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.

Belgian biotech AmphiStar wins €2.5M SPRIND biosurfactants funding for Stage 3, marking its third consecutive grant from Germany’s innovation agency to advance circular manufacturing.

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.

TechnoCarbon’s innovation, Pierre-Carbone, uses composite technology to turn stone into the first sustainable material to outperform steel and concrete for heavy-duty applications.

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.

Most startup founders treat events like they’re going travelling: count the days, block the calendar, done. But event tickets don’t come cheap, and the actual affair can eat into your budget in so many different ways, you’ll be left with a hole in your company wallet. You see, the problem here is a simple case of math: one can’t budget for unforeseen expenses. That’s why we’ve put together a simple formula that founders can tweak to suit their business needs. The 2:1 rule nobody talks about Here’s a simple rule: Every single day at an event requires two full days of preparation. This isn’t bureaucratic overhead, it’s the operational reality of doing events properly. Why does this ratio work? Because events operate on a timeline that’s fundamentally incompatible with how startups work. Most conferences lock speaker slots, booth spaces, and partnership opportunities months in advance. You can’t A/B test them or sprint your way in at the last minute. Scaleups and corporates have dedicated field marketing teams who start preparing months in advance for events. They’ve already mapped the venue, scheduled meetings, and briefed their booth staff. If you show up with two hours of prep, you’re invisible. But why should you set aside two days for every event day? You’ll fill them with research, targeting, outreach, scheduling, content, positioning, logistics operations, internal coordination, and post-event planning.  You can’t change your pitch deck the morning of your panel. Events punish improvisation because the stakes are live and all opportunity windows close fast. That’s why a 2:1 ratio is the minimum buffer you need to make showing up worthwhile. A three-day conference isn’t a three-day commitment; you’ll have to set aside at least six days before factoring in travel, team coordination, or what you’ll actually do at the event. Treat it as the baseline for local events that you’re only attending, too. And when you add distance, team members or booth logistics to the equation, that number explodes. The winning formula Here’s what no event organizer will tell you upfront: Total Time = (Event Days × 2) × Distance Factor × Team Factor × Activity Factor Distance multipliers Team size factors Activity type factors What does it look like in the real world? Let’s run an example scenario: Say you’re exhibiting at Web Summit with two co-founders. Calculation: (3 days × 2) × 1.5 (international) × 1.3 (team of three) × 1.5 (exhibiting) = 17.6 days That’s nearly four working weeks of founder time. Not calendar days — productive working days. An entire sprint. A fundraising cycle. A product release window. That’s before you account for the inevitable chaos: marketing materials might get delayed, or your booth might require a last-minute redesign, or one of your team might fall ill on day two. This matters more than you think Startups don’t fail because they attend too many events. They fail because they attended the wrong events and didn’t realize the true cost until it was too late. Most early-stage founders operate on razor-thin runways and even thinner margins. Losing 17 days to the wrong conference can mean missing a critical hiring window, pushing a launch back by a quarter, or running out of cash. The opportunity cost is immense. Three filters to help you decide Preparation is table stakes, but the real competitive advantage is selection. Before you commit to any event, run it through these three filters: 1. Are your top 10 target customers actually attending? Don’t settle for “the industry will be there,” or “it’s a great brand.” Will the specific people who can write cheques or sign contracts be in the venue? If you can’t name at least five confirmed attendees you want to meet, you’re engaging in speculation, and speculation is expensive. 2. Can you get time with decision makers? Networking is not the same as dealmaking. Conferences are full of people collecting business cards and having “great chats” that go nowhere. Look for pre-scheduled meetings, private roundtables, investor office hours, or curated dinners. If the event doesn’t facilitate structured access, you’re paying to work a room. 3. Does the timing align with your fundraising or launch cycle? Attending a major event two weeks before a funding deadline is fundraising malpractice. Exhibiting at a trade show when your product isn’t ready to demo is theatre, not business development. Timing isn’t everything, but mistimed events have the potential to burn capital and credibility in equal measure. The real decision Preparation is hard, but preparing brilliantly for the wrong event isn’t going to yield the results you’re looking for. The formula above isn’t meant to scare founders away from conferences. If you’re going to invest 17 days of founder time, you’d better know exactly what ROI you’re chasing and have a plan to capture it. Most founders wing it. The folks who don’t tend to be the ones still standing when funding dries up. At Sesamers, we’ve spent years inside the event ecosystem, watching startups burn time and capital on conferences that looked good on paper but delivered nothing. The startups that survive and thrive aren’t the ones who attended the most events; they simply skipped those that weren’t relevant, and attended the right events at the right time, with the right preparation. So before you book your next booth or confirm that speaking slot, do the math, and see if you can afford to go wrong.