Startups in the DACH region are heating up — from AI unicorns to VC mega-funds. In this monthly startup news roundup, we unpack the most important trends in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland’s tech ecosystem.

Learn how Parloa became Germany’s second unicorn of the year, how Quantum Systems secured €160M to dominate aerial AI, and how the EIB’s €70B initiative is reshaping venture capital in Europe. We also dive into Lyft’s FreeNow acquisition, biotech patent wars, the MiCA crypto license, and regulatory risks like the EU Data Act.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• What Parloa’s unicorn status reveals about AI-native SaaS

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• DACH Startup Ecosystem 2025: The Ultimate Hub
  

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.

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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

Are you a founder, investor, scaleup exec, or tech enthusiast looking to decode Europe's billion-euro startup engines? You’ve landed in the right place. Startuprad.io brings you the ultimate Unicorn Tracker for Spring 2025, offering you front-row insight into the most dynamic startups and scaleups across the DACH region—Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

🎯 Prefer the full analysis, data, and links? Dive deeper here:

⏱️ [00:02:20] What is DACH?

⏱️ [00:03:30] Quantum Systems & New Unicorns

⏱️ [00:04:20] Logistics Titans: Forto & Sennder

⏱️ [00:05:53] Mobility Mavericks: Flix, Tier, Volocopter

⏱️ [00:06:40] AI & Defense Tech: Agile Robots & Helsing

⏱️ [00:07:30] Consumer Tech Giants: Check24 & AutoDoc

⏱️ [00:09:10] Biotech’s Highs & Heartbreaks

⏱️ [00:10:10] Climate Tech’s Gold Rush

⏱️ [00:12:30] Fintech & Insurtech Battles

⏱️ [00:14:00] SaaS & Enterprise Software

⏱️ [00:24:55] The Unicorn Graveyard

This is your unfair advantage in understanding how the DACH region creates, scales, and sometimes loses billion-dollar startups. Whether you're:

• 🚀 A founder looking for inspiration

...you’ll walk away with actionable insights, real stories, and trend-defining strategies.

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📌 Full Show Notes + Transcript + Links:

🎧 Subscribe to Startuprad.io wherever you get your podcasts

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Are you a biotech founder ready to scale in Europe—or an investor scouting your next unicorn? Then don’t miss this masterclass with Annick Verween, Head of Biotope, one of Europe’s top biotech startup hubs (Financial Times-ranked).

Hosted by Joe Menninger of Startuprad.io, this candid conversation explores Annick’s unique path from “derailed marine biologist” to biotech investor and community builder.

This isn’t just another interview—it’s a strategic deep dive packed with biotech startup insights, founder advice, and real-world funding tactics:

How hubs like Biotope are bridging the gap between innovation and investment, fostering next-gen biotech ventures.

From regulatory minefields to IP protection and operational excellence—learn what it really takes to scale.

Annick unpacks her selection formula: People. Science. IP. And why listening is the #1 founder trait.

• 💥 Love the problem—not the tech.

Annick shares how Biotope scouts and selects biotech startups using:

• 🔍 Deep due diligence on science & IP

• Annick’s journey from BASF factory to biotech leader

“Don’t just focus on VC. Combine grants and investments into a smart, hybrid funding model.” – Annick Verween

#biotech #biotechstartup #biotechfunding #scalingbiotech #biotechhub #planetaryhealth #agrifoodtech #founderadvice #startupeurope #venturecapital #seedround #EITFood #innovation #IPstrategy #startups #VCfunding

• 🌐 Startuprad.io

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Introduction

Dive into the DACH region's startup scene! This episode covers the latest trends in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, recorded with Chris Fahrenbach in New York City.

Key Highlights

• Fintech Evolution: Coorsair's IDNow acquisition (€300M) and the stablecoin surge to $226B highlight fintech's dynamism.

Fintech: A Sector in Motion

Fintech sees Coorsair's IDNow acquisition and stablecoin growth. The ECB's digital Euro plans are also significant.

Venture Capital: Navigating the Landscape

Toma Bravo's fund shows investor confidence, but "zombie VC" and insolvencies pose challenges.

AI and Technology: Innovation

Germany's AI research faces implementation hurdles. Volocopter and BioMed demonstrate other tech advancements.

Startup Ecosystem: Challenges and Successes

Funding for companies like Tectile contrasts with layoffs and insolvencies. Acquisitions continue.

