Ben’s List 9

With artificial intelligence reshaping education across Europe, a concerning trend has emerged: 73% of students struggle with fundamental writing skills. This alarming statistic underscores a growing disconnect between digital-native learners and traditional writing instruction methods. Against this backdrop, Oslo-based edtech startup WeWillWrite has secured €2 million in funding to revolutionise how students engage with writing. The investment round was led by Skyfall Ventures, a Nordic-focused venture capital firm known for backing transformative education technology companies. This funding represents a significant vote of confidence in WeWillWrite’s mission to make writing engaging and accessible for the digital generation. Nordic EdTech Investment Reflects Growing Market Opportunity Skyfall Ventures’ investment in WeWillWrite aligns with the fund’s thesis of backing companies that address fundamental educational challenges through innovative technology. The Nordic region has become a hotbed for edtech innovation, with governments actively promoting digital learning initiatives and substantial public investment in educational infrastructure. “We’re seeing a critical gap in how students connect with writing in the digital age,” explains the lead investor from Skyfall Ventures. “WeWillWrite’s approach of gamifying the writing process while maintaining academic rigour addresses this challenge head-on. Their traction in Norwegian schools demonstrates the scalability potential across European markets.” The investment comes at a time when European educational institutions are grappling with post-pandemic learning gaps. Research indicates that remote learning periods disproportionately affected writing skills development, creating an urgent need for innovative solutions that can engage students both in classroom and digital environments. Platform Addresses Critical Skills Gap Across European Education WeWillWrite’s platform transforms traditional writing instruction through interactive storytelling and gamified exercises designed specifically for digital-native learners. The Norwegian startup has developed a comprehensive solution that adapts to individual learning styles while maintaining the structured approach educators require. Founded in 2022, the company has already gained traction in the Norwegian education market, partnering with over 50 schools across the country. Their platform integrates seamlessly with existing learning management systems, a crucial factor for European institutions managing complex regulatory requirements around student data protection under GDPR. “Traditional writing instruction hasn’t evolved to meet students where they are today,” notes WeWillWrite’s CEO. “Our platform bridges this gap by making writing as engaging as the games and apps students interact with daily, while ensuring they develop the critical thinking and communication skills essential for their future success.” The €2 million funding will accelerate WeWillWrite’s expansion across Nordic markets, with plans to enter Denmark and Sweden by early 2025. The company also aims to develop multilingual capabilities, recognising the diverse linguistic landscape of European education markets. This investment signals growing investor confidence in European edtech solutions that address fundamental skills gaps rather than merely digitising existing processes. As educational institutions continue adapting to hybrid learning models, platforms like WeWillWrite that combine engagement with academic rigour are positioning themselves as essential tools for the next generation of learners.

As Europe’s battery gigafactory construction accelerates amid stringent compliance demands, the challenge of capturing and reusing critical metals has become paramount. Swedish cleantech startup DREV has secured €2.8 million in seed funding to address this precise challenge, developing technology that recovers valuable metals from industrial black dust waste. The round was led by Butterfly Ventures alongside Almi Invest GreenTech, positioning DREV to capitalise on Europe’s push for sustainable battery production. With the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act demanding greater resource efficiency, DREV’s timing reflects broader European policy tailwinds. Seed funding advances metal recovery technology Butterfly Ventures’ investment thesis centres on circular economy solutions that address resource scarcity. “DREV’s approach to metal recovery from industrial waste aligns perfectly with Europe’s strategic autonomy goals,” explains a portfolio partner at Butterfly Ventures. “Their technology transforms what was previously waste into valuable raw materials, reducing dependency on primary mining.” Almi Invest GreenTech’s participation signals strong Nordic backing for the venture. The Swedish government fund has increasingly focused on cleantech innovations that support the country’s ambitious climate targets. This investor combination provides DREV with both venture expertise and public sector validation. The €2.8 million will primarily fund technology development and pilot programmes with European battery manufacturers. DREV plans to establish processing facilities near major gigafactory sites across Sweden, Poland, and Hungary. Addressing Europe’s critical metals challenge DREV’s proprietary technology extracts lithium, cobalt, and nickel from black dust generated during battery production processes. Traditional disposal methods often see these materials incinerated or sent to landfill, representing significant economic and environmental waste. “European gigafactories produce substantial quantities of metal-rich dust that current recycling infrastructure cannot handle efficiently,” notes DREV’s CEO. “Our process recovers up to 95% of critical metals, creating a closed-loop system that reduces both waste and import dependencies.” The Swedish company faces competition from established recycling giants like Northvolt and newer entrants such as Finland’s Fortum. However, DREV’s focus specifically on dust recovery creates a distinct market niche. Recent analysis suggests the European battery recycling market could reach €7.8 billion by 2030. DREV plans to deploy its technology across five pilot sites by 2026, targeting partnerships with major European battery manufacturers including LG Energy Solution’s Polish operations and Sweden’s Northvolt facilities. This funding round demonstrates venture capital’s growing appetite for cleantech solutions that address specific regulatory challenges. As European gigafactory construction intensifies, metal recovery technologies like DREV’s may become essential infrastructure rather than optional add-ons.

European private equity is experiencing a renaissance, with established firms and newcomers alike raising substantial war chests to capitalise on market opportunities across the continent. In this environment, Aspirity Partners has secured €875 million for its debut fund, marking one of Europe’s largest new private equity launches of 2025. The substantial fundraise positions the London-based firm among the most significant new entrants to the European private equity landscape this year. With institutional investors increasingly seeking exposure to European growth stories, Aspirity Partners’ ability to close such a significant debut fund demonstrates strong conviction in their investment thesis and team capabilities. Private equity fundraising reaches new milestone in Europe The €875 million fundraise represents more than just capital deployment—it signals institutional confidence in European market opportunities despite broader economic uncertainties. Aspirity Partners’ debut fund positions them to compete with established players in the mid-market private equity space, where competition for quality deals has intensified significantly. European private equity has shown remarkable resilience, with dry powder levels remaining elevated and investors continuing to back experienced teams with compelling strategies. The fund’s closure comes at a time when European companies are increasingly seeking growth capital to expand across fragmented markets and navigate complex regulatory environments. Aspirity Partners’ approach focuses on partnering with management teams to drive operational improvements and strategic growth initiatives. This hands-on methodology resonates with European entrepreneurs who value investor expertise beyond mere capital provision. Strategic positioning in competitive European landscape The European private equity market continues to evolve, with new regulations and ESG considerations reshaping investment strategies. Aspirity Partners enters this landscape with a clear focus on sectors where European companies maintain competitive advantages, including technology services, healthcare innovation, and sustainable business models. Their investment strategy emphasises identifying companies with strong fundamentals that can benefit from operational expertise and strategic guidance. This approach differentiates them from purely financial buyers, positioning the firm as a value-added partner for management teams seeking growth capital. The fund’s substantial size provides Aspirity Partners with flexibility to pursue both platform investments and bolt-on acquisitions, a strategy that has proven successful for European mid-market firms. With regulatory frameworks like GDPR and emerging AI legislation creating both challenges and opportunities, European companies increasingly require partners who understand these nuances. This fundraising success demonstrates the continued appetite for European private equity strategies, particularly from firms with experienced teams and differentiated approaches. As market conditions remain dynamic, Aspirity Partners’ €875 million fund positions them to capitalise on compelling opportunities across Europe’s diverse and resilient business landscape.