Syntropy Launch: Ex-Emma Founders Back D2C Startups

Dennis Schmoltzi and Manuel Müller, the entrepreneurial minds behind the successful mattress e-commerce giant Emma, have unveiled Syntropy, a novel investment vehicle aimed at fueling the expansion of direct-to-consumer (D2C) startups. Moving beyond a traditional venture capital or family office model, Syntropy is designed as a comprehensive ecosystem, integrating capital with deep operational expertise and extensive networks. The firm is prepared to inject up to €10 million into D2C ventures from the seed stage onward, leveraging their firsthand experience in scaling a global brand.

Emma, which achieved an impressive revenue of €845 million in 2024, offers a rich case study for Syntropy's strategic approach. Having navigated the complexities of international market entry and operational challenges across over 30 countries, Schmoltzi and Müller aim to provide portfolio companies with invaluable shortcuts. "We've made every mistake imaginable selling with Emma," stated Müller, emphasizing that this hard-won knowledge will be actively shared to guide founders, preventing them from repeating costly errors.

In parallel, Oliver Merkel, the force behind the rapid grocery delivery service Flink, has officially launched Blocks. Co-founded with serial entrepreneur Andreas Schroeter, Blocks is developing a digital platform to streamline and optimize cloud expenditure for businesses. This initiative addresses a critical pain point in the tech sector, where cloud infrastructure represents a significant, yet often under-managed, cost center. Early backing for Blocks includes €6 million from prominent investors such as Speedinvest, Caesar Ventures, and a cohort of influential business angels, including the founders of Flix.

The artificial intelligence sector continues its rapid ascent, with Berlin-based startup Langdock reporting substantial growth. Founded in 2023, the company has rapidly scaled its Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) to €25 million, a significant jump from its previously announced €20 million ARR just last month. Langdock positions itself as an all-encompassing AI platform for enterprises, designed to unlock the full potential of generative AI. Recent funding rounds have seen €3 million invested by notable backers including General Catalyst, La Famiglia, Y Combinator, Rolf Schroemgens (trivago), Hanno Renner (Personio), and Erik Muttersbach (Forto).

Meanwhile, Vienna-based self-storage provider Storebox is undergoing a strategic realignment to achieve profitability. The company is withdrawing from the Swiss and Dutch markets, transitioning to a franchise-based model in these regions, as reported by Brutkasten. Concurrently, its German operations are being restructured under a protective shield proceeding. This recalibration is supported by existing investors, who have injected a seven-figure sum to facilitate the path to profitability. Notable past investors in Storebox include Hansi Hansmann, Senger-Weiss Family Office, and Wille Finance, who previously participated in a €15.5 million round, bringing the total Series B funding to approximately €67.5 million (including debt).

Further innovation is evident with Munich-based SEAL Robotics, which is developing mobile robotic solutions for demanding environments like ports and freight yards. The company's mission, as articulated by founder Daniel Leidner, is to enhance safety and reduce the burden of hazardous tasks for human workers. The startup ecosystem is also seeing the emergence of new ventures, including Noxon, Janus, B2B Hero, PlayAce, and Finto, signaling continued dynamism in early-stage innovation.