All following data on the Munich startup scene comes – unless otherwise stated – from our Data & Insights DashboardIf you want to learn more, you can also search the database for further insights. For easier handling, we have created a Guide as well as Tutorial videos created that explain the most important functions.
The first quarter of 2021 already showed that the Munich startup ecosystem is recovering from the pandemic and brought in the highest total investment to date. Q2 now breaks this record again: With over €1.82 billion, Munich startups have raised an unprecedented amount in the past three months (We have summarized the most important investments for you hereThe prior-year quarter, which marked the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, offers a particularly stark contrast with its €205 million in investments. In both quarters, however, no figures were announced for some financing rounds, which is why the final amounts are even higher.
The largest investment was secured by Celonis, the company received in its Series D financing round 870 million euros (1 billion dollars). In the same quarter last year, the participation of the Scottish investment management company Baillie Gifford participated in Lilium's previously announced Series C round. The startup received an additional €30 million ($35 million) at the time.
Significantly more financing rounds in the Munich startup scene
In addition to the total investment volume itself, the number of financing rounds also increased significantly. While it was 32 in Q2 2020, 55 startups were able to attract investors in the current quarter. The average financing amount also increased: While it was around €6.4 million in 2020, it rose to over €33 million this year. Including the investment from Celonis, the figure is €17.2 million. These figures also exceed the previous record from Q1 2021.
It's also interesting to look at the origin of the funds. €350 million came from German investors, with a further €249 million coming from other European countries. However, the majority of the invested capital originated in the US: a total of around €1.1 billion flowed from there into Munich-based startups. Asian investors played only a minor role, investing just under €82 million in the last three months. The remaining outstanding amount cannot be precisely allocated, as, for example, not all investors in a financing round are always known.
Exits and newly launched funds
There has also been a lot of activity in the Munich startup scene in the area of exits over the past three months. Between April and June, there were nine acquisitions of Munich startups (including Sirion Biotech, Letsact and Fintech systems). In contrast, there were no movements in this area in the same quarter of the previous year.
There's also news in the fund landscape. Munich-based venture capital firms have launched five new funds in the last three months, totaling €1.770 billion in investment volume. In contrast, only two new funds with a total volume of €775 million were launched in the same period a year earlier.
