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This Month in German, Swiss, and Austrian (GSA) Startups — Summer 2023 (July/ August) | Startupradio Episode #393
This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.com/startuprad-io), and was moved to this blog with the relaunch of our website in summer 2024. What Is This About? The summer 2023 DACH startup roundup covers July and August developments across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland — including notable funding rounds, founder exits, and ecosystem shifts that shaped Q3 of the year in the German-speaking startup world. This article is part of our coverag
Jörn Menninger
Mar 1513 min read


How the Greensill Capital Collapse touched the German Fintech Scene — Founder Interview
This story was migrated from our old blog, originally published on March 12th, 2021. What Is This About? The collapse of Greensill Capital, an aggressive supply chain finance fintech, sent shockwaves through the German financial system. This episode traces how the implosion touched German fintech companies, exposed regulatory gaps, and raised questions about the risks of rapid fintech scaling. This article is part of our coverage of Scaleup Founder Interviews from Germany, Au
Jörn Menninger
Mar 157 min read


Why N26 Wants to Be a NeoBroker And Why Neobrokers Are HOT And Maybe In Danger
This story was migrated from our old blog, originally published on Dec 22th, 2021. What Is This About? N26, Germany's largest neobank, announced plans to add brokerage features — joining the neobroker wave sweeping Europe. This Christmas-season deep dive analyzes why neobrokers became the hottest startup category of 2021, and the regulatory and business model risks that could derail their momentum. This article is part of our coverage of Scaleup Founder Interviews from German
Jörn Menninger
Mar 1511 min read


ID Now is Looking at Germany’s Largest Fintech Exit at 1 bn US$
This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.com/startuprad-io), and was moved to this blog with the relaunch of our website in summer 2024. What Is This About? IDnow was on track for what would have been Germany's largest fintech exit at $1 billion. In this exclusive CEO interview, the identity verification company discusses its acquisition of France-based Ariadnext, its expansion strategy, and the path toward a potential IPO or strategic sal
Jörn Menninger
Mar 156 min read


RegTech & Compliance Automation: Germany, Austria & Switzerland
RegTech and compliance automation in DACH addresses the expanding EU regulatory framework (AI Act, DORA, MiCA, NIS2, PSD3) through technology-driven solutions. The global RegTech market reached $4.8B in 2024 with VC funding up 340% over three years. Key DACH players include Alyne (GRC platform), Sumsub (identity verification), and Bear Cognition (AI-driven compliance). This page is part of the FinTech, InsurTech and RegTech in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland pillar in the
Jörn Menninger
Mar 104 min read


FinTech Startups Guide: Germany, Austria & Switzerland
FinTech startups in the DACH region include Trade Republic (€12.5B valuation, full BaFin banking license), N26 ($486M revenue in 2024), Scalable Capital (ECB-approved deposit-taking), and Bitpanda ($4.1B valuation). Switzerland's Crypto Valley in Zug hosts 1,290 companies valued at $382.93B. Germany's fintech VC investment reached €8.1B across 850+ deals in 2024. This page is part of the FinTech, InsurTech and RegTech in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland pillar in the Startu
Jörn Menninger
Mar 104 min read


International Expansion and Market Entry from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Scaling beyond the German-speaking market requires strategic planning around regulatory, operational, and cultural factors. This guide covers common expansion paths, case studies from regional success stories, and regulatory frameworks across key markets. For broader scaling context, see our Startup Scaling, Growth & Operations pillar or visit the Knowledge Center . In Short Regional startups typically expand sequentially: home market → broader Europe → selective North Ameri
Jörn Menninger
Mar 104 min read


VC Fund Formation & LP Relations: Germany, Austria & Switzerland
Venture capital fund formation in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland follows distinct structural patterns shaped by local corporate law, tax treatment, and the composition of the limited partner base. The dominance of government-affiliated LPs (KfW Capital, EIF) and family offices — particularly in Switzerland — creates a different dynamic than the US market, where pension funds and endowments play larger roles. This page is part of the Startuprad.io Knowledge Center , within
Jörn Menninger
Mar 104 min read


