+++ Proxima Fusion +++ Unicorn +++ Quantum Systems +++ Stark +++ Lower Saxony +++ EU Inc. +++

#StartupTicker

+++ #StartupTicker +++ Proxima Fusion becomes a unicorn +++ Quantum Systems and Stark are probably exploring a merger +++ Startup boom in Lower Saxony – especially in Osnabrück +++ Great interest in EU Inc. +++ This is how the Heidelberg startup blue activity works +++

What’s up New? In ours #StartupTicker we provide a compact overview of the most important startup news of the day (Tuesday, July 7th).

#STARTUPLAND: ONLY THE EARLY BIRD SAVES!

If you live and breathe startups – STARTUPLAND is your event

+++ The cheapest ticket phase is running! If you would like to take part in our fourth STARTUPLAND Conference 2027 (March 10th in Cologne, RheinEnergieStadion), you should take part now. The Super Early Bird tickets are only available for a short time.

#STARTUPTICKER

Proxima Fusion
+++ And another new one Unicorn! Proxima Fusion rises to the billion-dollar club after a 411 million euro financing round at a valuation of 2.4 billion euros. The Munich-based DeepTech, founded in 2023, is developing fusion power plants based on the stellarator concept and has so far raised around 650 million euros. The backers of the current investment round include XTX Ventures, East X Ventures, RWE and Google. Proxima Fusion is already the eighth German unicorn of 2026. With Marvel Fusion and Focused Energy The company is also one of a growing German team of million-dollar merger startups. More about Proxima Fusion

Quantum Systems – Strong
+++ Is what belongs together now growing together? The Munich drone manufacturer Quantum Systems According to the Financial Times, it is apparently considering a merger with the Berlin DefenseTech unicorn Strong. Particularly exciting: Stark was set up as an independent company in 2024 by Quantum Systems founder Florian Seibel and Sven Kruck to focus on combat drones. The separation between civilian and military drone technology could end sooner than many expected. Most recently, Quantum Systems raised 1.2 billion US dollars at a valuation of around 8 billion US dollars, and Stark shortly before raised 500 million euros at a valuation of more than 3.2 billion euros. A merger would create a true European DefenseTech giant. And in this business, size certainly counts. (Financial Times) More about Quantum Systems

Lower Saxony
+++ Surprising dynamics! In Lower Saxony A total of 167 new startups were created in 2025 – more than in more than ten years. It presents itself particularly strongly Osnabruck. With 36.8 startups per 100,000 residents, the city is loud Lower Saxony Startup Monitor 2026 the highest start-up activity in the state. Startups like this also show that the region is now developing a certain appeal Nature Robots, simmetry.ai and VisioLabwho we have already encountered several times this year. However, the report also mentions a dark side: the number of financing rounds recently fell by 39%. Access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges for young companies in the state, especially in the early stages. While financing is becoming more difficult, the proportion of female founders is developing positively. At 23.4%, Lower Saxony is now well above the national average. However, the long term remains Hanover the measure of things: in terms of start-ups per capita since 2019, the state capital is ahead of Osnabrück and Göttingen. (Lower Saxony Startup Monitor 2026) More about Lower Saxony

EU Inc.
+++ Great interest! 62% of German tech startups would consider their next company to be European EU Inc. found. This comes from a current one Bitkomsurvey of 102 tech startups. The planned legal form is primarily intended to facilitate cross-border growth – for example by allowing startups to become active in other EU countries without their own subsidiaries. This is exactly what 94% of those surveyed see as the biggest advantage. (Bitkom) More about EU Inc.

blue activity
+++ “We started with a conviction – and made it a reality,” says Lars Havighorst, founder of blue activity. The startup from Heidelberg is aiming to replace chemical biocides in industrial cooling systems with microorganisms. More about blue activity

Cologne Startup Summer Night
+++ Ten young companies present themselves in the Startup Village at the Cologne Startup Summer Night. Visitors can get to know the teams at their stands, discover their products and exchange ideas about innovative business models. More in StartupsToWatch

#DEALMONITOR

Investments & Exits
+++ Andercore receives 30 million +++ Stenon collects 18 million +++ alqem receives 8 million +++ CCRAFT collects 7.8 million +++ FENKA Robotics receives 3 million +++ Vytal receives further millions +++ Holidu takes over Gites.com. More in the deal monitor

#JOBS

meap
+++ Our job of the day! meap is looking for a Social Media Manager – Paid Social / Performance Marketing (m/f/d). We offer full service – from individual logos to complete corporate design: online marketing, SEO optimization, large project management cinema, content creation, software development or data management.

What else happened recently? That’s always in the #StartupTicker