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

• How Europe’s biggest VC fund is changing startup investment

• Why fintechs like Vivid are chasing MiCA compliance

• Top DACH soonicorns to watch in 2025

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🔗 Dive Deeper and Be Ahead Of The Curve!

• DACH Startup Ecosystem 2025: The Ultimate Hub
  https://www.startuprad.io/post/dach-startup-ecosystem-2025-the-ultimate-hub

• This Month in DACH Startups: May 2025 Startup News Wrap-Up
  https://www.startuprad.io/post/dach-startup-news-may-2025-unicorns-m-a-and-vc-surge

• Top AI Startups in the DACH Region in 2025
  https://www.startuprad.io/post/top-ai-startups-in-the-dach-region-in-2025

• 🚦German Venture Capital in Q1 2025: Dealflow Quality Rises Amid Exit Anxiety and Fundraising Chill
  https://www.startuprad.io/post/german-venture-capital-in-q1-2025-dealflow-quality-rises-amid-exit-anxiety-and-fundraising-chill

• This Month in DACH Startups: April 2025 Startup News Wrap-Up
  https://www.startuprad.io/post/this-month-in-dach-startups-april-2025-startup-news-wrap-up

• Germany Startup Policy 2025: Strategies for Founders & Investors
  https://www.startuprad.io/post/startup-financing-in-2025-strategies-for-founders-investors

• DACH Unicorn Tracker 2025: Trends, Funding, and Opportunities
  https://www.startuprad.io/post/dach-unicorn-tracker-2025-trends-funding-and-opportunities-startuprad-io

Why do Europe’s startups scale slower than their U.S. counterparts? In this raw, revealing episode, Andy Goldstein uncovers what’s really holding back the European venture capital scene—and what we can do about it.

• How investor education can radically improve VC decision-making

• Why German founders hesitate to internationalize—and how to fix it

• The mindset shift European investors need to unlock global-scale success

• How AI sales tools and founder conviction can drive early-stage growth

Andy Goldstein, Managing Director Europe at VU Venture Partners and Co-Founder of the German Accelerator, is a serial entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and innovation catalyst. With decades of experience across the U.S. and Europe, he’s reshaping how VCs invest—and how startups scale.

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Guest Name: Andy Goldstein, Managing Director Europe, VU Venture Partners
Blog Post: http://startuprad.io/post/the-transatlantic-investment-divide-why-europe-needs-a-new-vc-mindset

Relevant Resources:

• VU Venture Partners

• German Accelerator

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Andy’s journey from IBM to VC

• 06:00 – What’s broken in European VC mindsets

• 12:45 – How VU trains VCs through real investments

• 20:50 – Sales culture differences: Germany vs. U.S.

• 28:15 – Startup internationalization: Why Germany lags

• 35:30 – Traits of the top 1% of founders

• 42:00 – Final thoughts + podcast wrap-up

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What does it really take for a green tech startup to secure venture funding in 2025? In this episode, we uncover what makes VCs say yes—and what founders consistently get wrong.

• How DACH green tech startups are redefining sustainability with scalable business models

• Why AI is a tool—but not the product—in climate innovation

• The power of vertical SaaS in navigating ESG compliance

• What Hi Inov looks for in Series A funding rounds

• Where Germany, Austria, and Switzerland stand in the race to net zero

Wolfgang Krause, Managing Partner at Hi Inov, shares exclusive insights from the 2025 Green Tech Software Mapping. He’s an expert in climate tech investment strategy, known for identifying scalable software ventures with deep vertical focus and strong ESG execution.

With regulatory pressure mounting and climate urgency at an all-time high, Wolfgang explains why economic viability beats greenwashing—and how real innovation means operationalizing sustainability across value chains.

Love what you’re hearing? Follow Startuprad.io, subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Sharing is scaling—help founders, VCs, and executives learn from this deep dive into the future of green tech.

