Frankfurt Has It’s First Unicorn Startup
- Jörn Menninger
- Nov 10, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: May 9
Clark, an insurtech based in Frankfurt, acquired Finanzen.de from Allianz X, becoming a unicorn with a valuation over $1 billion.
What Is This About?
Clark, the Frankfurt-based insurtech, reached unicorn status after acquiring Finanzen.de from Allianz X with a valuation exceeding one billion dollars. This podcast episode dives into the founder's journey building Germany's leading digital insurance platform and what the unicorn milestone means for Frankfurt's startup scene.
In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger sits down with the founder of Frankfurt to explore how this DACH-based startup is tackling real market challenges. From early-stage hustle to scaling strategy, this founder interview dives deep into what it takes to build a startup in the German-speaking ecosystem.
This founder interview is part of our ongoing coverage of Scaleup Founder Interviews from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Introduction
Our audience may already know that we are based in Frankfurt am Main and therefore we are happy to cover selected news from our hub here. In a cash and shares transaction insurtech Clark bought the website Finazen.de from the VC arm of German insurance giant Allianz, called Allianz X. Clark paid in shares and received an investment from new and existing investors.
Clark
Clark.de is an insurtech, helping its retail clients to keep track of their insurance policies. They also recommend different policies, as soon as their algorithms realize that a client can save money. They have been seen as a local hero of the Frankfurt startup scene for quite some time. The startup was founded in Berlin in 2015, but soon started the bulk of its operations in Frankfurt. Christopher told us in one interview that they had only a mailbox in Berlin for quite some time. Now they maintain a presence in Frankfurt and Berlin. We kept track of them since 2017 and you can learn more about the founder and the startup ideas in the two interviews, we will post below. In January 2021 we had them in our interview, talking about their 85 mn US$ fundraising.
Clark Transaction
The valuation of Clark comes not from a normal cash investment from a VC, but a mostly shares transaction. On Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 they announced the transaction that made them a unicorn. They bought the website finanzen.de (yes, finance.de) from the venture capital arm of insurance giant Allianz, called Allianz X.
Clark paid in their own existing shares, as well as in newly generated ones. As part of the transaction, existing investors (Portag3 Ventures, White Star Capital, Yabeo, Finleap, and Tencent) and Allianz X also invested cash. The different parts of the transaction have not been disclosed, but we know that Allianz X is now the largest minority stakeholder in Clark. The investors valued the newly combined Clark at more than 1 bn US$ (according to FAZ). There is no public statement of neither Clark nor one of their investors confirming the valuation.
Interviews With Clark’s Founder Christopher
You can learn more about the founder in our interviews here.
Here is the audio-only interview from 2017.
Here is the audio and video interview from January 2021
The Interviewer
This interview was conducted by Jörn “Joe” Menninger, startup scout, founder, and host of Startuprad.io. Reach out to him:
Follow us on Social Media
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/startuprad.io/
Frankfurt is part of the growing DACH startup ecosystem, addressing market needs with innovative solutions.
Clark, an insurtech based in Frankfurt, acquired Finanzen.de from Allianz X, becoming a unicorn with a valuation over $1 billion.
This founder interview provides insights relevant to entrepreneurs and investors in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Quote Highlights
Clark becomes Frankfurt's first unicorn startup after acquiring Finanzen.de from Allianz X in a shares-and-cash transaction.
The insurtech platform reached a valuation exceeding one billion dollars, marking a milestone for the Frankfurt startup ecosystem.
Clark's digital insurance marketplace helps consumers manage and optimize their insurance portfolios through technology-driven solutions.
Frankfurt proves it can produce unicorns, challenging Berlin's dominance as the sole major startup hub in Germany.
Relationship Map
Jörn "Joe" Menninger → Host of → Startuprad.io
Partner with Startuprad.io
Startuprad.io is the leading independent media platform covering startups, venture capital, and innovation across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and Europe. We offer B2B partnership opportunities for companies looking to reach startup decision-makers, founders, and investors.
Become a Partner — Learn about sponsorship and partnership opportunities
Contact us: partnerships@startuprad.io
Editor-in-Chief: Jörn "Joe" Menninger on LinkedIn
Subscribe to the Podcast
All podcast links: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
What does Frankfurt do?
Clark, an insurtech based in Frankfurt, acquired Finanzen.de from Allianz X, becoming a unicorn with a valuation over $1 billion.
Who founded Frankfurt?
This founder interview is part of our ongoing coverage of Scaleup Founder Interviews from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
How is Frankfurt funded?
Our audience may already know that we are based in Frankfurt am Main and therefore we are happy to cover selected news from our hub here. In a cash and shares transaction insurtech Clark bought the website Finazen.de from the VC arm of German insuran
About the Host
Joern Menninger is the host of the Startuprad.io podcast and covers founders, investors, and policy developments across the DACH startup ecosystem. Through more than 1,300 interviews and nearly a decade of reporting, he documents the evolution of the European startup landscape. Follow Joern on LinkedIn.
Want to reach the DACH startup ecosystem? Become a partner and connect with founders, investors, and operators across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Support Startuprad.io
Startuprad.io is the leading independent media platform covering startups and innovation across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. We bring founders’ stories to a global audience through in-depth interviews and expert analysis. Support our mission by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite platform, sharing this episode with fellow startup enthusiasts, or exploring sponsorship opportunities at startuprad.io.
Comments