German's virtual technician platform DC Connected Car, which specializes in maintaining vehicles through digital innovation and remote diagnostics, has secured €2.1 million in a seed funding round to further expand its global operations. The investment was led by VENPACE, with participation from Borusan Ventures, Atlas Ventures, Network.VC, APX, Bloomhaus Ventures, and various business angels.
- DC Connected Car was established in 2020 by Dennis Christ, the startup develops an AI-controlled virtual technician platform that offers individual trainable repair and diagnostic knowledge, connectivity to connected vehicles, and user interaction via chat or voice interfaces.
- The startup operates also in the insurance sector, as companies seek to enhance customer service by digitizing roadside assistance. DC Connected Car has already teamed up with insurance providers such as Real Garant Versicherung AG.
Details of the deal
- The investment was led by VENPACE, a Cologne-based venture capital firm specializing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups with a focus on the insurance sector. VENPACE has already supported nine startups in its portfolio.
"What excites us most about DC Connected Car is the wide range of possible applications for their virtual assistant in the mobility ecosystem. Insurers especially have a high interest in elevating their customer experience by digitizing roadside assistance services. In addition, the team has already impressively demonstrated that it has been able to win well-known B2B customers and OEMs as partners," Senior Investment Manager at VENPACE, Tizian Hoppen, stated.
- The fresh funding also received contributions from San Francisco-based VC Borusan Ventures, which invests in early-stage tech startups across the US and Europe, focusing on mobility, supply chain & logistics, energy & climate, and enterprise & industrial sectors. Additionally, Atlas Ventures, a UK-based industrial tech fund, and Network.VC participated in the round.
- Existing investors, including APX, Bloomhaus Ventures, and various business angels, also joined the funding.
"AI has the potential to revolutionize various automotive areas that Borusan operates in, such as aftersales, fleets, and used car business, We believe DC Connected Car's AI-driven digital technician holds significant promise to accelerate the diagnosis and repair of vehicle issues, further enhancing our customer service," Head of Borusan Ventures, Timo Kilp, commented.
- The investment will enable DC Connected Car to expand internationally, advance the development of diagnostic tools for roadside assistance, warranty, and repair, and integrate expertise across various automotive sectors to boost overall efficiency.
