Author: Berta Schulz

From Cairo to the Middle East, Nawy’s tech-driven platform is making real estate investing easier, more transparent, and accessible for millions. In May 2025, Egyptian proptech startup Nawy made headlines by raising $52 million in Series A funding-one of the largest rounds ever for an African startup. This milestone not only validates Nawy’s unique business model but also signals a new era for real estate investment and technology in Egypt and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With a vision to bring transparency, efficiency, and accessibility to a traditionally opaque market, Nawy is leveraging technology to reshape…

How German startups are overcoming digital, cultural, and funding barriers to drive innovation and global growth Germany, the economic powerhouse of Europe, is renowned for its engineering, manufacturing, and export strength. In 2025, the country’s startup ecosystem is more dynamic than ever, with record venture capital investments and a new generation of founders driving innovation in technology, healthcare, and sustainability. Yet, despite this vibrancy, startups in Germany face a unique set of challenges that require targeted solutions to unlock their full potential. The State of the German Startup Ecosystem Main Problems Facing Startups in Germany Despite positive momentum, several persistent obstacles…

European fintech Pliant’s acquisition of Austria’s hi.health signals a revolution in insurance payments, promising faster reimbursements and a seamless digital experience for customers and providers. Pliant’s Strategic Leap: Redefining Insurance Payments In a move set to reshape the European insurance landscape, Berlin-based fintech Pliant has acquired Austrian insurtech hi.health, aiming to bring its advanced payment expertise into the insurance market. This acquisition, announced in April 2025, marks a pivotal moment for both companies and the broader insurance sector, which is undergoing rapid digital transformation. Why This Acquisition Matters Pliant, known for its robust B2B payment solutions across sectors like travel, mobility, and banking, is now targeting the…

How a mysterious new company could reshape online communication and group dynamics using artificial intelligence. In the buzzing world of AI innovation, a new name is quietly making waves: Grouphug. Operating in stealth mode, this startup is building artificial intelligence tools to be deployed directly within WhatsApp groups, a communication space used by over 2 billion people worldwide. While many companies focus on building standalone AI chat apps, Grouphug is taking a different route embedding AI into the everyday communication platforms people already use. If successful, this move could dramatically transform how families, teams, and communities interact digitally. What is…

From Mortgage-Backed Securities to Real Estate Investments-Unpacking the Economic Domino Effect How China’s Financial Leverage Threatens the U.S. Housing Market The U.S. housing market, already strained by soaring prices and rising mortgage rates, faces a hidden geopolitical risk: China’s $1.32 trillion stake in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and residential real estate. If geopolitical tensions escalate, China’s potential sell-off of these assets could trigger a chain reaction, destabilizing one of America’s most critical economic sectors. China’s Mortgage-Backed Securities: A $1.32 Trillion Time Bomb Foreign nations hold 15% of all U.S. MBS, with China and Japan leading at $344 billion and $170 billion, respectively. These securities are…

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…