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What exactly is a Decacorn?
A lot has happened among Munich's unicorns – startups with a valuation of over one billion dollars – in recent weeks (from minute 1:35). After the last Personio with its Series-D reached a billion valuation and became a so-called unicorn, now follows Scalable CapitalThe fintech announced that it has raised €150 million in fresh capital in a Series E financing round. Scalable Capital's valuation now stands at just over €1.3 billion.
Celonis which has been operating for several years as Unicorn has taken an even bigger step during the same period: In its Series D financing round, the Munich-based company raised $1 billion, valuing the company at $11 billion. In Silicon Valley jargon, this makes it a so-called "decacorn." This refers to startups valued at more than $10 billion. Incidentally, if a startup is valued at more than $100 billion, it is called a hectocorn.
Munich sports startups and football
In total, there are – according to our Munich Startup Insights – 96 sports startups. This makes the industry roughly as large as the fashion or food sectors. The types of companies that fall into the sports startup category vary greatly. For example, companies can develop and produce their own equipment or offer training apps. There are also analytics and platform solutions for both professionals and amateurs. Finally, there are online shops specializing in sporting goods, as well as some beauty, wellness, or health offerings.
The first example from the area that we look at in this episode is Kinexon (from minute 6:10). The startup has developed a technology that enables players to be tracked on the field in real time and their performance analyzed. This should enable players and their clubs to improve their performance and tactics. The startup, which now employs over 250 people, has already won over the German Ice Hockey League, the NFL and NBA, as well as FIFA with its technology.
The next startup is also about football. B42 has developed an app designed to improve and improve amateur football. We'll explain exactly how it works starting at minute 8:55. What's special about the app: Although it was developed for amateurs, professional clubs also use it. Even UEFA took notice of B42 and named the Munich team one of the winners of the 'Reimagine Football' competition.
Interactive and digital coaches
Balls are also important at Fun with balls, but here they're thrown instead of kicked. Using a projector and motion-tracking sensor, the startup transforms walls into interactive screens. Users can then play various exercises or games on them by touching specific areas of the screen or throwing a ball. Learn exactly where and how the solution is being used starting at minute 11:30.
The last startup we will take a closer look at in this episode is FreeleticsThe company whose founder The company, which ventured to exit in 2018, offers AI-based, personalized fitness coaching via app. This offering seems to be particularly well-received by US investors, who have contributed significantly to both the Series A and Series B financing rounds. You can hear all the details in the podcast starting at minute 14:20.
HPE Growth is also interested in sports startups
Finally, as usual, we take a closer look at another investor, this time it is HPE Growth from Amsterdam (from minute 17:30). Their previous investments in Egym have already demonstrated that the Dutch are also enthusiastic about sports startups. However, HPE Growth is actually more interested in digital and data-driven solutions and sustainability. Therefore, in addition to Egym, the investor's portfolio also includes startups such as Wetransfer and Xempus.
