#StartupTicker
+++ #StartupTicker +++ Recycling scaleup Metaloop slides into bankruptcy +++ StartupsToWatch: Cortea (FinTech from Berlin) +++ This is how world champion André Schürrle invests (and founds) +++ How startups now find investors +++
What’s up New? In ours #StartupTicker we provide a compact overview of the most important startup news of the day (Friday June 19th).
#STARTUPLAND: Super Early Bird tickets are live!
STARTUPLAND is where the future begins
+++ 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!
#STARTUPTICKER
Metaloop
+++ Bitter! The Graz recycling scaleup Metaloopformerly known as Schrott24, is insolvent and has applied for restructuring proceedings. As brutkasten reports, the company has liabilities of around 11 million euros. What is remarkable is that at the beginning of 2026, according to AKV, the company was in the black for the first time and has been “slightly” profitable since then. “However, liquidity remained strained as there were no further equity injections. This leads to increased expenses in day-to-day business, limited business development and loss of trust among partners. In addition, weak industrial activity, volatile raw material markets and stricter regulatory requirements are putting a strain on the economic environment,” it continues. In 2023, the startup raised 16 million euros from investors such as FirstMark Capital, Statkraft Ventures and FJ Labs. The renovation is part of a development that recently became apparent in the recycling segment. After years of high expectations and multi-million dollar financing rounds, the first companies are coming under pressure. The Hamburg recycling startup recently had to Cirplus be liquidated. At the same time, a lot of capital continues to flow into young companies like WeSort.AI, Eeden, Metycle or ScrapBees. The interest in the circular economy remains unbroken. However, the Metaloop case shows how difficult follow-up financing has become, even for companies that are already operationally on the path to long-term profitability. (Incubator, AKV) More about Metaloop
Cortea
+++ StartupsToWatch! While many AI startups focus on sales, marketing or customer service, Cortea takes on one of the most conservative areas of the economy: auditing. The Berlin-based FinTech is developing AI agents for audits, addressing a market that is suffering from a shortage of skilled workers, increasing regulatory requirements and increasingly complex reporting requirements. Investors such as Dawn Capital and Cherry Ventures have a lot of confidence in the company, which was founded in 2024. In total, more than 15 million euros have already flowed into the young company. Remarkable: Traceability and trust are crucial, especially in auditing – two properties that have so far caused many AI applications to fail. If the approach is successful, Cortea could transform a market worth billions. More about Cortea
Andre Schürrle
+++ World champion with an exit instinct! In recent years, André Schürrle has invested in, among others, the e-bike startup Dance, the cannabis company Sanity Group, the FinTech Bling, the food startup Lanch and the fantasy manager game Sorare. Remarkable: Two of his investments, Dance and Sanity Group, have already had successful exits. The former national player also founded the Berlin beverage startup DRYLL together with David Rost. In addition, Schürrle is also involved with the venture capital investors Planet A Ventures, Visionaries Club and Whitewater Ventures. More about startup investments from soccer world champions
Investors
+++ In recent years I have experienced many founders who treat investors like a necessary evil. Such a mode can work. It becomes problematic when this becomes a permanent situation. More in the guest article by Jasper Roll (Haufe Group Ventures)
#JOBS
Maltese
+++ Our job of the day! Malteser is looking for a junior project employee (m/f/d) for online marketing. Are you interested in digital projects, getting the most out of a website and would like to contribute your expertise to a modern aid organization? Then you have come to the right place. Apply as a full-time (39 hours) junior project employee (m/f/d) for online marketing at the Malteser headquarters in Cologne.
What else happened recently? That’s always in the #StartupTicker