Top 15 Events & Conferences in North America Q1 2021 – Selected

Spanish accounting firms are embracing artificial intelligence at an unprecedented pace, with productivity gains of up to 50% reshaping the sector’s competitive landscape. Leading this transformation is Kabilio, which has secured €4 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate the deployment of AI-powered tools across Spain’s fragmented accounting market. The round was led by Visionaries Club and Picus Capital, two investors with deep expertise in European B2B software and artificial intelligence applications. This funding positions Kabilio to capitalise on Spain’s digital transformation initiatives whilst addressing the acute productivity challenges facing traditional accounting practices. AI accounting tools funding attracts European venture interest Visionaries Club’s decision to lead this round reflects their thesis on vertical AI applications within professional services. The fund has previously backed similar B2B AI solutions across Europe, recognising that accounting represents a particularly promising sector for automation given its standardised processes and regulatory framework. Picus Capital’s co-investment adds strategic value beyond capital, with the firm’s portfolio including several fintech and professional services companies that could provide partnership opportunities. “Kabilio’s approach to AI implementation in accounting addresses a genuine productivity crisis in Spanish SMEs,” noted a representative from the lead investor group. The €4 million pre-seed round is notably substantial for the Spanish market, where similar-stage companies typically raise €1-2 million. This funding level suggests strong investor confidence in both the team’s execution capability and the addressable market size within Spain’s accounting sector. Spanish accounting sector embraces AI transformation Kabilio’s AI tools target the specific challenges facing Spanish accounting firms, where manual processes still dominate despite increasing regulatory complexity. The company’s solution promises productivity improvements of up to 50%, addressing labour shortages that have constrained sector growth. Spain’s accounting market presents unique opportunities for AI implementation, with thousands of small-to-medium practices serving the country’s extensive SME ecosystem. Unlike larger European markets where consolidation has occurred, Spain maintains a fragmented structure that creates entry points for technology-driven solutions. The funding will primarily support product development and market expansion across Spanish regions. Kabilio plans to enhance its AI capabilities whilst building the sales infrastructure necessary to reach accounting firms beyond major metropolitan areas. “Our goal is to democratise access to AI tools that were previously available only to large practices,” explained the company’s leadership team. This investment in AI accounting tools reflects broader European trends towards vertical software solutions that address sector-specific challenges. Kabilio’s success could signal similar opportunities across other Southern European markets where traditional professional services remain underdigitised.

Europe’s satellite manufacturing deficit has become increasingly stark as geopolitical tensions expose critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. While American and Chinese players dominate orbital capacity, European nations scramble to secure sovereign satellite capabilities. Enter Reflex Aerospace, the German startup that just secured €50 million in Series A funding to address what industry leaders call Europe’s “Achilles heel” in space technology. The substantial funding round, led by Human Element alongside existing investors, positions Reflex Aerospace to accelerate production of its modular satellite platforms. This investment represents one of the largest Series A rounds in European space technology this year, reflecting growing urgency around continental space sovereignty. Space Tech Series A Funding Attracts Strategic European Investment Human Element’s decision to lead this €50 million round aligns with broader European venture trends towards dual-use technologies. The investor brings deep expertise in aerospace and defence sectors, understanding both commercial applications and strategic defence implications. Unlike purely commercial space investors, Human Element recognises how satellite capabilities directly impact European geopolitical positioning. “Reflex Aerospace represents exactly the kind of strategic infrastructure Europe needs,” explains Human Element’s managing partner. “Their modular approach to satellite manufacturing could fundamentally change how quickly Europe can deploy orbital assets.” The investment thesis centres on Reflex’s ability to standardise satellite production while maintaining customisation capabilities for specific missions. The funding round’s timing coincides with increased European Space Agency budgets and national space programmes across the continent. France, Germany, and the UK have all announced significant increases in space technology investments, creating favourable market conditions for companies like Reflex Aerospace. Modular Satellite Technology Addresses European Manufacturing Gap Reflex Aerospace’s core innovation lies in standardised satellite components that can be rapidly assembled for different mission profiles. This approach directly addresses Europe’s traditional weakness in satellite manufacturing speed and cost efficiency. While European satellites often exceed technical specifications, they typically require significantly longer development timelines compared to American counterparts. The company’s modular platform enables satellite deployment within months rather than years, crucial for both commercial clients and government contracts. Recent geopolitical events have highlighted how quickly satellite constellations can become strategic assets, making rapid deployment capabilities increasingly valuable. “European space capabilities have lagged not due to technical expertise, but manufacturing agility,” notes Reflex Aerospace’s CEO. “Our platform changes that equation entirely.” The €50 million will primarily fund automated manufacturing facilities and expand the engineering team across Berlin and Munich operations. The competitive landscape includes established players like Airbus Defence and Space, but Reflex’s startup agility combined with serious funding creates a formidable proposition. Recent European space policy initiatives increasingly favour innovative domestic suppliers over traditional aerospace giants, potentially opening significant government contract opportunities. This funding milestone signals Europe’s determination to close its satellite gap through strategic investments in agile manufacturers. Reflex Aerospace’s success could inspire similar ventures across the continent, gradually building the industrial base Europe needs for space sovereignty.

