+++ DefenseTech +++ Helsing +++ Schwabe Group +++ Hydraid +++ Theo +++ Mindset +++ Breaking the rules +++

+++ It’s worth being quick! The number of super early bird tickets for our fourth STARTUPLAND Conference on March 10, 2027 in Cologne (RheinEnergieStadion) is limited. Whoever comes first benefits from the cheapest price. Take advantage of this opportunity!

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DefenseTech
+++ New power in the startup scene! Played just a few years ago DefenseTech Almost no role at all in the startup ecosystem. Nowadays, companies like Helsing (Valuation: $18 billion), Quantum Systems ($8 billion) and Strong ($3.2 billion) is one of the most valuable startups in Germany and Europe. Helsing and Quantum Systems alone recently raised an impressive $3 billion in fresh capital. The war in Ukraine, rising defense spending and the call for more technological sovereignty have transformed DefenseTech from a niche segment into one of the hottest investment fields in Europe within just a few years. There is much to suggest that the boom is far from reaching its peak – and that other billion-dollar companies will follow. A new reality that many are still getting used to. More about DefenseTech

Schwabe Group
+++ The big HealthTech offensive continues! The Karlsruhers Schwabe Group is consistently continuing its transformation into a HealthTech player. After the takeovers of Braineffect and Synapticon (NeuroNation) was also recently taken over by the healthcare group Hydraid. The young company, founded in 2021, developed the “Hydration Helper” in collaboration with doctors and professional athletes. At the same time, Schwabe is over-investing naturalX Health Ventures (100 million euros) in young healthtech companies like Function Health, Hilo, Kyan Health, Meela, Flow Neuroscience and mybacs. The Schwabe Group is increasingly developing into one of the most active strategic investors in the German HealthTech segment. More about the Schwabe Group

Theo
+++ StartupsToWatch! The Berlin PropTech Theofounded in 2023 and initially launched as Dao, is increasingly developing into an AI company. The platform not only digitizes property management, but also takes on more and more operational tasks with artificial intelligence – from tenant communication and repair management to invoice approval and accounting. According to the company, Theo now manages more than 25,000 apartments. Investors such as Insight Partners and BlackRock apparently still have a lot of confidence in the team and recently invested a further 25 million euros in the young company. The team has raised a total of 36 million so far. More about Theo

Mindset
+++ Many startups start out as challengers: bold, edgy, different. But as soon as growth, investors and professionalization come along, breaking the rules often turns into risk avoidance. This is exactly what can be dangerous. More in the guest article by Hans Ratzmann (quiteBOLD)

Startup Radar
+++ The Cologne startup scene remains dynamic. Here are some of the most promising, especially young, Cologne start-ups that we are following more closely. These include: Justima, manugy, Zulio, Luure and Carl. More on the startup radar

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Investments & Exits
+++ Robotics startup microagi receives 55 million in the seed round +++ GreenTech Energyminer receives 2.1 million +++ +++ Travel unicorn Omio takes over Rail Europe (founded in 1930). More in the deal monitor

#JOBS

CHECK24
+++ Our job of the day! CHECK24 is looking for a Technical Product Manager (m/f/d) AI & Data Analytics. CHECK24 is the Comparison portal: We are market leader and dynamic startup in one. In agile teams we make quick decisions and live in flat hierarchies.