Luc Métivier

The distributed computing landscape is witnessing a paradigm shift as smartphones emerge as untapped computational powerhouses. With billions of devices sitting idle across Europe, forward-thinking startups are recognising the potential to transform mobile phones into decentralised infrastructure. Leading this charge is Acurast, which has secured €11M to build what it claims is the world’s first smartphone-powered compute network. The funding represents a significant validation of the distributed computing thesis that’s gaining traction across European tech circles. By harnessing the collective power of smartphones, Acurast aims to democratise access to computational resources whilst creating new revenue streams for device owners. Smartphone-powered compute network attracts diverse investor backing The €11M raise combines traditional venture capital with strategic token sale participation, reflecting the hybrid nature of modern blockchain infrastructure funding. The investor mix demonstrates growing European appetite for decentralised infrastructure projects that offer tangible utility beyond speculative trading. Lead investors recognised Acurast’s unique positioning in addressing the computational resource shortage that plagues many sectors, from AI model training to scientific research. The funding structure, incorporating both equity rounds and token mechanisms, allows the company to build sustainable tokenomics whilst maintaining traditional governance structures that European investors prefer. “We’re not just building another blockchain project,” explains Acurast’s leadership team. “This is about creating genuine utility from existing hardware that sits unused for 95% of the day. Every smartphone becomes part of a global supercomputer.” The investor backing reflects confidence in Acurast’s technical approach, which leverages trusted execution environments already present in modern smartphones to ensure secure, verifiable computation without compromising user privacy or device performance. European regulatory advantages fuel decentralised infrastructure growth Acurast’s European base provides strategic advantages in the evolving regulatory landscape. The EU’s Digital Services Act and upcoming AI regulations favour transparent, decentralised systems that can demonstrate algorithmic accountability – precisely what smartphone-distributed networks enable through their inherent transparency and auditability. The company’s approach addresses critical European priorities around digital sovereignty and reduced dependence on centralised cloud infrastructure dominated by US tech giants. By distributing computation across millions of European smartphones, Acurast creates resilient infrastructure that remains within EU jurisdictional boundaries. Early partnerships with European enterprises demonstrate demand for alternatives to traditional cloud computing, particularly among organisations handling sensitive data requiring GDPR compliance. The distributed model offers natural data localisation benefits whilst reducing costs compared to hyperscale cloud providers. The €11M funding will accelerate network expansion across major European markets, with initial focus on Germany, France, and the Netherlands where smartphone penetration and technical sophistication create ideal conditions for early adoption. Additional resources will strengthen the technical team and expand partnerships with mobile operators and device manufacturers. This funding signals broader European confidence in decentralised infrastructure alternatives that challenge the dominance of centralised computing paradigms. For European tech ecosystem watchers, Acurast represents the maturation of blockchain technology from speculative assets toward genuine utility infrastructure that could reshape how we think about computational resources.

