Mergers and acquisitions are the heartbeat of corporate finance, but their workflows haven’t kept pace with today’s digital tools. Fintalo, a startup founded by three alumni of the TUM School of Management began as a research project and soon evolved into a mission: to create a smarter, more connected, and data-driven way to manage M&A transactions.
From Research Project to Real-World Transformation
The idea for Fintalo was born out of the founders’ own experiences working in M&A advisory and investment banking. What started as a TUM research project on the digitalization of M&A processes, developed in collaboration with a Munich-based advisory firm, quickly turned into a mission to bring efficiency, structure, and intelligence to dealmaking.
Then, early on, they had the privilege to have atares as customer and sparring partner, an outstanding firm with deep expertise in tech M&A, and Jan Pörschmann, the head of the Bundesverband M&A, whose insights and feedback were instrumental in shaping their early product direction.
Through experience across several M&A boutiques and investment banks, they witnessed firsthand how much time is lost to inefficiencies, repetitive tasks, and the lack of structured data needed for truly informed decisions.
Their goal became clear: To create a high-quality digital process and infrastructure that allows everyone involved in a deal to perform at their best.
“We wanted to bring back the competitive edge through a single platform that unites all stakeholders, data, and workflows, from kickoff to closing,” says co-founder Marius Fischer.
Building the Operating System for Private-Market Transactions
At its core, Fintalo is an all-in-one deal platform that connects advisors, investors, and companies in one secure digital environment. The platform combines deal management, investor engagement, and AI-driven insights, helping teams save time while gaining strategic intelligence across transactions.
Rather than replacing the human side of M&A, Fintalo enhances it. Automation takes care of repetitive tasks—reporting, investor updates, and tracking—so advisors can focus on relationships, negotiation, and trust.
“M&A will always be about people. Our role is to remove the manual overhead so dealmakers can focus on what truly matters,” explains co-founder Philipp Zirn.
From TUM to Techstars: A Journey Fueled by Innovation
Fintalo’s founders—Marius Fischer, Jakob Wilhelm, and Philipp Zirn—met during their studies at TUM School of Management, where they learned to combine strategic thinking with technical know-how.
With backgrounds spanning finance, data analytics, and computer science, they were active in the TUM Incubator, TU Investment Club, and Academy Consult, gaining early exposure to the startup ecosystem.
That mindset continues to define their approach today. The startup’s recent selection for the Techstars ABN AMRO Future of Finance Accelerator 2025 marks a major milestone—offering access to global mentors, investors, and leading financial institutions.
“Joining Techstars is a strong validation of our vision,” says co-founder Jakob Wilhelm. “It’s a gateway into the European and U.S. finance ecosystem and an incredible boost for our mission to become the leading operating system for private-market transactions.”
The Future of Corporate Finance
Looking ahead, Fintalo envisions a connected, data-driven, and collaborative future for M&A. The team is currently preparing the launch of Fintalo 2.0, introducing advanced AI analytics and deeper integrations. Their ambition: to make Fintalo the standard platform for SME investment banks and private equity firms across Europe and eventually expand into larger institutions and the U.S. market.
For the founders, the message to the next generation of TUM entrepreneurs is simple:
“Start early, use TUM’s ecosystem to the fullest, and enjoy the process. Building something new should be fun.”
