Stephan Savarese

Europe’s small satellite manufacturing sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increasing demand for Earth observation, IoT connectivity, and space-based services. In this rapidly expanding market, EnduroSat has secured €95.7M ($104M) in Series B funding to accelerate production of its advanced small satellite platforms, positioning the Bulgarian company as a key player in the European space tech ecosystem. The funding round was led by Riot Ventures, with participation from several strategic investors focused on deeptech and aerospace innovation. This represents one of the largest funding rounds in the European small satellite sector, reflecting growing confidence in commercial space applications and the strategic importance of European space capabilities. Small satellite funding attracts strategic European backing Riot Ventures’ investment thesis centres on the democratisation of space access through cost-effective satellite solutions. The fund, known for backing transformative European technology companies, sees EnduroSat’s vertically integrated approach as crucial for competing with established players like Planet Labs and Spire Global. “EnduroSat represents the future of European space technology independence,” noted a Riot Ventures partner. “Their ability to deliver complete satellite solutions from hardware to data services positions them uniquely in a market increasingly focused on vertical integration.” The investor mix reflects broader trends in European venture capital, with traditional tech VCs increasingly comfortable with hardware-intensive businesses that offer software-like scalability through data services and satellite constellation management. Bulgarian space tech targets European market leadership Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Sofia, EnduroSat has built a reputation for delivering customisable small satellites with rapid deployment capabilities. The company’s platforms serve diverse applications including Earth observation, maritime monitoring, and agricultural intelligence—sectors experiencing significant growth across European markets. The funding will primarily support manufacturing scale-up at EnduroSat’s Sofia facility, enabling the company to meet increasing demand from European government agencies and commercial clients. With regulatory frameworks like the EU Space Programme creating tailwinds for European space companies, EnduroSat is well-positioned to capitalise on growing investment in space-based services. “This funding enables us to accelerate our mission of making space accessible for everyone,” said EnduroSat’s CEO. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand for our satellite solutions across Europe, and this investment allows us to scale production while maintaining our focus on innovation.” The company plans to expand its constellation capabilities and enhance its data analytics platform, competing directly with US-based providers whilst offering European organisations greater data sovereignty and compliance with GDPR requirements. This funding milestone signals Europe’s growing ambition in commercial space, with EnduroSat joining companies like Isar Aerospace and The Exploration Company in building a robust European space technology ecosystem capable of competing globally whilst serving continental strategic interests.

Europe’s digital health sector continues its robust funding trajectory as regulatory tailwinds and an ageing population create unprecedented opportunities for precision medicine platforms. The latest beneficiary of this trend is Human Health, which has secured €4.7 million in seed funding led by LocalGlobe to advance its patient-first approach to precision healthcare delivery. The funding underscores growing investor confidence in European healthtech startups that prioritise patient outcomes over traditional healthcare metrics. Human Health’s platform represents a shift towards personalised medicine that could reshape how Europeans access and receive healthcare services across fragmented national systems. LocalGlobe leads precision health funding with strategic vision LocalGlobe’s decision to lead this round reflects the London-based VC’s thesis around backing European founders who tackle complex, regulated markets with technology-first solutions. The firm, known for early investments in successful European scale-ups, sees significant potential in Human Health’s approach to precision medicine. “We’re backing a team that understands the intricacies of European healthcare systems whilst building technology that can scale across borders,” said a LocalGlobe partner familiar with the investment. The VC’s portfolio already includes several healthtech companies that have successfully navigated European regulatory requirements whilst expanding internationally. This seed round positions Human Health alongside other European precision health startups that have attracted significant venture capital in recent months. The €4.7 million figure sits comfortably within the typical range for European healthtech seed rounds, which have averaged €3-6 million over the past 18 months according to industry data. Platform targets European healthcare transformation Human Health’s patient-first precision platform addresses a critical gap in European healthcare delivery, where fragmented systems often struggle to provide personalised treatment pathways. The startup’s technology aims to bridge this divide by leveraging data analytics and machine learning to deliver tailored health insights directly to patients and healthcare providers. The funding will accelerate product development and support the company’s expansion across key European markets, where regulatory frameworks like GDPR provide both challenges and competitive advantages for data-driven healthcare solutions. Human Health’s approach to data privacy and patient consent positions it well for the increasingly regulated European healthtech landscape. “Our vision extends beyond traditional healthcare boundaries,” explained the company’s leadership team. “We’re building a platform that empowers patients with actionable insights whilst providing healthcare professionals with the tools they need to deliver truly personalised care.” The platform’s focus on patient empowerment aligns with broader European policy initiatives around patient rights and healthcare digitalisation. With this funding secured, Human Health joins a growing cohort of European healthtech companies that are redefining precision medicine for the continent’s unique regulatory and cultural landscape. The company’s patient-centric approach could prove particularly valuable as European healthcare systems increasingly prioritise preventive care and personalised treatment protocols.

Despite ongoing conflict, Ukrainian fintech companies continue demonstrating remarkable resilience in securing international investment, challenging preconceptions about wartime entrepreneurship in Europe’s eastern frontier. The latest proof comes from Fintech IT Group, which has successfully raised €16.5M in growth funding from the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF), marking one of the most significant wartime investments in the Ukrainian startup ecosystem. This funding round represents more than capital allocation—it signals international confidence in Ukraine’s tech sector durability and the strategic importance of maintaining financial infrastructure during crisis periods. Ukraine wartime funding attracts international backing The Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund’s investment thesis centres on supporting critical financial infrastructure that serves both civilian and business communities during unprecedented circumstances. UMAEF, backed by the U.S. government, specifically targets companies providing essential services that maintain economic stability in challenging geopolitical environments. “We’re investing in companies that demonstrate not just financial potential, but strategic importance for regional economic resilience,” noted UMAEF representatives familiar with the deal. This approach differs markedly from traditional European venture capital, which typically prioritises pure growth metrics over strategic infrastructure value. The investment reflects broader international recognition that Ukrainian fintech companies have proven their operational capabilities under extreme stress conditions—a unique value proposition in European markets where regulatory compliance and operational resilience increasingly matter to institutional investors. Monobank’s European expansion strategy Fintech IT Group, operating primarily through its flagship Monobank platform, has established itself as Ukraine’s leading digital bank with over 7 million active users. The company’s mobile-first approach and robust API infrastructure have proven particularly valuable during wartime, when traditional banking channels face physical disruption. The €16.5M funding will primarily support technological infrastructure expansion and enhanced security measures, according to company leadership. This includes strengthening cross-border payment capabilities and developing additional financial products tailored for both domestic and international Ukrainian communities. “Our experience maintaining financial services during conflict has given us unique insights into building resilient fintech infrastructure,” explained Monobank leadership. “These capabilities position us well for expansion into other European markets where operational reliability is paramount.” The funding also enables deeper integration with European financial systems, potentially positioning Monobank as a bridge between Ukrainian diaspora communities and their homeland—a strategic advantage as refugee populations establish new lives across European capitals. This investment underscores how wartime innovation often produces solutions with broader European market applications, particularly in financial services where trust and reliability prove more valuable than flashy features. For Ukrainian startups, proving operational excellence under extreme conditions may well become their unique competitive advantage in European expansion.