HIMSS 2023

European HR technology continues its momentum as artificial intelligence transforms talent acquisition processes across the continent. The latest validation comes from Grasp, which has secured €6.4M in Series A funding led by Octopus Ventures to accelerate its international expansion. This funding round underscores growing investor confidence in AI-powered recruitment solutions that address Europe’s persistent talent shortage challenges. The London-based startup’s ability to attract Octopus Ventures—known for backing successful European B2B software companies like Zoopla and Secret Escapes—signals the maturation of AI recruitment technology. Octopus Ventures’ decision to lead reflects their thesis that traditional recruitment methods are fundamentally broken, particularly in Europe’s fragmented labour markets where regulatory complexity and cultural nuances demand sophisticated solutions. AI recruitment Series A reflects market demand Octopus Ventures’ investment strategy focuses on B2B software companies that can scale across European borders—a particularly relevant criterion for Grasp’s ambitions. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand for intelligent recruitment solutions that can navigate Europe’s diverse talent landscape,” noted an Octopus partner familiar with the deal. The firm’s previous investments in HR tech, including Culture Amp and Workable, demonstrate their commitment to transforming how European companies attract and retain talent. Beyond capital, Octopus brings operational expertise crucial for European expansion. Their portfolio includes companies that have successfully navigated GDPR compliance, cross-border employment regulations, and the cultural sensitivities required for international growth. This strategic value extends far beyond the €6.4M cheque, providing Grasp with a roadmap for scaling across multiple European jurisdictions. The timing aligns with broader European regulatory trends favouring transparency in recruitment processes. Recent EU initiatives promoting algorithmic accountability create tailwinds for AI recruitment platforms that prioritise explainable decision-making—a key differentiator for European companies competing against US-based alternatives. European talent acquisition technology gains traction Grasp’s AI-powered platform addresses specific pain points in European recruitment: language barriers, varying qualification frameworks, and diverse cultural expectations across markets. Unlike Silicon Valley recruitment tools designed primarily for tech roles, Grasp’s solution adapts to Europe’s broader industrial base, from manufacturing in Germany to financial services in London. The Series A funding will primarily support Grasp’s expansion across core European markets, with particular focus on DACH region and Nordic countries where talent shortages are most acute. “European companies need recruitment technology that understands local nuances while maintaining the efficiency of AI-driven processes,” explained Grasp’s CEO in discussing the platform’s competitive positioning. Market validation comes from Grasp’s existing client base, which includes mid-market European companies struggling with traditional recruitment agencies’ limitations. The platform’s ability to reduce time-to-hire while improving candidate quality resonates particularly well with European businesses facing regulatory pressure to demonstrate fair hiring practices. This Series A positions Grasp within a growing cohort of European HR tech companies attracting significant investment. As talent scarcity intensifies across Europe, AI-powered recruitment solutions are evolving from nice-to-have tools into essential infrastructure for competitive businesses. Grasp’s European-first approach may prove decisive in a market increasingly wary of one-size-fits-all solutions.

