The last week has been packed with news across the startup world. It seems like everywhere you turn, another company is landing fresh funding, teaming up with a new partner, or buying someone out.
From small early-stage rounds to big-name acquisitions, there’s been so much happening that it’s almost impossible to keep up.
We get it, there’s only so much time in the day, and the headlines never stop coming. That’s why we decided to put together this clear, simple list of the stories that flew under the radar.
Do give it a read
Omnes Capital raises €112M for second deeptech fund targeting defense and AI
Omnes Capital has announced a €112M first close of its new deeptech fund, Omnes Real Tech 2, which will back early-growth European startups in sectors like defense, AI, quantum technology, and advanced materials. The fund is Europe’s first to benefit from the EU’s Defense mandate and follows Omnes’ success supporting companies such as Quantum Systems and Quandela. With a focus on Germany and Italy, Omnes aims to help deeptech founders scale industrially and internationally. The team plans to continue investing in technologies vital to Europe’s security and economic resilience. (Read more)
Alliance VC secures €40M first close-to-back Nordic AI and more startups
Stockholm’s Alliance VC has announced a €40M first close for its new fund, Alliance Nordic III, which aims to raise €100M to invest in early-stage tech startups across the Nordics. The fund will focus on AI-powered companies with real-world impact, building on Alliance’s track record backing firms like 1X and Superside. With team members in Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, and Copenhagen, Alliance VC offers founders direct access to decision-makers. Backers include Saminvest, KLP, and Telenor, reflecting strong confidence in Nordic innovation and the firm’s hands-on approach. (Read more)
Catalyxx gets EIB green light for €37M to build biobutanol plant in France
Spanish scaleup Catalyxx has received pre-approval from the European Investment Bank for €37 million in funding to build its first industrial biobutanol plant in France. The project will use Catalyxx’s patented process to turn bioethanol into renewable chemicals with a negative carbon footprint. Due diligence will take place in September in Seville, with final approval expected before year-end.
Impossible Cloud Network raises €28.8M, launches $ICNT token
Impossible Cloud Network (ICN), a decentralised Web3 cloud platform, has announced €28.8M in funding, pushing its valuation past €398M. Alongside the funding, ICN launched its native token, $ICNT, which will debut on major exchanges including Binance, Kraken, and KuCoin to power its decentralised infrastructure marketplace. (Read more)
Laverock Therapeutics extends seed funding to €23M, shows strong cancer therapy progress
UK-based Laverock Therapeutics has expanded its seed funding to over €23M, backed by Calculus Capital, Eli Lilly, Mercia Ventures, and new investor Norcliffe Capital. The company reported promising data showing its gene control platform enhances tumour control in T-cell and macrophage therapies for blood and solid cancers. Laverock also unveiled a new website to highlight its programmable gene-silencing technology and showcase collaboration opportunities with pharma partners. (Read more)
Skynopy raises €15M to expand global satellite ground station network
French space startup Skynopy has secured €15M to build a worldwide network of high-throughput ground stations for low Earth orbit satellites. The round was led by Alven, with Expansion, Omnes, CNES, and Heartcore also backing the investment. Founded in 2023, Skynopy offers a fast, CAPEX-free ground station service that can cut revisit times to under 20 minutes and double data downloads per pass. (Read more)
Proteine Resources raises €9.5M to scale insect-based proteins for pets
Proteine Resources, a Polish biotech startup creating functional proteins from insects, has secured €9.5M from the EIC Accelerator, one of Europe’s most selective funding programs. The company converts mushroom waste into high-performance proteins rich in taurine and L-arginine, improving digestion and immunity in pets. The funding will help build a pilot factory with AI automation to produce sustainable, beef-like protein for premium pet food. Backed by SMOK Ventures and Bitspiration Booster VC, Proteine aims to turn agricultural waste into valuable, climate-positive ingredients across Europe. (Read more)
Liki24 raises €7.6M to expand health marketplace in Europe
Kyiv-based Liki24, a health and wellness marketplace, has secured $9M (approximately €7.6M) in Series A funding. The round included investors like u.ventures, TA Ventures, and WhatsApp’s first product designer, Anton Borzov. Liki24 plans to use the funds to grow further in Europe, where it already operates in nine countries, including Italy, France, and Germany. Founded in 2017, the company helps customers save up to 50 per cent on health products by combining deliveries from multiple sellers. With over 2.5 million users, Liki24 aims to become Europe’s leading health marketplace.
