Felix Wagner 
Commerzbank formally rejected UniCredit’s takeover bid valued at €39 billion, claiming it undervalues the bank by 5.6% and carries significant risks. The board recommended shareholders reject the stock exchange proposal, citing vague integration plans and unrealistic synergy estimates. Commerzbank is promoting its independent ‘Momentum 2030’ strategy instead.
Helsing, a Munich-based defense startup founded in 2021, is reportedly raising 1.2 billion US dollars, which would value the company at 18 billion dollars. This would make it the most valuable German startup, surpassing previous record holders Trade Republic and Celonis. The company develops AI-powered autonomous combat drones, with the HX-2 model already in operation. The funding round is led by US investors Dragoneer and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Mawave CEO Jason Modemann shares perspectives on workplace culture, arguing that employees who disagree and challenge ideas are more valuable than those who practice people pleasing. He discusses how people pleasing can become a career inhibitor and emphasizes the importance of clarity, honesty, and taking clear positions in professional settings.
LawX, a Berlin-based LegalTech startup founded in late 2024, has raised €7.5 million in a Seed round led by Motive Partners. The company develops an AI-powered operating system for law firms and notaries, integrating case management, document processing, communication, and billing. The platform addresses labour shortages and outdated software systems in the legal market by automating administrative processes.
brixl is a German startup focused on helping construction companies win more and more profitable public construction projects. The team emphasizes that their biggest challenge is not technology, but rather building trust in a traditionally-minded industry. They aim to save precious engineering time for construction companies.
Bounce Watch is a signal-based AI platform for private market intelligence founded in 2023 by Cem Otkun and Sedat Yusuf Ergunes. The platform continuously monitors company activity, detects emerging signals, and generates actionable insights for investors, corporate venture teams, M&A teams, and other enterprise users. The company has evolved into a three-product ecosystem and completed a pre-seed funding round at a €2.5 million valuation, followed by a bridge round with existing investors.
Trade Republic unveiled a new advertising campaign featuring Brad Pitt, where the Hollywood star sits silently in a dark room while voiceover describes the company’s services including free account with card, 2% interest rates, and ability to invest from one euro. Marketing experts estimate the campaign cost between 1-10 million euros based on comparable celebrity endorsement deals. Trade Republic has previously used other celebrities including rapper Luciano, entertainer Bruce Darnell, and actor Sky du Mont.