Published in: Planet of Startup

Flip Raises €24.7M for an AI Revolution in Deskless Work!

Author Franc Smidt

Published on: September 8, 2025

German startup Flip is changing the game for deskless workers, securing €24.7 million to expand its AI capabilities!  

Founded in 2018 within Porsche, Flip addresses the communication gap between headquarters and frontline employees—from factories to retail stores. Their platform, already adopted by giants like Nestlé, Bosch, and Porsche, helps HR, operational teams, and the 80% of the global workforce working outside offices save time and focus on key tasks.  

The new funding, backed by LEA Partners, HV Capital, and Notion Capital, will accelerate the development of AI tools to simplify onboarding, training, payroll, and employee engagement. In 2024, Flip acquired UK-based The Bot Platform, adding low-code automation solutions to its arsenal. “We see huge potential in digitalization for deskless workers,” says founder Benedikt Brand. “AI can radically boost efficiency and employee retention.” With €52 million in total funding and over 500 clients, Flip is poised to conquer new markets and shape the future of work!

Digital Advisor

Top 20 Best Universities and Business Schools in Europe for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in 2025

Entrepreneurship is not just innate talent but a set of skills that can be honed through quality education and practical experience. Europe, with its rich academic tradition and vibrant startup ecosystem, offers numerous opportunities for those dreaming of launching their own businesses. From accelerators and incubators to innovation-focused programs, European universities and business schools create ideal conditions for future entrepreneurs. In this article, we present the top 20 universities and business schools in Europe for 2025, distinguished by their startup support programs, notable alumni, and contributions to entrepreneurship. The list is compiled based on the EU-Startups ranking and other sources, considering their relevance and influence.

• University of Cambridge (UK)
  Why it’s top-tier?
  • Cambridge is a global leader in research and innovation. Its Entrepreneurship Centre and Master’s in Entrepreneurship prepare students to launch tech startups.
    Notable alumni: Co-founders of DeepMind, Improbable, and PROWLER.io.
    Features: Acceleration programs, access to investors, and close ties to “Silicon Fen,” Europe’s largest tech cluster.
• HEC Paris Business School (France)
  Why top-tier?
  • HEC Paris ranks 4 in Europe for startup support, having produced 594 companies, including 16 unicorns.
    Notable alumni: Céline Sciamma (Leetchi Group), Stanislas Niox-Chateau (Doctolib).
    Features: The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center offers master’s programs like MSc X-HEC Entrepreneurs and organizes venture competitions.
• INSEAD (France)
  Why top-tier?
  • INSEAD is a forge for entrepreneurs, with alumni founding companies like BlaBlaCar and Wise.
    Features: Programs include the INSEAD Venture Competition and LaunchPad, providing mentorship and investor connections.
    Fact: 39% of HEC Paris startups have female founders, highlighting inclusivity.
• Imperial College London (UK)
  Why top-tier?
  • Ranked among the top 10 global universities, specializing in science, engineering, and business.
    Features: MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management program and strong industry ties.
    Fact: Imperial actively supports startups in data and healthcare.
• London Business School (UK)
  Why top-tier?
  • LBS offers The Entrepreneurial Edge and the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, fostering globally scalable startups.
    Features: Programs like MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and an active LBS Entrepreneurship Club.
    Fact: Over 4,000 startups have been founded by LBS alumni.
• Copenhagen Business School (Denmark)
  Why top-tier?
  • CBS is a leader in Scandinavian business education with a focus on sustainability.
    Features: The Go Grow accelerator supports startups aligned with UN goals.
    Notable alumni: Founders of ClimAider and Hairlust.
• University of Oxford (UK)
  Why top-tier?
  • Oxford produces 10% entrepreneurs among its graduates, with a focus on high-tech startups.
    Features: Oxford Foundry and accelerators like the Translation and Innovation Hub.
    Notable alumni: Founders of Dark Blue Labs and Vision Factory (acquired by DeepMind).
• ESADE Business School (Spain)
  Why top-tier?
  • Barcelona is a startup hub, and ESADE amplifies it through the eWorks Accelerator.
    Features: Programs for high-tech startups and Demo Day to attract investors.
    Notable alumni: Founders of SelvaMaté and Hubberly.
• University College London (UCL) (UK)
  Why top-tier?
  • UCL ranks 22nd globally (Times Higher Education 2025) and actively supports entrepreneurship.
    Features: UCL School of Management offers an MSc in Entrepreneurship and the Hatchery incubator at BaseKX.
    Fact: Over 4,000 startups are linked to UCL.
• Technical University of Munich (TUM) (Germany)
  Why top-tier?
  • TUM is a leader in engineering and tech startups, having created around 2,000 companies.
    Features: TUMentrepreneurship and Venture Labs provide mentorship and funding.
    Fact: TUM ranks among the top 30 global universities in 2025.
• University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
  Why top-tier?
  • One of Europe’s largest universities with 30,000 students, known for research and entrepreneurial programs.
    Features: Amsterdam Business School offers entrepreneurship courses and supports startups like Virtuagym.
    Fact: Strong reputation in socially impactful research.
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (Germany)
  Why top-tier?
  • Germany’s leading business school with a focus on innovation.
    Features: MSc in Management and Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA programs.
    Fact: Consistently ranks among Europe’s top business schools.
• Cranfield University (UK)
  Why top-tier?
  • An exclusively postgraduate university specializing in technology and management.
    Features: Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship offers an MSc in Management and Entrepreneurship and coworking spaces.
    Fact: A leader in management research.
• ESMT Berlin (Germany)
  Why top-tier?
  • Founded by 25 global companies, it offers programs for entrepreneurs.
    Features: MSc in Management with a specialization in entrepreneurship and innovation.
    Fact: Programs are available in Berlin and online.
• University of Mannheim (Germany)
  Why top-tier?
  • Known for its business faculty and Mannheim Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MCEI).
    Features: Courses, coaching, and networking for startups.
    Notable alumni: Stefan Lippe (Swiss Re).
• IE Business School (Spain)
  Why top-tier?
  • Collaborates with South Summit and offers programs like the Advanced Entrepreneurship Program.
    Features: IE Venture Lab and Entrepreneurship Summer School for idea validation.
    Fact: Madrid is an ideal base for startups.
• Delft University of Technology (Netherlands)
  Why top-tier?
  • The Netherlands’ oldest technical university with the Yes!Delft accelerator.
    Features: Supports hardware and digital startups with prototypes.
    Fact: Over 150 startups launched since 2015.
• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (UK)
  Why top-tier?
  • Named University of the Year 2025 (Times and Sunday Times).
    Features: LSE Generate offers funding, mentorship, and accelerators.
    Fact: 11% of graduates become company founders.
• Aalto University (Finland)
  Why top-tier?
  • Finland’s leader in startup support.
    Features: Start-up Sauna and Finnish Business Angels Network help scale businesses.
    Notable alumni: Riku Asikainen (investor and coach).
• Tartu University (Estonia)
  Why top-tier?
  • Estonia is Europe’s startup capital, and Tartu University supports projects in cybersecurity and digital governance.
    Features: CDL-Estonia (Creative Destruction Lab) accelerator.
    Fact: Programs align with UN sustainable development goals.

