U-Start

Dott is a micromobility company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that specializes in providing shared electric scooters and electric bikes for short-distance travel. Founded in 2018, Dott focuses on offering safe, convenient, and sustainable alternatives for urban commuting. The company's electric bikes are designed with features that enhance safety and performance, including wide decks for improved stability, optimized center of gravity, and double brake systems. These innovations ensure a reliable riding experience. Dott aims to make urban transportation more accessible and environmentally friendly, helping to reduce congestion and emissions in city centers.

TransferGo Ltd., established in 2012 and headquartered in London, specializes in international money transfers. It offers affordable, secure, and swift personal and commercial money transfer services, primarily targeting migrant workers sending funds to their families abroad. The company operates as a licensed and authorized payment institution, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and supervised by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). TransferGo charges a fixed fee per transaction, along with a currency conversion fee ranging from 0.6% to 1.5%. Its digital account-to-account business model enables users to transfer money overseas with same-day delivery, making it an efficient and cost-effective solution for both individuals and businesses.

Keatz GmbH, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, operates a network of virtual restaurants specializing in the delivery of contemporary dishes. The company is known for its fresh salads and juices, as well as other ready-to-eat snacks. Keatz focuses on maintaining high-quality standards from kitchen to doorstep, using eco-friendly electric scooters for deliveries. Their culinary team continually explores new trends and techniques to offer innovative and comforting meals to customers.

TransferGo Ltd., established in 2012 and headquartered in London, specializes in international money transfers. It offers affordable, secure, and swift personal and commercial money transfer services, primarily targeting migrant workers sending funds to their families abroad. The company operates as a licensed and authorized payment institution, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and supervised by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). TransferGo charges a fixed fee per transaction, along with a currency conversion fee ranging from 0.6% to 1.5%. Its digital account-to-account business model enables users to transfer money overseas with same-day delivery, making it an efficient and cost-effective solution for both individuals and businesses.

Dott is a micromobility company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that specializes in providing shared electric scooters and electric bikes for short-distance travel. Founded in 2018, Dott focuses on offering safe, convenient, and sustainable alternatives for urban commuting. The company's electric bikes are designed with features that enhance safety and performance, including wide decks for improved stability, optimized center of gravity, and double brake systems. These innovations ensure a reliable riding experience. Dott aims to make urban transportation more accessible and environmentally friendly, helping to reduce congestion and emissions in city centers.

Festicket is an online platform that enables music fans to discover and book tickets and travel packages for music festivals worldwide. It provides a comprehensive service that includes festival tickets, accommodation, and travel arrangements, creating a seamless experience for users planning their festival trips. Operating as a two-sided marketplace, Festicket features over 1,000 music festivals across 40 countries and collaborates with a network of 2,000 suppliers to offer a variety of options. The platform also incorporates technology to assist event creators in managing, promoting, and selling their events, facilitating a hassle-free experience for both festival-goers and organizers.

Naadam Inc. is an American clothing company based in New York, founded in 2013, that specializes in affordable luxury cashmere knitwear, including sweaters, jackets, gloves, socks, and various loungewear items like blankets and robes. The company is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, ensuring that its cashmere products are made from organic materials without toxic chemicals. Naadam's manufacturing processes are designed to create garments that not only become softer over time but also enhance the comfort of everyday living. Additionally, the company engages in environmental initiatives, including anti-desertification programs and clean energy-powered factories, reflecting its dedication to protecting the planet. Naadam distributes its products through an online platform and retail locations, catering to a diverse customer base seeking durable and stylish cashmere apparel.

Finless Foods Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Emeryville, California, that specializes in producing seafood products for human consumption using cellular-agriculture technologies. Founded in 2017, the company focuses on cultivating marine-animal cells to create sustainable fish and seafood alternatives, including bluefin tuna. Finless Foods aims to provide a variety of food options that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences while promoting responsible production practices. By offering accessible plant-based and cell-cultured seafood alternatives, the company seeks to contribute to better ocean health and foster a more sustainable future for food consumption.

