONDOR Mk3.

Don't miss out on the latest tech and entrepreneurial breakthroughs! Watch now for all the details. #entrepreneurship #technews #startupscene #startupradio

https://medium.com/startuprad-io/this-month-in-german-swiss-and-austrian-gsa-startups-march-april-bb97d8243696

Introducing Pati Jinich and the Bedtime Cookbooks from Tinfoil Swans.

Follow the show: Tinfoil Swans

With her shows Pati's Mexican Table and La Frontera and cookbooks Treasures of the Mexican Table and Mexican Today, Pati Jinich uses her exceptional empathy, political science background, and fearless curiosity to share the stories of the people living, creating, and cooking all around Mexico, and celebrate our shared humanity. For the Season 2 finale, Jinich joined Tinfoil Swans to talk about learning English by watching Sesame Street, her comfort with being laughed at, cooking nopalitos with eggs, and why now more than ever, she wants to celebrate the beauty of the U.S.-Mexico border.

For more info visit: foodandwine.com/tinfoilswans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Have a look here: https://www.passionfroot.me/startupradio

In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger and guest Thomas Kösters of DEEP Ecosystems explore the rise of spinoff companies, mainly from academic institutions. They discuss the significant impact of public investment in high-tech and hardware sectors, the challenges of tech transfer, and the role of entities like the EIC accelerator in supporting European spinoffs. The episode also covers the funding landscape, the "valley of death" for deep tech startups, and examples of successful spinoffs like BioNTech, underscoring the importance of building effective university knowledge transfer offices to commercialize research.

We are always sharing new resources with you. Find all of our options below. We want to make sure that we provide what's best for your growing team, so please take a look at these additional ways in which we can help! https://linktr.ee/startupradio

A startup's journey can be challenging, but you don't have ́to feel alone on your quest! Invest in others' success with us by joining our community of entrepreneurs who build amazing things every day—no matter how big or small their ideas may seem at first glance. https://startupraven.com/

Welcome back to another compelling episode of Startuprad.io, the podcast dedicated to unraveling the dynamic world of startups and their ecosystems. I'm your host, Jörn "Joe" Menninger, and today we're diving deep into the universe of academic spin-offs and their increasingly pivotal role in pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology. In this episode titled "Deep Ecosystem Spinoffs," we're thrilled to have an expert in the field, Thomas Kösters, MD at DEEP Ecosystems, to shed light on the fascinating surge of spinoff funding and the evolution of public investments towards high-tech and hardware opportunities. We'll explore why entities like NVIDIA in the U.S. and ASML in the Netherlands are spearheading growth and how centers such as the EIC accelerator are revolutionizing entrepreneurship in Europe. With startup ecosystems like "Startup Radio Factories" rising in Germany and other European nations, Thomas unpacks the mechanisms of financial support, intellectual property management, and the crucial role of tech transfer offices. We'll discuss the implications of universities owning the IP and how European cities strive for equitable funding opportunities. Join us as we delve into the stark realities of the "valley of death" for deep tech startups, the magnitude of academic spin-offs in HealthTech, and the strategies setting precedents for commercial success. We'll also touch on recent challenges that Switzerland and the UK face in Horizon funding and the strategic efforts in cities like Paris and Munich to lead in research funding. This episode covers the breadth of European innovation, from the spotlight on Cambridge as an exemplary model to the discussion of tech transfer offices like Cambridge Enterprise. And finally, a closer look at the journey from research to market, the culture clash with venture capital, and alternative pathways to traditional spin-off approaches.

https://medium.com/startuprad-io/rise-of-deep-tech-and-health-tech-startups-in-europe-66d3ab4f0e61

Dear Esteemed Listeners,

As the holiday season wraps us in its joyful embrace, I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has been a part of our incredible journey here at Startuprad.io.

This time of year is not just about the twinkling lights and merry melodies; it's about cherishing connections, celebrating accomplishments, and embracing the spirit of togetherness. Your unwavering support, insightful feedback, and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our podcast's success.

