May 2025: AI Unicorns, Mega VC Funds, and Regulation Shakeups in DACH

What if one platform could handle your startup’s banking, accounting, and invoicing—all automated? In this episode of Startuprad.io, we talk to Blas Pegenaute, CEO of Sequence ERP, a Swiss fintech startup redefining what accounting software can do for small businesses and freelancers. Blas shares his founder story—starting in nightlife, moving through hospitality, and eventually building an AI-driven accounting platform that now holds a FINMA license to act as a light bank. 🔥 What You’ll Learn: How Sequence ERP automates accounting with AI agents Why SME accounting in Switzerland is so fragmented What investors really want in early SaaS rounds How to bootstrap and scale in a conservative market Building and retaining high-performance startup teams Vision 2026: Merging ERP, AI, and banking in one product 🎙 Guest Spotlight: Blas Pegenaute is the CEO of Sequence ERP and a veteran entrepreneur with a background in international business, nightlife promotion, and hospitality. His fintech startup is setting a new standard for full-stack accounting tools built specifically for SMEs and freelancers in Europe. 💬 Like what you hear? Follow Startuprad.io, subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, and leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Don’t forget to share the episode with your team or network! 📓 Show NotesGuest Name: Blas Pegenaute, CEO of Sequence ERP Blog Post: http://startuprad.io/post/ai-accounting-software-the-swiss-startup-automating-bookkeeping-with-sequence-erp Key Resources: FINMA Overview: https://www.finma.ch/en/ Startuprad.io Blog: https://www.startuprad.io/blog/ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Automating SME Bookkeeping 02:20 – Blas’ Entrepreneurial Journey 05:00 – What’s Broken in Traditional Accounting Software 09:45 – Product-Market Fit in the Swiss SaaS Market 14:10 – Fundraising Tips for SaaS Startups 18:25 – What Makes Full-Stack Fintech Unique 24:40 – AI Agents and the Future of Accounting 28:50 – Startup Team Culture at Sequence 33:00 – Vision 2026: AI ERP Meets Embedded Banking Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

Ever wondered how a startup from Vienna broke into one of the world’s most heavily regulated tech ecosystems — and scaled to over 1 million POS integrations? Today’s episode dives into the story of Fiskaly, the RegTech that made fiscal compliance software scalable, seamless, and cloud-first. What You'll Learn: How to navigate and win in Germany’s complex POS regulation landscape (TSE + BSI) Why cloud-first, API-driven compliance is the new standard in RegTech Strategies for scaling SaaS in regulated markets like Spain and Italy What it takes to secure strategic VC investment while bootstrapping growth Guest Spotlight: Oliver Abel, Country Manager Germany at Fiskaly, shares his journey leading the charge into some of Europe’s strictest compliance frameworks — and why unified API architecture is the next big thing for SaaS startups operating across borders. Emotional Close + CTA: Like what you hear? Follow Startuprad.io, subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! Don’t forget to share this episode with other founders, SaaS builders, and investors scaling through regulation. ✅ Show NotesGuest Name: Oliver Abel, Country Manager Germany at Fiskaly Blog Post: https://startuprad.io/post/transforming-fiscal-compliance-how-fiskaly-s-cloud-first-approach-is-reshaping-european-pos-regulat Relevant Resources: Fiskaly Website BSI TSE Regulation Overview (Germany) Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: What is Fiscal Compliance Software? 01:32 – Cracking Germany’s TSE & BSI Certification 04:05 – Why Fiskaly Built a Cloud-First POS Compliance Solution 07:28 – Unified API: Scaling Fiscal Compliance Across Europe 11:13 – Strategic Partnerships: Orderbird, SumUp, Ready2Order 15:02 – Growth Capital, Verdane, and Regulated Market Scaling 18:46 – M&A and Building a European RegTech Powerhouse 22:12 – Advice for SaaS Founders Entering Regulated Industries 25:00 – Final Thoughts: RegTech, Regulation, and Startup Impact Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

