Top 12 Conferences & Events in APAC Q1 2021 – Selected

European manufacturing is experiencing a precision revolution, driven by companies pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at the microscopic level. The latest player making waves is Hummink, which has raised €15 million to bring its micronic precision printing technology to advanced manufacturing sectors across Europe and beyond. The funding round was co-led by KBC Focus Fund, Cap Horn, and Bpifrance, marking a significant vote of confidence in Hummink’s approach to ultra-precise manufacturing. This investment positions the company at the forefront of Europe’s push toward next-generation manufacturing capabilities that could reshape industries from electronics to biotechnology. Strategic investors back micronic printing innovation The investor consortium reflects the strategic importance of Hummink’s technology. KBC Focus Fund, known for backing deep-tech companies with manufacturing applications, brings expertise in scaling hardware innovations across European markets. Cap Horn’s participation signals private equity confidence in the company’s commercial trajectory, while Bpifrance’s involvement underscores French government support for advanced manufacturing technologies. “Hummink’s micronic precision printing represents a fundamental shift in how we approach manufacturing at the smallest scales,” said a representative from the lead investor group. “Their technology addresses critical bottlenecks in sectors where precision isn’t just important—it’s everything.” The funding comes at a time when European manufacturers are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional production methods, driven by sustainability concerns and the need for greater precision in emerging technologies like quantum computing and advanced sensors. Micronic precision meets manufacturing demands Hummink’s technology enables printing at the micronic level—thousands of times smaller than traditional manufacturing processes allow. This capability opens possibilities in sectors where Europe has strategic advantages, including automotive sensors, medical devices, and renewable energy components. The company plans to use the €15 million to scale its production capabilities and expand into new European markets, with particular focus on Germany’s automotive sector and the Netherlands’ high-tech manufacturing cluster. This European-first approach positions Hummink to capture value from the EU’s €43 billion advanced manufacturing market. “We’re not just improving existing processes—we’re enabling entirely new categories of products that weren’t possible before,” explains Hummink’s leadership team. “Our micronic printing technology allows manufacturers to achieve precision levels that bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing and nanotechnology.” The timing aligns with the European Union’s push for manufacturing sovereignty, particularly in high-precision components that have traditionally been dominated by Asian suppliers. Hummink’s technology could help European manufacturers reduce dependencies while achieving superior precision standards. This funding round signals growing investor confidence in European deep-tech companies that combine breakthrough innovation with clear commercial applications. As manufacturing continues its digital transformation, Hummink’s micronic precision printing technology positions Europe at the cutting edge of next-generation production capabilities.

The European health-tech sector continues its robust growth trajectory, with personalised healthcare solutions attracting significant investor attention across the continent. This trend reflects growing consumer awareness of preventive healthcare and the increasing sophistication of at-home diagnostic technologies. Holo, a startup developing personalised lab testing and daily health tracking solutions, has secured €1 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate its mission of making precision health accessible to European consumers. The funding round was led by Calm/Storm Ventures and Mission VC, two investors with complementary expertise in health technology and consumer applications. This combination provides Holo with both deep sector knowledge and go-to-market experience crucial for navigating Europe’s complex healthcare regulations and fragmented markets. Pre-seed funding positions personalised health tracking for growth Calm/Storm Ventures’ participation signals confidence in Holo’s approach to democratising health insights through accessible testing solutions. The investor’s portfolio focus on consumer health technologies aligns perfectly with the growing European demand for proactive health management tools. Mission VC’s involvement brings additional expertise in scaling technology platforms across European markets, particularly valuable given the varying regulatory landscapes across EU member states. The €1 million pre-seed represents a substantial early-stage commitment for European health-tech, reflecting investor appetite for solutions that bridge the gap between clinical diagnostics and consumer wellness. Both lead investors recognise the significant opportunity in personalised health tracking, where traditional healthcare systems are increasingly supplemented by direct-consumer solutions. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand for health insights that people can act upon immediately,” noted a representative from the investment consortium. “Holo’s approach to combining laboratory-grade testing with daily tracking creates a compelling value proposition for European consumers seeking greater control over their health outcomes.” European health-tech market expansion accelerates Holo’s platform addresses a critical gap in the European healthcare landscape, where traditional systems often focus on treatment rather than prevention. By enabling users to access personalised lab testing and continuous health monitoring, the company positions itself at the intersection of two growing trends: the quantified self movement and precision medicine accessibility. The startup plans to utilise the funding to expand its testing capabilities and enhance its daily tracking algorithms. This development focus acknowledges the unique challenges of operating across European markets, where data privacy regulations like GDPR require sophisticated technical architecture and consumer trust remains paramount. Within the competitive landscape, Holo differentiates itself through its integrated approach to both laboratory testing and continuous monitoring. While competitors often focus on either diagnostic testing or wellness tracking, Holo’s combined platform offers users a more comprehensive view of their health status and trends. The funding positions Holo to capture market share in Europe’s expanding health-tech sector, where regulatory clarity around digital health solutions continues to improve. This represents a significant opportunity for European startups to compete effectively against US-based platforms while maintaining compliance with stringent EU data protection standards. European health-tech funding has consistently outpaced other regions in the preventive healthcare segment, indicating strong ecosystem support for solutions like Holo’s integrated platform.

