Germany’s startup ecosystem is undergoing a seismic shift, and from my perspective as a serial entrepreneur, this development has me cautiously optimistic. On November 28, 2025, Germany announced an initiative to consolidate its deeptech investment efforts by integrating the DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF) into the more established High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). Mark your calendars for February 1, 2026, as that’s when the transition officially takes place.
For me and many European founders, especially women in deeptech or STEM-related fields, access to funds is often a steep hurdle. Having bootstrapped multiple ventures myself, I know firsthand how vital funding structures are to promote innovation and sustain startups that tackle critical challenges. Germany’s new single platform for venture funding is a bold attempt to smooth funding pathways , but what does this mean for founders like us?
What This Will Change for European Founders
Here’s what you should know about this development:
A Single Financing Route, Start to Exit
With DTCF merging into HTGF’s public-private structure, there’s a promise of simplified funding. DTCF is known for investing in deeptech and climate tech scaleups, while HTGF focuses on seed funding for early-stage startups. Together, they aim to cover the full spectrum of growth, from initial foundation to successful exit.Dedicated Support for Key Tech Sectors
Germany intends to double down on industries like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and biotech. These areas are pivotal, especially as Europe lags behind international competitors in securing dominance in these fields. Having participated in numerous incubators, I’ve seen how critical such sector-specific support can be for founders.More Public-Private Collaborations
By applying one unified strategy, public and private capital flow will converge under a single system. For founders, this means the potential for larger, more predictable funding rounds. It could also eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, allowing us to focus on growing our businesses rather than navigating complex funding processes.
Let’s Look at the Stats
- Germany’s DTCF invested in just 19 companies over a three-year stretch. Some of the beneficiaries, like The Exploration Company (€160M Series B for reusable spacecraft) and Cylib (€55M in battery recycling), attracted significant international syndicates.
- HTGF, with years of experience, has funded over 560 startups and boasts over €900M in total assets. Combining DTCF’s scaleup focus with HTGF’s early-stage expertise could create a powerhouse funding mechanism.
A How-To Guide: Navigating the New Funding Platform
Understand Your Growth Stage
HTGF is perfect for early-stage companies, ideation through seed. If you’re further along the startup journey, check if your scaleup idea fits with DTCF’s existing portfolio thematic focus: climate tech, deeptech, or closely related areas like quantum technologies or AI.Apply Early
With the integration process finalizing in early 2026, start preparing now. Reviewing past HTGF funding requirements can streamline your application.Pitch with Precision
From experience, I know that storytelling matters. These are still competitive deals, so ensure you articulate not just your numbers but your vision. Concrete steps showcasing market necessity for your product or service boost your credibility.
Common Mistakes Female Founders Should Dodge
Avoid Underplaying Your Vision
As a female entrepreneur, I know how tempting it can be to “play it safe.” Competitive funding platforms value bold, market-disrupting ideas over cautious ones. Believe in your vision and share it unapologetically.Don’t Discount Networking
Many of us love to focus on building our product or service, but many deals are sealed through relationships and networking. Dedicate time to building a trusted circle of investors and partners.Steering Clear of Over-Planning
While plans are essential (trust me, I DO love to plan), be careful not to over-engineer everything during the planning stage. Flexibility is often more compelling than presenting a “perfect,” rigid plan.
Lessons from Germany
We’ve seen in other ecosystems, like the U.S., how clustered, unified funding facilitates rapid scaling. Germany’s decision to merge these players appears influenced by wanting to compete globally. Closing funding gaps between startups and scaleups is foundational. Countries thinking big about innovation know the importance of making top-tier economic and environmental tech funding accessible.
For female founders in Europe, this is an opportunity to carve space. Going after critical fields like quantum computing puts us at the center of opportunities shaping industries.
As I’ve showcased with Fe/male Switch, many women already use nontraditional, gamified approaches to navigate male-dominated sectors. Germany’s funding overhaul could amplify more diverse teams taking center stage in Europe’s deeptech journey.
The Conclusion Every Female Founder Needs
The unification of DTCF and HTGF may carry promise and questions for European entrepreneurs, especially women in deeptech. If executed well, this change could catalyze groundbreaking opportunities for startups. That said, this new structure will likely raise expectations; pitch depth, market foresight, and problem-solving convictions will see heightened scrutiny.
If you’re navigating this world as a bootstrap challenger or venturing into STEM for the first time, there are tools like Fe/male Switch that make entrepreneurial education accessible to all. It’s possible to thrive without big budgets, but organizations like DTCF and HTGF make dreaming bigger a little easier.
Let’s remain watchful. Germany may be crafting a success story for its founders. But we, as European entrepreneurs, owe it to ourselves to identify where we can fit, compete, and build something incredible.
FAQ
1. What was recently announced by the German government regarding VC funding?
On November 28, 2025, Germany announced that the DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF) would be integrated into High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) to create a unified public-private VC platform. Read the announcement on Tech.eu
2. When will the integration of DTCF into HTGF take place?
The integration is scheduled to be implemented on February 1, 2026. Check out Tech.eu’s coverage
3. What is the purpose of combining DTCF and HTGF into one platform?
The unified platform aims to provide seamless funding from foundation to exit for startups, particularly in deeptech and climate tech sectors. Explore Tech.eu’s insights
4. Which sectors will the new financing structure prioritize?
The focus will remain on future-critical technologies such as energy, quantum computing, semiconductors, industrial transformation, AI, biotech, software, and advanced materials. Learn about the sector focus on Tech.eu
5. Who are some notable recipients of DTCF funding so far?
Among others, The Exploration Company secured €160M in Series B funding, and Cylib raised €55M for battery recycling. Check out the Exploration Company’s funding details | Learn about Cylib’s funding success
6. What is HTGF known for in the German startup ecosystem?
HTGF is an experienced public-private seed fund, having invested in over 560 startups and managing over €900M in total assets. Discover HTGF
7. What are the recent trends in European deeptech investments indicating?
High-profile funding rounds in technologies like fusion and AI suggest growing international syndicates and increased funding requirements for scale-up companies. Find out about Proxima Fusion’s record €130M Series A funding
8. How does this move aim to bridge international funding gaps in comparison to the US and China?
Germany’s unified public-private VC platform seeks to enable sustained funding for startups, addressing on-going challenges in competing with larger funding ecosystems in the US and China.
9. What advice exists for women in deeptech seeking funding opportunities from this platform?
Female founders are encouraged to focus on bold, disruptive ideas, build a strong network of investors, and maintain flexibility while pitching their vision. Check out Fe/male Switch for entrepreneurial education
10. What is next for HTGF after absorbing DTCF?
HTGF is projected to launch its fifth public-private seed fund (HTGF V) in mid-2027. Read more about HTGF
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.
