22-year-old founders receive one million for their AI startup – just six months after launch

Matty Frommann, Lukas Portmann, and Tobias Schröder are just 22 years old—and already self-employed. The three teach teachers how to effectively use digital technologies in their classrooms.

Already in high school and later during their business studies, they organized workshops for teachers. All three are familiar with the system: their parents are teachers themselves. Instead of graduating, however, they founded a startup: an AI software called Paddy. CTO Lukas Kaufmann joined the team the same year. That was in 2024.

Paddy allows teachers to prepare their teaching materials. The software also provides students with initial feedback on homework, based on criteria defined by the teachers themselves. According to Frommann, teachers currently use AI primarily to write texts and offer students an assistant who answers questions about the assignments. The function is called "learning progress analysis."

Unlike ChatGPT , Paddy offers privacy protection and an educational context, says Frommann. "Schools are desperately looking for privacy-compliant solutions so they can use AI in everyday school life instead of banning it," says Frommann.

The edtech startup launched its software just over six months ago. Paddy now works with 100 schools. "Teachers are largely overworked," says Frommann. "The biggest hurdle to bringing the software to schools isn't the principals, but the sponsors who free up the budget." Teachers can sign up for a monthly subscription, and schools receive annual licenses. The startup trains teachers in how to use the software. In the long term, they hope to be able to use it independently.

AI in schools is polarizing. According to the Robert Bosch Stiftung's 2025 School Barometer, teachers are divided: Some see opportunities for individualized student development, while others fear the loss of communication skills.

Now, just six months after its launch, the startup has closed its first financing round of one million euros. The lead investor is the early-stage VC HTGF . Angel investors are also participating in the round.

Founder Matty Frommann told us how Paddy's financing round went and which key figures ultimately convinced the investors.

Gründerszene: Matty, how long did the investment process take?