Freeda Media, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, is a media content creation agency focused on inspiring and engaging women. The company aims to spread authentic stories of women to foster positive change in society. By creating content tailored for various screens and social platforms, Freeda highlights women's achievements, personal expression, and sisterhood. The agency is dedicated to addressing the passions, cultures, and news relevant to young women, enabling media professionals to effectively target and engage their audience while maximizing content reach and fostering deeper connections.

Horizn Studios GmbH is a Berlin-based company specializing in the design and manufacture of innovative luggage and travel bags. Founded in 2015, the company offers a diverse range of products, including laptop bags, backpacks, tote bags, weekenders, and cabin trolleys, catering to both men and women. Horizn Studios is recognized as a pioneer in the European smart luggage market, integrating advanced features such as GPS, smart chargers, and travel apps into its products. The company aims to serve the needs of digital nomads and conscious travelers by providing high-quality, sustainable travel solutions. Its products are available for purchase through both physical retail stores and online platforms.

Founded in 2014 by Charles Gorra, Rebag is a prominent player in the luxury resale market, specializing in pre-owned designer handbags. The company offers an e-commerce platform and physical retail locations in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Florida, alongside select Bloomingdale's stores. Rebag's innovative services include the launch of Consignment in 2023 and the unique membership program Rebag⁺ in 2024, positioning it as a transparent and flexible resale platform. Utilizing proprietary technology and extensive data analytics, Rebag enables customers to receive instant payment for their designer items, a first in the industry. Additionally, Rebag caters to professional resellers through its Rebag for Business initiative, which provides tailored wholesale solutions. Recognized for its innovation, the company has received accolades from Fast Company and has been featured in notable publications such as The New York Times and Vogue.

Soldo Limited is a company that specializes in developing expense management software solutions tailored for small businesses, enterprises, and accountants. It offers a range of products, including Soldo Pro, which manages expenses from payment to reconciliation; Soldo Premium, designed to control business spending; and Soldo Enterprise, which supports broader financial strategies. Soldo’s platform integrates prepaid Mastercard cards, a web-based administration console, and a mobile app, providing a comprehensive solution for managing the entire expense cycle. This allows organizations to gain visibility and control over their spending while ensuring compatibility with major accounting software. Founded in 2014 and based in London, Soldo also has offices in Rome, Milan, and Dublin, and caters to various sectors, including not-for-profits, start-ups, digital media, technology, and higher education.

SumUp, established in 2011, is a leading financial technology company specializing in mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) solutions. It enables businesses, particularly small and medium-sized ones, to securely and conveniently accept card payments using smartphones or tablets. SumUp's proprietary hardware and mobile apps facilitate transactions, supporting magstripe, chip, and contactless payment methods. The company operates in 13 countries, including Germany, the UK, and Brazil, and employs over 100 people worldwide. SumUp's offerings also extend to SDKs and APIs for third-party integrations.

Misterb&b is a property rental marketplace established in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The platform connects travelers and hosts within the LGBTQ community, offering a searchable database of short-term rentals, including homes, rooms, and apartments. Misterb&b enables LGBTQ individuals and allies to monetize their spare space while providing affordable housing options to travelers in a straightforward manner. The service fosters a welcoming environment for users, ensuring that their unique needs and preferences are met during their stay.

Hotelscan is a travel technology company that operates a metasearch engine for accommodations. It aggregates and compares offers from hundreds of global travel sites, including hotels, B&Bs, apartments, and villas, across over 1.5 million properties worldwide. The platform aims to help travelers find the best deals and make informed booking decisions.

The Essential is an e-commerce company focused on providing high-quality groceries through an innovative online platform. Formerly known as Move, the company specializes in delivering a curated selection of essential food items, including fresh milk, farm-sourced meat, frozen seafood, organic dairy products, seasonal vegetables, and more, packaged conveniently to meet the needs of customers for an entire week. By prioritizing affordability and ethical sourcing, The Essential aims to enhance the food value chain, ensuring that consumers have access to nutritious options that align with their dietary preferences. The company is committed to selling the best version of everyday essentials at competitive prices.