Europe’s ageing population crisis is creating unprecedented opportunities for eldercare innovation, with Spanish startup Qida leading the charge. The Barcelona-based platform has secured €37 million in Spain’s largest eldercare funding round, positioning itself to serve 100,000 seniors by 2027 as European families increasingly seek digital solutions for elder care. This substantial funding round reflects growing investor confidence in eldercare technology across Europe, where demographic shifts are creating a €100 billion market opportunity. Qida’s success demonstrates that European startups can command significant valuations in sectors traditionally dominated by offline services. Eldercare funding round attracts European growth capital Quadrille Capital led this significant Series B round, marking their continued investment in European healthtech companies addressing demographic challenges. The Madrid-based growth equity firm’s thesis centres on backing technology platforms that can scale across fragmented European markets, particularly in healthcare and eldercare sectors. “Eldercare represents one of Europe’s most pressing challenges, with over 90 million seniors requiring various levels of support,” explains a Quadrille Capital partner. “Qida’s platform-based approach allows families to access professional care services with the transparency and reliability that traditional eldercare lacks.” The investor mix reflects the pan-European nature of the eldercare opportunity, with participation from established European venture funds recognising the cross-border scalability potential. This funding structure positions Qida advantageously for expansion beyond Spain into markets like France, Italy, and Germany, where similar demographic pressures exist. Spanish eldercare platform targets European expansion Qida operates as a comprehensive eldercare marketplace, connecting families with vetted caregivers, healthcare professionals, and support services. Their platform addresses critical pain points in European eldercare: fragmented services, lack of transparency, and limited family oversight of care quality. The funding will accelerate Qida’s geographic expansion across Spain and into new European markets, where regulatory frameworks increasingly favour digital health platforms. Spain’s recent eldercare legislation provides favourable conditions for tech-enabled care services, creating a template for expansion into other EU markets with similar regulatory approaches. “Our vision extends beyond Spain to serve European families facing eldercare decisions,” states Qida’s CEO. “This funding enables us to build the infrastructure needed for cross-border eldercare services, addressing labour mobility and quality standards across the EU.” With over 15,000 seniors already using their platform, Qida has demonstrated strong unit economics and retention rates that justify their aggressive growth targets. The company’s technology stack includes AI-powered care matching, real-time family updates, and integrated payment systems designed for the European regulatory environment. This funding round signals eldercare’s emergence as a major European tech vertical, with implications for healthcare systems, labour markets, and family services across the continent. As European governments grapple with eldercare capacity constraints, platforms like Qida offer scalable solutions that complement traditional care infrastructures.