Participated · Equity · Jan 2025

Menlo79 builds WILSON, a cloud-based workforce management platform that handles shift planning, scheduling, qualification management and automated payroll and billing for rail and logistics operators. The software is designed to address poor workforce planning in rail transport and reportedly cuts administrative effort by up to 60%. Since its first rollout in early 2022 the platform is used by more than 65 customers with over 2,300 daily users; Menlo79 has worked with over 75 customers and network partners in total. The company was founded in 2019 and employs over 35 people. Until this raise Menlo79 followed a bootstrapping approach. The new capital and recent grants will be used to further develop the product and to professionalise and expand marketing and sales to support growth.

Participated · Series A · Aug 2024

Dcubed, based in Munich, develops durable and affordable release actuators, solar arrays, and deployables for space missions using patented shape‑memory technology and proprietary origami structures. Its products are designed to be superior in cost, mass, volume, reliability, durability, and reusability, and the company serves a global customer base in over twenty countries. Dcubed closed a €4.4M Series A that was oversubscribed by 26%, attracting eight investors from France, Sweden, Germany and the U.S., led by Expansion and BayBG with participation from HTGF, Aurelia Foundry, Ventis, Rymdkapital and Decisive Point Europe. The new capital will be used to quadruple production of satellite actuators to meet demand tied to an anticipated 100,000 satellite launches and to scale its operations. Dcubed plans to pioneer in‑space manufacturing, including a 2025 demonstration to 3D‑print a high‑performance satellite solar array in free space supported by a €9.5M European Innovation Council contribution. The company will also expand its U.S. footprint with a new office in Westminster, Colorado, led by Andria Fortier, to grow U.S. operations and strategic relationships.

Participated · Equity · Jul 2024

Vytal Global operates a digital reusable-packaging network and licenses its technology platform while running wholly owned subsidiaries across Europe and beyond. The company offers smart, data-enabled reusable packaging solutions aimed at hospitality, events, and consumer brands to reduce single-use waste. It has grown rapidly since its 2020 founding, reporting that revenue more than doubled over the past year and that its network now includes over 7,000 partners across 24 countries. Vytal recently launched a dedicated business serving global consumer brands and the event and entertainment industry, securing clients such as Pepsi, UEFA Euro 2024 Fanzones, Hyrox, and Live Nation’s Insomniac Festival Group. The new funding is earmarked to enhance its technology-driven solutions, unlock brand partnerships and consumer engagement, and make reusable packaging more seamless and cost-efficient. A significant portion of the proceeds will support expansion into the U.S. while reinforcing its position in Europe. Vytal provides software-enabled reusable packaging solutions that leverage software and data analytics to reduce single-use packaging. The company partners with more than 7,000 partners across 17 countries to deploy its reusable systems. It has launched VyEES (VYTAL Events & Entertainment Solutions GmbH), a wholly owned subsidiary to extend reusable packaging into the events and entertainment sector. VyEES counts customers such as the Berlinale, the OMR Festival and the Cruilla Music Festival in Barcelona. Vytal intends to use the newly raised funds to expand its business reach and further develop its software and data-driven offerings. The company emphasizes sustainability and operational efficiency in its products and services.

Participated · Seed · Feb 2024

ATMOS Space Cargo is presented as a NewSpace startup based in Lichtenau. The article reports the company completed a €1.3M seed extension. Participating investors included OTB Ventures; HTGF | High‑Tech Gründerfonds; APEX Ventures; Seraphim Space; E2MC Ventures; VENTIS CAPITAL; and another.vc. The funding was reported in a LinkedIn roundup of German funding rounds covering February 12–16. The article does not describe the company’s core product, technology, customers, revenue, users, or future plans. No operating metrics or financial details beyond the round size were provided.

Participated · Seed · Feb 2024

ATMOS Space Cargo develops free-flying orbital transfer and re-entry vehicles (PHOENIX family) and offers space logistics services to commercial, institutional, and defence customers. PHOENIX 2 is described as a free-flying spacecraft with integrated propulsion and power capable of missions from hours to several months in LEO, performing autonomous de-orbit and controlled atmospheric re-entry using an Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerator (IAD) that is non-ablative and acts as a heat shield and aerodynamic brake. The company plans an initial three-vehicle PHOENIX 2 fleet operated as a phased campaign and is preparing recovery operations near Santa Maria in the Azores under an ANACOM licence. ATMOS is also developing PHOENIX 3, a next-generation return vehicle with an intended payload capacity of roughly one metric tonne, about ten times PHOENIX 2’s capacity. To serve governmental and defence needs it is launching ATMOS WORKS, a dedicated dual-use business unit. The company raised €25.7M in a Series A to fund these activities, including the PHOENIX 2 build, ATMOS WORKS launch, and PHOENIX 3 development, with participation from the EIC Accelerator which provides blended grant and equity financing.