Author: Berta Schulz

How Lyft’s strategic purchase of FreeNow nearly doubles its global reach and sets the stage for fierce competition with Uber and Bolt in Europe. Lyft’s European Leap: The FreeNow Acquisition Explained Lyft, long recognized as a major force in North America’s ride-hailing industry, is making its most ambitious international move yet. The company has agreed to acquire FreeNow, a leading European mobility platform, from BMW and Mercedes-Benz for approximately $198 million. This deal will see Lyft operating in over 150 cities across nine European countries, including major hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Milan. This acquisition nearly doubles Lyft’s addressable…

How OpenAI’s AI-powered social network could reshape the future of online communities and intensify the AI platform wars The social media landscape is on the verge of a seismic shift. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is reportedly developing its own social media platform, aiming to rival Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) and Meta’s expanding AI-powered offerings. This move signals not just another competitor in the crowded social space, but the beginning of a new era where artificial intelligence and social networking are deeply intertwined. Why Is OpenAI Entering Social Media? OpenAI’s foray into social media is not just about connecting…

With global trade flows shifting rapidly, European ports experience mounting strain as redirected cargo floods terminals. A deepening trade conflict between the United States and China is sending shockwaves through the global supply chain, with European ports now facing some of the worst fallout. As both economic giants continue to impose record-high tariffs on each other, European terminals are becoming overwhelmed with diverted cargo, resulting in extensive congestion and logistical bottlenecks. On April 10, 2025, U.S President Donald Trump escalated the conflict by announcing a steep 145% tariff on Chinese imports, a move met almost immediately by China’s counterstrike, a…

The European Union plans to add 89 GW of clean energy capacity in 2025, setting new records despite ongoing challenges. In a significant step toward its climate ambitions, the European Union is projected to install a record-breaking 89 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable energy capacity in 2025. According to the latest estimates from the European Commission, this includes 70 GW from solar energy and 19 GW from wind energy. This achievement is a key part of the EU’s broader strategy to transition away from fossil fuels and reduce its dependence on Russian gas by 2027. This projected growth not only…

Why German Businesses Face Uncertainty and Where New Opportunities May Emerge Germany, Europe’s largest economy, stands at a pivotal moment in 2025. After two years of economic contraction, the country is grappling with both short-term shocks and deep-rooted structural challenges. As new government policies take shape and global trends shift, German businesses are navigating a landscape filled with uncertainty—but also new opportunities for those ready to adapt. The State of the German Economy in 2025 Recent forecasts paint a sobering picture. The Roland Berger Institute projects Germany’s GDP will grow by just 0.4% in 2025, lagging behind other G20 nations3. This follows…

From 0.1% Growth Forecasts to Industrial Overhauls, Here’s What’s Shaping Europe’s Largest Economy Germany, Europe’s largest economy, is grappling with stagnation in 2025 after two consecutive years of contraction. Leading economic institutes have slashed growth forecasts to a mere 0.1%—down from 0.8% predicted in September—citing U.S. tariffs and political uncertainty as critical drags. Here’s a breakdown of the key developments shaping the nation’s economic landscape. 1. Growth Forecasts: A Bleak Outlook Five prominent economic research institutes revised Germany’s 2025 GDP growth projection to 0.1%, warning that President Donald Trump’s tariffs on aluminum, steel, and automotive imports could shave 0.1 percentage points off growth this…

London-based VC Firm Aims to Bridge the Gap Between Technical Excellence and Commercial Success in Europe DIG Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in London, has announced the successful closing of its first institutional fund, totaling €90 million. The fund will focus on backing European B2B Software as a Service (SaaS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud infrastructure startups, aiming to bridge the gap between technical innovation and commercial success. A Founder-Focused Approach DIG Ventures was established in 2018 by Ross Mason, the founder of MuleSoft, an integration software giant acquired by Salesforce for €5.9 billion. Initially operating as Mason’s…

Breaking Barriers in Private Equity: A Digital Transformation London-based fintech company Treble Peak has raised £5 million to expand its innovative platform, which aims to democratize access to private equity markets. This funding round, supported by prominent European investors such as René Beltjens, Tor Erland Fyksen, and Just Arne Storvik, underscores the growing demand for streamlined private market solutions. In a sector traditionally dominated by institutional investors, Treble Peak is paving the way for wealth managers, family offices, and private individuals to participate in high-quality private equity investments with lower entry barriers. The Growing Appeal of Private Markets Private markets have experienced…

How the Czech Startup Ecosystem is Shaping Central Europe’s Innovation Landscape The Czech Republic has emerged as a dynamic force in the global tech ecosystem, blending its engineering heritage with innovative advancements. In 2025, this Central European nation stands as a beacon of growth and opportunity for startups and tech professionals alike. With Prague leading the charge as a major tech hub and cities like Brno and Ostrava making significant strides, the country is redefining its role in the global technology landscape. A Snapshot of the Czech Tech Ecosystem in 2025 Statistics That Speak Volumes This growth is fueled by…

Despite AI’s promise, German SMEs struggle to integrate the technology, risking future competitiveness Hannover, Germany – Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries worldwide, but Germany’s industrial sector, the backbone of its economy, is finding it challenging to keep pace. At the recent Hannover Messe, a leading industrial trade fair, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expressed uncertainty about integrating AI into their operations. While the trade fair showcased impressive AI applications, such as the Rolls-Royce aircraft engine optimized by AI from Microsoft and Siemens, many German companies, particularly those in the “Mittelstand,” are struggling to find practical uses for…