Why are these universities and schools the best for entrepreneurs?  

• Specialized Programs: From master’s courses in entrepreneurship to accelerators, these institutions offer hands-on learning, including pitching, idea validation, and startup management.  
• Startup Ecosystem: Universities like Cambridge and UCL are at the heart of tech hubs, providing access to investors and partners.  
• Notable Alumni: Graduates who founded unicorns like Doctolib and BlaBlaCar inspire students and build strong networks.  
• Innovation Focus: Programs like TUMentrepreneurship and Yes!Delft support tech startups with an emphasis on R&D.  
• Access to Funding: Accelerators and venture competitions, such as the INSEAD Venture Competition, help attract investment.

How to choose the right university or business school?  

• Define your focus: If your startup is in fintech or cybersecurity (like Urobo), consider TUM, Tartu, or HEC Paris. For social innovation, LSE or INSEAD are ideal.  
• Explore accelerators: Programs like Go Grow (CBS) or eWorks (ESADE) provide access to mentors and investors.  
• Consider location: London, Barcelona, and Munich are key European startup hubs, facilitating networking.  
• Evaluate alumni: The success of alumni, such as DeepMind co-founders (Cambridge) or Fever founders (ESADE), reflects the strength of the network.

In conclusion, Europe is an ideal place for aspiring entrepreneurs, and its universities and business schools play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the startup ecosystem. From Cambridge to Tartu, these 20 institutions offer unique opportunities for learning, networking, and launching businesses. Whether you aim to create a fintech startup like Anna Klevtsova or an innovative cybersecurity device like Urobo, these schools provide the tools and support for success. Choose your path, dive into the ecosystem, and start building the future today.

Sources: EU-Startups, Times Higher Education, CEO Magazine, and others.