Europe’s mounting plastic waste crisis has reached a tipping point, with microplastics infiltrating everything from drinking water to food chains across the continent. Against this backdrop, circular economy solutions are attracting unprecedented investor attention, particularly those addressing the technical challenges of plastic recycling at industrial scale. German circular plastics innovator AevoLoop has secured €3.25 million in seed funding to accelerate its breakthrough technology that transforms plastic waste into high-quality recycled materials. The round positions the company to scale operations across European markets whilst addressing one of the continent’s most pressing environmental challenges. The investment reflects growing confidence in European deep tech solutions that combine environmental impact with commercial viability, particularly as EU regulations increasingly favour circular economy approaches over traditional waste management. Circular plastics innovation attracts strategic capital The funding round was led by Circulate Capital, a specialist investor focused on circular economy technologies across Asia and now expanding into European markets. The firm’s decision to back AevoLoop signals recognition of Europe’s leadership position in regulatory-driven sustainability innovation. “AevoLoop’s technology addresses a critical gap in the circular plastics value chain,” explained a Circulate Capital partner. “Their ability to process contaminated plastic waste streams whilst maintaining material quality creates significant value for European manufacturers facing increasing recycled content mandates.” The investor’s thesis aligns with broader European policy frameworks, including the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive and forthcoming packaging regulations that require minimum recycled content percentages. This regulatory tailwind creates compelling market dynamics for technologies like AevoLoop’s that can deliver compliance-ready solutions. Circulate Capital’s European expansion through this investment reflects Asia-based investors’ recognition of Europe’s regulatory leadership in driving circular economy adoption. The firm’s portfolio approach focuses on technologies that can scale across fragmented European markets whilst addressing region-specific waste stream challenges. German precision meets European market demand AevoLoop’s proprietary technology leverages advanced sorting and processing techniques developed in Germany’s robust industrial research ecosystem. The company’s approach differentiates through its ability to handle mixed plastic waste streams that typically end up in landfill or incineration facilities across Europe. “We’re solving the economics of plastic circularity,” noted AevoLoop’s founding team. “European manufacturers need reliable supplies of high-quality recycled plastics, but current recycling infrastructure can’t deliver at the quality and scale required. Our technology bridges that gap whilst reducing microplastic generation.” The funding will accelerate deployment across key European markets, starting with Germany’s automotive and packaging sectors where recycled content mandates are driving immediate demand. The company plans to establish processing facilities in multiple European countries, leveraging different waste stream compositions and local partnership opportunities. AevoLoop’s timing capitalises on European corporate sustainability commitments that require tangible circular economy solutions rather than offsetting approaches. Major European brands are increasingly seeking verified recycled materials that meet technical specifications whilst demonstrating genuine environmental impact. This funding milestone positions AevoLoop within Europe’s emerging circular economy champions, demonstrating that deep tech solutions addressing systemic environmental challenges can attract significant capital whilst building commercially sustainable businesses. The company’s success could accelerate similar innovations across Europe’s sustainability tech ecosystem.

European enterprises are increasingly turning to AI-powered automation solutions to streamline repetitive desktop tasks, with investment flowing into startups addressing workplace productivity challenges. The latest beneficiary of this trend is Desktop Commander, which has secured €1.1 million in pre-seed funding to advance its AI desktop automation platform. The round was led by 42CAP, with participation from several angel investors specialising in enterprise software and artificial intelligence. This funding positions Desktop Commander to accelerate product development and expand its reach across European markets, where demand for intelligent automation tools continues to grow. 42CAP leads AI desktop automation investment 42CAP’s decision to lead this round reflects the venture firm’s thesis around practical AI applications that deliver measurable productivity gains. The Berlin-based investor has been particularly active in the European automation space, recognising the opportunity created by fragmented software ecosystems that require intelligent orchestration. “Desktop Commander addresses a fundamental challenge facing European businesses: the productivity drain caused by repetitive desktop tasks across multiple applications,” explains a 42CAP partner. “Their AI-first approach to desktop automation represents a significant advancement over traditional RPA solutions.” The investment comes at a time when European companies are increasingly seeking alternatives to US-dominated automation platforms, particularly given data sovereignty concerns under GDPR and the EU AI Act. Desktop Commander’s European development and data processing approach positions it well to address these regulatory requirements. Streamlining European workplace productivity Desktop Commander’s platform uses machine learning to understand user workflows and automate repetitive tasks across desktop applications. Unlike traditional screen-scraping tools, the solution integrates directly with software APIs where possible, ensuring more reliable automation that adapts to application updates. The company targets mid-market European businesses struggling with productivity bottlenecks caused by manual data entry, report generation, and cross-platform coordination. Early customers report time savings of 20-30% on routine administrative tasks, with particular success in financial services and professional services sectors. “European businesses operate in a complex software environment with strict compliance requirements,” notes the Desktop Commander CEO. “Our AI automation platform is designed specifically for this reality, offering intelligent task execution while maintaining full audit trails and data protection.” The pre-seed funding will primarily support product development, with particular focus on expanding language support and integrating with popular European business software. Desktop Commander also plans to establish partnerships with systems integrators across Germany, France, and the UK. This funding signals growing investor confidence in European AI automation startups that understand local market nuances and regulatory requirements, positioning Desktop Commander to capture market share as businesses accelerate digital transformation initiatives.