German Startups Group VC

Stryking Entertainment GmbH, founded in 2012 and based in Berlin, Germany, focuses on engaging football fans in Europe through innovative gaming experiences. The company develops and operates Football-Stars, a free-to-play fantasy football platform that allows users to compete in various challenges, showcasing their skills and knowledge of the sport. Players earn experience points and unlock achievements, which enhance their gameplay and allow them to access in-game currency. This currency can be used for participation in paid challenges and exchanged for real-life merchandise through the in-game shop. By merging the real and virtual worlds, Stryking Entertainment creates meaningful interaction opportunities for fans, athletes, and brands, positioning Football-Stars as a notable player in the Daily Fantasy Sports landscape. The company's unique approach to monetization and fan engagement offers a scalable model suitable for a global audience. As of September 30, 2019, Stryking operates as a subsidiary of Animoca Brands Corporation Limited.

Finiata is a fintech company that specializes in providing financial services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), freelancers, and the self-employed. Founded in 2016 and based in Berlin, Germany, Finiata offers a finance platform that includes credit solutions and invoice factoring, allowing businesses to secure financing by selling outstanding invoices at a discount. The company's services are designed to enhance liquidity and improve cash flow management for its clients. Finiata employs a data-driven approach to assess risk and streamline lending processes, utilizing a combination of traditional scoring algorithms and alternative data sources. This innovative approach positions Finiata as a reliable partner in the B2B finance landscape, committed to supporting sustainable growth for small businesses.

TVSmiles is a Berlin-based mobile application launched in 2013 that engages users by turning television and digital advertisements into interactive and rewarding experiences. The app allows users to earn "smiles" by participating in quizzes and games related to the advertisements they encounter. By recognizing the music played in these ads, TVSmiles creates a gamified second-screen experience that encourages viewers to interact with the content rather than passively watch it. This innovative approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of advertising, helping brands increase their visibility and connect with customers in a more engaging manner.

Finiata is a fintech company that specializes in providing financial services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), freelancers, and the self-employed. Founded in 2016 and based in Berlin, Germany, Finiata offers a finance platform that includes credit solutions and invoice factoring, allowing businesses to secure financing by selling outstanding invoices at a discount. The company's services are designed to enhance liquidity and improve cash flow management for its clients. Finiata employs a data-driven approach to assess risk and streamline lending processes, utilizing a combination of traditional scoring algorithms and alternative data sources. This innovative approach positions Finiata as a reliable partner in the B2B finance landscape, committed to supporting sustainable growth for small businesses.

Mister Spex, established in 2007 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is a leading online eyewear retailer in Europe. The company offers a wide range of over 5000 products, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, sports eyewear, and contact lenses from renowned brands like Adidas, Gucci, and Acuvue. Customers can also access eye examination services. Mister Spex operates both online and through a network of retail stores in Germany, and has expanded its reach to several other European countries.

Meine Spielzeugkiste is a Berlin-based startup that specializes in the rental of high-quality toys from renowned brands such as Ravensburger, Playmobil, HABA, Brio, and Lego Duplo. The service allows families to choose their preferred toys from a constantly expanding selection, which they can rent in sets of two, four, or six. Families can easily exchange their selected toys for new ones at any time, with the added convenience of free shipping for both delivery and returns. The process is streamlined, as customers can simply hand off the old toy box to the delivery person when receiving a new one. By offering a flexible and cost-effective solution, Meine Spielzeugkiste helps families enjoy a variety of toys without the burden of excessive spending or space constraints.

Funanga AG, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, specializes in providing digital prepaid cards and vouchers. The company has developed an innovative online payment system known as "Cash to Code," which addresses the growing challenges of e-commerce by offering a secure and efficient payment method for customers. This system allows online merchants to generate cash barcodes that customers can take to retail locations for cash payments on their purchases, thereby enhancing the payment options available to merchants. Funanga aims to ensure that users have complete control over their spending while maintaining safety and anonymity in their transactions, effectively mitigating the risks of cyber fraud that are prevalent in the digital payment landscape.

