The exits of the year

Deloitte acquires venture client firm 27pilots: At the beginning of the year, the Munich-based venture client firm 27pilots made headlines when its CEO and co-founder Gregor Gimmy (pictured) sold it to consulting firm Deloitte. The deal became effective on January 1, 2023. Founded in Munich in 2018, the company supported enterprises in collaborating with and acquiring startups. The Munich-based company relied on the venture client model: established companies serve as pilot customers for startups to validate their business models and products. In the course of the deal, Gimmy became a partner at Deloitte while remaining CEO of the venture client company. (Image: 27pilots)

Chatbot startup Chatchamp acquired by Trbo: In February, one Munich firm swallowed another. Chatchamp, which had developed a chatbot that advises customers of online shops while they shop, was acquired by Trbo, a personalization platform for websites also based in Munich. With its AI-based platform, the company aims to enable website operators to customize their web presence for each visitor through dynamic onsite personalization. The parties involved have agreed to confidentiality regarding the purchase price. Despite the exit, Chatchamp continues to operate as its own brand under the leadership of the founders. (Image: Chatchamp)

Hawa Dawa acquired by Bernard Group: The air quality monitoring of Hawa Dawa makes it possible to determine and evaluate air quality comprehensively in real time. Air quality data comes from all available sources, from satellites to ground-based public monitoring stations to IoT sensors, and correlates it with use case-specific data such as traffic. The accuracy of the measurement method meets regulatory requirements, as confirmed by TÜV Süd. In March, the Munich startup was acquired by the Bernard Group, a family business providing engineering services based in Tyrol. (Image: City of Munich / Andreas Heddergott)

Khulula acquires Planetics: In March 2023, Planetics announced that it was looking for a strategic partner to acquire the platform, a marketplace for sustainable sports equipment. After two months of searching and talks with potential buyers, the founders ultimately decided on Khulula. The company develops its own products from natural fiber composites and advises clubs and companies on their path to greater sustainability. The company acquired all substantial assets to continue operating Planetics.de. The founder trio of Alexandros Taflanidis, Fabian Hörst, and Raphael Breitner departed as part of the exit. (Image: Planetics)

Magazino becomes part of Jungheinrich: Also among the exits of the year is the acquisition of Magazino. The startup was founded in 2014 and has developed a mobile order-picking robot capable of intelligently navigating the warehouse and precisely grasping the right boxes. The system has found its way into the warehouses of various industrial customers, online retailers, and logistics service providers, where it works alongside humans. Additionally, the startup developed the ACROS.AI software platform (“Advanced Cooperative Robot Operating System, powered by A.I”), a modular software toolkit for developing and operating intelligent and cooperative robots in complex and dynamic environments. In August, Magazino became part of Jungheinrich. The Hamburg-based intralogistics company had already invested in the startup in 2020. In 2022, the Hamburg company increased its stake to 21.7 percent, and in 2023, they acquired the stakes of the remaining co-shareholders. The founders also gave up their stakes, with Frederik Brantner and Lukas Zanger remaining at Magazino as CEO and COO respectively. The third founder, Nikolas Engelhard, had already left the company in 2020. (Image: Magazino)

Agile Robots acquires Franka Emika: In November, the Munich-based robotics specialist Franka Emika, which had been hit by insolvency, was acquired by Agile Robots. The also Munich-based provider of robotics solutions has received the approval of Franka Emika’s creditors’ committee for this step. The company plans to continue operating Franka Emika with its approximately 100 employees. It also intends to invest in the company’s further growth in Bavaria. This includes expanding the product portfolio, strengthening global distribution, and continuing R&D activities. (Image: Franka Emika)