Ever wondered why so many AI projects fall flat—despite great teams and tools? It often comes down to one silent saboteur: your data architecture. In this episode, we sit down with Stefan Opitz, Founder & COO of Codoflow, to explore how SMEs can build AI-ready infrastructure by rethinking data modeling from the ground up. What You'll Learn: Why traditional top-down data modeling fails fast-growing companies How bottom-up modeling enables real-time transparency and integration Why data quality and ownership are critical to AI success How Codoflow brings real-time collaboration to data design—finally killing the spreadsheet What SMEs must do today to future-proof their data for AI, compliance, and scale Guest Spotlight: Stefan Opitz, COO and Co-Founder of Codoflow, brings decades of experience in IT consulting and integration projects. Frustrated with outdated frameworks and documentation, he built Codoflow to provide a pragmatic, design-first, collaborative data modeling platform tailored for mid-sized companies and tech-forward teams. Emotional Close + CTA: Loved this conversation? Follow Startuprad.io, subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and drop us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Share this with a founder, CIO, or investor who cares about making smarter, AI-driven decisions. 📚 Show NotesGuest Name: Stefan Opitz, Founder & COO at Codoflow Blog Post: https://www.startuprad.io/post/the-complete-guide-to-data-architecture-for-smes-and-ai-integration Relevant Resources: Codoflow Website Why Bottom-Up Data Modeling Beats Traditional Frameworks for SMEs How Poor Data Quality Undermines AI Training and Business Intelligence Real-Time Collaboration in Data Architecture Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 03:20 – Why most data architecture fails SMEs 08:45 – Codoflow's bottom-up modeling approach 14:22 – Data quality, AI, and governance 21:00 – Real-time collaboration and change management 32:10 – The entrepreneur’s journey behind Codoflow 40:50 – Codoflow’s roadmap and AI integration vision 47:30 – Final insights and takeaways Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

What if your startup pitch didn’t just inform — but moved people to believe? This episode reveals how the most effective founders use strategic storytelling to build trust, spark action, and secure funding. What You'll Learn: Why most pitch decks fail to convert — and how to fix them How to use emotional storytelling to resonate with investors How to simplify deep tech for non-technical audiences Narrative frameworks for Series A, B, and beyond The psychology behind VC decisions (and what makes them say yes) Guest Spotlight: 🎤 Ehud Dror, Founder of Tailoring Your Story, is a globally respected startup storytelling strategist. He’s helped dozens of Israeli tech startups — from deep tech to SaaS — secure VC funding and scale their vision using founder-first narratives. Whether you’re pre-seed, scaling, or pitching for your next round, this episode gives you practical frameworks, examples, and narrative power-ups you can apply immediately. Rate Us: Like what you hear? Subscribe to Startuprad.io on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favorite app. Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review — and share this with a founder or investor who needs to hear it. Show NotesGuest Name: Ehud Dror, Founder at Tailoring Your Story Blog Post: http://startuprad.io/post/the-startup-storytelling-playbook-craft-narratives-that-win-investors-and-customers Relevant Resources: Ehud Dror on LinkedIn Startuprad.io Blog Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Why Storytelling Is Startup Gold 02:05 – The Most Common Narrative Mistake Founders Make 06:00 – Clarity + Momentum: The Secret Formula for Pitches 09:25 – Why Most Pitch Decks Fail to Raise Funding 14:20 – Deep Tech Storytelling: How to Make It Relatable 20:10 – Crafting the Founder “Why” That VCs Remember 26:00 – The Role of Emotion in High-Stakes Pitching 33:15 – One Narrative, Multiple Audiences (VCs, Media, Customers) 38:44 – Startup Storytelling for Series A to IPO 41:22 – Final Takeaways + Bonus Storytelling Framework Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

