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DW
3 days ago
- Business
- DW
How Munich became Europe's tech startup capital – DW – 06/04/2025
Founders flock to Munich, Germany, to access capital, expertise, and networks that can help turn ideas into thriving businesses. It's like navigating a labyrinth — a journey hundreds of young entrepreneurs across Europe embark on each year in search of opportunity, innovation, funding, and success. They're also looking for the country and city that offers the ideal conditions to launch a business. For an increasing number, that journey leads to Isar Valley, named after the river that runs through Munich, and which provided the informal nickname for the Bavarian capital's technology and artificial intelligence (AI) scene, inspired by the Silicon Valley technology hub in California. Munich's Technical University and its entrepreneurship center are essential for startup founders Image: UnternehmerTUM Munich ranks 17th globally in the latest Global Tech Ecosystem Index compiled by Netherlands-based data provider Dealroom. When measured by high-performance, innovation-driven ecosystems with strong per-capita output, Munich rises to 5th place — just behind US tech hubs San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, New York, and Cambridge. From hackathon enthusiast to startup founder Greek entrepreneurs Nikos Tsiamitros and Georgios Pipelidis also chose to launch their startup in Munich, even though Tsiamitros says there wasn't a "personal reason" to move to the capital of the German southern state of Bavaria. "I didn't know anyone here and had never even visited the city," he told DW, but added that he was well aware of the "excellent reputation" of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Nikos Tsiamitros (left) and Georgios Pipelidis were drawn to Munich because of its excellent startup environment Image: Georgios Pipelidis Tsiamitros arrived from Athens to pursue his master's degree in Munich, while Pipelidis came to TUM via Austria to complete his PhD. "That's where we started working together on navigation software for public transportation," Pipelidis told DW. They joined a hackathon — an event where programmers team up for several days or weeks to develop software, often around the clock — and they won the competition. "From that moment on, we started to believe that our navigation and localization algorithm could become a real startup," said Tsiamitros. Then, in March 2019, they launched their first startup business called Ariadne — derived from the Cretan princess in Greek mythology who gave Theseus a thread to find his way out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. A fitting metaphor for their software, Pipelidis noted with a grin. UnternehmerTUM provides support with substance But having a strong algorithm is one thing. Launching a startup, writing a business plan, and securing capital is another. That's where Munich's startup ecosystem offers a crucial resource — the UnternehmerTUM entrepreneurship center based at TUM. At UnternehmerTUM, the two business founders learned how to start and run a company, Pipelidis said, adding that thanks to that support, Ariadne was generating revenue just a few months after launch. Ariadne's main product has since evolved from a navigation software into an AI-based people-counting and movement analytics tool. Today, it serves airports in Munich, Glasgow, and Los Angeles, as well as the German cities of Leverkusen, Bielefeld, and Regensburg, plus several malls and retailers, including IKEA. Startups like Ariadne also benefit from hands-on mentorship. Barbara Mehner, managing partner of the Xpreneurs incubator at UnternehmerTUM is one of them. "We help early-stage startups enter the market by connecting them with investors, mentors, and potential customers," she told DW. KEWAZO 'liftbot' and the robotic revolution in scaffolding Among the more than 100 tech startups founded annually in Munich is KEWAZO, a company led by Greek founder Eirini Psallida. Eirini Psallida is one of many successful startup founders who have emerged from the Isar Valley tech hub Image: Eirini Psallida KEWAZO's core product is a battery-powered, remote-controlled robotic lifting system called LIFTBOT. This robot facilitates the transport and assembly of scaffolding and other construction materials. "All industries seemed fully automated — except construction," Eirini told DW, explaining the idea behind the company. Psallida named the startup after the Greek word kataskevazo, meaning "to produce." And like Ariadne, this startup was born out of a hackathon at UnternehmerTUM. Today, the company's robotic lift system is in daily use at major industrial and construction sites — from the chemical park of BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, to oil refineries in the US. KEWAZO's liftbots are seen on many construction sites Image: Flint Hills Resources "I can't imagine how we would have done it without UnternehmerTUM," Psallida told DW, as the incubator gave them access to hardware, software, legal and business advice. "And we got help securing public funding without giving up any equity," she added. One in four German unicorns founded by foreigners The KEWAZO team includes six founders from four different countries, reflecting the diverse nature of Germany's startup landscape. According to the latest Migrant Founders Monitor compiled by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Germany's Startup Association, a significant number of founders in the country have a migration background. "Fourteen percent of startup founders were born abroad," said Vanusch Walk, senior researcher at the Startup Association and lead author of the report. Among the founders of so-called unicorns — startups valued at over a billion dollars — the share is even higher at 23%, he told DW. The survey shows that migrant founders stand out for their "strong entrepreneurial mindset, willingness to take risks, and resilience" — traits that are crucial for startup success. Migrant founders still face higher barriers Despite their strengths, migrant founders also face notable challenges in Germany. "Top of the list is access to networks," said Walk, adding that coping with Germany's infamous bureaucracy is also difficult, as well as gaining access to funding, no matter whether public or private. Germany: More support for migrant entrepreneurs? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Pipelidis from Ariadne experienced this firsthand. One German venture capital firm made its investment conditional on replacing him as CEO with a German national. "They wanted a native speaker as the public face of the company," he recalled. "I understand that customers prefer dealing with someone who speaks fluent German — that's why all our salespeople are native speakers. But replacing me as CEO? That was too much," he said. In the end, Georgios Pipelidis and Nikos Tsiamitros secured support from a Greek VC firm. And despite the setbacks, their enthusiasm for Munich hasn't wavered. At the end of their own Ariadne thread still lies the Bavarian capital. This article was originally written in German.
