Five fast-rising scaleups from the DACH region have qualified for TECH5 the Champions League of Technology.
Collectively, the three nations have created a regional tech powerhouse.
Individually, each of them has unique strengths.
Germany leads with a booming startup scene in Berlin and a deep tech hub in Munich.
The county also hadEuropes second-highest total VC investment last year, after the UK.
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Switzerland blends scientific excellence, fintech nous, and blockchain leadership.
Funding in DACH has also enjoyed a solid start to 2025, growing in deal value year-on-year.
Scaleups from all three DACH nations have qualified for TECH5.
Its time to introduce them.
The Exploration Company
The Exploration Companyis an emerging European leader in the limitless universe of space travel.
Helene Huby, the companys founder and CEO, said she plans to democratise the routes to space.
Neustark
Swiss sustainability scaleupNeustarkhas an ambitious target: remove 1 million tons of CO2 by 2030.
Tiefenthaler founded Neustark alongside Valentin Gutknecht in 2019 as an ETH Zurich spin-off.
Metaloop
The sole Austrian contender in the DACH finals,Metaloopaims to fundamentally reshape the global metal recycling industry.
To reach that goal, the scaleup has developed an all-in-one platform for metal scrap trading.
The companys matchmaking system connects buyers and sellers in real time.
Consequently, clients can generate revenue, safe time, andfosters sustainability.
The solution has enjoyed a rapid rise.
Ultimately, we see Metaloop as a catalyst for a more sustainable, circular economy.
Founded in 2019, Vytal has created a new form of sustainable containers for takeaway and delivery food.
Investors have been impressed, injecting a steady stream of cash into the scaleup.
Just last month, the company securedanother 14.2mnto accelerate its international growth.
The round was led by Inven Capital, a VC firm that specialises in scaling climate tech.
Yokoy
The second Swiss contender in the DACH finals, Yokoy develops a powerful all-in-one spend management solution.
Founded in 2019, Yokoy is a resident ofTNW City.
Last year, the company topped Siftedsinaugural rankingsof Central Europes fastest-growing startups by revenue.
In January, Yokoywas acquiredby the Spanish travel-management company TravelPerk.
Whats next for the TECH5 scaleups?
The DACH quintet join rivals fromBeneluxandthe Nordicsin the finals of TECH5.
Contenders from a further four European regions will also be announced in the weeks to come.
All the challengers will then compete for the title of hottest scaleup in Europe.
Stay tuned next week to meet the TECH5 qualifiers from France.
TECH5 is part of a packed programme forTNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam.
Tickets for theeventarenow on sale.
Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the check-out to get 30% off the price tag.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
