Tech for Retail 2024: Innovations Transforming Food Retail

The European workplace wellbeing sector continues its steady march towards mainstream corporate adoption, with employers increasingly recognising mental health support as critical infrastructure rather than nice-to-have perks. Dost, a workplace mental health platform, has closed a €7.1M Series A round led by Octopus Ventures to accelerate its UK market entry and product development. The funding round signals growing confidence in European mental health tech solutions, particularly those addressing the fragmented nature of workplace wellbeing across different regulatory environments. Dost’s approach combines AI-driven personalisation with human coaching, positioning itself distinctly in a market where US-centric solutions often struggle with European data privacy requirements and cultural nuances. Octopus Ventures leads mental health tech Series A with strategic focus Octopus Ventures’ investment thesis centres on scalable healthcare solutions that can navigate Europe’s complex regulatory landscape whilst delivering measurable outcomes. The London-based VC has been systematically building its healthtech portfolio, with particular attention to platforms that combine technology with human intervention – a model that resonates strongly with European corporate buyers who remain cautious about purely algorithmic solutions. “We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how European employers approach mental health,” explains Hannah Joyce, Partner at Octopus Ventures. “Dost’s combination of cultural sensitivity and clinical rigour makes it uniquely positioned to serve the UK market, where GDPR compliance and clinical governance are non-negotiable requirements.” The round’s composition reflects the maturing European healthtech ecosystem, with Octopus Ventures bringing not just capital but access to their extensive network of enterprise clients and regulatory expertise. This strategic value becomes crucial as Dost navigates the complex procurement processes typical of large UK employers. Platform differentiation in fragmented European wellbeing market Dost’s platform addresses specific pain points in the UK corporate wellness market, where employers face increasing regulatory scrutiny around duty of care whilst managing diverse, often remote workforces. The company’s approach combines real-time mental health assessments with culturally-aware coaching programmes, acknowledging that workplace stress manifests differently across European contexts compared to US corporate environments. The funding will primarily support Dost’s UK go-to-market strategy, with significant investment in local partnerships and clinical governance frameworks. Unlike many Silicon Valley wellbeing platforms that struggle with European data localisation requirements, Dost has built GDPR compliance into its core architecture from inception. “European workplaces demand evidence-based interventions with clear ROI metrics,” notes Dost CEO and founder. “Our platform generates granular analytics that satisfy both HR departments seeking engagement data and finance teams requiring demonstrable productivity impacts. This dual focus on outcomes and compliance gives us substantial advantages over imported solutions.” Current traction includes partnerships with mid-market UK employers, with the platform demonstrating 40% improvement in employee wellbeing scores and 25% reduction in absence rates among participating organisations. These metrics align with broader European trends towards preventative healthcare approaches in corporate settings. This Series A positions Dost within a growing cohort of European healthtech companies that prioritise regulatory compliance and cultural adaptation over rapid scaling. As workplace mental health transitions from discretionary spending to essential infrastructure, platforms that understand European corporate dynamics will likely capture disproportionate value in this evolving market.

London’s housing crisis has reached breaking point, with homeownership increasingly out of reach for middle-income earners. Against this backdrop, innovative property solutions are attracting substantial investor interest. Keyzy, the rent-to-own platform addressing this affordability gap, has secured €147 million in funding to accelerate its expansion across London and beyond. The significant investment round positions Keyzy to scale its alternative homeownership model at a time when traditional property ladders are failing an entire generation of potential buyers. Rent-to-own property funding attracts major backing Crayon Partners led this substantial funding round, demonstrating strong institutional confidence in alternative property models. The investment firm, known for its focus on disruptive real estate technologies, sees Keyzy’s approach as addressing a fundamental market failure in European housing markets. “We’re backing Keyzy because they’ve identified a massive gap between rental and ownership that traditional financial products haven’t addressed,” said a spokesperson from Crayon Partners. “Their model offers a genuine pathway to homeownership for people who’ve been locked out by deposit requirements and mortgage criteria.” The funding reflects growing investor appetite for proptech solutions that tackle Europe’s housing affordability crisis. Unlike pure rental platforms or traditional estate agencies, Keyzy’s rent-to-own model creates a bridge between renting and owning, allowing customers to build equity whilst living in their chosen property. Scaling London’s alternative homeownership model Keyzy’s platform allows renters to move into properties with the option to purchase over time, with a portion of monthly payments contributing towards eventual ownership. This model particularly resonates in London, where the average deposit requirement has soared beyond the reach of many working professionals. The €147 million will primarily fund property acquisition and platform development. Keyzy plans to expand its London portfolio significantly whilst developing the technology infrastructure needed to scale efficiently across different European markets with varying regulatory frameworks. “We’re not just buying properties; we’re building a new category of homeownership,” explained Keyzy’s leadership team. “This funding allows us to serve thousands more families who want to own but can’t access traditional mortgages due to deposit constraints or employment patterns.” The company’s approach differentiates it from traditional buy-to-let investors by creating aligned incentives between tenant and property owner. Success metrics include customer conversion rates to full ownership and portfolio quality rather than pure rental yields. This funding round signals growing institutional recognition that Europe’s housing markets require innovative financing models beyond conventional mortgages and rental agreements. Keyzy’s expansion could influence how other European cities approach affordable homeownership challenges.

