Fundraising

Rotterdam's Builders secures €3M to scale its AI venture studio, launching 10 companies annually across Europe with €4.5M total funding.

Toulouse's Shippingbo lands Main Capital Partners investment to accelerate its unified logistics platform across Europe through organic growth and M&A strategy.

Copenhagen's Formalize secures €30M Series B funding from Acton Capital and Blackfin Tech to expand compliance automation across Europe.

MoleSense secures €156,000 in maternity wearables funding from Venture Kick to bring molecular monitoring to high-risk pregnancies across Europe.

Finland's SpinDrive lands new growth funding from Rhapsody Venture Partners and Innovestor to scale magnetic bearing tech and launch Magma X100 across US markets.

Sequoia unveils €874M across two Europe venture funds, with partner Luciana Lixandru declaring Europe's founder pool "never been stronger" amid AI boom.

The European media technology sector is witnessing a remarkable transformation as traditional entertainment boundaries blur with digital innovation. In this evolving landscape, Steven.com has secured €46 million in funding, marking one of the most significant media tech investments in the UK this year. The round, led by Slow Ventures and Apeiron Investment Group, positions the company at the intersection of content creation and technology platforms. This substantial investment reflects growing confidence in European media tech ventures that can bridge traditional entertainment with digital-first approaches, particularly those with proven track records in the competitive UK market. Media tech funding reaches new heights with strategic investor backing Slow Ventures, known for their investments in Twitter, Slack, and Robinhood, brings Silicon Valley expertise to this European venture, whilst Apeiron Investment Group adds deep media industry connections. This investor combination signals a strategic bet on the convergence of technology and entertainment sectors. “We’re seeing unprecedented opportunities where content creation meets scalable technology platforms,” noted a spokesperson from Slow Ventures. “Steven.com represents exactly the kind of European innovation that can compete globally whilst maintaining strong local roots.” The dual-lead structure is particularly noteworthy in the current European funding environment, where cross-Atlantic partnerships are becoming increasingly important for scaling media technology ventures beyond fragmented European markets. Building the Disney of digital-first entertainment Steven.com’s platform approach addresses a critical gap in the European media landscape—the lack of integrated content creation and distribution ecosystems. Unlike purely American platforms, the company’s model acknowledges European market fragmentation whilst building for global scale. The funding will accelerate product development and international expansion, with particular focus on European markets where regulatory frameworks like the Digital Services Act create opportunities for compliant, privacy-first platforms. Steven Bartlett, the company’s founder and former Dragons’ Den investor, brings unique credibility to the venture. “Our vision extends beyond traditional media boundaries—we’re building infrastructure that empowers creators whilst respecting European values around data privacy and content responsibility,” Bartlett explained. The company’s timing appears strategic, capitalising on the European Union’s increasing focus on digital sovereignty and supporting homegrown technology champions that can compete with American platforms whilst adhering to European regulatory standards. This funding round exemplifies the maturation of European media tech, where ventures are increasingly attracting international capital whilst maintaining their European identity and regulatory compliance advantages.