Regional Highlights

• Germany: Strong AI research, but application lags.

Conclusion

The DACH startup scene is dynamic, with innovation and challenges across sectors.

Call to Action

Subscribe to our podcast for DACH startup updates! Share your thoughts below.

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

All rights reserved - Startuprad.io™

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

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🤯 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 

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Intro

Join us as Til shares his journey from a background in consulting to founding Identity VC, driven by a passion for fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Discover the firm's investment thesis, the challenges and opportunities facing LGBTQ+ founders, and how Identity VC supports its portfolio companies beyond just funding.

Startupland

We had the pleasure of meeting Till at Startupland by Deutsche-Startups. You can now book a ticket for the next event in November here: https://startupland.de/ - There is still an early bird discount available!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The importance of a strong mission and vision for startups

Highlights:

• "Innovation thrives when we break from the norm. And for the LGBTQ community, breaking the norm is part of our DNA." - Til Klein

Show Notes:

• Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tilklein/

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Introduction

Join the Community

Subscribe to Startuprad.io on Spotify and never miss an episode!

Share this episode with your network and help us spread the word about the amazing work of LGBTQ+ founders.

Leave a review and let us know what you think of the show!

Ever wondered what makes customers choose one product over another? It's not always about flashy features or marketing hype. It's about solving their problems and fulfilling their needs. In this episode of Startuprad.io, we delve into the fascinating world of Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) with the creator of the theory himself, Tony Ulwick.

Tony Ulwick, the founder and CEO of Strategyn and a renowned innovation expert, takes us on a journey through the JTBD framework. Discover how this customer-centric approach can revolutionize your product development process, helping you identify the "jobs" customers are "hiring" your product to do.

• Our Sponsor Vanta
  

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The core principles of JTBD and how it differs from traditional market research.

Prepare to be inspired and challenged as Tony shares his insights on:

• Why most product development efforts fail.

Tune in now and discover the secrets to building products that customers truly love!

Show Notes:

• Guest: Tony Ulwick, Founder and CEO of Strategyn

• Strategyn: https://www.strategyn.com/

In this exciting episode of Startuprad.io, we take you straight to the heart of the German Business Angel Day 2024, held in the vibrant city of Mainz. This premier event brings together a dynamic mix of entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping the startup ecosystem across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

From groundbreaking medical technologies to sustainability solutions, this episode dives deep into how startups are transforming industries. Get ready for an inspiring discussion packed with real-world insights, success stories, and future opportunities for innovation.

Hear from Thomas Roth, CEO of Inzipio, as he discusses how their AI-driven surgical planning platform is streamlining reconstructive surgeries. With their proprietary technology developed at RWTH Aachen University, they aim to save surgeons time and improve patient outcomes.

Discover how Julia Roth, CEO of Carbon Instead, is addressing the construction industry’s CO2 emissions with biochar\u2014a negative emission technology. Learn how their patented process integrates sustainability with functionality in building materials.

Join Christoph Grün, CEO of Cavagen, as he shares how their advanced micro-cavity technology accelerates drug testing and reduces side effects. This biotech innovation is helping bridge the gap between lab conditions and real-world human physiology.

• AI and Automation: Transforming surgical workflows with advanced software solutions.

This episode is a must-listen for startup founders, investors, and enthusiasts eager to learn about the innovations shaping tomorrow’s industries. We discuss:

• Actionable insights from successful startups and their journey to market.

• Subscribe to Our Podcast: All Platforms Here

Join us in this episode as we explore the innovative world of biopharmaceutical production. Startups like Ningaloo Biosystems, NanoStruct, and Greenable are revolutionizing the field with cutting-edge technologies. Learn how optogenetics is transforming drug production, advanced biosensors are speeding up pathogen detection, and carbon footprint management software is driving sustainability in biopharma.

Key takeaways include:

• How optogenetics uses light to control bioreactor processes, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.

"Innovation is reshaping healthcare. From cost reductions to faster production timelines, startups are at the forefront of change," says Alexander David, CMO of Greenable.

Discover insights into the challenges startups face, including navigating regulatory hurdles and overcoming cost barriers, and learn how collaboration and innovation are key to success. Whether you’re a startup founder, an investor, or simply passionate about biotech, this episode offers invaluable perspectives on the future of biopharma.

• Original Blog Post

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