As we reflect on the year gone by, I'm filled with immense gratitude for the enriching conversations, the wisdom shared by our remarkable guests, and the vibrant community that surrounds us. Your engagement fuels our passion to continue bringing you thought-provoking insights and valuable content.

May this season fill your hearts with warmth, your homes with laughter, and your lives with endless joy. Here's to a new year brimming with innovation, inspiration, and boundless opportunities.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. From the entire team at Startuprad.io, I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season.

Warm regards,

Joe Menninger Host, Startuprad.io

The background music is Borrtex 04 Happy Holidays published under Creative Commons License

In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger and guest Thomas Kösters, MD at DEEP Ecosystems, discuss the potential of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as a hidden gem for AI startups. They highlight the region's strong economic leaders and growing AI scene in cities like Warsaw, Bucharest, and Prague. While CEE is not heavily represented in AI startup locations, it shows promise in reaching the top 15 European rankings for AI startup investments. They also delve into AI investments and trends in Europe, including machine learning, big data, and natural language processing.  The episode ends with a call for listener suggestions for future topics of analysis.

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Startuprad.io

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https://startupraven.com/

• What factors contribute to the success of AI startups in cities like Bucharest, Budapest, Warsaw, and Tallinn in Central Eastern Europe?

The European startup scene is changing fast. There are new players, old ones fading away, and even more to come in their place- all vying for a piece of this growing pie! To avoid getting left behind, you need regular updates on what's going on so that our entrepreneurs can stay one step ahead when building or investing in companies here: https://deepecosystems.com/

You can download the exclusive research report here: https://community.deep-ecosystems.com/startupradio

We are always looking for ways to make the show better. Please take this opportunity and share your feedback with us! We would love to hear from YOU!!! https://forms.gle/mLV6mVKwGwKuut8BA

https://medium.com/startuprad-io/the-cee-ai-scene-exploring-investment-growth-and-key-entrepreneurial-hubs-16245f4403ae

This is the one-year anniversary episode of our cooperation with DEEP Ecosystems in our Sub-Podcast European Startup Pulse. In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn “Joe” Menninger and guest Thomas Kösters discuss recent developments in the European startup scene. They explore the growing preference of founders to stay in Europe and the prominence of certain European cities, such as Malaga and Lisbon, in attracting startups. They delve into the challenges of building a startup hub brand, the underrepresentation of female founders, and the importance of founder mobility in the European ecosystem. The episode also analyzes the impact of startups on regional development and debates whether startups can solve societal challenges like climate change.

If you are listening to our content for the 2nd time please consider following us on social media.

Startuprad.io — The Authority on German, Swiss, and Austrian Startups | Linktree

A startup’s journey can be a tough one, but it doesn’t have ́to feel like you’re alone on your quest! Invest in others’ success with us by joining our community of entrepreneurs who are building amazing things every day — no matter how big or small their ideas may seem at first glance.

The best way to find investors and cooperation partners for early-stage startups. Sign up here:

Startup Raven

The European startup scene is changing fast. There are new players, old ones fading away, and even more to come in their place- all vying for a piece of this growing pie! To avoid getting left behind, you need regular updates on what’s going on so that our entrepreneurs can stay one step ahead when building or investing in companies here. That’s why we started the “Pulse of the European Startup Ecosystem” which will provide you with quarterly podcasts chronicling different aspects related to startup activity across European Hubs, supported by the data from the specialized analytics company DEEP Ecosystems.

Thomas Kösters is a visionary leader and ecosystem builder at DEEP Ecosystems, a renowned accelerator for ecosystems. With a strong passion for supporting start-ups and promoting sustainability, Thomas strives to revolutionize the system in which entrepreneurs operate. Utilizing data-driven approaches, he tracks the growth of ecosystems and shares valuable insights with entrepreneurs worldwide. Through his collaboration with Joe for the past year, Thomas analyzes European startup policies to identify the next big challenge for entrepreneurs in Europe. His expertise and commitment make him a driving force behind the success of DEEP Ecosystems and the entrepreneurs it supports.

Here is our blog post: https://medium.com/startuprad-io/from-london-to-lisbon-uncovering-europes-prominent-startup-scenes-startuprad-io-e-396-7e6003955376