The ambient energy harvesting sector is experiencing unprecedented momentum across Europe as industries seek sustainable alternatives to traditional battery systems. French innovator Dracula Technologies has captured €30 million in its Series A extension round, positioning the company to accelerate the industrial rollout of its photovoltaic solutions that generate electricity from indoor ambient light. This substantial funding milestone reflects growing investor confidence in energy harvesting technologies that can power IoT devices indefinitely without battery replacement. The round’s completion signals a maturing European cleantech ecosystem where strategic capital allocation increasingly favours practical sustainability solutions over theoretical breakthroughs. Ambient energy funding attracts strategic European backing Banque des Territoires, France’s public investment bank, led this Series A extension, demonstrating how European institutional capital is backing the region’s transition to autonomous energy systems. The investor’s participation aligns with France’s broader industrial strategy to reduce dependence on imported battery technologies whilst strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. “Dracula Technologies represents exactly the kind of deep-tech innovation that positions Europe at the forefront of the energy transition,” noted a spokesperson from Banque des Territoires. “Their ability to transform any light source into sustainable power addresses critical industrial challenges whilst reducing environmental impact.” The funding round’s structure reflects sophisticated European venture dynamics, where public-private partnerships increasingly drive strategic technology development. This approach contrasts sharply with Silicon Valley’s purely private capital model, offering European startups patient capital aligned with long-term industrial objectives rather than rapid exits. Industrial IoT applications drive market expansion Dracula Technologies’ photovoltaic solutions target the exploding European IoT market, where battery replacement costs and environmental concerns create significant operational challenges. Their technology enables sensors, smart meters, and monitoring devices to operate autonomously in warehouses, factories, and urban environments using nothing more than ambient artificial lighting. The company’s go-to-market strategy focuses on European industrial clients seeking to reduce maintenance costs whilst meeting increasingly stringent sustainability regulations. Their solutions particularly resonate with manufacturers operating across fragmented European markets, where standardised power solutions can dramatically reduce operational complexity. “We’re not just replacing batteries; we’re eliminating an entire category of industrial maintenance whilst enabling truly sustainable IoT deployments,” explained Dracula Technologies’ leadership. “This funding allows us to scale production and accelerate our expansion across European industrial hubs.” The €30 million will primarily fund manufacturing capacity expansion and product development, enabling the company to meet growing demand from automotive, logistics, and smart building sectors. This capital deployment strategy reflects European startups’ characteristic focus on sustainable growth over aggressive market expansion. As European regulations increasingly mandate energy efficiency and sustainability reporting, ambient energy harvesting technologies like Dracula’s position the continent’s industries to meet these requirements whilst reducing operational costs. This Series A extension signals that strategic investors recognise the massive potential of turning every indoor environment into a distributed power grid.

Europe’s biotechnology sector is witnessing unprecedented investment in manufacturing innovation, with Swedish companies leading the charge in making advanced therapies accessible worldwide. The latest milestone comes from Cellcolabs, which has secured €10.3 million in funding to democratise stem cell manufacturing through scalable automation technology that promises to reduce costs by 90%. This significant investment round positions Sweden at the forefront of the global cell therapy manufacturing revolution, addressing one of the most pressing bottlenecks in regenerative medicine – the prohibitive cost of producing therapeutic cells at scale. Stem cell manufacturing funding attracts strategic European investors The €10.3 million round was led by Titian Capital, a venture firm with deep expertise in European life sciences investments. The funding demonstrates growing investor confidence in manufacturing-focused biotechnology solutions, particularly those that can bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and patient access. “Cellcolabs represents exactly the kind of European innovation we’re looking for – deep technical expertise combined with a clear path to global impact,” noted a partner at Titian Capital. “Their automated manufacturing platform addresses a fundamental constraint in the cell therapy industry, where manual processes have kept treatments expensive and limited in scale.” The investment aligns with broader European Union initiatives to strengthen the continent’s position in advanced therapy manufacturing, including the EU’s €1 billion investment in health technology infrastructure announced earlier this year. European investors are increasingly recognising the strategic importance of controlling critical manufacturing capabilities rather than relying on overseas production. Automated cell therapy production targets European expansion Founded as a spin-off from Sweden’s renowned Karolinska Institute, Cellcolabs has developed proprietary automation technology that transforms how stem cells and other therapeutic cells are manufactured. Their platform replaces labour-intensive manual processes with automated systems that maintain the precise environmental control required for cell therapy production. “We’re not just reducing costs – we’re reimagining how cell therapies can be manufactured at the scale needed to treat millions of patients rather than thousands,” explained the company’s CEO. “European regulatory frameworks actually provide us with advantages here, as our quality systems are designed from the ground up to meet the highest standards.” The funding will accelerate Cellcolabs’ European expansion, with plans to establish manufacturing partnerships across key markets including Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The company is particularly well-positioned to benefit from the European Medicines Agency’s streamlined approval processes for advanced therapy medicinal products, which favour companies with robust manufacturing documentation. Unlike many biotech companies that focus primarily on drug discovery, Cellcolabs addresses the manufacturing bottleneck that has limited the commercialisation of promising cell therapies across Europe. This €10.3 million investment signals a maturing European biotech ecosystem where manufacturing innovation receives the same attention as scientific breakthroughs. For Swedish life sciences, it reinforces the country’s position as a global leader in translating academic research into scalable healthcare solutions.