Startups in the DACH region are heating up — from AI unicorns to VC mega-funds. In this monthly startup news roundup, we unpack the most important trends in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland’s tech ecosystem. Learn how Parloa became Germany’s second unicorn of the year, how Quantum Systems secured €160M to dominate aerial AI, and how the EIB’s €70B initiative is reshaping venture capital in Europe. We also dive into Lyft’s FreeNow acquisition, biotech patent wars, the MiCA crypto license, and regulatory risks like the EU Data Act. 🔑 Key Takeaways: What Parloa’s unicorn status reveals about AI-native SaaS How Europe’s biggest VC fund is changing startup investment Why fintechs like Vivid are chasing MiCA compliance Top DACH soonicorns to watch in 2025 📱 Give Us Feedback https://forms.gle/Qp53eVuc9P1RMqWj8 🚨 Sponsored by Tide 👉 Struggling with small biz finances? Tide’s free account + up to €400 cashback makes it a no-brainer: tide.co/Podcastsde – use code STARTUPRADIO 🔗 Dive Deeper and Be Ahead Of The Curve! DACH Startup Ecosystem 2025: The Ultimate Hub https://www.startuprad.io/post/dach-startup-ecosystem-2025-the-ultimate-hub This Month in DACH Startups: May 2025 Startup News Wrap-Up https://www.startuprad.io/post/dach-startup-news-may-2025-unicorns-m-a-and-vc-surge Top AI Startups in the DACH Region in 2025 https://www.startuprad.io/post/top-ai-startups-in-the-dach-region-in-2025 🚦German Venture Capital in Q1 2025: Dealflow Quality Rises Amid Exit Anxiety and Fundraising Chill https://www.startuprad.io/post/german-venture-capital-in-q1-2025-dealflow-quality-rises-amid-exit-anxiety-and-fundraising-chill This Month in DACH Startups: April 2025 Startup News Wrap-Up https://www.startuprad.io/post/this-month-in-dach-startups-april-2025-startup-news-wrap-up Germany Startup Policy 2025: Strategies for Founders & Investors https://www.startuprad.io/post/startup-financing-in-2025-strategies-for-founders-investors DACH Unicorn Tracker 2025: Trends, Funding, and Opportunities https://www.startuprad.io/post/dach-unicorn-tracker-2025-trends-funding-and-opportunities-startuprad-io Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

What happens when an FBI-trained negotiation coach brings elite sales psychology into the startup world? You get a masterclass in influence, integrity, and investor persuasion. Today’s episode of Startuprad.io features Matthias Bullmahn, a crisis negotiation expert, former Accenture executive, and storytelling coach — here to show founders how to negotiate like pros and scale without manipulation. What You'll Learn: How to apply BATNA to investor negotiations and enterprise sales The 3 killer words ruining most pitches — and what to say instead Why founders fail when they ignore buyer psychology and emotional triggers How to use the Motive Compass to close deals faster How AI fits (and fails) in human-centric sales strategies Guest Spotlight: Matthias Bullmahn is one of Germany’s leading voices in ethical sales psychology, negotiation, and strategic communication. He’s trained with the former heads of the FBI and Scotland Yard, founded a department at Accenture focused on agile transformation, and today advises founders, corporates, and investors on emotionally intelligent deal-making. Now It Is Up To YOU: If you’re a founder, executive, or investor who values clear strategy over sales fluff, this episode is your playbook. Subscribe to Startuprad.io on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone negotiating their next big deal. 🚀Our Sponsor 👉 Struggling with small biz finances? Tide’s free account + up to €400 cashback makes it a no-brainer: tide.co/Podcastsde – use code STARTUPRADIO 📌 Show NotesGuest Name: Matthias Bullmahn, Sales Psychologist & Strategic Communications Expert Related Blog Posts on Startuprad.io: 🎙️ Mastering Startup Negotiation Tactics: Sales Psychology Meets FBI Playbooks 🧠 BATNA for Founders: Your Ultimate Safety Net in Investor Talks 💬 3 Words That Kill Your Startup Pitch (and What to Say Instead) 📊 Case Study: Ecotech Startup Closes Investor Without Product in Market Relevant External Resources: Harvard Negotiation Project Motive Compass by Dirk Eilert (German) Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Matthias & FBI Training 04:54 – BATNA and Deal Power for Founders 08:45 – Ethical Sales Psychology Explained 18:55 – The Motive Compass: What Drives Buyers? 27:40 – AI in Sales: When It Works, When It Fails 39:10 – How to Win Trust in a Distracted Market 47:05 – Final Advice for Founders & Pitch Mistakes

