Led · Equity · Feb 2026

Founded in 2024 as a spin-off from the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), simmetry.ai develops a cloud-based simulation platform that produces photorealistic, multi-sensor synthetic data for computer-vision training. The system supports semantic segmentation, object detection, 3D pose estimation and regression, giving AI developers and robotics engineers a way to supplement scarce real-world datasets. Initial industry targets include precision weed control in agriculture, quality inspection in food production and industrial monitoring, all areas where diverse training data are expensive or difficult to capture. By generating images across tightly controlled conditions and edge cases, the platform aims to cut time and cost while boosting model robustness. The company positions its technology as a solution to the “data bottleneck” that often slows AI deployment in complex environments. With fresh capital, simmetry.ai intends to scale the platform and offer tailored data-generation pipelines to customers. No revenue or user metrics have yet been disclosed.

Led · Seed · Dec 2025

heyParents is a Hannover-based HR-tech startup that has built what it calls the first digital parental-leave assistant for companies. The software centralises all key information, sends automated email reminders, and provides guides, checklists and short tutorials to give managers confidence, reduce HR workload and support staff. Launched in 2023 by founders Stephanie Höfer and Karolin Gaßmann, the product is already used across city administrations, SMEs and large enterprises such as Rolls-Royce. The company originated from MOX Relations GmbH, which the founders established in 2021. Recognised with awards like the DurchSTARTer-Preis (NBank) and the Vereinbarkeits.Jetzt-Award, heyParents positions parental leave as a strategic retention moment for employers. With fresh seed capital, the team plans to expand headcount, scale sales and marketing, explore international markets, and add AI-driven features to the platform. No revenue or user numbers were disclosed in the article.

Led · Seed · Dec 2025

LBR Manufacturing GmbH is an industrial-tech startup that builds innovative, compact milling systems designed to give companies in-house capability for prototype and small-series production without the need for large factory space. The machines aim to make part manufacturing faster, more iterative and easier to operate. To complement the hardware, the team is also advancing proprietary software that streamlines the milling workflow. With its new capital, LBR plans to commence serial production of its systems, support pilot customers and continue software development. The company was founded by Marcus Rauch, Jan-Rickmer Luth and Enno Brokof, who met in the Lions Racing Team at TU Braunschweig after experiencing first-hand the slow, non-iterative nature of conventional part fabrication. LBR operates from the Technologiepark am Rebenring in Braunschweig and won the 2024 Braunschweig Founders Prize. The startup positions its technology as a flexible, accessible alternative to traditional, centralized manufacturing setups, though no revenue or user metrics have yet been disclosed.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2025

Founded in 2019 by Dr Prateek Mahalwar and Srinivas Karuturi, BIOWEG uses precision fermentation to transform food-industry waste into high-purity bacterial cellulose and related bio-based acids. These ingredients power product lines such as Micbeads (micro-powders), RheoWeg (rheology modifiers) and AgriWeg (seed and fertiliser coatings) that replace microplastics and fossil-derived polymers in personal care, home care and agriculture. The same fermentation platform is now being extended, together with TU Berlin, to create a low-energy, solvent-free, water-based method for selectively recovering rare earth elements from complex waste streams. BIOWEG operates a demonstration site in Quakenbrück, Germany, and an applications lab on Bayer Crop Science’s campus in Monheim. The company’s process integrates in-house-produced bio-acids for bioleaching with TU Berlin’s peptide-based separation columns, aiming to deliver a circular solution for Europe’s growing REE demand. Its approach targets lower CO₂ footprints, reduced toxic waste and improved economic viability compared with conventional, high-energy REE recovery. The latest €1.5 million funding strengthens BIOWEG’s balance sheet and accelerates scale-up of the REE platform alongside its existing commercial ingredient lines.

Led · Equity · Jul 2024

Lignopure converts and recycles lignin, a natural plant polymer, into bio-based alternatives to fossil chemicals and microplastics. The company develops lignin-based ingredients used in cosmetics, dietary supplements, and vegan leather, and launched LignoBase, a multifunctional lignin ingredient for cosmetics that reached market maturity in 2023 and can replace harmful sunscreen ingredients. Founded in 2019 by Daniela Arango, Joana Gil Chavez and Wienke Reynolds as a spin-off from the Hamburg University of Technology, Lignopure operates a production facility in Buxtehude and in 2022 commissioned a GMP-compliant plant capable of recycling 90,000 kilograms of lignin annually. The company aims to partner with biorefineries and expand its product portfolio to decarbonise the chemical industry and replace harmful chemicals across sectors. Its recent €2.4M equity raise is intended to strengthen global presence, lay the foundation for global production with international biorefineries, and further expand products. Investors and management emphasize the founders' strategic orientation and the goal of moving away from fossil fuels and microplastics. LignoPure has developed a process to transform lignin—a widely available byproduct of pulp, paper and biorefinery operations—into ultrafine, high-quality particles marketed as LignoBase®. The company offers tailor-made lignin powders and development services to help customers launch sustainable, lignin-based products, with an initial focus on cosmetics as a functional ingredient. LignoPure aims to replace harmful fossil-based materials by bringing lignin’s natural properties into end products. The seed financing will be used to scale the production technology so the company can deliver high-quality lignin for cosmetics on a ton-scale. The team positions itself to accelerate market entry and supports customer product development with tailored solutions for life-science and new-materials applications. LignoPure emphasizes sustainability and cost-efficiency as core value propositions for industry adoption.