Guest Name: Wolfgang Krause, Managing Partner at Hi Inov
Blog Post: Green Tech Startups: Investing in the DACH Region’s Climate Innovation Boom

Relevant Resources:

• Hi Inov Website – https://www.hiinov.com/

• Deepki Vertical SaaS Platform – https://www.deepki.com/

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

• How Amboss, Noxtua, and n8n are defining applied AI in health and devops

• Where VCs are betting big in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

• Why Germany’s economy is stagnating, yet startup funding is booming

Guest Spotlight:
This episode is hosted by Jörn “Joe” Menninger, the voice behind Startuprad.io and one of Europe’s leading startup podcasters. He breaks down news from Berlin, Munich, Vienna, and Zurich — so you don’t miss a beat.

We Love to Hear from You:
Love data-backed startup insights? Then subscribe to Startuprad.io on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with your co-founder or VC. We break the noise so you don’t have to.

Host: Jörn Menninger, Editor-in-Chief at Startuprad.io
Blog Post: https://www.startuprad.io/post/april-2025-dach-startup-wrapup
Relevant Resources:

• Amboss Funding: Silicon Canals

• Noxtua's AI push: TechCrunch

• Trade Republic Trouble: Business Insider

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro + Sponsor

• 03:10 – €1.3B Funding Summary

• 10:25 – Amboss, Noxtua, n8n: Applied AI Highlights

• 19:40 – Trade Republic Crisis Breakdown

• 27:50 – DACH VC Trends: First Momentum, Revent, Oakley

• 35:30 – Germany’s Economy: IFO + Forecasts

• 42:00 – Closing + What’s Coming in May

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Did Germany just promise an innovation revolution — while forgetting its startups? In today’s episode, we break down the 2025 SPD-CDU Coalition Agreement and its real implications for founders, investors, and the startup ecosystem.

• Why startups, venture capital, and growth companies are almost invisible in Germany’s national agenda

• The hidden power of the “Finanzierungsvorbehalt”

• (funding clause) that could stall innovation plans

• What the proposed Gründungszeit could mean for future founders

• How Germany risks falling behind France, Spain, and the Nordics in startup policy

• The missed opportunity to build a true European NASDAQ alternative

Hosted by Joe Menninger, founder of Startuprad.io — one of Europe’s Top 3 startup podcasts and a trusted voice for tech founders and venture capitalists in DACH.

Joe unpacks critical policies, realistic outcomes, and strategic advice for anyone navigating Germany’s innovation economy.

Are you scaling a startup, funding innovation, or betting on Europe's tech future?

Follow Startuprad.io, subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review!

Give us feedback: https://forms.gle/SrcGUpycu26fvMFE9

Share this episode with founders, investors, and policymakers who need to hear the unfiltered reality.

Host: Joe Menninger, Founder of Startuprad.io

Blog Post:
Full Coalition Analysis for Founders and Investors (Replace with specific link if you have it.)

Relevant Resources:

• Blog Post: Germany Startup Policy 2025: Strategies for Founders & Investors

• Reuters: BioNTech's 0.5% GDP Impact

• Tibi Initiative (France Growth Fund)

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome & Context

• 02:50 – Innovation vs. Startup Support: The Big Gap

• 07:15 – Why “Gründungszeit” Could Matter

• 14:30 – Germany’s Risk of Losing Startup Momentum

• 22:00 – Strategic Advice for Founders and VCs

• 27:15 – Closing Thoughts: Building Beyond Berlin

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:
👉 https://www.startuprad.io/post/dach-unicorn-tracker-2025-trends-funding-and-opportunities-startuprad-io

⏱️ [00:02:20] What is DACH?
We explain the region, its strengths, and why it’s critical for innovation-driven founders and investors alike.

⏱️ [00:03:30] Quantum Systems & New Unicorns
Germany’s AI drone unicorn is leading the charge. Is deep tech the next big frontier?

⏱️ [00:04:20] Logistics Titans: Forto & Sennder
We uncover why DACH is still Europe's logistics superpower.

⏱️ [00:05:53] Mobility Mavericks: Flix, Tier, Volocopter
From record revenues to flameouts—we decode the truth behind urban mobility in 2025.

⏱️ [00:06:40] AI & Defense Tech: Agile Robots & Helsing
Robotics meets military innovation. Will Europe lead the AI revolution?

