The Hamburg-based Aortex's life-saving ideas for detecting and fighting cancer early won over both the jury and audience on the Health & Life Science Venture Day 2025 held by the Life Science North cluster. The company's founders have developed membrane technology that enables smaller vascular stents to be produced faster. The stents are used to treat aneurysms -a pathological dilations of arteries. Zilentix, which is based in Hamburg's TecHHub, is another successful health startup. sector. The company uses transformed viruses to treat brain tumours and hopes to launch its anti-cancer medication on the market by 2030.
Top news and report from Hamburg's startup ecosystem - deadlines for applications
The Hamburg-based start-up Dealcircle raised some EUR 5 million in a funding round led by the InnoVenture Fund of IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH in June. Founded in 2018 by Kai Hesselmann and Graig Gröbli, Dealcircle's matching technology and data intelligence automatically creates a longlist of potential buyers for advisors specialising in mergers and acquisitions. Around 1,400 M&A projects were placed in 2024 and over 2,000 projects are to be marketed this year, the founders said.
Health and life sciences
Three successful startups at DESY
The world-famous German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg is at the forefront of basic research, and also boasts an increasing number of spin-offs including Axiom Insights, Cycle and Königssystems. Founded at DESY in 2019, Axiom Insights helps pharmaceutical researchers develop medication based on X-ray fluorescence analysis. This materials analysis imaging method is used to examine solid samples such as glass or ceramics. Meanwhile, Cycle is developing high-precision technology and measurement systems that are integrated into femtosecond lasers, operating in the quadrillionth of a second range. Cycle’s clients include the European Space Agency and other global research institutions. Another start-up, Königssystems, specialises in complex vacuum systems for a wide range of applications. Its extensive experience with thin-film coatings for scientific and commercial applications has resulted in an innovative material that could be pivotal in future energy storage.
Networking, ridesharing and key startup events
The Muvn start-up uses carpooling services to transport oversized goods that are unsuitable for conventional parcel delivery, offering a cost-effective solution for getting items from A to B. This business model is based on that of the successful French company BlaBlaCar. An empty space in a car is instead used for packages, effectively turning the car into a van. Read the full story on Startup City.
Networking is crucial for startups like the Rudel app for dog owners. Startup City Hamburg recently accompanied its founder, Tim Matschkowski, to Chef Treff, a networking event for startups and young professionals in Hamburg. Watch the video to find out how the event added value for his startup. Don't miss any highlights and plan ahead with Startup City‘s overview of key dates for founders and budding entrepreneurs.
Apply now for contests and surveys
The German Startup Monitor (DSM) measures the impact of the local startup ecosystem and provides information for the press and those in the political sphere. Take part in its survey now. Startups are now invited to apply for the Gunnar Uldall Business contest and scoop EUR 15,000 in prize money. Any company based in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region with a business idea that meets the criteria is eligible. Applications can be submitted until the deadline of September 30, 2025.
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Sources and further information
- innovationsstarter.com
- dealcircle.com/en/
- aortex.eu
- axiom-insights.com
- cyclelasers.com
- koenigssystems.de
- muvn.de
- gunnar-uldall-wirtschaftspreis
- chef-treff.de
Startup City Hamburg
Click on Startup City Hamburg for an overview of startups based in Hamburg, funding schemes and networking opportunities. This digital one-stop-shop for Hamburg’s startup ecosystem raises the city’s visibility for fledgling companies both nationally and internationally. Click here to register for the newsletter.
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