Observed Signal · Aug 26, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: Gründerszene (DACH Startups & Scaleups) · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Oliver Merkel Launches AI Startup Blocks
Oliver Merkel, who built the German quick-commerce startup Flink into a unicorn, has launched a new Berlin-based startup called Blocks. The company develops an AI agent named Major Tom that monitors, manages, and optimizes cloud infrastructure for startups and scaleups, helping them reduce AWS costs. Blocks claims a guaranteed 20% discount on AWS, leveraging an exclusive partnership with AWS and proprietary training data. The company reports rapid growth, nearly doubling revenue monthly, and is already highly profitable within its first year. Merkel shares lessons from Flink, including crisis management and the importance of profitability. He highlights unfair competitive advantages, such as Flink's cooperation with Rewe and Blocks' AWS partnership. Blocks works with around 100 companies. The article is based on an interview discussing his entrepreneurial journey and strategic insights.
News about a successful founder launching a new AI startup for cloud cost optimization; relevant to tech infrastructure and AI but not directly impacting the adtech industry.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Oliver Merkel co-founded Flink, a quick-commerce startup that reached unicorn status.
- Blocks is a Berlin-based startup developing an AI agent called Major Tom for cloud cost optimization.
- Blocks has an exclusive partnership with AWS and guarantees a 20% discount on AWS costs.
- Blocks reports working with around 100 companies and is profitable within its first year.
- Flink achieved cash-flow positivity and profitability after navigating a financing crisis in December 2023.
Connected Companies & Entities
9 Entities mappedflaconi
European online beauty retailer for fragrance, skincare and cosmetics.
“die Zeit habe ich genutzt, um Flaconi mit aus der Taufe zu heben, einen Parfüm-Versender, den wir einige Jahre später an ProSieben verkauft ...”
Flink
Quick-commerce grocer with an in-app retail media network.
“Der Berliner Quick-Commerce-Anbieter wuchs in kurzer Zeit zu einem Unternehmen mit Milliardenbewertung....”
Bain & Company
Global strategy consultancy with embedded data, software and AI services.
“Nach Stationen als Partner bei Bain und BCG gründete Merkel Flink....”
Getir
Quick-commerce app for groceries, local delivery and urban services.
“eine Übernahme durch Getir abzuwehren....”
REWE Group
German retail group spanning grocery, logistics and travel operations.
“Bei Flink war es die Einkaufskooperation mit Rewe....”
Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Global management consultancy for strategy, transformation, AI, and customer insight.
“Nach Stationen als Partner bei Bain und BCG gründete Merkel Flink....”
ProSiebenSat.1
German media group spanning broadcast, streaming, advertising and digital subscriptions.
“den Parfüm-Versender, den wir einige Jahre später an ProSieben verkauft haben....”
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Cloud infrastructure, platform and AI services for enterprises and developers.
“Wir haben eine exklusive Partnerschaft mit AWS....”
Search, video, adtech and cloud giant within Alphabet.
“Ich habe den Deutschlandchef von Google angerufen und um einen Discount gebeten....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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