🎧 Opening:Why do Europe’s startups scale slower than their U.S. counterparts? In this raw, revealing episode, Andy Goldstein uncovers what’s really holding back the European venture capital scene—and what we can do about it. 💡 What You'll Learn:How investor education can radically improve VC decision-making Why German founders hesitate to internationalize—and how to fix it The mindset shift European investors need to unlock global-scale success How AI sales tools and founder conviction can drive early-stage growth 👤 Guest Spotlight:Andy Goldstein, Managing Director Europe at VU Venture Partners and Co-Founder of the German Accelerator, is a serial entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and innovation catalyst. With decades of experience across the U.S. and Europe, he’s reshaping how VCs invest—and how startups scale. 🎯 Give Us a Review:Loved this episode? Help others discover it! Follow Startuprad.io, subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, and leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Share this with founders, VCs, and every entrepreneur you know. 🚀Sponsor Section👉 Struggling with small biz finances? Tide’s free account + up to €400 cashback makes it a no-brainer: tide.co/Podcastsde – use code STARTUPRADIO ✅ Show NotesGuest Name: Andy Goldstein, Managing Director Europe, VU Venture Partners Blog Post: http://startuprad.io/post/the-transatlantic-investment-divide-why-europe-needs-a-new-vc-mindset Relevant Resources: VU Venture Partners German Accelerator Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Andy’s journey from IBM to VC 06:00 – What’s broken in European VC mindsets 12:45 – How VU trains VCs through real investments 20:50 – Sales culture differences: Germany vs. U.S. 28:15 – Startup internationalization: Why Germany lags 35:30 – Traits of the top 1% of founders 42:00 – Final thoughts + podcast wrap-up Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

OpeningWhat happens when Europe's top startup operators become VCs — and use AI to disrupt billion-euro legacy sectors? Today’s episode uncovers how Marton Sarkadi Nagy, Partner at Visionaries Club, is backing founders who are rewriting the playbook for industrial tech innovation. What You'll Learn:🔧 How applied AI is replacing legacy SaaS and transforming industries like logistics and procurement 📊 Why Europe is perfectly positioned to lead in the application layer of AI 🧠 What defines a "genre-defining founder" in early-stage startups ⚙️ The secret behind Visionaries Club’s unique LP base: unicorn founders + industrial dynasties 🪖 How radical accountability and talent-first scaling are creating B2B breakout startups Whether you’re a founder raising a seed round, an operator breaking into VC, or an investor looking to understand the future of industrial SaaS, this episode is for you. 💼 Sponsor Section👉 Struggling with small biz finances? Tide’s free account + up to €400 cashback makes it a no-brainer: tide.co/Podcastsde – use code STARTUPRADIO Guest Spotlight:Marton Sarkadi Nagy is a Partner at Visionaries Club, a Berlin-based venture capital firm managing €600M+ in AUM. With a background as the former growth lead at Tier, Marton brings operator DNA to VC. Visionaries Club backs early-stage startups that use AI, SaaS, and cybersecurity to tackle massive industrial problems — with LPs ranging from unicorn founders to multi-generational family businesses. Now it is up to youLove hearing real-world startup scaling, AI disruption, and VC philosophy? 🎧 Follow Startuprad.io on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, and share this episode with the boldest entrepreneurs in your network. 📎 Show NotesGuest Name: Marton Sarkadi Nagy, Partner at Visionaries Club Blog Post: How Europe’s Visionaries Are Using AI to Disrupt Industrial Tech Relevant Resources: Visionaries Club Startuprad.io Unicorn Tracker Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome + Introduction 05:20 – From Tier to Visionaries Club: Marton’s transition from operator to investor 11:40 – Visionaries Club’s unique LP network 18:30 – Radical accountability and founder performance 25:50 – SaaS is dead — how AI agents are reshaping back-office work 34:00 – Europe’s opportunity in applied AI 42:30 – What makes a painkiller startup (vs. a vitamin) 49:00 – Supporting technical founders and Europe’s startup gaps 56:00 – Final thoughts and contact info Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

