Commerzbank vs KfW

E-Commerce Player niceshops Prepares for IPO on Vienna Stock Exchange

Austrian e-commerce company niceshops is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). Following a successful post-2022 restructuring process that reduced liabilities by 30 million Euros, the company reported H1 2026 revenues of 97.3 million Euros, representing a 23.6% year-on-year growth, and aims to reach 200 million Euros in annual revenue. Management outlines the key benefits of an IPO as access to growth capital, standardized valuation, robust governance, and a sustainable ownership structure. Additionally, Eurozone inflation rose to 3.3% in August, signaling a highly likely interest rate hike to 2.5% by the European Central Bank (ECB) to curb energy-driven price pressures.

• niceshops achieved 97.3 million Euros in revenue for H1 2026, marking a 23.6% increase compared to H1 2025.
• The e-commerce firm reduced its liabilities by 30 million Euros during a restructuring phase that concluded successfully in 2026.
• niceshops operates approximately 30 online shop brands across 18 languages and exports to about 80 countries.

Everphone secures €15 million refinancing for device leasing

Berlin-based Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) provider Everphone secured €15 million in refinancing from Commerzbank and KfW to finance new workplace devices for corporate clients under long-term leases. The financing follows a €270 million Series D in 2024 and is part of a strategy to improve unit economics by reducing financing costs. The new structure lowers the interest margin by 20 basis points, enabling larger purchase volumes at lower unit costs. Everphone serves over 1,000 organizations, including DAX-listed companies, and offers managed services like MDM and mobile threat defense. This deal highlights the growing trend of device-as-a-service models in Europe, with similar financings for Raylo and equipal in 2026.

• Everphone secured €15 million in refinancing from Commerzbank and KfW.
• The financing is intended to finance new workplace devices for corporate customers under long-term leases.
• The new structure reduces the interest margin by 20 basis points compared to previous financing.

Douglas expands Carat partnership to all European markets

Following a pitch, the Douglas Group is expanding its existing partnership with Carat in the DACH region to all European markets. The new cooperation will start on January 1, 2027. Carat will take over strategic and operational media management for all 20 European Douglas markets, including France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain. The goal is to strengthen the balance between international brand leadership and local market relevance, and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of media investments across all markets. Rik Strubel, CMO of Douglas Group, said they aim to increase the impact of their media investments. Katja Anette Brandt, CEO Germany & Media Practice President Central Europe at dentsu, expressed pride in winning the pitch. The pitch combined expertise in strategy, media, data, commerce, and transformation. This win helps offset the recent loss of the Commerzbank media account to Deep Media.

• The Douglas Group expands its partnership with Carat to all 20 European markets.
• The new mandate starts on January 1, 2027, following a pitch.
• Carat will handle strategic and operational media management for Douglas across Europe.

German VC Market Sees Strongest Quarter Since 2021

According to KfW Research, German startups received over €4.5 billion in venture capital in Q3 2026, the highest quarterly volume since Q4 2021. This represents a near quadrupling compared to Q3 2025. The surge is driven by a few mega-rounds, with six deals exceeding €100 million each accounting for over €3.5 billion, and a boom in AI investments, which attracted €3.1 billion (69% of the total). However, the number of deals (≥€1M) fell to 89 in Q3, one of the lowest in recent years, indicating a concentration of capital in fewer, high-performing startups. In the first nine months, €9.5 billion was invested, surpassing the totals for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Germany now counts 43 unicorns. KfW expects continued concentration on large financing rounds.

• German startups received over €4.5 billion in VC funding in Q3 2026, the highest quarterly amount since Q4 2021.
• AI startups attracted €3.1 billion (69% of total VC) across 61 rounds in Q3 2026.
• Six mega-rounds (>€100M each) accounted for over €3.5 billion, representing more than 75% of the quarterly volume.

KfW Newsroom: Neue Pressemitteilungen und Video-Update

Neue Pressemitteilungen: 'Effizienzhaus 55-Förderung zeigt Wirkung: 50.000 Wohneinheiten gefördert' (30.09.2026), 'KfW-ifo-Mittelstandsbarometer: September 2026' (29.09.2026), 'Externe Prüfung bescheinigt DEG sehr gutes Impact Management' (29.09.2026). Zudem neues Video 'Die Zukunft ist unbemannt' über das Programm 'Scale-up Direct' des Deutschlandfonds.

Everphone secures €15 million refinancing for device leasing

Berlin-based Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) provider Everphone secured €15 million in refinancing from Commerzbank and KfW to finance new workplace devices for corporate clients under long-term leases. The financing follows a €270 million Series D in 2024 and is part of a strategy to improve unit economics by reducing financing costs. The new structure lowers the interest margin by 20 basis points, enabling larger purchase volumes at lower unit costs. Everphone serves over 1,000 organizations, including DAX-listed companies, and offers managed services like MDM and mobile threat defense. This deal highlights the growing trend of device-as-a-service models in Europe, with similar financings for Raylo and equipal in 2026.

• Everphone secured €15 million in refinancing from Commerzbank and KfW.
• The financing is intended to finance new workplace devices for corporate customers under long-term leases.
• The new structure reduces the interest margin by 20 basis points compared to previous financing.