Nestled in the heart of Europe, Berlin serves as a crossroads where diverse cultures and traditions converge, fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem. The city’s startup landscape spans various sectors, from fintech to foodtech, reflecting Berlin’s inclusive ethos, where, as Christian Gaiser, the founder of hospitality startup numa, puts it, “no one cares where you come from.”
The city’s startup scene is characterized by a unique blend of informal camaraderie and a non-corporate atmosphere, attributes cherished by entrepreneurs like Mazen Rizk, the founder of foodtech company Mushlabs. According to Rizk, Berlin’s “rockstar startup spirit” cultivates a close-knit network where entrepreneurs leverage each other’s experiences and contacts.
Despite its laid-back demeanor, Berlin is a powerhouse for venture capital, witnessing substantial funding rounds such as the $1.13 billion Series C secured by online brokerage Trade Republic. Under the leadership of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the German government is proactively introducing measures, including tax allowances and improved credit access, to solidify Berlin’s status as a magnet for startups and investors.
Let’s take a closer look at some standout Berlin-based startups:
- Mushlabs
Founded in 2018 by Mazen Rizk, Anne-Cathrine Hutz, and Thibault Godard, Mushlabs is harnessing the potential of mushrooms to address challenges spanning climate breakdown to food security. Using fermentation tanks to simulate natural mycelium growth conditions, Mushlabs transforms food industry byproducts into innovative meat alternatives. Rizk emphasizes the efficiency of their mycelium growth process, consuming minimal water and time compared to traditional agriculture. With over €20 million in funding from investors like the European Innovation Council Fund, Mushlabs continues to make strides in sustainable food solutions. Website: mushlabs.com - Bunch
Launched in 2021 by Levent Altunel and Enrico Ohnemuller, Bunch caters to startups, streamlining the coordination of funding and facilitating the launch of new funds for venture capitalists. Recognizing the complexities of compliance and paperwork across European legal and tax requirements, Bunch’s software provides startups with a compliant foundation, reducing bureaucratic burdens and cutting private market investment costs. With a customer base representing $250 million in assets under management, Bunch secured €8 million in seed funding, led by Cherry Ventures and Embedded Capital. Website: bunch.capital - numa
Founded in 2019 by Christian Gaiser, Dimitri Chandogin, and Gerhard Maringer, numa is redefining the hotel experience with a unique twist. Offering rooms with distinctive aesthetics and digital tools for seamless check-in and support, numa aims to strike a balance between traditional hotels and the personalized touch of Airbnb. With a recent $45 million Series B funding, numa, backed by investors like DN Capital and Cherry Ventures, plans to expand its portfolio across 25 European cities, including Berlin, Prague, and Vienna. Website: numastays.com - SLAY
SLAY, created by Fabian Kamberi, Jannis Ringwald, and Stefan Quernhorst, addresses the toxicity prevalent on social media with an app allowing teenagers to compliment each other anonymously. The startup gained rapid popularity, reaching the top of the app charts in Germany within a week of its October 2022 launch. Backed by $2.6 million in funding from Accel and angel investor Harry Stebbings, SLAY is expanding its success with new apps like frfr, an AI-driven tool letting users record messages in celebrities’ voices. Website: slay.cool - Formo
Established in 2019 by Raffael Wohlgensinger and Britta Winterberg, Formo pioneers cellular agriculture, offering animal-free alternatives to a range of dairy products. Utilizing milk proteins synthesized by special microorganisms, Formo eliminates the need for traditional cattle farming, thereby reducing greenhouse emissions. With a substantial €42 million Series A funding led by EQT Ventures, Formo plans to introduce its first egg-replacement product pending regulatory approval. Website: formo.bio - Secfix
Automating data security compliance for small businesses, Secfix, founded in 2021 by Fabiola Munguia, Grigory Emelianov, and Branko Džakula, plugs into IT systems to detect abnormalities in data storage. By streamlining the audit process, Secfix ensures compliance with security standards like ISO 27001, GDPR, and TISAX within five weeks. With a $3.8 million seed round in March, contributed by investors including Octopus Ventures and Neosfer, Secfix is focused on expanding its European customer base. Website: secfix.com - Mondu
Catering to the “buy now, pay later” trend in businesses, Mondu, founded in 2021 by Gil Danziger, Malte Huffmann, and Philipp Povel, provides B2B companies with a platform for delayed payments or installment plans. Assuming the risk, Mondu ensures upfront full payments to its customers, even when buyers opt for extended payment periods. With a $13 million Series A extension from investors like Valar Ventures, Mondu’s total funding amounts to $70 million, enabling its expansion into new territories such as Austria, the Netherlands, and the UK. Website: mondu.ai - Pitch
Positioned as Germany’s answer to Microsoft PowerPoint, Pitch, founded in 2018 by Christian Reber, Adam Renklint, Vanessa Stock, Charlette Prévot, Misha Karpenko, Eric Labod, Marvin Labod, and Jan Martin, has raised over $135 million since its inception. Offering features like live video collaboration and a user-friendly design interface, Pitch has been used for more than a million presentations within two and a half years of its public launch. Website: pitch.com - topi
Tapping into the growing trend of hardware rentals for businesses, topi, established in 2021 by Charlotte Pallua and Estelle Merle, provides retailers with a platform to rent out hardware on a monthly basis. Initially focusing on electronics, topi has secured deals with seven IT retailers in Germany and Austria, with laptops comprising a significant portion of sales. With $50 million in funding from Index Ventures, TriplePoint Capital, and various angels, topi aims to expand its industry-agnostic service to encompass furniture, cars, and more. Website: topi.eu - Karla
Founded in 2021 by Philippe Padrock and Frederik Schröder, Karla simplifies parcel management for shoppers, allowing them to track, reschedule, redirect, and return parcels from a single app, irrespective of the courier handling the delivery. With a focus on reducing redundant deliveries, Karla aims to minimize both emissions and costs. Backed by €4.6 million in seed funding from investors like 468 Capital and La Famiglia, Karla has partnered
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