Savedo GmbH is an online marketplace based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2014, that facilitates investment in fixed-term deposits across the European Union. The platform allows users in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands to access better interest rates on their savings without the need to travel to different countries. By partnering with various banks, Savedo provides essential services such as customer support and standardized account documentation, streamlining the investment process for its clients. As of August 2017, Savedo operates as a subsidiary of Deposit Solutions GmbH and is staffed by a team of experienced finance professionals and online specialists dedicated to enhancing retail investment opportunities in Europe.

Auctionata, established in 2012, was an online auction platform specializing in art and luxury collectibles. It operated globally, with offices in Berlin, New York, London, Los Angeles, Rome, Zurich, and Madrid. The company offered live-stream auctions, enabling worldwide bidding for art and luxury items. However, it ceased operations in February 2017 following insolvency proceedings.

Datapine GmbH, founded in 2012 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in developing data visualization and business intelligence (BI) software as a service (SaaS). Its platform offers a range of tools for business analysis, data visualization, and reporting, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users. This enterprise-grade solution facilitates the merging of diverse data sets without the need for extensive database restructuring, enabling users to explore and visualize data seamlessly. Datapine serves a variety of sectors, including energy, healthcare, financial services, logistics, and retail, providing not only BI tools but also consulting and coaching services. The company aims to lead the innovation in the BI market for small and medium-sized enterprises, helping organizations make informed decisions by uncovering insights and trends within their data.

TVSmiles is a Berlin-based mobile application launched in 2013 that engages users by turning television and digital advertisements into interactive and rewarding experiences. The app allows users to earn "smiles" by participating in quizzes and games related to the advertisements they encounter. By recognizing the music played in these ads, TVSmiles creates a gamified second-screen experience that encourages viewers to interact with the content rather than passively watch it. This innovative approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of advertising, helping brands increase their visibility and connect with customers in a more engaging manner.

Remerge GmbH operates a specialized application retargeting platform designed for mobile marketers and users, both in Germany and internationally. Founded in 2014, the company is headquartered in Berlin with an additional office in San Francisco. Remerge's platform utilizes real-time user insights to optimize performance campaigns, focusing on audience segmentation, bidding algorithms, and product recommendations. It analyzes various data types, including behavioral, demographic, and device location, to predict purchase intent and deliver relevant advertisements. Additionally, the platform enables application developers to access mobile application publishers for user retargeting and offers an SDK-less solution for real-time data transfer. Custom support services are also provided to assist developers in creating effective messaging and visual content, ultimately helping clients enhance user engagement and in-app revenues.

DemoUp GmbH is a Berlin-based company established in 2014, specializing in e-commerce video solutions for online retailers. It provides a platform that facilitates the automated integration of product videos into retailers' websites, allowing them to enhance their product pages with high-definition content directly sourced from leading brands and manufacturers. By collecting, processing, and matching videos with product listings, DemoUp ensures that retailers have access to up-to-date video material, thus improving consumer engagement and product visibility. Its system not only streamlines video integration but also expands the audience reach for brands and manufacturers, ultimately supporting online retailers in enhancing their customer experience through compelling visual content.

Savedo GmbH is an online marketplace based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2014, that facilitates investment in fixed-term deposits across the European Union. The platform allows users in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands to access better interest rates on their savings without the need to travel to different countries. By partnering with various banks, Savedo provides essential services such as customer support and standardized account documentation, streamlining the investment process for its clients. As of August 2017, Savedo operates as a subsidiary of Deposit Solutions GmbH and is staffed by a team of experienced finance professionals and online specialists dedicated to enhancing retail investment opportunities in Europe.

Returbo GmbH, established in 2010 and based in Berlin, Germany, operates an online retail platform specializing in the sale of returned goods, overstock items, and second-hand electronics. The company offers a diverse range of products, including TVs, projectors, media players, headphones, cameras, laptops, and various other electronic devices from well-known brands such as Sony, Samsung, and Canon. Returbo provides consumers with an opportunity to purchase these goods at reduced prices, thus promoting affordability. The platform also serves as a marketing network, connecting B2B partners and various marketplaces both domestically and internationally. As of January 2017, Returbo operates as a subsidiary of home24 SE and has undergone liquidation proceedings since late 2016.