Europe’s oncology sector is witnessing a surge in innovative approaches to tackle cancer’s most persistent challenge: immune evasion. While traditional immunotherapies have shown promise, tumours continue to develop sophisticated mechanisms to hide from the body’s natural defences. Into this complex landscape steps Adaptam Therapeutics, a Spanish biotech that has secured €3 million in pre-seed funding to revolutionise how we target the immune cells that help tumours evade treatment. Cancer immunotherapy funding attracts European venture interest The round was led by Criteria Bio Ventures, a Barcelona-based fund known for backing early-stage life sciences companies across Southern Europe. This investment signals growing confidence in Spain’s emerging biotech ecosystem, which has historically lagged behind European powerhouses like Switzerland and the UK. Criteria Bio Ventures’ thesis centres on identifying breakthrough therapeutic approaches before they reach mainstream attention. “Adaptam’s novel approach to targeting tumour-associated macrophages represents exactly the kind of innovative thinking we believe will define the next generation of cancer treatments,” explains a partner at the fund. The firm’s portfolio strategy focuses particularly on companies bridging fundamental research with translational medicine. The funding landscape for European biotech has evolved considerably, with venture capital increasingly willing to back ambitious scientific approaches. This €3 million commitment reflects a broader trend of European investors backing homegrown innovation rather than simply following Silicon Valley patterns. Targeting immune suppression in European oncology markets Adaptam Therapeutics is developing proprietary technology to reprogram tumour-associated macrophages—immune cells that cancers co-opt to suppress immune responses. Unlike existing checkpoint inhibitors that broadly activate immune systems, Adaptam’s approach specifically targets the cellular mechanisms that tumours use to create immunosuppressive environments. The company’s platform technology addresses a critical gap in current immunotherapy approaches. While European regulators have approved numerous checkpoint inhibitors through the European Medicines Agency, response rates remain disappointingly low for many cancer types. Adaptam’s founders believe that by focusing on macrophage reprogramming, they can unlock therapeutic potential in previously treatment-resistant tumours. “We’re not just developing another immunotherapy—we’re targeting the fundamental mechanisms that allow tumours to create their own protective environment,” states the company’s CEO. The approach leverages decade-long research from leading European cancer institutes, positioning the company to benefit from the continent’s strong academic-industry collaboration frameworks. The €3 million will primarily fund preclinical development and expand the company’s Barcelona-based research team. European biotech companies face unique advantages in accessing skilled researchers from the continent’s world-class universities, while benefiting from more cost-effective development compared to US counterparts. This funding positions Adaptam within a growing cohort of European cancer immunotherapy companies that are moving beyond traditional approaches. As the European biotech sector matures, investments like this demonstrate increasing sophistication in targeting specific immune mechanisms rather than pursuing broad-based activation strategies. The success of this approach could influence how European investors evaluate next-generation oncology opportunities.