Arthena is a financial technology company that specializes in creating quantitative investment strategies for the art market. By leveraging data science, Arthena has developed a platform that allows investors to access art as an asset class. The company focuses on enhancing transparency in art investing, providing insights into acquired assets and artists. Through its platform, investors can pool their capital to form syndicates, enabling them to invest in diversified collections of fine art tailored to their risk tolerance. This innovative approach opens up opportunities for individuals to participate in the art world, traditionally reserved for a select few.

Arylla Inc. specializes in developing nanotechnology-based invisible ink aimed at combating counterfeit goods in the luxury market. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada, the company partners with luxury brands to integrate its invisible ink during the production process, allowing resellers to verify the authenticity of items such as leather goods, footwear, and clothing. Arylla's innovative platform offers a tiered security system for printing invisible labels, which also supports food authentication. Additionally, the company produces scanners that authenticate fluorescent signatures. By enabling luxury brands to monetize their resale markets while reducing the prevalence of counterfeits, Arylla is positioned as a leader in the fight against fraud in the luxury goods sector.

Treedom is the first platform that allows consumers and corporations to celebrate and contribute to environmental commitment, planting trees and following their impact online. It’s a smart, simple way to make a big difference, supporting the environment and local communities around the world. The goal is to become the leading tree planter globally. With over 3.3 million trees planted in 42 agroforestry projects to date, Treedom initiates positive impacts in Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Italia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nepal Tanzania and Thailandia. Treedom is a certified B Corp based in Florence (Tuscany) , Munich (Germany), London (UK), Paris (France) and Amsterdam (Netherlands) relies on the enthusiasm and experience of a team of over 100 people.

Horizn Studios GmbH is a Berlin-based company specializing in the design and manufacture of innovative luggage and travel bags. Founded in 2015, the company offers a diverse range of products, including laptop bags, backpacks, tote bags, weekenders, and cabin trolleys, catering to both men and women. Horizn Studios is recognized as a pioneer in the European smart luggage market, integrating advanced features such as GPS, smart chargers, and travel apps into its products. The company aims to serve the needs of digital nomads and conscious travelers by providing high-quality, sustainable travel solutions. Its products are available for purchase through both physical retail stores and online platforms.

Stoyo operates as an innovative advertising agency focused on facilitating data-driven marketing campaigns for businesses. It specializes in creating engaging video content tailored for Instagram and Facebook platforms, aiming to enhance customer engagement and generate leads efficiently through social media networks.

Outfittery is an online personal shopping service designed specifically for men, aiming to simplify the shopping experience. The company employs personal style experts who curate two to three outfits for customers based on their individual preferences and personalities, utilizing a selection from various top fashion brands. After an initial online interaction and an optional phone consultation, customers receive a selection of clothing items tailored to their style. The service is free, with customers only paying for the items they choose to keep. Outfittery updates its inventory regularly to feature the latest offerings from interesting men's fashion brands and popular designers worldwide. As a pioneer and market leader in curated shopping for men in Europe, Outfittery operates in eight countries, including Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.

AirHelp is an organization dedicated to enhancing passenger rights and experiences worldwide by assisting travelers in obtaining compensation from airlines for flight cancellations, delays, and overbookings. The company streamlines the claims process by managing essential documentation and legal complexities, thus enabling passengers to assert their rights under relevant laws. In addition to flight compensation services, AirHelp offers subscription-based disruption coverage and parametric travel insurance products. Founded in 2013 by Greg Roodt, Henrik Zillmer, and Nicolas Michaelsen, AirHelp operates globally, providing support to millions of travelers in 18 languages, with offices located in major cities including Berlin, Barcelona, Gdansk, and Sao Paulo. The current CEO, Tomasz Pawliszyn, has led the company since January 2022.

