Germany’s startup scene has seen a slowdown in unicorn births, with only one company, EGYM, reaching a $1 billion valuation in 2024. This marks a decline from the three unicorns minted in 2023, including 1KOMMA5 (solar startup), DeepL (AI translation), and Helsing (AI defense).
However, 2025 could see a rebound. Based on Dealroom data, here are 10 German startups that are approaching unicorn status.
1. Vivid (Berlin) – Estimated Valuation: $853M
Vivid is a banking and investment app offering users an IBAN, peer-to-peer payments, and stock trading. Backed by SoftBank and Ribbit Capital, its last funding round was a €100M Series C in February 2022.
2. Isar Aerospace (Munich) – Estimated Valuation: $825M
A leading name in Germany’s deep tech sector, Isar Aerospace builds rocket launchers and has secured $451M in funding from investors like Earlybird and NATO Innovation Fund. The company aims to launch its first rocket by March 28, 2025.
3. The Exploration Company (Munich/Bordeaux) – Estimated Valuation: $660M–$990M
Founded in 2021, this space startup is developing “Nyx,” a reusable space capsule for space station missions. The company has raised $230M in total, with a $160M Series B announced in November 2024.
4. Billie (Berlin) – Estimated Valuation: $640M
A B2B “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) platform, Billie partners with Klarna to offer flexible payment solutions for businesses. Investors include Creandum, Tencent, and Speedinvest. Its last round was a $100M Series C in 2021.
5. Moonfare (Berlin) – Estimated Valuation: $625M
Moonfare enables high-net-worth individuals and institutions to invest in private equity. The company raised $175M in Series C funding, including a $15M extension in February 2023.
6. H2 Mobility (Berlin) – Estimated Valuation: $605M
A leader in hydrogen infrastructure, H2 Mobility builds fueling stations across Germany. It has secured $131M from corporate investors like Hyundai, Shell, and Total Energies.
7. FINN (Munich) – Estimated Valuation: $603M
A car subscription startup, FINN offers vehicles through a monthly fee covering insurance, maintenance, and taxes. Founded in 2019, it has raised $256M, with investors including HV Capital and Picus Capital.
8. Moss (Berlin) – Estimated Valuation: $550M
Moss is a corporate expense management platform providing businesses with credit cards, expense tracking, and invoice management. It raised a €75M Series B in 2022 and a €50M debt round from HSBC in 2023.
9. Neura Robotics (Metzingen) – Estimated Valuation: $528M–$792M
Neura Robotics develops cognitive robots that can see, walk, and manipulate objects. It raised a €120M Series B in January 2025 to expand its AI-powered robotics platform.
10. Osapiens (Mannheim) – Estimated Valuation: $480M–$720M
Osapiens builds ESG compliance and sustainability software for enterprises. Backed by Goldman Sachs, it secured a $120M Series B in July 2024.
While 2024 saw only one new unicorn, these 10 startups are well-positioned to cross the $1 billion mark in 2025. With strong investor backing and growing market demand, Germany’s startup ecosystem is gearing up for a resurgence in unicorn valuations.