DW
6 days ago
- Business
- DW
Isar Valley: How Munich became Europe's startup capital – DW – 06/04/2025
In the Bavarian capital, international talent meets an ecosystem built to help startups succeed. Here, founders gain access to capital, expertise, and networks that can turn ideas into thriving businesses. It's like navigating a labyrinth — a journey hundreds of young entrepreneurs across Europe embark on each year in search of opportunity, innovation, funding, and success. They're also looking for the country and city that offers the ideal conditions to launch a business. For an increasing number, that journey leads to Isar Valley, named after the river that runs through Munich, and which provided the informal nickname for the Bavarian capital's technology and artificial intelligence (AI) scene, inspired by the Silicon Valley technology hub in California. Munich's Technical University and its entrepreneurship center are essential for startup founders Image: UnternehmerTUM Munich ranks 17th globally in the latest Global Tech Ecosystem Index compiled by Netherlands-based data provider Dealroom. When measured by high-performance, innovation-driven ecosystems with strong per-capita output, Munich rises to 5th place — just behind US tech hubs San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, New York, and Cambridge. From hackathon enthusiast to startup founder Greek entrepreneurs Nikos Tsiamitros and Georgios Pipelidis also chose to launch their startup in Munich, even though Tsiamitros says there wasn't a "personal reason" to move to the capital of the German southern state of Bavaria. "I didn't know anyone here and had never even visited the city," he told DW, but added that he was well aware of the "excellent reputation" of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Nikos Tsiamitros (left) and Georgios Pipelidis were drawn to Munich because of its excellent startup environment Image: Georgios Pipelidis Tsiamitros arrived from Athens to pursue his master's degree in Munich, while Pipelidis came to TUM via Austria to complete his PhD. "That's where we started working together on navigation software for public transportation," Pipelidis told DW. They joined a hackathon — an event where programmers team up for several days or weeks to develop software, often around the clock — and they won the competition. "From that moment on, we started to believe that our navigation and localization algorithm could become a real startup," said Tsiamitros. Then, in March 2019, they launched their first startup business called Ariadne — derived from the Cretan princess in Greek mythology who gave Theseus a thread to find his way out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. A fitting metaphor for their software, Pipelidis noted with a grin. UnternehmerTUM provides support with substance But having a strong algorithm is one thing. Launching a startup, writing a business plan, and securing capital is another. That's where Munich's startup ecosystem offers a crucial resource — the UnternehmerTUM entrepreneurship center based at TUM. At UnternehmerTUM, the two business founders learned how to start and run a company, Pipelidis said, adding that thanks to that support, Ariadne was generating revenue just a few months after launch. Ariadne's main product has since evolved from a navigation software into an AI-based people-counting and movement analytics tool. Today, it serves airports in Munich, Glasgow, and Los Angeles, as well as the German cities of Leverkusen, Bielefeld, and Regensburg, plus several malls and retailers, including IKEA. Startups like Ariadne also benefit from hands-on mentorship. Barbara Mehner, managing partner of the Xpreneurs incubator at UnternehmerTUM is one of them. "We help early-stage startups enter the market by connecting them with investors, mentors, and potential customers," she told DW. KEWAZO 'liftbot' and the robotic revolution in scaffolding Among the more than 100 tech startups founded annually in Munich is KEWAZO, a company led by Greek founder Eirini Psallida. Eirini Psallida is one of many successful startup founders who have emerged from the Isar Valley tech hub Image: Eirini Psallida KEWAZO's core product is a battery-powered, remote-controlled robotic lifting system called LIFTBOT. This robot facilitates the transport and assembly of scaffolding and other construction materials. "All industries seemed fully automated — except construction," Eirini told DW, explaining the idea behind the company. Psallida named the startup after the Greek word kataskevazo, meaning "to produce." And like Ariadne, this startup was born out of a hackathon at UnternehmerTUM. Today, the company's robotic lift system is in daily use at major industrial and construction sites — from the chemical park of BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, to oil refineries in the US. KEWAZO's liftbots are seen on many construction sites, like in Dublin, where they helped rebuild the Presbyterian Church Image: Eirini Psallida "I can't imagine how we would have done it without UnternehmerTUM," Psallida told DW, as the incubator gave them access to hardware, software, legal and business advice. "And we got help securing public funding without giving up any equity," she added. One in four German unicorns founded by foreigners The KEWAZO team includes six founders from four different countries, reflecting the diverse nature of Germany's startup landscape. According to the latest Migrant Founders Monitor compiled by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Germany's Startup Association, a significant number of founders in the country have a migration background. "Fourteen percent of startup founders were born abroad," says Vanush Walk, senior researcher at the Startup Association and lead author of the report. Among the founders of so-called unicorns — startups valued at over a billion dollars — the share is even higher at 23%, he told DW. The survey shows that migrant founders stand out for their "strong entrepreneurial mindset, willingness to take risks, and resilience" — traits that are crucial for startup success. Migrant founders face higher barriers still Despite their strengths, migrant founders also face notable challenges in Germany. "Top of the list is access to networks," said Walk, adding that coping with Germany's infamous bureaucracy is also difficult, as well as gaining access to funding, no matter whether public or private. Germany: More support for migrant entrepreneurs? