Avatar photoFelix Wagner

Felix is the EU Startups News correspondent for the DACH region. Based in Berlin, he reports on Germany and Austria's world-class startup ecosystem, covering everything from early-stage deeptech ventures to late-stage B2B SaaS companies attracting global investor attention.

Austrian Startup Efferon Expands Blood-Purification Technology After Securing Paediatric Approval in Europe

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Austrian startup Efferon, founded in 2016, creates blood‑purification cartridges that remove bacterial toxins and inflammatory mediators to treat sepsis. After receiving European CE MDR approval for its adult device in 2024 and paediatric certification in 2026, the devices have been used in over 25,000 treatments in 44 countries, generating more than €1 million in revenue. Efferon is now pursuing US regulatory pathways, expanding into China, and developing an outpatient solution for post‑sepsis and chronic inflammation.

Munich Court Rules AI Music Platform Suno Violated Copyright Law in Landmark German Decision

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A German court decision highlighted the need for AI music platforms to obtain licences before using copyrighted music for training, marking the first EU ruling on AI training that took place in the United States. The judgment, welcomed by Dutch rights organisation BumaStemra, underscores the importance of European copyright rules for generative AI.

Cologne-Based DeepTech Investor neoteq Closes First Tranche of Second Venture Fund

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Cologne‑based early‑stage investor neoteq announced that it has successfully closed the first closing of its second fund, marking a milestone in its fundraising efforts as the VC market recovers. In an interview, General Partner Simon Schneider discussed the improving market conditions, the high standards expected from founding teams, and the fund’s focus on DeepTech investments.

German VC Visionaries Club Streamlines Team with GP-Led Model Shift

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German VC Visionaries Club announced it will reduce its full‑time investment team to two lead partners, Rob Lacher and Venkat Kondragunta, as it gears up for a new GP‑led fund. The move follows departures of two investors and reflects a shift toward an AI‑native, “concentration” model for venture capital. Existing partners and junior investors remain, while the firm continues to back AI‑focused startups such as Lovable, Black Forest Labs and N8n.