In today’s fast-paced world, where new innovations emerge constantly, it can be overwhelming to keep up with every significant update that has the potential to shape our future.
As we approach the end of the week (from December 16th to December 20th), it’s a good time to catch up on some news stories that may have gone unnoticed.
Here’s a brief roundup of key stories you might have missed this week.
AONIC receives €152M funding
Based out of Stockholm, AONIC designs digital workplaces for future designers, providing efficiency in the workplace and the freedom to work. The company raised €152M investment from Metric Capital Partners and Active Ownership. The investment will help us to accelerate developments across the group in PC/console, mobile, and VR, as well as supporting more M&A. (Read more)
Cassava Technologies secures €86.2M
Cassava Technologies provides internet access, data center services, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and payment services in more than 30 markets across Africa, the Middle East, India, and Latin America. The company closed an equity investment round of $90M with participation from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation (Finnfund), and Google LLC. (Read more)
Akamis Bio gets €57.2M funding
Oxfordshire-based Akamis Bio is a clinical-stage oncology company using a proprietary Tumor-Specific Immuno-Gene Therapy platform to deliver novel immunotherapeutic proteins, biomolecules, and transgene combinations to treat solid tumors. The company is developing a portfolio of solid tumor-targeted T-SIGn therapeutics that aim to enable a patient’s immune system to recognize, attack, and clear their cancer. The company raised $60M in funding in a Series A Prime Financing round. (Read more)
Keepit secures €48M funding
Copenhagen-based Keepit provides a SaaS data protection platform purpose-built for the cloud. The company’s mission is to provide a vendor-independent, dedicated infrastructure for SaaS data protection has resonated with a broad range of enterprise customers. Recently, the company raised a $50M funding round, led by existing investors One Peak, and EIFO, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark. (Read more)
Nuitée secures €45M
Based out of Dublin, Nuitée provides user-friendly APIs tailored for the travel sector, improving hotel connectivity and distribution. Their technology serves as a key link between accommodation providers and demand partners, starting with a simple API and white-label solution for comprehensive hotel booking systems. The company raised $48M (approximately €45M) in Series A funding led by Accel. (Read more)
Lens secures €30M funding
Lens is part of Avara, a web3 technology company. It offers strong infrastructure and flexible on-chain features that help developers create engaging social finance (socialFi) experiences or add Lens’ features to their apps. With its open design and monetization options, Lens can easily be integrated into any application to enhance its web3 capabilities. The company closed $31M in a round led by Lightspeed Faction. (Read more)
bit.bio secures €29M funding
Based out of Cambridgeshire, bit.bio is a synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. The company raised $30M led by M&G Investments to focus on tools for the research, drug discovery, and cell therapy markets. (Read more)
Axial3D raises €17.4M funding
Based out of Belfast, Axial3D specialises in creating AI-powered 3D medical imaging algorithms, automated planning, and patient-specific 3D solutions. The company raised $18.2M from its first-round investors Techstart, Innovation Ulster Limited, and US and NI business Angels as well as additional follow-on investment from Clarendon. The company also onboards three new strategic investors: 57 Stars, Whiterock, and Innovate UK. (Read more)
Everfield acquires ondeso
London-based Everfield, a European long-term investor and growth accelerator has acquired German firm ondeso, a provider of OT administration software, offering equipment operators and manufacturers centralised management and enhanced security for their industrial PC landscapes. (Read more)
tiun secures $2.5M in pre-seed funding
Zurich-based Tiun provides new ways for media platforms to provide monitisation, making it easier for young consumers to participate and engage more. Recently, the company raised $2.5M in the pre-seed funding round, led by Founderful with participation from Blue Wire Capital. (Read more)
Lightbringer brings €4.2M funds
Lund, Sweden-based Lightbringer is a legaltech platform that allows companies to create and manage their patent assets using AI. The company raised €4.2M led by Luminar Ventures and Alliance VC, with participation from Zenith Ventures and notable Nordic angel investors. The company will use the funds to expand into Europe and the US and develop its AI-powered platform. (Read more)
Orqa secures €5.8M funding
Osijek, Croatia-based Orqa is developing advanced drone systems designed for dual-use applications. Recently, the company raised €5.8M in a Seed Round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Radius Capital, Decisive Point and existing investor Day One Capital. (Read more)
Corsmed secures funding to advance MRI software technology
Corsmed is a Swedish MedTech startup revolutionising medical imaging through advanced MRI software technology. The Stockholm-based company has secured $3.5M in seed funding co-led by Luminar Ventures and Big Pi Ventures with participation from previous investors. Corsmed will use this latest capital to commercialise its clinical MRI scanning technology, built on the same digital twin technologies as its successful MRI simulator platform. (Read more)
Fluid Wire Robotics secures €1.2M
Fluid Wire Robotics is a startup focused on building robots for challenging environments such as radioactive areas, high temperatures, underwater, and space. Their innovative, fully electric manipulators offer exceptional reliability, safety, and performance in tough conditions. The company raised €1.2M with the support of key investors, including RoboIT, Scientifica Venture Capital, Pariter Partners, and Deep Blue Ventures.
