Prepared for the unveiling of numerous significant AI-related controversies in the upcoming months.
2025: A New Frontier for Startups
The past year was a rollercoaster for the startup scene, with a surge in new ventures and funding, but also a record number of startups declaring bankruptcy. As we enter 2025, the question on everyone's mind is: what's next? Will robots take center stage? Should founders bet on defense tech? Is there still interest in climate tech, and how political is the German startup scene? In the podcast "Startup - Now Let's Be Honest", Hannah Schröder, tech editor at Capital, and ntv journalist Janna Linke share their predictions for the year.
Battling the AIs
The new year started with a shock at the stock exchanges, courtesy of the Chinese AI startup Deepseek. This event served as a reminder that the race for AI supremacy is far from over, even with the US maintaining its market leadership in AI chips and research. Hannah Schröder points out that the success of Deepseek doesn't necessarily mean it's good, raising concerns about AI censorship and the ethical implications of AI technologies.
The Hype Around AI
Hannah Schröder suggests that the market for AI is overhyped, inflated by stock prices, and may see several major AI scandals this year. The last few months have seen a significant increase in AI funding, with some entrepreneurs benefiting from excessive resources that may or may not translate into meaningful results. The inflated market and hype around AI warrant caution and raise questions about the long-term sustainability of the AI sector.
Defense Tech: A Promising Industry
In 2024, defense startup Helsing raised €450 million, making it the year's largest funding round. Economically speaking, this is an industry with promising growth potential for startup founders. However, as Hannah Schröder points out, the defense sector carries its own unique challenges, with founders depending on the government's defense budget and political developments.
The Future of Climate Tech
Funding in the climate tech space decreased significantly in 2024, a consequence of the rollback in climate policy. With European leaders like Ursula von der Leyen considering retreating from the European Green Deal, the future of clean tech startups that have benefited from this regulation remains uncertain. Hannah Schröder cautions that a retreat from the Green Deal would make the business model of many climate tech startups obsolete.
Janna Linke and Hannah Schröder's conversation was edited for clarity and brevity. Listen to the full discussion in the ntv podcast "Startup - now let's be honest".
Insights:
- Robotics: The robotics sector is expected to see significant advancements in AI, humanoid robotics, and energy efficiency in 2025, with a focus on sustainability and reducing waste[1].
- Defense Tech: AI, additive manufacturing, and cybersecurity trends are shaping the defense industry. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are gaining popularity due to their reduced size, energy efficiency, and lower capital investment[3].
- Climate Tech: Breakthroughs in nuclear technology, grid load management, and long-duration energy storage are expected in 2025, with energy and transport sectors receiving the majority of funding due to the urgent need for sustainable solutions [4].
- Global Political Landscape: The US is maintaining its market leadership in AI, while the UK is positioning itself as an AI hub, highlighting the growing disparity between American and European AI ambitions [5].
The Commission has acknowledged the potential of AI in various sectors, including defense and climate tech, and is encouraging startups to invest in these areas. In light of the recent success of Chinese AI startup Deepseek, there are growing concerns about AI censorship and ethical implications that need to be addressed.