Solarock raises €7M to expand solar self-consumption across France
French solar startup Solarock has secured €7M in its first major funding round, backed by Pale blue dot, Noa, Ring Capital, and Kima Ventures. Founded by Laure Crémieux, Benjamin Barnathan, and Joseph-Marie Valleix, Solarock offers turnkey photovoltaic solutions combining storage, monitoring, and personalised support. The funding will help launch a national franchise network and develop smart tools for managing solar production and home energy use. (Read more)
Vok Bikes raises €5M to replace vans with electric cargo bikes
Estonian startup Vok Bikes has secured €5M in Series A funding to grow its four-wheeled electric cargo bikes across Europe. The round was led by SQM Lithium Ventures, joined by Metaplanet, Specialist VC, Sunly, and Estonia’s SmartCap Green Fund. Vok’s bikes are designed to replace vans in cities, cutting emissions and delivery times. In London tests, Vok bikes delivered goods 44 per cent faster than vans. Used by Wolt, IKEA, and dozens of small businesses, the bikes offer lower costs and easier access to urban areas. (Read more)
Laxey raises ISK 4B in oversubscribed share issue to expand salmon farming
Iceland’s Laxey has completed an additional ISK 4 billion share capital increase to fund the next phase of its land-based salmon farm. The round was heavily oversubscribed, attracting the country’s top pension funds and new investors. This brings Laxey’s total 2025 fundraising to ISK 9 billion. Proceeds will finance a large fry house with eight tanks to boost production capacity and biosecurity. Construction is underway on new farming facilities and a slaughterhouse set to open this fall. Laxey aims to deliver sustainable, high-quality salmon entirely in-house. (Read more)
NineID raises €3.5M to simplify contractor management across Europe
Ghent-based NineID, the platform that helps companies manage and verify external contractors, has secured €3.5M in fresh funding. The round was led by tech investor Pitchdrive, with Entourage and Aconterra also participating. Founded in 2020, NineID speeds up contractor checks from 40 minutes to just 20 seconds by automating ID and compliance verifications. Used by companies like BASF and Pfizer, the platform has already processed over 2.4 million verifications. With this new investment, NineID plans to expand further across Europe ahead of tighter regulations in 2026. (Read more)
Nautica Technologies raises €3.3M to launch autonomous hull-cleaning robots
Swiss robotics startup Nautica Technologies has secured €3.3M to bring its autonomous hull maintenance robots to market. Led by b2venture and joined by Partners in Clime, Prequel Ventures, and Rethink Ventures, the funding will support the first commercial deployments. Nautica’s underwater robots clean ship hulls proactively, reducing biofouling, improving fuel efficiency, and lowering emissions. Founded by ETH Zurich and EPFL engineers, the company aims to replace costly coatings and manual cleaning.
avoltra raises €2.3M to bring AI-powered energy procurement to the European industry
German startup avoltra has secured €2.3 million in pre-seed funding to help industrial companies cut energy costs with AI-driven procurement tools. The round was led by Project A, joined by CDTM Venture Fund and notable angels including Sebastian Schuon and Martina Merz. avoltra’s platform uses real-time data and smart recommendations to tackle volatile energy prices, making procurement a strategic advantage. Already trusted by RAG AG and REHAU Industries, avoltra plans to grow its engineering and sales teams to expand across Europe and build resilience in manufacturing. (Read more)
YOLI raises €950K to grow screen-free learning
Danish EdTech startup YOLI has secured €950,000 in fresh funding to expand its AI-powered, screen-free learning platform to more kindergartens across Europe. Used by over 165,000 children, YOLI combines trial-and-error games, movement, and collaboration without relying on screens. The new investment will support products like the Motion Cube and StoryCraft Games, which help kids learn through play and creativity.
Mozart AI raises £530K to launch AI-powered music co-creator
Music tech startup Mozart AI has secured £530,000 in pre-seed funding to unveil its next-generation AI-powered Digital Audio Workstation. Backed by EWOR, New Renaissance Ventures, and last.fm founder Stefan Glaenzer, Mozart AI blends human creativity with AI precision. Its intelligent DAW can turn simple voice commands into professional-grade music in seconds, without replacing the artist. Co-founded by technologists and musicians, the platform launches publicly on July 16. Mozart AI aims to help artists finish more songs faster, keeping full creative control in their hands.
London’s Noah and MiniPay join forces for global payments
Noah, a London-based payments platform, and MiniPay, the stablecoin wallet linked to Opera, have announced a partnership to make stablecoin payments easier for everyday use. Revealed at the Ethereum Community Conference, this move will let MiniPay’s millions of users send and receive stablecoins like dollars or euros, then quickly convert them to local money in over 70 countries. The companies say this will help freelancers and small businesses avoid high fees and slow bank transfers, making global payments faster and more affordable. (Read more)
SDB Groep and Alfa eCare join forces
Dutch software provider SDB Groep and Sweden’s Alfa eCare have announced a strategic partnership to create a major player in Europe’s healthcare and childcare software market. Together, they will offer a modular suite of tools for care organisations, combining electronic records, planning, HR, and medication management. Supported by investor Main Capital Partners, the combined company will have over 500 staff serving thousands of clients across Europe. (Read more)
Bitpanda partners with PSG to launch Vision Web3 token
Crypto platform Bitpanda is expanding its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain to launch Vision (VSN), the token powering Bitpanda’s new Web3 ecosystem. Vision, set to go live on July 16, will offer staking rewards, governance rights, and fee discounts. PSG Labs will help promote the token to over 500 million fans worldwide, exploring digital fan experiences and Web3 activations. (Read more)
Alsendo expands into Western Europe with €5.5M acquisition of Spedire.com
Polish logistics tech company Alsendo has acquired Italy’s Spedire.com and SpedirePRO for €5.5M, marking its first move into Western Europe. The deal supports Alsendo’s strategy to build a pan-European shipping platform and tap into Italy’s growing e-commerce and cross-border parcel market. Spedire handles over 400,000 shipments yearly and partners with UPS, FedEx, and Poste Italiane. Alsendo plans to introduce its digital tools, like Innoship and BusinessPro, in Italy. (Read more)
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