CEO Role Transitions in Startups Across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
The decision for a founder to step aside or bring in a professional CEO is one of the most consequential moments in a startup's lifecycle. Research shows that approximately 25% of startups replace their founding CEO by Series A, and fewer than 40% retain the first CEO by Series D. In the German-speaking region, the legal and cultural specifics of the Geschäftsführer role add additional dimensions to this transition. This page is part of the Startuprad.io Knowledge Center , wi
Jörn Menninger
Mar 104 min read


DACH Startup News November 2025: AI Unicorns and Billion-Dollar Bets
Today’s episode highlights the headline-worthy stories shaping the DACH ecosystem this month. Our deep dive into the November landscape — including analysis, market shifts, and founder-level signals
Jörn Menninger
Nov 27, 202513 min read


DACH Startup News September 2025: Top Founders, Funding and Policy Updates
Europe’s startup ecosystem is heating up again—smart capital is flowing into climate, deeptech, and infrastructure-heavy AI. In this month’s Top News episode, we cover €150m for Terra One, JPMorgan’s fintech push into Germany, Cutiss’ €57M biotech milestone, and a €3B fusion bet by Berlin. With new momentum in regulation, capital, and commercialization, the DACH region is setting the pace for pragmatic innovation. Welcome back to the serious side of tech.
Jörn Menninger
Oct 2, 202522 min read


DACH Fintech Trends 2020–2025: AI, Embedded Finance, and Regulation Driving the Next Wave
DACH fintech trends 2020–2025: AI, embedded finance & regulation shaping Germany, Austria & Switzerland. See what’s next.
Jörn Menninger
Aug 8, 20256 min read


Finance Automation for SMEs: How Moss is Redefining Financial Operations
Moss empowers SMEs to automate finance workflows and scale smarter. Discover AI-driven solutions transforming SME finance in Europe
Jörn Menninger
Jul 17, 20254 min read


DORA Compliance: Managing Third-Party Risk
🛡️ DORA Third-Party Risk Management Guide | Secure financial operations & ensure compliance with this expert-backed strategy. Read now!
Jörn Menninger
Mar 21, 20255 min read


DORA Compliance: ICT Risk Management Checklist
🚀 DORA ICT Risk Management Checklist | Ensure full compliance with our expert-backed framework. ✅ Stay resilient—read the guide now!
Jörn Menninger
Mar 20, 20255 min read


DORA Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide to Digital Operational Resilience
DORA Compliance: Expert insights! Master EU's resilience rules. Get audit-ready now.
Jörn Menninger
Mar 18, 20258 min read


DACH Startup Scene: A February 2025 Roundup - Germany, Austria and Switzerland
DACH startup scene explodes! 🚀 Finn raises €1B, Cherry Ventures launches €500M fund, but Lilium faces insolvency. Get the latest updates no
Jörn Menninger
Feb 27, 202524 min read


Unzer Payment Solutions - KKR's Failed Buy and Build Payment Experiment
Unzer's journey from KKR's buy-and-build strategy to compliance success showcases lessons in fintech growth and regulatory challenges."
Jörn Menninger
Dec 16, 20245 min read


Unicorn in Crisis: How a Former Fintech Giant Averted Shutdown
Unicorn in crisis: How fintech Solaris navigated losses, layoffs, and regulatory challenges to avert shutdown and rebuild its future.
Jörn Menninger
Dec 9, 20247 min read


MiCA Explained: Understanding Regulation for Crypto Assets and Services in the EU
This founder interview is part of our ongoing coverage of Scaleup Founder Interviews from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland . Executive Summary In this episode of Startuprad.io , host Jörn Menninger and guest Alireza Siadat discuss the European Union’s MiCA regulation, which stipulates stringent requirements for stablecoin and crypto asset service providers. They cover the differentiation between stablecoins and asset reference tokens, the need for licenses, and the challenge
Jörn Menninger
May 23, 202432 min read
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