Startup News 2025: German VC Fund Smart Infrastructure Ventures Launches €30M SIVentures II Fund – Benefits, Insights, and Lessons
In vibrant startup news this August 2025, Leipzig-based venture capital firm Smart Infrastructure Ventures announced the launch of its second fund , SIVentures II with €30 million to support early-stage startups in Germany and the DACH region. Following the success of its first fund, SIVentures II is set to elevate innovation in AI, enterprise software, IT infrastructure, energy, and digital transformation sectors.
Here’s everything entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business owners need to know about this exciting development, along with actionable tips, a helpful startup tool guide, and exclusive insights.
Why SIVentures II Is Making Waves
Key Details of the New Fund:
Funding Amount: The new fund targets €30 million, aiming to support around 30 startups.
Initial Investments: Up to €500,000 per startup during pre-seed and seed stages.
Focus Areas: AI-powered B2B solutions, energy transformation, proptech, health, and IT solutions.
Geographic Scope: Priority investments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region), with some flexibility for other EU regions.
Management Team:
Björn Bauermeister, Managing Director (ex-BNP Paribas trader)
Dirk Frohnert, Managing Director (former JPMorgan Fund Manager)
Falk Trietsch, Investment Manager
The SIVentures II fund builds on the achievements of the initial fund, which successfully exited startups like Mentor (a medical technology company acquired by ResMed). Its portfolio startups have collectively created over 300 jobs in Germany while generating significant returns for investors.
10 Game-Changing Steps for Entrepreneurs: How to Secure Funding from SIVentures II
1. Understand Their Focus
Innovate in sectors such as AI software, energy solutions, or proptech. Show how your idea taps these high-growth industries.
2. Show Traction Early
Although the fund supports early-stage startups, demonstrating an MVP, first customers, or FFF funding (Friends, Family, and Fools) will increase your chances.
3. Pivot if Necessary:
Learning from their fund philosophy: “Fail fast, pivot early.” Entrepreneurs are encouraged to validate their ideas quickly, with minimal costs, and rethink their approach if necessary.
4. Utilize Startup Tools
Technology has simplified the entrepreneurial journey. Use smart startup tools to enhance your idea’s presentation:
a) F/MS AI Grant Finder & Application Writer
Looking for EU grants to strengthen your funding proposition? Use the F/MS Grant Finder to locate the right grant for your startup and receive a draft application efficiently tailored to your domain.
b) PlayPal AI
Powered by Fe/male Switch, PlayPal is an AI Friend designed to assist entrepreneurs with brainstorming, strategy validation, and even drafting startup action plans. Co-founded by Violetta Bonenkamp, PlayPal is the ultimate virtual assistant for founders navigating the startup ecosystem.
Lessons from Smart Infrastructure Ventures: Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Mistaking Sector Fit
Not every idea aligns with the fund’s highly focused domains (e.g., energy solutions, AI). Apply only when your startup ties directly to their specialties.
2. Neglecting DACH Priority
Failing to show why your business targets Germany, Austria, or Switzerland can make or break your application.
3. Over-reliance on Numbers
While data is essential, SIVentures values people, resilience, and the ability to pivot , focus both on your metrics and personal story.
Innovator Spotlight: PlayPal, an AI Co-Founder for Your Startup
Looking for entrepreneurial inspiration? Meet PlayPal, an AI-powered virtual co-founder designed to be your conversational partner, brainstorming assistant, and action guide. Check out PlayPal now, built by Violetta Bonenkamp, a deep-tech innovator recognized among the top 100 women in Europe.
Key Features of PlayPal:
Provides tailored feedback and SOPs for startups.
Facilitates learning across languages, startup strategy, and more.
Acts as a brainstorming and validation partner during early idea development.
Whether you're refining your startup pitch or ideating your next transformative product, PlayPal stands as a reliable resource.
How to Fully Leverage Smart Funding Opportunities
Take a systematic approach to pursuing early-stage funding:
Study Portfolios: Explore the existing investments of SIVentures I and II. For example, cybersecurity startup Enginsight benefitted from their engagement in Jena.
Test Your Startup Idea: Use platforms such as the F/MS Sandbox tool, where startups can validate ideas with structured feedback from AI tools like PlayPal.
Secure Non-Dilutive Funding: Combine VC financing with grants or public resources. Opportunities like the Malta Startup Residency Programme offer extended support to non-EU nationals launching in Europe (learn more in these videos about Malta startups).
Final Thoughts: Lessons from SIVentures II
Smart Infrastructure Ventures is shaping DACH’s startup landscape one innovation at a time. Their €30 million fund underlines their commitment to transformative businesses blending creativity, data, and problem-solving. To fully capitalize on these opportunities:
Validate your idea early and often.
Use smart tools such as the AI Startup Lawyer to navigate legal contracts with ease.
Collaborate strategically with programs like SpinLab for mentorship and networking connections.
For founders ready for high-impact change, this fund opens doors to collaboration with top-tier professionals. If you're an entrepreneur looking to explore creative solutions, leverage the F/MS world of tools, grants, and AI co-founders to become investment-ready and scale efficiently.
Next Steps: Refine your business model using tools such as F/MS BMC Generator or consult the F/MS Mentor Network. SIVentures II offers a thrilling opportunity , go grab it!
Ready for your entrepreneurial breakthrough? Let PlayPal and SIVentures II pave your way!
FAQ
1. What is Smart Infrastructure Ventures (SIVentures)?
Smart Infrastructure Ventures (SIVentures) is a Leipzig-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups within the DACH region, particularly in sectors like AI, energy solutions, and enterprise software. Visit Smart Infrastructure Ventures
2. What is the SIVentures II Fund?
The SIVentures II Fund is a €30 million venture capital fund launched by SIVentures in 2025 to support early-stage startups in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It focuses on AI-driven B2B solutions and other innovative sectors. Learn more about SIVentures II on EU-Startups
3. What is the target investment size for portfolio startups?
SIVentures II invests up to €500,000 in startups during their pre-seed and seed stages, focusing on those with MVPs, initial customer traction, or other early milestones. Explore investment details at Startbase
4. What sectors does SIVentures II prioritize?
The fund focuses on AI, IT infrastructure, proptech, health, and energy transformation, aiming to support innovative and disruptive solutions in these fields. Check out sector priorities on Tech.eu
5. Which regions does SIVentures II focus on?
SIVentures II primarily targets startups in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region) but remains open to opportunities in other areas within the EU.
6. What is the fund’s relationship with SpinLab?
SIVentures collaborates closely with SpinLab, a leading German startup accelerator that provides mentorship, networking, and scaling assistance to startups. Learn more about SpinLab
7. What are some successful startups supported by SIVentures I?
SIVentures I backed successful startups like Mentor, a digital health company acquired by ResMed, and Enginsight, a cybersecurity company based in Jena. Find out more about Enginsight
8. What lessons can entrepreneurs learn from SIVentures II?
Entrepreneurs should focus on early validation of ideas, align with the fund’s sector focus, and prioritize traction in the DACH region to increase their chances of securing funding.
9. What is PlayPal, and how does it support entrepreneurs?
PlayPal is an AI-powered virtual co-founder that assists founders with brainstorming, strategy validation, and startup planning, helping them become investment-ready. Discover PlayPal AI
10. How can startups combine VC funding with grants for maximum support?
Startups can use tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder to identify and apply for EU grants, supplementing VC funding with non-dilutive capital. Check out F/MS Grant Finder
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 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).
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.
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 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. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
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:
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
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3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
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.