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.
If you’re a startup founder, VC, or scaleup operator, this is your monthly must-watch.
🎙️ Hosted by:Jörn “Joe” Menninger – Founder & Host of Startuprad.ioChristian “Chris” Fahrenbach – Journalist & Co-Host
🔑 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
📱 Subscribe to the Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3etgUOz5KWKycYHsvQv1yG
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startuprad-io-europes-voice-on-startups-vc-innovation/id967788304
🚨 Sponsored by Tide
👉 Struggling with small biz finances? Tide’s free account + up to €400 cashback makes it a no-brainer: tide.co/Podcastsde – use code STARTUPRADIO
🔗 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-Uphttps://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
• MiCA Explained: Understanding Regulation for Crypto Assets and Services in the EU https://www.startuprad.io/post/mica-explained-understanding-regulation-for-crypto-assets-and-services-in-the-eu
• What the MiCA License Means for Crypto Startups in Europe https://www.startuprad.io/post/what-the-mica-license-means-for-crypto-startups-in-europe
• How Startups Are Navigating the EU Data Act in 2025 https://www.startuprad.io/post/how-startups-are-navigating-the-eu-data-act-in-2025