Most startups talk about culture. But very few measure it. Even fewer know how to scale it.In Part 2 of our interview with Christian Conrad — coach, former Kellogg’s exec, and author of Magical Company Culture — we go deep into the execution side of culture. Forget team-building retreats. Christian outlines a leadership playbook where trust, behavioral habits, and culture KPIs like eNPS are used to build high-performing, emotionally engaged teams. 🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why “100% trust from Day 1” transforms startup teams How to implement daily engagement boosters like connective listening and feedforward Why eNPS should be every founder’s culture KPI How one client scaled eNPS from 6 to 40 in 18 months The 4DX execution framework applied to startup leadership 🧠 About the Guest:Christian Conrad is the founder of Management Boost and author of Magical Company Culture. His mission? 1 million smiling employees by 2035. He’s coached global corporations and hypergrowth startups alike on measurable, trust-based leadership. 🔥 If you’re a founder, investor, or executive navigating scale, this episode is your culture execution guide. ✅ Subscribe, review, and share this episode to help us build the startup leadership community. 🚀 Sponsor SectionThis episode is sponsored by Tide.co Tide’s free business account helps founders manage finances, send invoices, and track expenses. Sign up with code STARTUPRADIO and get €200 cashback after €500 spent. 👉 tide.co/Podcastsde 🗒️ Show NotesGuest Name: Christian Conrad (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianconrad-magneticculture/) Role: Leadership Coach & Author of Magnetic Company Culture Blog Post Part 2: Read the Full Blog Here: https://www.startuprad.io/post/the-culture-execution-playbook-for-founders-part-2-of-our-interview-with-christian-conrad Blog Post Part 1: https://www.startuprad.io/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-building-a-magnetic-company-culture-in-startups Resources: Christian’s Website eNPS Overview (Gallup) Timestamps: 00:00 – Why Culture Execution Fails 03:15 – Long-Term vs. One-Off Trainings 06:00 – The Trust-First Management Mindset 10:10 – The 4DX Framework for Culture 13:50 – Case Study: eNPS Growth Story 17:22 – Three Founder Habits to Start Today 20:00 – Final Thoughts for Founders Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved

Sponsor👉 Struggling with small biz finances? Tide’s free account + up to €400 cashback makes it a no-brainer: tide.co/Podcastsde – use code STARTUPRADIO 🎧 OpeningWhat if your company culture was your biggest growth engine? In this episode, we dive deep with leadership coach Christian Conrad to unpack what makes startup cultures not only magnetic but measurable — and how founders can lead with emotional intelligence and trust from Day 1. 📌 What You'll Learn:How to use eNPS to measure engagement and cultural health Why trust-first leadership beats control-based management The daily engagement boosters that scale with your team How to retain top startup talent during the Fachkräftemangel When to use the Kano model and 4DX to execute cultural transformation 👤 Guest Spotlight:Christian Conrad, founder of Management Boost and author of Magical Company Culture, is on a mission to create 1 million smiling employees by 2035. He has helped startups and corporates alike transform their cultures into scalable engines for growth. 🎯 Your Turn:If you’re building a startup, managing a tech team, or investing in founders — this conversation will shift your thinking on leadership. 👉 Follow Startuprad.io, subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Share with your co-founder, HR lead, or investor network. Give us feedback: https://forms.gle/SrcGUpycu26fvMFE9 Follow the editor in chief / founder on LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=joernmenninger ✅ Show Notes:Guest Name: Christian Conrad, Leadership Coach & Author Blog Post: The Ultimate Guide to Magnetic Company Culture Relevant Resources: Magical Company Culture – Book Christian's Homepage ⏱ Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction 05:12 – What Is a Magnetic Company Culture? 13:20 – Measuring Engagement with eNPS 22:05 – Trust-Based Leadership and Emotional ROI 31:47 – Daily Engagement Boosters for Startup Leaders 40:15 – Case Study: Renewable Energy Company Culture Turnaround 48:05 – Closing Advice for Founders Startuprad.io™ - All Rights Reserved