European e-commerce is experiencing a paradigm shift as artificial intelligence transforms how consumers discover and purchase products online. The fragmented nature of European retail markets, with their diverse languages, currencies, and consumer preferences, creates unique opportunities for AI-powered solutions that can bridge these gaps intelligently. Paris-based Dialog has secured €3.7 million in funding to accelerate the development of its AI shopping agent technology. The round was led by Galion.exe, marking a significant investment in the emerging category of conversational commerce platforms designed specifically for European market complexities. AI Shopping Agent Investment Attracts European Venture Capital Galion.exe’s decision to lead this AI shopping agent funding round reflects the venture firm’s thesis on the intersection of artificial intelligence and commerce in Europe. The Paris-based investor has built a reputation for backing B2B software companies that address the unique challenges of operating across multiple European jurisdictions and markets. Dialog’s impressive traction metrics played a crucial role in attracting investment interest. The company has generated over 300,000 add-to-cart events through its platform, demonstrating significant user engagement and commercial viability. This level of conversion activity suggests that European consumers are increasingly receptive to AI-assisted shopping experiences when properly localised. “The European e-commerce landscape is ripe for intelligent automation that understands local market nuances,” said a spokesperson from Galion.exe. “Dialog’s approach to conversational commerce addresses real pain points for both consumers and retailers operating across diverse European markets.” Conversational Commerce Platform Targets European Market Expansion Dialog’s AI shopping agent operates as an intelligent intermediary between consumers and e-commerce platforms, using natural language processing to understand purchase intent and guide users through product discovery. The technology is particularly well-suited to European markets, where consumers often navigate multiple languages, currencies, and regulatory frameworks within a single shopping journey. The €3.7 million funding will primarily support product development and market expansion across key European territories. Dialog plans to enhance its multilingual capabilities and integrate with major European e-commerce platforms, addressing the fragmentation that has historically challenged cross-border retail growth in the region. Unlike Silicon Valley counterparts that often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, Dialog has designed its platform with European regulatory compliance in mind from the outset. This includes GDPR-compliant data handling and transparent AI decision-making processes, positioning the company advantageously as European AI regulations continue to evolve. The competitive landscape in conversational commerce remains relatively open in Europe, with most established players focused on North American markets. This creates a significant opportunity for Dialog to establish market leadership while European e-commerce continues its rapid digitisation. Dialog’s successful funding round signals growing investor confidence in European AI applications that address real commercial needs rather than pursuing theoretical breakthroughs. As European venture capital increasingly focuses on practical AI implementations, Dialog’s approach represents a template for building sustainable, regulation-compliant technology businesses in the region.