Decade Energy, a company building the power infrastructure at logistics depots, has secured €22 million in funding.  The financing is led by Eiffel Investment Group and SET Ventures, along with existing investors. As truck electrification accelerates, the bottleneck is no longer vehicle availability but access to power. Grid constraints, long connection lead times, and the complexity of on-site energy systems are slowing deployment at many logistics sites.  Decade Energy solves that problem by developing, financing, and operating integrated energy infrastructure needed at depots to support electric truck fleets. This includes new grid connections, battery energy storage systems (BESS), EV charging, solar, and software to optimise energy use. With a zero-CapEx approach, Decade Energy helps logistics property owners secure power capacity while creating predictable rental income and adding value through BESS participation in energy markets.    Decade Energy’s distributed portfolio approach – deploying across many sites rather than a small number of centralised assets – prepares depots for electric truck fleets and increases long-term asset value. In doing so, Decade Energy is helping define a new category of infrastructure for electric road transport: the powered, flexible, future-ready depot. Decade Energy’s traction already signals a strong market pull. To date, the company has: Conducted more than 1,500 depot electrification feasibility studies across Europe. Advanced more than 100 projects representing over 500MW of capacity currently under development. Built a pipeline of 50 projects set to begin construction in 2026. According to Casper Norden, CEO and co-founder of Decade Energy: “We are building the software, energy products, and team needed to serve logistics sites more comprehensively and to bring that model into new European markets.  We now have the capital and platform to turn logistics depots into the power infrastructure that electric road transport needs.” The €16 million commitment from Eiffel Investment Group, through its managed fund Eiffel Transition Infrastructure, is dedicated to projects’ deployment. The objective is the rollout of a portfolio of at least 100MW BESS projects across France, for a total CapEx financing of approximately €50 million. The remaining funds, led by SET Ventures, with continued support from existing investors Contrarian Ventures and Ananda Impact Ventures, are dedicated to the next stage of Decade Energy's product roadmap. The objective is to advance its energy optimisation software, new truck charging and PV products, and expand the team into new markets.  Julia Padberg, Partner at SET Ventures, shared: “Decade Energy is tackling one of the most critical choke points in the energy transition: grid constraints at logistics depots. Their team combines deep transport expertise and strong energy infrastructure capabilities, backed up by impressive early traction. This convinced us that they are uniquely positioned to build a leading platform that can meaningfully accelerate Europe’s energy resilience.”   Laurent Coubret, Investment Director, Eiffel Investment Group: “BESS is no longer a niche technology. It is becoming a core infrastructure, combining a necessary flexibility tool for more renewable penetration with the potential to electrify logistics depots.  Decade Energy’s proven infrastructure deployment, coupled with Eiffel Investment Group's strong market expertise, will turn fragmented site-level demand into a scalable model while generating long-term value for customers and the power system alike.”

Spacetech company UNIVITY today announced it has raised €27 million backed by Blast, Expansion, and the Deeptech 2030 fund, managed by Bpifrance on behalf of the French state as part of the France 2030 programme, alongside two family offices. It brings the company's total funding to over €67 million and funds its aim to build a high-speed, space-based internet infrastructure for telecom operators. I spoke to Charles Delfieux, founder and CEO of UNIVITY, to learn more. When space starts competing with fibre For the first time, space-based connectivity is reaching performance and cost levels that can compete directly with terrestrial networks. “Because of advances driven by players like Starlink — industrialisation, lower launch costs, optimised satellite production — we’ve reached a point where space is a viable alternative,” says Delfieux. For telecom operators, this represents a structural shift. Rather than investing billions into fibre rollouts, they can access space-based infrastructure with significantly lower capital requirements, sometimes even without CapEx. At the same time, companies like SpaceX and Amazon are moving up the stack, selling connectivity directly to end users. UNIVITY is taking a different approach by positioning itself as a wholesale space infrastructure provider. According to Delfieux, this was unthinkable just a few years ago. “Because of advances driven by players like Starlink — industrialisation, lower launch costs, optimised satellite production — we’ve reached a point where space is a viable alternative.” Not another satellite operator — an infrastructure layer UNIVITY develops a wholesale space infrastructure enabling telecom operators to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access from space directly to their customers, complementing terrestrial networks.  UNIVITY’s strategy is built on two core technological pillars. First, its positioning in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) enables significantly lower latency, improved performance—including for smartphones and connected vehicles—and rapid natural atmospheric disintegration at the end of satellites’ lives, contributing to orbital sustainability.  Second, UNIVITY’S commercial strategy is to leverage the strengths of telecom operators worldwide. The use of telecom operators’ 5G spectrum, enabling them to leverage existing 5G components, which are already mass-produced, helping reduce costs. It ensures native integration with existing mobile networks and enables seamless 5G NTN service continuity, without relying on frequency bands already saturated or pre-empted by new entrants.   