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Georgios Pipelidis from Ariadne experienced this firsthand. One German venture capital firm made its investment conditional on replacing him as CEO with a German national. "They wanted a native speaker as the public face of the company," he recalled. "I understand that customers prefer dealing with someone who speaks fluent German — that's why all our salespeople are native speakers. But replacing me as CEO? That was too much," he said. In the end, Georgios Pipelidis and Nikos Tsiamitros secured support from a Greek VC firm. And despite the setbacks, their enthusiasm for Munich hasn't wavered. At the end of their own Ariadne thread still lies the Bavarian capital. This article was originally written in German.
Business Wire
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
MarkHerz Signs MOU with TUM Hospital for Joint Development of Cardiovascular and Diabetes-Targeted AAV Gene Therapies
MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MarkHerz Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in AAV-based gene therapies targeting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 16, 2025 with Klinikum rechts der Isar, the university hospital affiliated with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. 'This partnership goes beyond R&D it marks the beginning of international clinical and commercial deployment of our platform technology.' The agreement aims to establish a broad-based collaboration on the joint research and development of next-generation gene therapies for ischemic heart and peripheral vascular diseases. This will center around MarkHerz's proprietary MAAV Platform, which enables the development of precision-targeted AAV gene therapies, particularly its MRTF-A candidate. The collaboration will include preclinical and clinical trials, technology consulting, and the sharing of research infrastructure. The signing ceremony was attended by leading cardiovascular gene therapy expert Prof. Christian Kupatt (MD, TUM), patent attorney Dr. Rudolph Schön of Germany's Neymeyr & Partner, Seungmin Lee (Dr. Mark Lee), CEO of MarkHerz, and Jeongseo Baek (Grace Baek), Head of the company's German office. Building a Strategic Gateway into the European Clinical Landscape MarkHerz's entry into Germany reflects a strategic initiative to complement Korea's increasingly regulated domestic environment by leveraging Europe's flexible clinical trial pathways, such as EMA's Early Access programs and Investigator-Initiated Trials. TUM Hospital's extensive cardiovascular preclinical models and translational research capacity are expected to generate high-quality data recognized by global regulatory agencies, including the EMA, FDA, PMDA, and MFDS. Dr. Seungmin Lee emphasized, 'The clinical validation of cardiovascular gene therapies is a critical factor in licensing negotiations with global pharma partners. This partnership goes beyond R&D it marks the beginning of international clinical and commercial deployment of our platform technology.' MRTF-A gene therapy: expanding the horizons of regenerative medicine MarkHerz's MRTF-A treatment aims to overcome the limitations of existing protein-based treatments, such as VEGF and FGF, by promoting functional blood vessel regeneration through endothelial recovery. This treatment is designed to deliver long-term efficacy in a single dose while addressing the core promise of gene therapy: sustained, one-time treatment. The company's vector innovations using AAV9, AAVrh74 and AAV-LK03, optimized for specific organ targeting, establish a platform for expansion beyond rare diseases into cardiovascular and neurological diseases, aligning with global trends and further validating the scalability of the technology. Deepening Ties with Europe's Leading Research Ecosystem This agreement positions MarkHerz to strengthen ties with not only TUM, but also Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich and the BioM Cluster, forming a robust network across Europe's premier scientific institutions. These partners represent the heart of Europe's innovation engine, together having produced more than 50 Nobel laureates and offer broad potential for collaboration across biotechnology, neuroscience, and translational medicine. Dr. Rudolph Schön noted, 'Successful gene therapy commercialization in Europe requires a seamless integration of regulation, technology, and strategic partnerships. This MOU represents a vital first step.' Prof. Kupatt added, 'This agreement is a turning point, translating years of research into clinical and commercial reality.' A Global Bridge Strategy Beyond Borders MarkHerz is pursuing a 'global bridge' strategy that aims not only to transfer technology or engage in joint research, but to actively overcome structural barriers in Korea's biotech ecosystem, such as regulatory bottlenecks, limited venture investment, and a high reliance on large conglomerates. 'Korea's biotech sector is rapidly growing but still faces fundamental challenges,' said Dr. Seungmin Lee. 'Through this Korea-Germany partnership, MarkHerz aims to lead by example and establish a new model for successful global clinical and commercial integration.' MarkHerz currently collaborates with over 250 partner institutions and, through formal alliances with 15 of them, operates eight distinct pipelines. Notably, active joint research projects valued at approximately KRW 15 billion are underway in AAV-based cardiovascular therapies (licensed in 10 European countries), diabetes treatments, cerebrovascular disorder therapies and CAR-Treg–based cancer immunotherapies.
