This episode is brought to you by Vanta. Automate your startup’s security and compliance for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and more.
🔗 Learn more at vanta.com/startupradio

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.

🚀 This episode is brought to you by Vanta. Automate your SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliance in weeks, not months. Learn more at vanta.com/startupradio

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

🚀 This episode is brought to you by Vanta. Automate your security and compliance — and save $1,000 when you sign up at vanta.com/startupradio.

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.

👉 Vanta automates security and compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, and more), helping you stay audit-ready with less stress and zero spreadsheets.
🎁 Save $1,000 by signing up through our exclusive link: vanta.com/startupradio

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

🎧 Subscribe to Startuprad.io wherever you get your podcasts

💬 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

🤝 Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Vanta.
Vanta automates security and compliance for ISO 27001, SOC 2, and more—so you’re always audit-ready without the stress.
Over 9,000 companies (including Atlassian and Quora) trust Vanta.
👉 Get $1,000 off at vanta.com/startupradio

📢 Call to Action

• ✅ Subscribe to Startuprad.io so you never miss insights from global fintech leaders.

• ⭐️ Found it valuable? Please leave us a 5-star review—it really helps!

• 📣 Share this episode on LinkedIn or Twitter using the hashtag #AIinBanking2025

• 🌐 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

Sponsor Section

👉 Vanta automates security and compliance, save 1.000 US$ with us by signing up with this link: vanta.com/startupradio

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

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.

👉 Vanta automates security and compliance, save 1.000 US$ with us by signing up with this link: vanta.com/startupradio

🤯 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

• Political earthquake: How the German election impacts YOU

• Exclusive insights: Top trends in AI, fintech, biotech, and more

🚀 Don't get left behind! Subscribe now for your weekly dose of DACH startup action.

🚀 Exclusive Offer: Startuprad.io listeners get 2 free SEO-optimized blog posts per month with ModernIQs.com – sign up via the link to claim yours! 🎯✨ https://moderniqs.com/create-an-account/?res_aff=startupradio

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

© Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

🚀 Tune in to Startuprad.io for an exclusive look into the dynamic world of German, Austrian, and Swiss startups! 🚀

This episode is jam-packed with the latest news and insights from the DACH startup ecosystem. We'll explore the hottest trends, major acquisitions, and exciting funding rounds that are shaping the future of innovation in the region.

Our Sponsor Vanta
Make compliance simple—get $1,000 off now at vanta.com/startupradio

Here's what you'll discover:

🔥 Acquisition Frenzy:

• Creative Dock Group acquires NFrontier: We'll break down Creative Dock Group's strategic acquisition of NFrontier, a Berlin-based hardware innovation company, and discuss how this move is bolstering their hardware development expertise.

• Sona acquires TiteLift: Discover how Swiss cybersecurity firm Sona is strengthening its security offerings with the acquisition of German open-source software company TiteLift.

💰 Funding Fireworks:

• Klukotopia Secures Multimillion-Dollar Funding: We'll explore how Berlin-based life science company Klukotopia is revolutionizing diabetes management with its innovative solutions, thanks to a significant funding round.

🚀 Industry Trends:

• Life Science is Booming: We'll analyze the factors driving the growth of life science startups in Austria and highlight some of the most promising companies in this sector.

• Hardware Innovation is Gaining Momentum: Discover how Germany's strong engineering and manufacturing tradition is fueling a thriving hardware innovation scene, with companies like NFrontier pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

This episode is perfect for:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and guidance.

• Investors looking for the next big thing in the DACH startup scene.

• Startup enthusiasts and industry professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve.

Don't miss out on this exciting episode! Hit that play button and subscribe to Startuprad.io for more insights into the world of startups.

uivM8GSkHAlzpD34z7M4