Together, these choices position UNIVITY as a key player in the convergence of terrestrial and space networks, rather than just another satellite operator. “The telecom industry is one of the most powerful globally, with strong assets at the national level: spectrum, regulatory access, distribution networks, and brand,” asserts Delfieux. “By building shared infrastructure that these operators can access independently, we tap into those assets. That’s how we aim to compete. Just like in terrestrial networks, where you have wholesale telecom operators, we aim to deploy and operate shared space infrastructure that others can use.” The reason is that telecom operators already have strong assets — regulatory access, spectrum rights, established brands, and distribution networks.  “We don’t want to challenge those. Instead, we provide the missing piece that enables them to deliver competitive internet services from space. That effectively makes them competitors to the telecom operators we serve.” A sovereign alternative to vertically integrated space networks At a moment when technological sovereignty is becoming a strategic priority, this model offers a clear alternative—allowing operators to retain control over their space-based connectivity rather than relying on external platforms. UNIVITY aims to position Europe as a key player in global hybrid connectivity. According to Delfieux: “Our ambition is to enable operators to leverage space as a natural extension of their terrestrial 5G networks, combining performance, competitiveness, and sovereignty.” The company gives telecom operators full control over operating and commercialising space-based connectivity on their own terms — establishing genuine sovereignty over both infrastructure and services. “We believe that enabling that independence is key to the future of satellite constellations,” says Delfieux. Further, through this funding round and with the support of CNES, UNIVITY is accelerating the development of a competitive space infrastructure designed to complement fibre and cellular networks, extend connectivity to rural and remote areas, strengthen the resilience of critical networks, and restore operators’ control over their space-based expansion. uniShape moves VLEO 5G from concept to reality This Series A will support the execution of the uniShape program, the first VLEO-based 5G NTN demonstrator, developed with the support of CNES.  It will demonstrate full interoperability between terrestrial and space networks within a controlled convergence framework. Two VLEO 5G satellites will be assembled, integrated, tested, and operated in orbit to validate an end-to-end high-throughput 5G NTN service, as well as Direct-to-Cell smartphone connectivity — from ground gateways to end-user devices.  UniShape is the company’s second demonstrator. Last year, it launched its first payload of around 20 kilograms. UniShape is a significant step up, involving two satellites of over 250 kilograms and a second-generation ground segment. As operators test their options, UNIVITY moves quickly UNIVITY stands out as a company that has moved at speed from idea to iteration to funding and expansion. Delfieux attributes this to several factors: “First, a lot of hard work. Second, a willingness to take risks: we don’t wait for one phase to be fully complete before preparing the next. It’s also about managing all aspects of the company in parallel: technology, commercial traction, partnerships, IP, HR, investor relations, and institutional relationships. Finally, timing plays a role. The demand for global connectivity is strong and growing, and we’re entering the market at the right moment.” Delfieux characterises the telecommunications industry as fast-moving and space-centred. “Many operators are currently testing different solutions --- Starlink, Amazon, and others, including ours — to better understand their options. We expect that over the next one to two years, many operators will begin making concrete commercial commitments.” The company has signed 17 letters of intent and MOUs across four continents, with strong demand not only in Europe but also in Southeast Asia and the Gulf region. The company is strengthening its teams in engineering, industrialisation, and business development. From here, the next steps are industrialisation and mass production.  “We’re already preparing for this, including plans for a manufacturing facility near Toulouse to produce two satellites per day and 1,000 user terminals per day,” explained Delfieux. Beyond that, the key priority is commercial — converting expressions of interest from telecom operators into firm contracts. That includes both capacity agreements and potential investments, According to Charles Beigbeder, co-founder of Expansion, UNIVITY represents an exceptional opportunity to support a breakthrough innovation that is rethinking space connectivity infrastructure.  “With this Series A, we are strengthening our commitment to enabling telecom operators to capture this strategic market while addressing the challenges of sustainable space usage.” Stéphane Lefevre-Sauli, Senior Investment Director at , adds: “We are delighted to continue supporting UNIVITY, whose globally impactful innovations in VLEO and 5G NTN spectrum are critical to enabling telecom operators to remain competitive and independent in the space connectivity market. This investment fully addresses national and European sovereignty challenges in connectivity, which are at the core of our investment thesis.” Anthony Bourbon, Founder of Blast Club, states: “UNIVITY is not just innovating, it is redefining the architecture of global communications. By positioning space as the natural extension of terrestrial networks, the company is already establishing itself as a pivotal player in the sector.”

