In this fast-paced world where technology and innovation are the norm, it’s easy to miss some of the most interesting stories unfolding around us.
Every day, we’re bombarded with breaking news about funding, acquisition, and other discoveries.
In the flood of information, many of the compelling stories slip through the cracks and get lost.
“In Other News This Week” is where you can catch up on these stories that may have passed us — from 20VC raising $400M funding to EIB lending €34M to teledriving technology startup Vay.
20VC raises $400M fund to support early-stage startups
20VC, the London-based venture capital firm led by Harry Stebbings, has raised a new $400M for its third fund to support early-stage startups.
Investors backed the round include MIT Investment Management Company, Horsley Bridge, RIT Capital Partners, and Josh Kushner, and dozens of investors joined the latest fund.
Additionally, general partners from VC firms like Accel, Khosla, NEA, and Coatue also participated in this fund.
The fund will be divided between Seed ($125M) and Series A ($275M). (Read more)
Nuclera secures €69M funding to commercialise its eProtein Discovery benchtop system
Based in Cambridge, Nuclera is a biotechnology company that accelerates protein expression and purification workflows through its benchtop protein system.
The company recently secured $75M (approx €69M) financing led by Elevage Medical Technologies, backed by Patient Square Capital, and joined by British Patient Capital, the largest domestic investor in UK venture and venture growth opportunities, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Jonathan Milner, GK Goh, M&G Catalyst, E Ink Holdings, Michael D.
McCreary, Uni Power Group, and Verve Ventures. Taylor Wessing advised Nuclera on the transaction.
The investment will enable the continued commercialisation of Nuclera’s eProtein Discovery benchtop system, particularly in the US and across Europe. (Read more)
Nattergal raises €48M funding for the nature restoration project
Grantham, England-based Nattergal is a Nature restoration company that will buy, lease, or manage large areas of ecologically degraded land and seascapes across the UK & Europe to recover biodiversity and bring about functioning natural processes.
The company raised £40M (approx €48M) of equity funding led by Lansdowne Partners, a co-founder of Nattergal. (Read more)
Banco Português de Fomento (BPF) invests an additional €35M in Indico Capital Partners and Oxy Capital funds
Banco Português de Fomento (BPF), the Managing Entity of the Capitalisation and Resilience Fund (FdCR), has announced a capital increase in the funds managed by Indico Capital Partners and Oxy Capital under the Venture Capital Program, which was launched as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
This will increase FdCR’s participation from €65M to €100M, providing more financial resources to support startups and growing companies. (Read more)
EIB lends €34M to teledriving technology startup Vay
The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced that it is lending €34M to Vay, a German teledriving technology startup to help it develop its operations in Europe.
The loan will help the Berlin-based company accelerate the development of technology.
The company’s technology lets trained teledrivers remotely drive vehicles to the customer’s pick-up location. When the car arrives, the user takes over and drives as usual.
After the journey, the user can exit without worrying about parking because a teledriver will handle it or drive the car to the next customer. (Read more)
CorPower Ocean secures €32M for its wave energy technology
Stockholm-based CorPower Ocean has secured €32M Series B1 funding round led by NordicNinja VC, SEB Greentech, and EIT InnoEnergy in consortium with Santander Alternative Investments, Iberis Capital and Cisco Investments.
Inspired by the pumping principle of the human heart, CorPower Ocean brings high-efficiency Wave Energy technology that enables reliable and cost-effective harvesting of electricity from ocean waves. (Read more)
Stoïk raises €25M to cement its position in the cyber insurance space
Based in Paris, Stoïk is a company specialising in cyber risk for VSEs and SMEs. It raised €25M in a Series B funding round led by Alven and with participation from existing investors: Andreessen Horowitz, Munich Re Ventures, Opera Tech Ventures, and Anthemis.
The company also announced the addition of Cyber Integrity Capital (CYBICA) and Tokio Marine HCC International (TMHCCI), a leading specialty insurance group and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC (TMHCC) group of companies based in Houston, Texas, as a new investor. (Read more)
Shift Bioscience raises €14.7M to advance cell simulation AI platform
Based in Cambridge, Shift Bioscience is a biotech company that uses generative AI models to understand how the activation of different genes can reverse the aging process.
Recently, the company raised $16M (£12.5M) in Seed funding, led by BGF, with existing investors F-Prime Capital, Kindred Capital, and Jonathan Milner participating.
The investment will be used for the continued development of Shift Bioscience’s artificial intelligence (AI) cell simulation platform, for the identification of genes that can safely rejuvenate cells to combat the effects of age-related illnesses. (Read more)
Gladia secures €14.7M funding to advance its multilingual real-time audio transcription and analytics engine
Based oinParis, Gladia provides Aan PI that supports advanced speech recognition features in over 100 languages, with asynchronous and real-time transcription.
Recently, the company completed a $16M (approx €14.7M) Series A funding round led by XAnge, with participation by Illuminate Financial, XTX Ventures, Athletico Ventures, Gaingels, Mana Ventures, Motier Ventures, Roosh Ventures, and Soma Capital.