Childhood bone cancer represents one of oncology’s most challenging frontiers, where traditional treatments often fall short and innovative approaches struggle to secure adequate funding. The European biotech landscape has witnessed renewed investor interest in paediatric oncology, particularly as precision medicine technologies mature and regulatory pathways become clearer. Swedish biotech Lithea has secured €851,000 in funding to advance its tumour-targeted therapy specifically designed for childhood bone cancer. This funding round signals growing confidence in the company’s approach to addressing unmet medical needs in paediatric oncology, where treatment options remain frustratingly limited. Lithea Secures Strategic Investment for Tumour-Targeted Innovation The funding comes from current investors who have doubled down on Lithea’s vision of transforming childhood bone cancer treatment through precision targeting. While the investor composition reflects typical early-stage biotech backing, the continued support demonstrates confidence in the company’s scientific approach and clinical development strategy. European biotech investors have increasingly focused on companies addressing rare diseases and paediatric conditions, driven by both orphan drug designations and the potential for accelerated regulatory pathways. This funding environment has proven particularly favourable for Swedish biotechs, which benefit from strong academic research institutions and supportive government innovation policies. The investors’ decision to provide follow-on funding suggests Lithea has achieved key preclinical milestones that de-risk the development pathway. In paediatric oncology, where patient populations are small but medical need is high, investors typically look for strong scientific rationale and clear regulatory strategies before committing capital. Advancing Precision Medicine in Paediatric Oncology Lithea’s tumour-targeted therapy represents a shift from conventional chemotherapy approaches towards precision treatments that specifically attack cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This approach proves particularly crucial in paediatric patients, where minimising long-term side effects is as important as achieving remission. The €851,000 will enable Lithea to advance its lead candidate through crucial preclinical development stages, including toxicology studies and manufacturing optimisation required for clinical trials. The company’s focus on childhood bone cancer addresses a significant unmet need, as current treatments often result in long-term complications including growth disorders and secondary cancers. Sweden’s biotech ecosystem provides Lithea with access to world-class research institutions, experienced clinical investigators, and established regulatory expertise in orphan drug development. The country’s collaborative approach between academia and industry has produced several successful paediatric-focused biotechs, creating a supportive environment for companies like Lithea. The funding positions Lithea to engage with European regulatory authorities early in development, potentially securing orphan drug designation and accessing expedited review pathways. This regulatory strategy could significantly accelerate the path to clinical trials and eventual market approval. This investment underscores Europe’s growing strength in precision medicine and demonstrates how targeted funding can advance treatments for rare diseases where commercial incentives have historically been insufficient.

The European renewable energy sector is witnessing unprecedented capital allocation as institutional investors recognise the continent’s energy transition as a generational investment opportunity. Leading this charge is Enpal, Germany’s solar-as-a-service pioneer, which has secured a €700M asset-backed securities facility from M&G Investments, marking one of the largest green financing arrangements in European tech history. This facility represents more than capital—it validates the maturation of European climate tech beyond venture funding into institutional finance. For European households grappling with energy costs that remain 40% above pre-2021 levels, Enpal’s model offers immediate relief without upfront investment, precisely when traditional energy incumbents struggle with infrastructure modernisation. Solar Energy Financing Facility Attracts Institutional Capital M&G’s commitment reflects a strategic shift among European asset managers towards renewable infrastructure as core portfolio allocation. Unlike traditional venture rounds, this asset-backed structure allows Enpal to scale without dilution whilst providing M&G with predictable returns tied to German solar generation—a market with 20-year government-backed feed-in tariffs. “We’re seeing institutional capital recognise that European energy transition isn’t just policy—it’s profitable infrastructure,” notes Mario Kohle, Enpal’s co-founder. “This facility enables us to install solar systems across 100,000 additional European homes, each generating predictable cash flows for two decades.” The timing coincides with EU renewable energy directives requiring member states to achieve 42.5% renewable electricity by 2030. M&G’s portfolio strategy specifically targets assets supporting this transition, positioning the facility within broader European regulatory tailwinds rather than speculative tech investment. German Solar Market Leadership Drives European Expansion Enpal’s differentiation lies in removing residential solar adoption friction through its comprehensive service model. Customers receive solar installation, maintenance, insurance, and battery storage without upfront costs, paying monthly fees typically 20% below previous electricity bills. This approach has captured 15% of Germany’s residential solar market since 2017. The facility specifically funds European market expansion, with Netherlands and Austria identified as priority markets where similar regulatory frameworks exist. Unlike fragmented European markets that challenge many startups, energy transition benefits from harmonised EU directives creating consistent opportunities across member states. “European households understand solar economics but lack capital or expertise for implementation,” explains Kohle. “Our model transforms this infrastructure challenge into a subscription service, whilst our asset-backed financing structure scales without traditional venture constraints.” With over 50,000 installations completed and €2B in previous funding, Enpal demonstrates how European climate tech can achieve both environmental impact and institutional-grade financial returns. This facility positions the company to cement leadership as Europe’s residential solar sector evolves from early adoption to mass market deployment.