Felix Wagner 
Qurie, a Freiburg-based startup, secured €2.2 million in funding to develop next-generation electrocaloric cooling systems that operate without compressors, refrigerants or pressure build-up. The technology is more efficient and sustainable than traditional refrigeration systems, with theoretical efficiency over 80% compared to 50% for traditional compressors.
Dunia Innovations unveiled plans for Berlin GigaLab, a €280 million facility to industrialize AI-driven materials discovery. The 6,000 m² facility will integrate autonomous experimentation, AI-guided design, and industrial-grade characterization. Backed by an industrial consortium including Siemens, ABB Robotics, NVIDIA, AWS, and ILS, the facility is expected to create over 200 jobs and begin operations in 2028.
Austrian wellness group Therme Group, founded and led by Romanian businessman Robert Hanea, appointed Ramona Chiriac as Vice President for Global Impact. Chiriac, who ended her mandate as head of the European Commission Representation in Romania in March 2026, will focus on strategic partnerships, institutional relations, and thought leadership on the future of wellness and human development. The appointment reflects Therme Group’s ambitions for international expansion and positioning at the intersection of wellbeing, cities, communities, culture, and societal transformation.
Munich-based agri-PV startup Feldwerke secured €12 million in revolving credit facility financing from a French renewable energy debt fund. The facility will enable Feldwerke to construct approximately 100 MW of agrivoltaic installations over the next 18 months. Founded in 2023, Feldwerke has already installed over 20 MW of capacity and aims to reach 1 GW by 2030.
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.