The company will use the funding to develop an end-to-end audio infrastructure – starting with a new real-time audio transcription and analytics engine – enabling voice-first platforms to deliver more value to their users across borders with AI. (Read more)
Otoqi secures €10M for its logistics solution
Paris-based Otoqi is a vehicle delivery platform that develops connected services and logistics solutions for automotive professionals.
Recently, the company raised €10M in a Series B funding round to expand its services into new European markets by 2025, continue to innovate with its logistics platform and strengthen its teams with new talent across the continent. (Read more)
Constellation Technologies & Operations secures €9.3M funding
Constellation Technologies & Operations is a startup on a mission to deploy a disruptive constellation of telecommunication satellites that will enable telecom operators to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity.
The company raised €9.3M as part of its Seed fundraising from Expansion, Bpifrance through its French Tech Seed fund, in addition to its historical investor.
The company will use the funds to conduct its first end-to-end connectivity test on the ground and in orbit and complete detailed engineering studies for its first two satellites in the constellation. (Read more)
AviLabs bags €8M funding
Reykjavík-based AviLabs has secured €8M funding led by Frumtak Ventures with existing investor Brunnur Ventures also participating.
AviLabs is an Icelandic software company whose flagship product, Plan3, is changing how airlines handle passenger issues.
This fully automated platform helps airlines minimise disruptions, improve customer experiences, and optimise operations. (Read more)
Ikerian AG raises $8M to develop solutions around ophthalmology, and rare diseases
Ikerian AG and its subsidiary, RetinAI U.S, develop software solutions to accelerate clinical, research, and pharmaceutical workflows using advanced machine learning and computer vision, across ophthalmology, neurodegenerative disorders, vascular conditions, and rare diseases.
The company raised $8M in a Series B funding round led by a new investor, Sanoptis, with participation from existing investors the THINC Ventures arm of Topcon Healthcare, Inc, Zürcher Kantonalbank, and Verve Ventures. (Read more)
Moombix raises €2.27M
Reykjavik-based Moombix raised €2.27M in a funding round led by Iceland’s Frumtak Ventures with participation from angel investors.
The company will use the funds to scale its marketplace, improve user experience, accelerate customer acquisition, and prepare for a strategic launch into the UK.
Moombix is a music education platform enabling adult hobbyists and those with professional aspirations to have one-on-one online classes with expert teachers – offering instrument learning, voice coaching, DJing, as well as production and publication. (Read more)
Mindtech Global secures funding from Edge and others
UK’s Mindtech Global has secured £4.4M in a funding round led by Edge and including Mercia Ventures, investing from its funds and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
The investment will help Mindtech enhance its platforms, reduce costs, and speed up market entry using actionable intelligence from its dataset analysis platform – Dolphin.
The UK company is the developer of DataOps platforms for intelligently engineered synthetic data, enabling better AI models through data analysis, visualisation, and curation. (Read more).
Mendo raises €3.5M funding
Paris-based Mendo specialises in employee training on the use of software and generative AI tools.
The company raised €3.5M in funding led by Emerge Education, a leader in the education sector, with the support from Tomcat Ventures, as well as renowned Business Angels such as Claudio Erba, CEO of Docebo.
The French company will use the funds to expand its solutions to more companies and tools, while initiating its international expansion, particularly in the United Kingdom. (Read more)
Where You At gets €3M funding
A London-based app called Where You At (WYA) is designed to improve nightlife safety by using indoor mapping and offline mesh technology to keep users connected in crowded venues.
The goal is to address the problem of losing contact with friends in places where mobile signals often fail.
Recently, the company raised €3M in pre-seed funding led by Tony Mallin of Star Capital to advance its app. (Read more)
Axyon AI secures €2.1M from Green Sands Equity and more
Based out of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Axyon AI is an AI fintech company that improves asset manager performance by delivering alpha opportunities via AI-based rankings and AI model strategies.
Recently, the has successfully closed a further €2.1M in funding from Green Sands Equity, the Italian holding firm Investment Opportunity 1, and other angel investors. (Read more)
Wrksense secures €825K to power collaborative hiring
Based out of Dublin, Wrksense, an AI-driven HR tech startup transforming, has raised €825K in pre-seed funding to fuel its global expansion and product innovation. The investment was supported by Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) fund and a strategic group of angel investors.
Wrksense is project management software for recruitment agencies to power collaborative hiring including RPO and MSP hiring. The platform offers AI-powered tools for easy project management, detailed reporting, and improved customer satisfaction. (Read more).
Sallea raises funding to enable cruelty-free whole-cut meat and fish production
Based out of Zurich, Sallea, a deeptech startup raised a $2.6M funding round to help manufacturers of cultivated foods accelerate the production of premium whole cuts like steaks and filets without the need for animal farming.
The company’s technology creates edible 3D grids called scaffolds for growing whole cuts of meat and fish.
