In November 2025, Hungary’s MeOut Group announced its acquisition of EU-Startups, one of the most well-known media platforms in Europe for startup news and ecosystem insights. As a female founder and entrepreneur, I couldn’t help but reflect on what this means for the entrepreneurial landscape in Europe, particularly for those of us who have been navigating this thrilling yet challenging ecosystem.
Let’s face it, standing out as an independent media outlet while remaining financially sustainable in today’s economy is a monumental task. With this acquisition, we’re seeing what happens when entities like MeOut, which focuses on connecting innovators, universities, and businesses, decide to add media to their portfolio. This deal aligns with EU-Startups’ 15th anniversary and opens up both opportunities and questions for entrepreneurs in Europe.
Why This Acquisition Matters to Entrepreneurs
For over a decade, EU-Startups has been a steady beacon that champions fledgling businesses. It’s covered critical startup news, ecosystem challenges, and funding stories. Importantly, it’s been a trusted platform for spotlighting diverse founders and innovative ideas across Europe. Under MeOut's wing, the outlet is set to gain even more reach and resources, especially across underserved regions like Central and Eastern Europe, where MeOut is already active.
But how does this acquisition trickle down to you, the entrepreneur? Here’s a breakdown:
1. A Stronger Network for Startup Founders
MeOut Group has its hands in multiple pots, from entrepreneurship programs to educational initiatives. Now, with EU-Startups, the group has a direct way to engage the European startup community, creating a platform where diverse voices, including female founders, can shine.
For entrepreneurs, this could mean improved access to resources, events, and a network of investors, mentors, and collaborators. As a founder who has spent years bootstrapping tech startups, I understand the value of connections. It’s not just money; it’s the relationship capital that scales businesses.
2. Spotlight on Underrepresented Regions & Groups
As a Dutch founder, I can confidently say that Western Europe is often seen as the epicenter of startups. But with MeOut’s focus on Central and Eastern Europe, this acquisition could bridge gaps for founders in these emerging markets. Regional disparities in startup support are real, and this deal might help level the playing field.
In an era where visibility can make or break businesses, the promise to retain EU-Startups’ editorial autonomy feels hopeful. If they continue featuring diverse founders, especially women in STEM, it could redefine whose stories are prioritized within the ecosystem.
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from This Move
Acquisitions like this one offer lessons beyond financial strategy, and all of us in the space can take something away. Here are my key takeaways if you’re a founder scaling your business:
- Brand loyalty matters: EU-Startups isn’t losing its brand identity despite the acquisition. For startups, this is a reminder to invest in brand equity, it could seal the deal if acquisition is part of your game plan.
- Partnership is not failure: Too often, founders associate acquisition with the loss of vision. This example shows how a buyout can also be an opportunity for growth and accessing complementary resources.
- Keep your identity intact: Maintaining editorial or operational independence, even after being acquired, can honor the trust you’ve built with your audience. Don’t sell out your mission; find partners who share it.
Common Pitfalls When Seeking Partnerships
As this acquisition shows, strategic partnerships are a way forward for many organizations. But, here are common mistakes to avoid while exploring deals:
- Not doing due diligence: Ensure the acquiring company shares your values. A misalignment here could lead to friction and potential brand damage.
- Underestimating your worth: Understanding the value you bring to the table can prevent you from accepting terms that undermine your long-term goals.
- Focusing only on money: What kind of support, connections, and visibility will the partnership bring? Look at the broader picture.
How Founders Can Prepare for Similar Opportunities
- Develop a clear mission: Your brand’s purpose and values need to be front-and-center. For EU-Startups, retaining its vision under MeOut signals the power of a well-defined mission.
- Focus on community-building: Networks are everything. Build a robust community around your business, both online and offline. Consider platforms like Fe/male Switch’s Startup Game to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs.
- Diversify your reach: Extend your audience. MeOut’s choice to acquire EU-Startups aligns with its strategy to deepen connections across the continent, an approach any founder can adopt.
A Female Founder’s Perspective
This acquisition also points to the bigger picture of enabling visibility for innovation. For women entrepreneurs, having platforms like EU-Startups amplified under larger, resource-rich networks like MeOut is a double-edged sword. On one hand, more visibility and opportunities might emerge, particularly for startup founders from often-overlooked regions or backgrounds.
On the other hand, this development also signals the challenges of being fiercely independent in today’s competitive media and startup landscape. As a founder, I strongly believe robust ecosystems require partnerships. But it’s equally important for women founders to retain their unique voices while navigating such collaborations.
Let’s make this acquisition an example of how diverse and grassroots innovation can prosper when cultivated thoughtfully.
Final Thoughts
Hungary’s MeOut Group acquiring EU-Startups could signal a strategic push for deeper collaboration within the European startup ecosystem, focusing on a unified network of resources, visibility, and support. For European entrepreneurs, especially women, this provides much to ponder, how do we safeguard our values and mission while doubling down on relationship-building and growth?
Personally, I’m optimistic. This deal shows the importance of both independence and partnership. The union of MeOut Group and EU-Startups has the potential to set a new template in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for supporting grassroots prowess while amplifying broader opportunities.
Let’s hope this is the beginning of a more connected, diverse, and thriving future for all of us. To see how MeOut plans to include EU-Startups into its ecosystem, learn more in their detailed announcement here.
FAQ
1. When was EU-Startups founded, and where is it based now?
EU-Startups was founded in 2010 by Thomas Ohr in Germany. It is now based in Barcelona, Spain. Discover more about EU-Startups
2. Why did MeOut Group acquire EU-Startups?
MeOut Group acquired EU-Startups to strengthen its media presence and enhance connectivity within Europe's startup ecosystem, especially benefiting Central and Eastern Europe. Learn about MeOut Group’s mission
3. Will EU-Startups remain independent after the acquisition?
Yes, EU-Startups will retain its editorial independence and continue operating from Barcelona under Thomas Ohr’s leadership. Read about the acquisition details
4. What regions is MeOut Group focusing on with this acquisition?
MeOut Group is focusing on underserved regions like Central and Eastern Europe to enhance visibility and access to entrepreneurial resources. Explore MeOut Group’s activities
5. How does EU-Startups contribute to the European startup ecosystem?
EU-Startups provides critical startup news, funding updates, and organizes the annual EU-Startups Summit, which connects entrepreneurs across Europe. Learn more about EU-Startups Summit
6. What are the broader trends in tech media acquisitions in Europe?
A 2025 trend shows European tech media outlets relying on partnerships for financial sustainability, with recent closures including TechCrunch Europe and The Next Web’s media arm. Learn about TechCrunch and TNW trends
7. How does this acquisition impact female entrepreneurs in Europe?
This collaboration aims to amplify diverse voices, including women founders, through increased visibility and resources within the startup ecosystem. Check out EU-Startups’ diversity efforts
8. What role does MeOut Group play in education and innovation?
MeOut runs entrepreneurship and education programs, connecting innovators, universities, and businesses across Europe. Discover MeOut’s initiatives
9. What lessons can founders learn from this acquisition?
Founders can learn the importance of brand loyalty, the value of partnerships for growth, and the significance of maintaining mission-driven operations during acquisitions. Learn about founder challenges
10. What is Thomas Ohr’s role post-acquisition?
Thomas Ohr will continue as CEO, leading EU-Startups with the same vision under MeOut Group. Read Thomas Ohr’s perspective
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