TVSmiles is a Berlin-based mobile application launched in 2013 that engages users by turning television and digital advertisements into interactive and rewarding experiences. The app allows users to earn "smiles" by participating in quizzes and games related to the advertisements they encounter. By recognizing the music played in these ads, TVSmiles creates a gamified second-screen experience that encourages viewers to interact with the content rather than passively watch it. This innovative approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of advertising, helping brands increase their visibility and connect with customers in a more engaging manner.

Mister Spex, established in 2007 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is a leading online eyewear retailer in Europe. The company offers a wide range of over 5000 products, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, sports eyewear, and contact lenses from renowned brands like Adidas, Gucci, and Acuvue. Customers can also access eye examination services. Mister Spex operates both online and through a network of retail stores in Germany, and has expanded its reach to several other European countries.

eWings.com GmbH, based in Berlin, Germany, is a travel management company established in 2013 that specializes in providing an integrated platform for booking and managing business travel. The company offers services for flights, trains, hotels, and car rentals through an intuitive web and mobile interface, designed to simplify the travel booking process. eWings.com is recognized for its innovative SaaS solution, which aims to enhance the B2B travel market by making travel management faster and more efficient. The company’s success is attributed to its skilled international team and a proprietary platform featuring unique capabilities and modern design. In 2018, eWings.com was acquired by American Express Global Business Travel, allowing it to leverage extensive industry experience to further improve its offerings.

TVSmiles is a Berlin-based mobile application launched in 2013 that engages users by turning television and digital advertisements into interactive and rewarding experiences. The app allows users to earn "smiles" by participating in quizzes and games related to the advertisements they encounter. By recognizing the music played in these ads, TVSmiles creates a gamified second-screen experience that encourages viewers to interact with the content rather than passively watch it. This innovative approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of advertising, helping brands increase their visibility and connect with customers in a more engaging manner.

Funanga AG, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, specializes in providing digital prepaid cards and vouchers. The company has developed an innovative online payment system known as "Cash to Code," which addresses the growing challenges of e-commerce by offering a secure and efficient payment method for customers. This system allows online merchants to generate cash barcodes that customers can take to retail locations for cash payments on their purchases, thereby enhancing the payment options available to merchants. Funanga aims to ensure that users have complete control over their spending while maintaining safety and anonymity in their transactions, effectively mitigating the risks of cyber fraud that are prevalent in the digital payment landscape.

Meine Spielzeugkiste is a Berlin-based startup that specializes in the rental of high-quality toys from renowned brands such as Ravensburger, Playmobil, HABA, Brio, and Lego Duplo. The service allows families to choose their preferred toys from a constantly expanding selection, which they can rent in sets of two, four, or six. Families can easily exchange their selected toys for new ones at any time, with the added convenience of free shipping for both delivery and returns. The process is streamlined, as customers can simply hand off the old toy box to the delivery person when receiving a new one. By offering a flexible and cost-effective solution, Meine Spielzeugkiste helps families enjoy a variety of toys without the burden of excessive spending or space constraints.

Kirondo GmbH, founded in 2013 and based in Berlin, Germany, operates an online platform that facilitates the buying and selling of used children's clothing. The company specializes in social re-commerce, allowing users to easily trade secondhand items. As of March 2015, Kirondo GmbH became a subsidiary of Casi Nuevo KIDS, SL, further expanding its reach in the market for children's apparel.

Datapine GmbH, founded in 2012 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in developing data visualization and business intelligence (BI) software as a service (SaaS). Its platform offers a range of tools for business analysis, data visualization, and reporting, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users. This enterprise-grade solution facilitates the merging of diverse data sets without the need for extensive database restructuring, enabling users to explore and visualize data seamlessly. Datapine serves a variety of sectors, including energy, healthcare, financial services, logistics, and retail, providing not only BI tools but also consulting and coaching services. The company aims to lead the innovation in the BI market for small and medium-sized enterprises, helping organizations make informed decisions by uncovering insights and trends within their data.

Simplesurance GmbH, established in 2012 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in developing cross-selling software solutions for e-commerce platforms. Their primary product, Simplesurance, integrates into online shops' checkout processes, enabling customers to purchase insurance for their products at the point of sale. This allows e-commerce and electronics manufacturers to generate additional revenue by offering insurance alongside their products. Simplesurance also provides a digital broker solution, enabling customers to manage their insurance policies conveniently on their smartphones. The company has a presence in both Germany and Japan.