The European tech startup ecosystem is continuously hitting the headlines even amidst the slowdown in the industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. As the lockdown is getting lifted gradually, several European tech startups are securing funding to develop their business, tap into new markets, and help recover from the impact caused by the pandemic. Having said that, here we list some of the hottest happenings in the tech startup arena in Europe this week.
BrightHR invests in cutting-edge tool for businesses
BrightHR, the international HR software and employment law advice service has invested £1 million (nearly €1.12 million) in a new, cutting-edge tool, the Back to Work Navigator. This tool gives employers a central hub to manage their back to work processes helping them bounce back to their business quickly after they reopen. Businesses can change furlough statuses in seconds, send in-app notifications to employees, and set up staggered shift times as they reopen. The new tool from BrightHR comes with a complete content library of essential guidance including health and safety, COVID-19 risk assessments, restructuring processes and annual leave planning.
Spanish healthy fat innovator secures funding
Blue Horizon Ventures, an international sustainable food investor, gets along with MOIRA Capital Partners and invests in leading healthy fat innovator, CUBIQ FOODS amidst COVID-19 crisis. Blue Horizon Ventures is specialised in the sustainable food sector and promotes a positive global impact on the environment, animal rights, and human health. Talking about CUBIQ FOODS, it is the first cultivated fat cell platform producing high-quality omega-3’s. The Spanish healthy fat innovator intends to make two of its new products commercially available in both the domestic and international markets later this year. CUBIQ FOODS’ vegan SMART FAT offers a full flavour profile with fewer calories and less saturated fats.
Barcelona-based e-mobility startup raises funding
Wallbox, a Spanish e-vehicle charging startup recently secured €12 million second tranche for the Series A funding taking the overall Series A funding to €23 million. The investment was led by Seaya Ventures, a VC fund with additional investment from Endeavor Catalyst and Iberdrola, an existing investor. Wallbox operates with the mission to change the way energy is used. It’s smart charging system makes use of cutting-edge technology and manages the communication between the charger and car in an easy way. The fresh Investment will be used to drive the e-mobility startup’s international growth in North America and China and expansion of its innovation and R&D efforts.
British travel tech startup secures funding
Fly Now Pay Later, a British travel and fintech startup grabbed €39.2 million Series A equity and debt funding from Revenio Capital and Shawbrook Bank. This startup brings flexibility in paying for trips. Instead of buying tickets up front, this startup lets users pay for the same up to 12 months with 0% APR. Travel providers can sign up to be listed on the platform. Fly Now Pay Later will use the fresh investment to boost its product offering, develop its propriety payment technology and support the launch of its new app that will let users browse options when travel restrictions are lifted.
Belgian SaaS startup secures funding, eyes expansion
Hello Customer, a Belgian startup that deals with customer data has secured €6 million funding from Senovo Capital and Peak Capital. This startup lets businesses analyse customer feedback and expectations and improved customer experience with the same. The customer data platform’s technology is based on simple open feedback surveys and applies Artificial Intelligence and linguistic algorithms to the same. Since its debut, Hello Customer has expanded into France, the Netherlands, and Spain. As there is a demand from other regions, this startup intends to expand into the US.
IDvet launches COVID-19 antibody test
French startup IDvet specialises in the production and development of diagnostic tests to detect infectious diseases in farm animals. This startup has announced the commercial launch of a COVID-19 antibody test for humans. This new diagnostic test is ready to be rolled out on an industrial scale and will be made available to laboratories across the world. This test will help find out if an individual has developed antibodies to COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The new lab technique is dubbed ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays). It is designed for high-volume testing in laboratories. What’s interesting is that this test developed by IDvet does not require any specific or expensive equipment.
Meet UK’s first demand-responsive bus for NHS workers
ViaVan is known for using tech to power the future of public transportation across Europe. Now, ViaVan has teamed up with Stagecoach, the largest British bus operator to launch the first demand-responsive public bus service for NHS workers for free of cost. Notably, Stagecoach Connect was launched at Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS in Nottinghamshire. This bus uses ViaVan’s technology to expand access to flexible, safe and efficient transport to healthcare professionals working in hospital shifts in the morning and late evening hours. With the launch of this service, healthcare workers can pre-book seats via the Stagecoach Connect app.
henQ invests in learning experience platform
London-based Aula developed a learning experience platform (LXP) for higher education. It helps universities create life-changing learning experiences for students. Aula makes it easy to access high-quality learning experiences online enabling both educators and students to connect outside the classroom easily. In a recent development, Aula secured investment from the VC firm henQ. Currently, the global crisis has made physical classrooms a thing of the past and educators and institutions are opting for online classes. At this point in time, Aula has grabbed Investment from henQ. And, it has witnessed an increase in 2x as much user engagement than before.
German job platform acquires Dutch startup
StepStone, a Berlin online job platform has acquired a Dutch video recruitment software provider Cammio. Since last month, StepStone has been offering the video tool from Cammio to recruiters. With the acquisition, the Dutch startup is integrated as a part of StepStone’s portfolio with immediate effect. Cammio’s software offers digital job interviews, video formats for motivation letters, automated video interviews and video messaging. These are combined with speech-to-text technology, AI-driven personality analysis and a scheduling module.
German startup bags funding to transform modern manufacturing
German modular production platform, arculus has secured €16 million Series A funding led by Atomico along with participation from Visionaries Club and previous investors La Famiglia. arculus will use the fresh funding to strengthen product development, prepare for a global rollout, and broaden its customer base. Since its advent, arculus has worked with companies across industries such as Viessmann in logistics, Siemens in robotics, and Audi in automotive. This German startup aims to expand its reach to other industries such as aerospace, computer hardware, consumer electronics and more.
Main image picture credits: CUBIQ FOODS
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