Cafler raises €3M for vehicle management
Cafler simplifies vehicle management by providing a marketplace for services like car washes, repairs, and technical inspections (ITVs) delivered to your door. It also helps automotive businesses by using advanced software and AI to streamline operations and boost efficiency. The company raised €3M in venture debt financing backed by the European Union and the European Investment Fund (EIF) under the InvestEU program. (Read more)
Ray Browser bags funding for high-end, web-based gaming
Ray Browser is a gaming platform specifically designed for high-end, web-based gaming. The company raised $6.5M in a funding round led by Play Ventures with a16z Speedrun, Samsung Next, Spatial Capital, and FOV Ventures joining as co-investors. (Read more)
Visma Net Financials merges with Peple
Visma Net Financials will merge with Peple BV, the provider of Visma Net HRM & Payroll, on January 1, 2025. This merger will allow the organisation to offer a unified platform for financial and HRM & payroll solutions, providing customers with a single point of contact. (Read more)
Additionally, Visma also acquired Amsterdam-based TimeChimp, a provider of user-friendly software for time tracking, project management, and invoicing. (Read more)
Little John secures €1.1M funding
Little John is set to transform the €1.5T European insurance market for independent brokers. To address local brokers’ challenges, they are developing tools for risk placement, compliance, and productivity.
In Spring 2025, they will launch their first GenAI-powered tool on a SaaS platform, automating tasks like extracting client data from emails and documents and creating customized presentation notes for insurers.
The company raised €1.1M in pre-seed funding to develop its generative AI platform aimed at empowering insurance brokers. (Read more)
Engineered Arts restructured as a U.S. entity
UK-founded Engineered Arts, a company specialising in the design and manufacture of humanoid robotics has restructured as a U.S. entity to expand its footprint and meet U.S. growing demand. Additionally, the company closed its Series A funding round, raising $10M to accelerate product refinement, manufacturing readiness, scale production, and investment in advanced business systems. (Read more)
Loader secures €3.8M funding
Belfast-based Loadar is a digital automation service for the procurement and management of freight carriers. The company offers advanced procurement and streamlined management, as well as the ability to automate the process and provide real-time insight into the whereabouts of freight at any given time. The company raised a $4M Seed funding round, led by Frontline Ventures with follow-on participation from existing investor Techstart Ventures.
BVNK secures €48M funding
Based out of London, BVNK provides a stablecoin payments infrastructure to accelerate global money movement and enable innovators to operate across financial worlds and create payment experiences. The company raised $50M in Series B funding led by Haun Ventures with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Scribble Ventures, DRW VC, and existing investors Avenir and Tiger Global. (Read more)
Yeastup secures funding
Yeastup upcycle yeast by-products from the beer brewing process into high-quality ingredients, thus promoting the circular economy. These high-quality, functional products have a wide range of application possibilities in the food, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. The company raised CHF 8.9M to establish a large-scale production site in Switzerland to upcycle over 20,000 tons of brewers’ spent yeast annually. (Read more)
Hive Power secures €3.5M funding
Manno, Switzerland-based Hive Power has developed AI algorithms that enable intelligent control of electricity consumption, for example for the smart charging of electric vehicles in the private or commercial sector. The company has secured €3.5M in a Seed+ round from Axpo Group, Creadd Ventures, and the Swiss Technology Fund. (Read more)
BetaGlue Therapeutics secures €6M investment from ENEA-Tech
Based out of Milan, BetaGlue Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company that has developed an advanced radiotherapy platform enabling localised targeted treatment of both unresectable solid tumors and also the treatment of surgical resection margins called YntraDose. The company has raised €6M investment from ENEA-Tech follows the €8Mequity financing round and the €10M EIC Accelerator Award announced in June of this year. (Read more)
Drifter secures funding for parking management
