CYNiO secures over 2 million euros for next innovation step in the specialty chemicals industry

Bitterfeld-Wolfen, July 09, 2025 – Chemical startup CYNiO has successfully raised over 2 million euros in investment capital to scale its sustainable technology for isocyanate production and strategically expand its product portfolio. The young company is setting new standards in a traditionally conservative industry – with a clear focus on safety, flexibility, and future-readiness. This milestone has been made possible through a joint investment by bmp Ventures with the IBG Innovation Fund and TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen, who bring valuable expertise and networks to support CYNiO on its path to market readiness.

Paving the way for innovative products in Europe

CYNiO is revolutionizing isocyanate manufacturing through a unique, patented CO₂-based technology that eliminates the need for highly toxic phosgene. This innovation enables safe, flexible production of even small batches of specialized isocyanates – key building blocks in pharmaceuticals, adhesives, coatings, and foams – and is therefore essential to the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and construction industries, among others.
Until now, the production of such specialty products has been severely limited by toxic and inflexible conventional methods, hindering innovation in both research and industry.

The company’s first production facility will be established in the Bitterfeld-Wolfen Chemical Park in Saxony-Anhalt. From this strategic location, CYNiO will supply the European market with new and hard-to-source isocyanates, reducing dependence on time-consuming and costly imports. Sales and marketing will be based in the region of Leipzig. The location was deliberately chosen in order to bundle central functions in a dynamic, technology-orientated environment.

The founding team behind CYNiO consists of Michéle Tille (CEO), Marlene Baumhardt (CPO) and Sophie Riedel (COO). “Our technology enables access to rare isocyanates – safely, economically, and on demand,” says Michéle Tille. “This investment is a crucial milestone for our team, bringing us one step closer to our vision: to spark the development of innovative end products through our chemical solutions,” adds Marlene Baumhardt.

Ywes Israel, Principal at bmp Ventures, emphasises the outstanding importance for the location: “With CYNiO, another highly innovative company is coming to Bitterfeld-Wolfen, thus strengthening Saxony-Anhalt as a chemical location and Europe as a production location. I am delighted that we are able to support the traditional chemical industry into the future with this investment.”

Innovation already underway

Sören Schuster, Managing Director of TGFS: “CYNiO is an outstanding example of how excellent research in Saxony can lead to marketable high technology. As part of the SAXEED network, the team built up entrepreneurial expertise at an early stage and achieved a real innovation leap in speciality chemicals. The cooperation between two Central German VC investors has made it possible to finance this university spin-off.”

Founded in 2025 as a spin-off of TU Bergakademie Freiberg, CYNiO is already receiving growing interest from research institutions, industry, and niche markets. The company is open to new partnerships and warmly invites companies, research organizations, and investors to join in shaping the future of isocyanate chemistry.

About CYNiO
CYNiO is an innovative chemical startup from Saxony-Anhalt specializing in the safe, flexible, and sustainable production of CO₂-based isocyanates – entirely phosgene-free. From its site in Saxony-Anhalt, the company develops chemical building blocks for research, industry, and specialized applications, closing a critical gap in the value chain.

About bmp Ventures
bmp Ventures is one of the most experienced venture capital investors in Germany and has more than 250 investments in almost all technology segments, with the majority in the early stages. In addition to direct investments, bmp has also managed venture capital funds for the KfW banking group and DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft. bmp currently manages the IBG fund in Saxony-Anhalt and employs around 20 members of staff at its offices in Berlin and Magdeburg.

About the IBG Funds
Based in Magdeburg, the IBG funds are the venture capital funds of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt. They support young, innovative technology companies with above-average growth potential and a registered office in Saxony-Anhalt by providing equity capital. In mid-2025, the IBG Innovation Fund was launched with a volume of EUR 19.7 million. It is financed by the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the European Union and invests in startups in the seed, early-stage, and growth phases. The IBG funds are managed by bmp Ventures AG.

About TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen
TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen provides equity capital to technology-oriented founders during the seed and startup phases. The fund was initially launched in 2008 by the Free State of Saxony (including EFRE funds) and Saxon financial institutions and has since supported over 100 startups. In 2023, TGFS entered its third fund generation. TGFS focuses on young, innovative, technology-driven companies based in Saxony, particularly in the fields of ICT, semiconductor and microsystems technology, medical technology, life sciences, environmental and energy technology, and new media.

Press contact

CYNiO GmbH
Michéle Tille (CEO)
hello@cynio.net
www.cynio.net

bmp Ventures AG
Josephine Gantze
Marketing und Events
Tel.: +49 391 5328 140
jgantze@bmp.com

TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen
Claudia Huke
claudia.huke@cfh.de
www.tgfs.de