NDTV
31-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Indian Students Choosing Destinations Beyond US & UK For Higher Studies, Here's Why
Study Abroad: While the US and UK are renowned destinations for international students, the number of Indian students opting for alternative study destinations has been steadily increasing and is expected to grow further. Many students are choosing other countries that offer a comparable quality of education along with several additional benefits. Why Students Are Preferring Countries Beyond US And UK? Low Tuition Fees: Various countries like Germany, Canada, Ireland, and the Netherlands offer zero to very low tuition fees. Cost of Living: Various cities in the US and UK are known for a high cost of living such as New York having a high rent of accommodation makes it unfavorable for students to consider living there. Other countries like Germany and Ireland being relatively cheaper than these countries, draws international students. Post-study Work Opportunities: Countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have favorable post-study work visa options, making them attractive to students seeking international work experience. Simplified Visa Processes: Students are increasingly drawn to destinations where visa and immigration policies are less restrictive and more transparent. Top Countries Students Are Preferring For Studying Over US and UK Germany: Germany is highly favored by international students for providing tuition-free education in their public universities irrespective of the nationality. Various universities like Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich), Humboldt University of Berlin and University of Bonn, charge zero tuition-fees to international students. Canada: Canada is preferred by many students because of its low tuition fees, cultural diversity and work opportunities. Recently, Canada brough a change in their policy which allows eligible work permit holders to study without a study permit. Australia and New Zealand: Both countries are preferred by international students because they offer globally recognized universities and courses, especially in areas like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and business. Ireland: Ireland offers various post study work options for international students allowing them to be eligible for up to two years of stay back under the Third Level Graduate Scheme. Ireland is also known for its safe environment. Netherlands: Netherlands is a popular destination for international students due to its strong educational system, multicultural environment, and affordable cost of living. Students must carefully examine the countries and make sure to meet their academic and culture values before choosing to study there.
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Studying in Germany: Tuition-Free Education and Top Universities
Studying in Germany 2025: Germany is known for providing tuition-free education to students through its public universities irrespective of the nationality. Students can apply for various undergraduate and postgraduate programs at several universities offering tuition-free education. The abolition of tuition fee was done in 2014 by Germany's 16 states for public universities and has been in place since then. Studying in Germany: Basic Semester Fees and Requirements While the tuition fee is free, students will be still required to pay a nominal semester fee, ranging from 150 euros to 350 euros which will cover administrative costs and may include public transportation passes. To get admission into Germany's public universities, students must know German language as it is used as the source of medium for teaching. They can complete a certification course in German language and use it as a proof while applying. Students must provide Academic transcripts (official academic records from previous university or school), a Letter of Recommendation, clear the Language Proficiency Test (LPT), provide Statement of Purpose (SOP) which includes details of your reason for applying, your goals and why you would be an ideal candidate for the university and give the Standardized Tests for admission to undergraduate or postgraduate programs. Here Is A List Of Top Public Universities Providing Tuition Free Education In Germany: Technical University of Munich (TUM) Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) Humboldt University of Berlin University of Bonn University of Freiburg University of Hamburg RWTH Aachen University University of Cologne University of Leipzig Studying in Germany 2025: Living Expenses and Scholarships Students must expect an expense of 800 euros to 1200 euros per month. Students can also take full time jobs for up to 120 days and half time jobs for 240 days per year to cover their expenses. Various scholarships are offered in Germany to support international students financially. Some of the scholarships include: DAAD Scholarships: DAAD scholarship, offered by German Academic Exchange Service, provides financial support for various programs. Deutschland stipendium: A merit-based scholarship that offers financial assistance to high-achieving students. Erasmus+ Program: Provides funding opportunities for students to study abroad within Europe. Before applying, students must carefully choose their respective college university and compare the education system of various universities to meet your academic goals.