These scaffolds, added to bioreactors with cells, enhance the nutritional profile and texture of the end product. Manufacturers can customize the size, shape, and nutrition of the scaffolds for the final product. (Read more)
WALLROUND receives support from Founders Factory and Vonovia
Berlin-based WALLROUND develops a digital platform and processes to simplify property renovations for landlords focusing on energy efficiency and decarbonisation
This week, the company received both capital and know-how to support its growth from Founders Factory, an early-stage investor from London, and Vonovia, Europe’s leading housing company, who jointly launched a joint PropTech Venture Studio this year. (Read more)
Antiverse secures funding to advance generative AI antibody design platform
Based out of Cardiff, Antiverse is an artificial intelligence-driven techbio company that specialises in antibody design against challenging targets, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels.
Recently, the company raised $4.6M in seed funding led by i&i Biotech Fund I (i&i Bio) and Kadmos Capital, with additional investment from existing investors InnoSpark Ventures, UKI2S (managed by Future Planet Capital), Tensor Ventures, and AngelHub. (Read more)
Diamond Logistics secures seven-figure loan
Based out of the UK, Diamond Logistics is a provider of delivery and eCommerce fulfillment solutions to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the logistics sector.
Recently, the company raised a seven-figure loan from Frontier Development Capital (FDC).
This investment will support the company in expanding its national network of local delivery and fulfillment partners, powered by our cutting-edge technology platform, Despatchlab. (Read more)
AmphiStar gets €2M grant from SPRIN-D
AmphiStar, a biotech startup based in Ghent, has been awarded a €2M grant from SPRIN-D to advance its biotechnology platform for designing specialised biosurfactant molecules for personal and home care products.
These custom biosurfactants, made from organic waste and by-products, offer a sustainable alternative to traditional surfactants and open up new possibilities for innovation in cleaning, cosmetics, and personal care. (Read more)
Omnea raises funding Accel, Point Nine, and First Round Capital
Based in London, Omnea manages the entire purchasing process: providing employees with an easy way to make requests, automating necessary approvals purchases, and offering finance visibility into expenditure.
Recently, the company raised $20M in funding in a Series A round led by Accel, with participation from Point Nine and First Round Capital. (Read more)
Shiftmove acquires Optimum Automotive
Shiftmove, the German Swiss platform for fleet management software, is acquiring the French digital fleet management platform Optimum Automotive.
With this acquisition, both companies employ over 350 people and support more than 18,000 corporate customers with more than 550,000 vehicles under management.
The acquisition will enable Shiftmove to expand into France – Europe’s largest fleet market. (Read more)
Amsterdam gets its first private equity community
Amsterdam-based startup Sweav launched the first private equity (PE) community in the Netherlands.
This exclusive network brings together young, emerging leaders in private equity to share knowledge and foster stronger collaboration.
Firms such as Parcom, Egeria, Torqx, and Mentha have already joined the community, underscoring the strong demand for an exclusive platform. (Read more)
The Storage secures €1M to decarbonise industrial heat
Tampere, Finland-based TheStorage has secured €1M in funding from 2C Ventures and Superhero Capital to address one of the largest challenges in green transition – decarbonising industrial heat.
The company does it by sand-based thermal energy storage technology that provides a highly scalable, cost-efficient, and fossil-free solution for industrial heat.
The funding will allow TheStorage to build a prototype system. This system will be tested with industrial customers to show its ability to meet various industrial heat needs using a single base system with easily upgradeable discharging units. (Read more)
1s1 Energy secures funding to produce green hydrogen
1s1 Energy is on a mission to provide green hydrogen as an affordable, efficient, and scalable solution for industries crucial to decarbonisation.
Recently, the company raised $1.4M in a Seed round from Faber, ASIRI, Rumbo Ventures, and CSN – Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional.
This enables the development of more compact and efficient systems, making green hydrogen a scalable solution for industries like steel production in global decarbonisation efforts. (Read more)
Vendorvue raises €1.4M funding
Vendorvue is using AI technology to automate vendor compliance workflows, freeing procurement teams from manual tasks.
Recently, the company raised €1.4M in new funding led by Pitchdrive and Syndicate One, alongside business angels.
The company will use the funds to expand its AI-driven capabilities, enlarge its team, and broaden its reach throughout Europe. (Read more)
Wolt acquires Tazz
Wolt, a Helsinki-based local commerce platform, announced the acquisition of Tazz, a local commerce platform in Romania, from eMAG, a prominent Romanian eCommerce company.
The acquisition is expected to close in the next few months, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
After the acquisition, Wolt expects to roll out the Wolt brand and product in Romania. (Read more)
Skytree launches North American HQ in Toronto
Skytree, a Dutch climate tech company specialising in carbon utilisation and removal solutions, announced that it has opened its North American HQ in Toronto and a new office in Nashville, Tennessee.
The company is driving the circular economy by transforming CO2 from a waste product into a valuable resource, generating CO2 from the atmosphere, where that CO2 is needed. (Read more)
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