⏱️ [00:07:30] Consumer Tech Giants: Check24 & AutoDoc
Quiet billion-euro monsters transforming e-commerce and consumer platforms.

⏱️ [00:09:10] Biotech’s Highs & Heartbreaks
Why ADC Therapeutics’ rollercoaster reflects the volatile biotech landscape.

⏱️ [00:10:10] Climate Tech’s Gold Rush
Enpal, Climeworks, and 1.5 Degrees are building climate unicorns. Is it time to invest?

⏱️ [00:12:30] Fintech & Insurtech Battles
From N26 to Trade Republic, the DACH region remains a fierce battleground for finance innovation.

⏱️ [00:14:00] SaaS & Enterprise Software
Celonis is now a decacorn—what’s fueling DACH’s dominance in B2B SaaS?

⏱️ [00:24:55] The Unicorn Graveyard
Wefox, Grover, Infarm, Solaris. What founders can learn from once-high-flying unicorns that fell hard.

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

• 💸 An investor scanning for your next deal

• 🧠 A strategist decoding market shifts

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

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📌 Full Show Notes + Transcript + Links:
https://www.startuprad.io/post/dach-unicorn-tracker-2025-trends-funding-and-opportunities-startuprad-io

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💬 Leave a review or share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

Discover how AI is transforming the financial services industry!
In this episode, fintech futurist Paolo Sironi, IBM’s Global Research Leader for Banking and Capital Markets, joins Startuprad.io to unpack how artificial intelligence is evolving from back-end automation to full-scale transformation—reshaping retail, SME, and investment banking.

• The AI-Powered Bank: From chatbot to C-suite—how AI is redefining customer service, credit, and even organizational structure.

• SME Banking Disrupted: Tailored, data-driven banking solutions are finally reaching small and medium-sized enterprises.

• Wealth Management, Reimagined: Robo-advisors, personalized portfolios, and smarter investment strategies.

• Embedded Finance Explodes: Banking is now built into the apps you use every day.

• The Regulatory Tightrope: How ethical, transparent, and explainable AI is shaping the future of financial compliance.

👉 Download the banking and fintech strategy 2025 cheat sheet here: https://docsend.com/view/qywh6bwwuapnjkre

🎙️ Guest: Paolo Sironi — Fintech author, IBM researcher, and host of The Banker's Bookshelf
🎙️ Host: Jörn "Joe" Menninger — Founder & Editor, Startuprad.io
🧠 Based on: IBM 2025 Banking & Capital Markets Outlook

💬 Key Quotes

• “Every banker must be an AI risk manager.” – Paolo Sironi

• “AI is not about the best tech—it’s about using it best.”

• “Transparency builds trust.”

⏱️ Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro

• 02:54 – The Evolution of AI in Banking

• 11:40 – AI’s Impact on Banking Efficiency

• 13:56 – AI and SME Banking

• 18:54 – Capital Markets Transformation

• 23:43 – Risk Management & Regulation

• 28:54 – Digital Currencies & CBDCs

• 30:59 – Embedded Finance Trends

• 35:45 – Wealth Management with AI

• 37:31 – Transparency & Ethics

• 40:04 – Outro

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• 🌐 Visit startuprad.io for more deep dives into fintech, AI, and startup innovation.

🧭 Also Check Out

• 🎙️ Fintech Review 2024: Navigating Trends and Innovations in Startups

• 🎙️ Fintech and Banking 2023 and Beyond | Strategy

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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.

• Venture Capital: Toma Bravo's €1.8B European fund signals investor interest, but "zombie VC" and insolvencies persist.

• AI and Tech: Germany leads in AI research, but faces implementation challenges. Volocopter's acquisition and BioMed's cancer detection breakthrough showcase innovation.

• Funding & Founders: Funding rounds like Tectal's (€52M) and Swiss female founder success demonstrate growth.

• Legal & Regulatory: Legal battles (startup vs. SAP) and GDPR reviews (DeepSeek) highlight complexities.

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.

• Switzerland: Tight fintech VC, but female founders thrive.

• Austria: Linz launches an AI cluster; the Austrian DAH Fund starts.

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

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