The round was led by JOIN CAPITAL, with support from Forma Prime, European Innovation Council, elev8.vc, Tiburon, Frontures and Atlantis Ventures, as well as other angel investors.The startup from ExciteLab batch 1 is developing a new generation of gas sensors that are built directly on microchips using solid-state materials, replacing traditional liquid-based components. This makes the sensors smaller, more energy-efficient and suitable for mass production using standard semiconductor processes. 

We are pleased to welcome DAVASO as a new partner from the healthcare sector at SpinLab. DAVASO, headquartered in Leipzig, is part of the international IQVIA group and is one of the leading technology providers and service partners for statutory health insurance funds and other stakeholders in the healthcare market. With over 30 years of experience, the company employs more than 1300 staff across four locations and serves more than 100 clients in the statutory health insurance sector. Our startups benefit from DAVASO's expertise, real-world application opportunities, and potential joint projects. At the same time, DAVASO gains insights into diverse business models and emerging technologies, while also strengthening its strategic direction through exposure to innovative impulses and new collaboration opportunities.

The finance round was led by Oyster Bay Venture Capital. The funding will enable seedalive to further develop its research and development activities and strengthen its sales operation. Seedalive from RootCamp Batch #4 is a biotech startup from Osnabrück that has developed a rapid, non-destructive test to measure seed vitality. Unlike traditional methods that take up to 14 days, the startup delivers reliable results in just a few hours using a special reaction solution and AI-based analysis. This helps seed producers and farmers make faster, data-driven decisions while preserving valuable seeds.

The investment round included Perspectieffonds Gelderland (PFG) — a Gelderland province fund managed by Oost NL — along with existing shareholders Fransen Gerrits and Brightlands Venture Partners. Grassa was part of the RootCamp batch in 2023 and is transforming grass, a widely available yet largely untapped resource, into high-quality protein ingredients. Their technology not only supports more sustainable protein sourcing, but also helps reduce nitrogen emissions and promotes circular farming practices. The funding will be used to scale up Grassa’s technology, demonstrate its value to dairy farmers, and advance the development of grass-derived protein for human consumption. 

Alumni success news: LipoCheck has successfully raised a seed financing round. The funding will accelerate the development of its digital health platform, expansion of telemedicine services, and international growth. The seed round was led by our partner Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen, alongside GIMIC Ventures, Gateway Ventures, OHA Osnabrück Healthcare Beteiligung, HEIMATBOOST GmbH, Prange Gruppe, family offices and business angels. Congratulations to the entire team on this milestone! Wishing you all the best for the international expansion to the 🇺🇸 and the further development of the platform.

Our next SpinLab class is about to start - we need your recommendations! The application phase is open and we want to attract the best startups to our program. Experience shows that personal recommendations from our network are one of the most valuable ways to reach great teams. Do you know any startups that could benefit from our acceleration program? Then help us make them aware of the application deadline! We appreciate you sharing our call with your network – for example, on LinkedIn! Here you can find visuals and text templates.  Alternatively, you can also send us direct contacts to promising startups, which we will contact personally. Many thanks for your support!

Moin! Der Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig, der Renewable Energy Hub Lübeck und der DigitalHub Logistics Hamburg laden dich herzlich zum Netzwerk-Event "HUB2HUB" in Hamburg ein! Hier hast du die Chance, einige der innovativsten Startups und visionärstenUnternehmen aus den drei de:Hubs in den Bereichen Energy, Smart Infrastructure undLogistik hautnah zu erleben. Wir freuen uns auf dich! HIGHLIGHTS• Die Vernetzung der Hub-Ökosysteme in Hamburg, Leipzig und Lübeck• Erlebe Startup-Pitches von Mitgliedern des Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig sowieRenewable Energy Hub Lübeck in den Bereichen Energy und smart Infrastructure.• Lerne die Corporate Partner des Digital Hub Logistics kennen (z.B. HHLA, Shell, VTG)• Nimm an einem moderierten Speed-Dating ab 16:15 Uhr teil: Finde dein “Match-made-in-Heaven”! Bei Interesse an einer Teilnahme bitte unter folgendem Link anmelden:https://tickets.digitalhublogistics.hamburg/Hub2Hub/

Awesome news from our ecosystem: SpinLab alumni Prodlane with its AI platform MAIA has successfully closed a seven-figure seed funding round, led by Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen (TGFS) with additional support from business angels and a Swiss family office. This funding will fuel the growth of their AI platform MAIA, designed to help medium-sized industrial companies efficiently access and utilize their knowledge. Their journey highlights the strength of collaboration within our ecosystem. 💪 They began in our Summer School for Diverse Startups, chose Leipzig as their base, advanced through the HHL DIGITAL SPACE incubator, and joined the 13th SpinLab class in 2021. We’re especially happy that our partner Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen is among the investors.   Looking forward to more stories like this in 2025!

Early christmas gift: We're dropping our startup podcast! 🎙 Get ready for "The Naked Truth of Startups" – the podcast that strips down the startup world and reveals its raw, unfiltered reality. Starting now, we'll release episodes every two weeks that dive deep into our ecosystem's startup stories, challenges, and breakthroughs. Our first episode features the founders Dr. Julian Kruse and Paul Aretin from coobi, who will share exclusive insights from their entrepreneurial journey. Our hosts Alexander Türpe from ExciteLab - A SpinLab Company and David Blazek from SpinLab will guide you through the first episode of the naked truth of startups.  

The logistics industry is facing increasing pressure to adapt to digitalization, sustainability goals, and evolving supply chains. One way forward is stronger collaboration between #startups and companies. The concept of Venture Clienting offers huge potential: corporates gain access to fresh, creative solutions, while startups acquire real market insights. At our first hubclub Netzwerktreffen, powered by SmartInfrastructureHub Leipzig and Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg, and with the support of the Stadt Leipzig, Netzwerk Logistik Mitteldeutschland e. V., Automotive Cluster Ostdeutschland and MoLeWa Mobilität - Leipzig im Wandel, we brought logistics startups and regional companies together in Leipzig. Going forward, our aim is to enhance cooperation between the different hubs of the Digital Hub Initiative and companies. Startups and corporates often don’t collaborate due to differing mindsets, scales, and operational approaches. It’s crucial to create platforms like hub club that encourage practical, solution-driven partnerships. 🤝