Enpal vs Verivox

1KOMMA5° Hits $1.35B Valuation, Plans $100M+ Energy AI Investment

German energytech unicorn 1KOMMA5° has reached a valuation of $1.35 billion after raising €70 million from existing and new investors, including Japanese cleantech fund Marunouchi Innovation Partners (MIP). The Hamburg-based company plans to invest over €100 million in its AI-powered energy management platform, Heartbeat AI, in 2027. Heartbeat AI automates energy management processes such as electricity trading, billing, and metering, and currently controls over 1 GW of flexible power (solar, storage, heat pumps, EV chargers), targeting 20 GW by 2030. CEO Philipp Schröder is considering expanding into the US and possibly pursuing a US IPO, but the 2027 financial performance will be key. The company targets approximately $750 million in revenue for 2026, with 30% organic growth and profitable hardware operations. To date, 1KOMMA5° has raised nearly €400 million in equity since its 2021 founding and remains debt-free.

• 1KOMMA5° raised €70 million from investors including Marunouchi Innovation Partners (MIP), valuing the company at $1.35 billion.
• The company plans to invest over €100 million in its AI energy platform Heartbeat AI in 2027.
• Heartbeat AI manages over 1 GW of flexible power, targeting 20 GW by 2030.

Enpal Withdraws Injunctions; Reporting Fully Permitted

The Kammergericht Berlin appeal prompted Enpal and its founder Mario Kohle to withdraw all cease-and-desist requests against manager magazin, covering 18 contested points. As a result, previously imposed first-instance prohibitions by the Landgericht Berlin are now moot and the publisher has restored full access to its October 2025 investigation into alleged unlawful working conditions at Enpal—reporting that had included expert statements describing some contractual practices as "modern slavery." Enpal denies the allegations. The publisher states the appeal outcome allows its reporting to be available in full again. The article was published on 2026-08-31.

• Enpal and founder Mario Kohle withdrew all 18 cease-and-desist requests in the appeal before the Kammergericht Berlin.
• The Kammergericht Berlin indicated it intended to decide in favor of manager magazin on the contested points, prompting the withdrawal.
• Manager magazin's October 2025 investigation alleged unlawful working conditions at Enpal and cited experts who used the term "modern slavery."

BNPL Surges for Large Purchases

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is gaining significant traction for larger online purchases. According to a representative Verivox survey, 15% of respondents would now prefer to pay for an online purchase over 1,000 euros in installments, up from 9% in 2024. This is the strongest growth among common payment methods. Invoice remains the most popular (29%), followed by PayPal (21%) and cards (14%). The trend is particularly pronounced among lower-income households, with 23% of those earning under 2,000 euros net monthly favoring installments, versus only 7% of those earning over 4,000 euros. However, the rise in BNPL usage also increases the risk of over-indebtedness. New stricter regulations on installment financing, including comprehensive creditworthiness checks, will take effect from November 20. For smaller purchases (25-100 euros), PayPal remains dominant, and installments are rarely used.

• 15% of respondents prefer installment payment for online purchases over 1,000 euros, up from 9% in 2024.
• Invoice (29%) and PayPal (21%) are the most preferred payment methods for large purchases.
• 23% of households with net income below 2,000 euros prefer installment payments, versus 7% of households earning over 4,000 euros.

Anschlussfinanzierung: Rate steigt um knapp 400 Euro – Zinsvergleich kann bis zu 10.000 Euro sparen

Verivox reports that the monthly rate for follow-up financing (Anschlussfinanzierung) is rising by nearly 400 euros, but a comparison of interest rates can save up to 10,000 euros.

Digital Daily Use Varies by Age and Income in Germany

A Verivox survey reveals that despite near-universal device ownership (99% have smartphones, 98% have laptops/PCs), a significant portion of Germans still perform everyday tasks offline. 10% do banking without internet, 16% plan trips offline, and 17% close contracts without digital tools. Usage patterns vary strongly by age, gender, and income: older adults (60+) are more likely to do tasks offline, women prefer smartphones more than men, and higher income/education correlates with laptop use. Shopping and online research are highly digitalized across all groups.

• 10% of Germans conduct banking without internet, 16% plan travel offline, and 17% close contracts without digital devices.
• 99% of respondents own a smartphone; 98% own a laptop or PC.
• Among those over 60, 32% close contracts offline, 26% plan vacations without digital help, and 28% do not use social networks.