Festicket is an online platform that enables music fans to discover and book tickets and travel packages for music festivals worldwide. It provides a comprehensive service that includes festival tickets, accommodation, and travel arrangements, creating a seamless experience for users planning their festival trips. Operating as a two-sided marketplace, Festicket features over 1,000 music festivals across 40 countries and collaborates with a network of 2,000 suppliers to offer a variety of options. The platform also incorporates technology to assist event creators in managing, promoting, and selling their events, facilitating a hassle-free experience for both festival-goers and organizers.

Founded in 2014 by Charles Gorra, Rebag is a prominent player in the luxury resale market, specializing in pre-owned designer handbags. The company offers an e-commerce platform and physical retail locations in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Florida, alongside select Bloomingdale's stores. Rebag's innovative services include the launch of Consignment in 2023 and the unique membership program Rebag⁺ in 2024, positioning it as a transparent and flexible resale platform. Utilizing proprietary technology and extensive data analytics, Rebag enables customers to receive instant payment for their designer items, a first in the industry. Additionally, Rebag caters to professional resellers through its Rebag for Business initiative, which provides tailored wholesale solutions. Recognized for its innovation, the company has received accolades from Fast Company and has been featured in notable publications such as The New York Times and Vogue.

TOK.tv Inc. is a company that operates a voice social platform specifically designed for sports fans, enabling them to communicate with friends while watching games on television. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in London and Pavia, TOK.tv enhances fan engagement by allowing users to share real-time experiences, including sending stadium sounds and social selfies. The platform also offers features that enable fans to stream games live on their devices and interact with sports teams and brands. By providing a social interface for live sports streaming, TOK.tv helps teams and organizations monetize the fan experience and connects millions of users with real-time information and statistics about sporting events. In August 2019, the company became a subsidiary of Minerva Networks.

Soldo Limited is a company that specializes in developing expense management software solutions tailored for small businesses, enterprises, and accountants. It offers a range of products, including Soldo Pro, which manages expenses from payment to reconciliation; Soldo Premium, designed to control business spending; and Soldo Enterprise, which supports broader financial strategies. Soldo’s platform integrates prepaid Mastercard cards, a web-based administration console, and a mobile app, providing a comprehensive solution for managing the entire expense cycle. This allows organizations to gain visibility and control over their spending while ensuring compatibility with major accounting software. Founded in 2014 and based in London, Soldo also has offices in Rome, Milan, and Dublin, and caters to various sectors, including not-for-profits, start-ups, digital media, technology, and higher education.

La Belle Assiette is a company dedicated to simplifying the process of entertaining by providing a private chef booking platform that connects customers with a curated network of chefs and caterers. Through its online marketplace, users can browse various catering options, including buffet services, canapé receptions, private chef experiences, and office lunches, allowing them to select customized menus and book services effortlessly. On the day of the event, a chosen chef or caterer executes the service, ensuring a high-quality dining experience at home or in the office without the associated stress. Additionally, La Belle Assiette offers chefs a comprehensive suite of online tools to manage their businesses efficiently, covering aspects such as billing and customer relationship management.

Secret Escapes is a UK-based online platform that offers discounted luxury travel experiences to its members. It negotiates exclusive rates with high-end hotels and holiday providers, both domestically and internationally, and sells these at up to 60% off through weekly 'flash' sales. The company acts as an agent, curating and recommending four and five-star hotels, spa breaks, resorts, and beach escapes. Membership is free and provides access to these otherwise hard-to-find rates, with a price match guarantee.

ZipJet is a technology-driven laundry and dry cleaning service that operates in London and Berlin. Founded in 2014, the company offers a range of services including dry cleaning, ironing, laundry, and wash and fold, all facilitated through a user-friendly mobile application. Customers can conveniently schedule pickups and deliveries at their doorstep, saving time and effort. As of 2019, ZipJet operates as a subsidiary of Laundrapp Limited in London and Jonny Fresh GmbH in Berlin.