Drifter, based in Västra Götaland, Sweden, is changing parking management with easy-to-use, sustainable solutions. The company combine parking and EV charging in a smart city system, benefiting property owners, drivers, and communities. The company secured SEK 36M in a funding round, led by Imperia Fastigheter AB, owned by Niclas Ericsson. Knutsson Holdings AB and Per-Olof Andersson also increased their stakes. (Read more)
Bikmo secures funding from Puma Growth Partners
Chester, England-based Bikmo is a cycle and e-mobility insurance company. The company provides a range of insurance products designed to protect various types of cyclists, from road cyclists and triathletes to daily commuters. The company raised £4.75M funding from Puma Growth Partners. (Read more)
Comand AI secures €8.5M funding
Based out of Paris, Comand AI is a defense and security software developing AI-powered control solutions for defense operations. The company raised €8.5M in a seed funding round led by Eurazeo, with renewed support from Frst and new backing from Expeditions Fund and world-class tech angels. (Read more)
Concinnity Genetics gets €3.6M funding
Concinnity Genetics, a spinout from the University of Edinburgh, is developing innovative control mechanisms for precise regulation of gene therapies post-administration. The Edinburgh-based biotech startup has raised €3.6M in an oversubscribed seed funding round, led by Eos Advisory and supported by Scottish Enterprise, Old College Capital, and Maven Capital Partners. (Read more)
ACUA Ocean secures capital
Plymouth-based ACUA Ocean, a pioneer in autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) technology, has closed a £1.5M Pre-Seed investment round, co-led by StealthPoint and Britbots. Additionally, the company also secured an additional £4M in R&D grants from DEFRA and the UK Department for Transport. These funds will drive the development of advanced open-ocean USV, revolutionising autonomous maritime operations and environmental monitoring. (Read more)
Askel.ai raises €380K in pre-seed funding
Estonian company Askel.ai offers a platform that enables SaaS companies to embed intuitive automation directly into their products in a simple way. The platform allows SaaS product customers to create, manage, and run automations within the online tools they’re already familiar with, enhancing user experience without overburdening engineering teams. The company raised €380K in pre-seed funding and launched the platform for customers. (Read more)
El-Monde secures pre-seed funding
El-Monde, founded by ex-Amazon executives, lets private EV charger owners share their chargers and make money from visitors. The company’s user-friendly platform uses AI to manage the charging process. The company focuses on convenient charging locations in hospitality and entertainment, like golf courses, ski resorts, and Airbnb. Since launching in early 2024, El-Monde has over three thousand private charger hosts. The company raised $200K in a pre-seed funding round to develop an app and holistic ecosystem for drivers of both Tesla and non-Tesla electric vehicles. (Read more)
SmiLe company Dx4Life secures funding for IVF treatments
The SmiLe company Dx4Life has completed a new share issue, raising 6.4M SEK funding led by Gobia Enterprises. Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman, CEO of Dx4Life, has developed an advanced rapid test that identifies the hormone treatment best suited for each woman based on her genetic profile. The test is intended for use in IVF clinics, is easy to perform, and requires only a heater, i.e. a water bath. It provides quick results in the form of a color change. The test is based on an entirely new platform technology, developed by Lundberg Giwercman. (Read more)
Mindgard secures funding to secure organisations’ AI system
Mindgard enables organisations to secure their AI systems from new threats that traditional application security tools cannot address. The company’s Dynamic Application Security Testing for AI (DAST-AI) solution delivers continuous security testing and automated AI red teaming across the AI lifecycle, making AI security actionable and auditable. The London-based company raised $8M led by .406 Ventures with participation from Atlantic Bridge, Willowtree Investments, and existing investors IQ Capital and Lakestar. (Read more)
Robin Capital closes first fund at €15M
Robin Capital, a solo GP-led firm, has successfully closed its first fund, Robin Fund One at €15M. Focused on B2B SaaS startups addressing key challenges in Europe, especially in the DACH region, the fund invests in leading Pre-Seed and Seed stage companies. Robin Fund One is flexible, investing across various sectors, including HR, AI, Fintech, Climate Tech, DevOps, Robotics, and Industrial Tech. (Read more)
01
10 years of Dutch Startup Visa dreams: A look back with Denis Chernobaev