Europe’s semiconductor sovereignty ambitions received a significant boost as the continent seeks to reduce its dangerous dependence on Asian memory suppliers. This strategic imperative has created fertile ground for homegrown champions, with German memory technology innovator FMC securing €100 million in Series C funding to accelerate its ferroelectric memory solutions. The investment signals growing European confidence in backing deep-tech startups that address critical supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during recent global disruptions. Memory tech funding attracts heavyweight European VCs HV Capital and DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF) co-led this substantial financing round, bringing together two of Europe’s most sophisticated deep-tech investors. HV Capital’s involvement is particularly noteworthy given their selective approach to hardware investments, whilst DTCF’s participation underscores the sustainability angle of FMC’s technology compared to traditional memory solutions. The investor syndicate’s European composition reflects a broader trend of EU-based funds prioritising strategic autonomy investments over Silicon Valley alternatives. “This investment represents more than capital—it’s a strategic bet on European technological sovereignty,” noted a partner from the lead investor group. The funding structure enables FMC to scale manufacturing capabilities whilst maintaining independence from Asian supply chains that have historically dominated memory markets. Both investors bring complementary expertise: HV Capital’s enterprise software networks and DTCF’s climate-focused portfolio positioning FMC advantageously for sustainable computing transitions. Ferroelectric memory positions Germany as semiconductor hub FMC’s ferroelectric memory technology addresses two critical European priorities: supply chain resilience and energy efficiency. Unlike conventional memory solutions requiring constant power to maintain data, ferroelectric memory offers non-volatile characteristics with dramatically reduced energy consumption—crucial for Europe’s aggressive climate targets. The Hamburg-based company’s approach leverages advanced materials science to create memory cells that retain information without continuous power, delivering both performance and sustainability advantages. The €100 million injection will accelerate FMC’s transition from research-stage prototypes to commercial production, with plans for a European manufacturing facility reducing reliance on Asian foundries. “We’re building the memory infrastructure Europe needs for digital sovereignty whilst advancing our climate goals,” explained FMC’s CEO, highlighting the dual strategic value proposition. The company’s technology roadmap includes partnerships with European automotive and industrial customers seeking secure, sustainable memory solutions for next-generation applications. This funding milestone positions FMC within Germany’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem, complementing government initiatives like the EU Chips Act’s €43 billion investment programme. By establishing European memory production capabilities, FMC addresses vulnerabilities highlighted during pandemic-era supply shortages whilst building foundations for future technological independence. The success signals growing investor appetite for European deep-tech startups tackling geopolitically sensitive technology domains.

The European buy-now-pay-later landscape is consolidating rapidly as regulatory pressures mount and consumer spending patterns shift. Against this backdrop, London-based Zilch has secured €161M ($175M) in growth funding from Czech investment group KKCG, positioning the fintech for potential strategic opportunities including mergers and acquisitions. The substantial funding round underscores KKCG’s confidence in Zilch’s differentiated approach to responsible lending within Europe’s increasingly regulated financial services sector. Unlike many competitors who rely purely on point-of-sale integrations, Zilch has built a comprehensive financial platform that combines BNPL with broader banking services, creating multiple revenue streams and deeper customer relationships. Strategic fintech growth funding targets European expansion KKCG’s investment represents more than capital injection—it signals a strategic partnership that could reshape Zilch’s trajectory across European markets. The Czech investment giant, known for backing technology companies with strong regulatory moats, sees opportunity in Zilch’s compliance-first approach to consumer credit. “Zilch has demonstrated exceptional discipline in building sustainable lending practices while maintaining strong unit economics,” noted KKCG’s investment team. This funding positions Zilch advantageously as European regulators tighten oversight of BNPL providers. The company’s existing FCA authorisation and robust risk management systems provide competitive advantages as smaller players struggle with compliance costs. KKCG’s backing also opens doors to Eastern European markets where the investor maintains significant influence and local expertise. The investment comes at a critical juncture for European fintech consolidation. While US players like Affirm and Sezzle face growth headwinds, European BNPL companies with strong regulatory foundations are attracting premium valuations from strategic investors seeking market consolidation opportunities. Zilch’s platform strategy differentiates in crowded market Founded in 2018, Zilch has distinguished itself by building beyond traditional BNPL functionality. The platform offers customers a virtual card that works across any retailer, eliminating merchant integration requirements that constrain competitors. This approach has enabled rapid scaling across the UK market while maintaining lower customer acquisition costs than point-of-sale dependent rivals. “We’ve built the infrastructure for responsible consumer lending at scale,” explained Zilch CEO Philip Belamant. “This funding allows us to accelerate our vision of becoming Europe’s leading financial platform, particularly as market consolidation creates opportunities for well-capitalised players.” The company reports over 3 million active customers and partnerships with major UK retailers including ASOS, JD Sports, and eBay. The €161M injection will fund product development, particularly in areas like savings accounts and investment products that complement the core BNPL offering. Zilch also plans significant hiring across its London headquarters, focusing on risk management and compliance teams—capabilities increasingly valued as regulatory scrutiny intensifies across European markets. KKCG’s investment validates Zilch’s strategy of building comprehensive financial services rather than pure-play BNPL functionality. As European fintech consolidation accelerates, well-funded platforms with regulatory expertise and diversified revenue models are positioning themselves as natural consolidators in an increasingly challenging market environment.