Satispay S.p.A. is a mobile payment application founded in 2013 and headquartered in Milan, Italy. The company aims to transform the payment landscape in Europe by offering a platform that enables users to make payments in stores, online, and between friends without relying on traditional debit or credit cards. Launched in 2015, Satispay provides a user-friendly and secure app that simplifies the payment process for consumers. For businesses, the service is both easy to implement and cost-effective, allowing merchants to accept payments quickly through their smartphones, tablets, or computers. By focusing on convenience and security, Satispay is changing the way people interact with money in daily transactions.

Misterb&b is a property rental marketplace established in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The platform connects travelers and hosts within the LGBTQ community, offering a searchable database of short-term rentals, including homes, rooms, and apartments. Misterb&b enables LGBTQ individuals and allies to monetize their spare space while providing affordable housing options to travelers in a straightforward manner. The service fosters a welcoming environment for users, ensuring that their unique needs and preferences are met during their stay.

LifeQ Inc., based in Alpharetta, Georgia, is a health management technology company focused on enhancing human health and wellness. The company develops a platform that provides users with a comprehensive view of their health across various domains, including fitness, nutrition, sleep, and stress management. By employing a biology-led computational systems approach, LifeQ extracts and delivers personalized digital biomarkers from data obtained through wearable devices. This technology empowers individuals to optimize their health, understand changes in their bodies, and make informed decisions about their well-being. LifeQ aims to facilitate healthier lifestyles by offering tailored recommendations and tools that support users in delaying aging and reducing disease risk.

Coureon Logistics GmbH, founded in 2015 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in a multi-carrier management platform that simplifies shipping for e-commerce stores and logistics companies. The platform integrates various logistics providers, including local delivery services, line haulers, cargo airlines, and third-party logistics (3PL) providers, facilitating seamless cross-border shipping. By offering an efficient solution for managing incoming orders and organizing distribution, Coureon enables online merchants to streamline their logistics operations. The platform also supports integration with major e-commerce marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, allowing sellers to compare shipping options and prices effectively. Additionally, Coureon provides consulting and implementation services for cross-border logistics tailored to the needs of large merchants and logistics partners. As of June 2018, Coureon operates as a subsidiary of UB Tech B.V.

ALOHA is an employee-owned company founded in 2013 by three Hawaiian business partners, specializing in the production and retail of plant-based protein products. Based in New York, the company offers a diverse range of items, including protein drinks, protein bars, and protein powders, all made from USDA Organic and non-GMO ingredients. ALOHA products are designed to be healthy, delicious, and free from common allergens such as soy and dairy, as well as sugar alcohols and stevia. The company is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, ensuring that its practices are beneficial for both the environment and the communities it serves. ALOHA's products are available at various grocery and natural food retailers, as well as online through platforms like Amazon and its own direct-to-consumer website.

La Belle Assiette is a company dedicated to simplifying the process of entertaining by providing a private chef booking platform that connects customers with a curated network of chefs and caterers. Through its online marketplace, users can browse various catering options, including buffet services, canapé receptions, private chef experiences, and office lunches, allowing them to select customized menus and book services effortlessly. On the day of the event, a chosen chef or caterer executes the service, ensuring a high-quality dining experience at home or in the office without the associated stress. Additionally, La Belle Assiette offers chefs a comprehensive suite of online tools to manage their businesses efficiently, covering aspects such as billing and customer relationship management.

Marinanow is an online platform designed to simplify the process of finding and booking mooring spaces for private boats in marinas worldwide. The company addresses the outdated and complicated systems currently used by offering a unified portal where sailors can search for available berths, compare prices, and book online. This approach mirrors successful models from the hotel and home rental industries, providing convenience and efficiency similar to sites like hotels.com. Additionally, Marinanow facilitates the subleasing of long-term booked berths, akin to Airbnb's model. The company was founded by a team with extensive experience in the marina industry, programming, internet companies, and startups. After successfully testing their product with a significant return on investment during the previous summer, Marinanow is now seeking further funding to expand its operations and become a leading player in the market.