Europe’s financial services landscape is witnessing a significant shift toward blockchain-based banking solutions, as traditional institutions grapple with outdated infrastructure and rising customer expectations for seamless digital experiences. This transformation has created fertile ground for fintech innovators to reimagine how Europeans interact with their money. Deblock, a blockchain banking platform, has secured €30M in Series A funding to accelerate its expansion across European markets. The round was led by Speedinvest, marking another significant investment in the continent’s evolving financial technology sector. The funding represents more than just capital injection—it signals growing institutional confidence in blockchain’s potential to solve real banking problems for European consumers and businesses. Unlike traditional banks constrained by legacy systems, Deblock’s on-chain approach offers transparency, efficiency, and cross-border capabilities that align with Europe’s increasingly digital economy. Speedinvest backs blockchain banking revolution Speedinvest’s decision to lead this substantial Series A reflects the Austrian venture capital firm’s strategic focus on European fintech infrastructure. The investor has consistently backed companies that challenge traditional financial services, from payment processors to neobanks, recognising the regulatory advantages European startups enjoy in this space. “Deblock represents the next evolution of banking infrastructure in Europe,” noted Speedinvest in their investment thesis. “Their blockchain-native approach solves fundamental problems around transparency, cost, and cross-border functionality that traditional banks struggle to address.” The investor’s portfolio strategy emphasises companies that can leverage Europe’s regulatory clarity around digital assets and blockchain technology. Unlike markets where regulatory uncertainty stifles innovation, European frameworks like MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) provide the stability blockchain banking platforms need to scale responsibly. This funding round positions Deblock alongside other European blockchain infrastructure companies that have attracted significant venture capital, demonstrating the sector’s maturation beyond speculative cryptocurrency applications toward practical financial services. European expansion strategy targets fragmented markets Deblock’s €30M raise specifically targets expansion across Europe’s fragmented banking markets, where consumers often face complex processes for cross-border transactions and limited transparency in traditional banking operations. The company’s blockchain infrastructure addresses these pain points through programmable money and smart contract automation. The platform’s European focus proves strategic, as EU regulations increasingly favour transparent, auditable financial systems. While US fintech companies navigate uncertain regulatory landscapes, European blockchain banking platforms benefit from clearer guidelines and progressive regulatory approaches. “European consumers deserve banking infrastructure that matches the continent’s digital ambitions,” explained Deblock’s leadership team. “Our blockchain-native platform provides the transparency and efficiency that traditional banks cannot deliver due to their legacy constraints.” The funding will specifically support product development, regulatory compliance across multiple European jurisdictions, and talent acquisition in key tech hubs including Berlin, Amsterdam, and Stockholm. This multi-market approach reflects the reality that European fintech success requires navigating diverse regulatory environments while maintaining consistent user experiences. Deblock’s timing appears particularly advantageous, as European financial institutions increasingly explore blockchain integration while facing pressure from both regulators and customers for greater transparency and efficiency. This Series A represents more than funding—it signals blockchain banking’s transition from experimental technology to viable European financial infrastructure. As traditional banks struggle with modernisation costs, platforms like Deblock offer glimpses of Europe’s financial future.