The Tech.eu Summit London 2026 concluded on April 22 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, bringing a strong second day of sessions to close out what was a packed two-day event. Following a first day focused heavily on AI, enterprise software and Europe's competitive positioning, which you can read about here, day two turned its attention to fintech, healthtech, capital markets, agentic commerce and the future of deeptech in Europe. Here is what happened on day two: Opening Ceremony Helen Walsh and Arda Kutsal opened the second day, welcoming attendees back to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre and setting the stage for a programme built around fintech, healthtech, AI and the strategic decisions shaping the next phase of European technology. Landscape for Fintechs in the UK Magali Van Bulck, Head of Policy and Government Relations (EMEA) at Wise, took the stage to open day two with a presentation on the state of fintech in the UK. Drawing on Wise's experience operating across European markets, the session offered a grounded perspective on the regulatory dynamics, policy developments and market conditions currently shaping the landscape for financial technology companies in the UK. From Consumer Tech to HealthTech: Building AI Products That Deliver Real Outcomes Stuart Peak (HeliosX), Randal Whitmore (Ada Health), Naseem Moumene (Northzone) and Cate Lawrence (Tech.eu) explored how AI is being applied in healthcare to improve patient outcomes, speed up diagnosis and support health systems and pharma in achieving their commercial goals. The discussion highlighted the unique challenges of building patient-facing AI products and the growing investor interest in healthtech as a structurally important sector. Europe's Capital Markets and the Future of Tech Growth Axel Kalinowski, Head of Central and Southern Europe at the London Stock Exchange Group, presented on the role of Europe's capital markets in supporting the growth of technology companies. The session examined how access to public markets is evolving and what it means for European founders considering their long-term growth and exit options. Competition as a Driver of Scaling Jessica Lennard, Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer at the Competition and Markets Authority, addressed how competition policy shapes the conditions for scaling technology businesses. The session offered a regulatory perspective on how market structure, enforcement and policy interact with the realities of building and growing companies in an AI-driven economy. How AI and Code are Rewriting the Fundraising Process Michael Tefula (Ada Ventures), Danae Shell (Valla) and Tamara Djurickovic (Tech.eu) examined how AI is changing the way founders approach fundraising and how investors are adapting in response. The panel explored topics including AI-assisted pitch preparation, technical literacy in the fundraising process, and whether the rise of AI-native tools creates an uneven playing field between different types of founders. The Billion-Dollar Blind Spot: AI for Commercial Insurance Malin Posern (Project A Ventures) and Jack Miller (Nettle) explored how AI is beginning to reshape commercial insurance, one of the largest and most underserved sectors in financial services. The session examined the scale of the opportunity, the barriers to adoption and what it takes to build credible AI-driven solutions in a market defined by complexity, legacy infrastructure and risk aversion. AI, Regulation, and the Infrastructure of Global Work Sam Ross, Chief Legal Officer at Remote, presented on the intersection of AI, regulation and the future of work. The session addressed how AI is reshaping global employment infrastructure, the regulatory challenges that come with operating across multiple jurisdictions, and the legal considerations that technology companies need to navigate as AI takes on a greater role in the workplace. AI That Acts: Who Owns the Decision Before the Transaction? Luca Cartechini (Shop Circle), Shaun O'Mahony (Xapien) and John Reynolds (Tech.eu) examined the emerging question of accountability in agentic AI systems. As AI moves from advising to acting, the panel explored who bears responsibility for the decisions AI makes before a transaction is completed, touching on legal, ethical and commercial dimensions that founders, investors and enterprises will increasingly need to navigate. To Exit or Not to Exit: The New Dynamics Rose Hulse (ScreenHits TV), Julien-David Nitlech (IRIS), Kate McGinn (Seedcamp) and moderator Akansha Dimri (Tech Funding News) debated the exit decisions facing today's technology leaders. The session examined when to scale, when to sell and how to read the signals in a market where AI can rapidly shift valuations in either direction. Building the Agentic Enterprise: AI, the SaaSpocalypse, and CX's Next Frontier Nikola Mrksic, Co-Founder and CEO of PolyAI, sat down with Cate Lawrence (Tech.eu) for a fireside chat on the rise of the agentic enterprise. Mrksic argued that as AI agents begin to perform real work, entire categories of enterprise software are being challenged. The session examined who will win and lose as a new agentic layer emerges across the enterprise stack, and how customer experience sits at the heart of this shift. AI, Storytelling and the Future of Creative Production Xavier Collins (WonderStudios) and Ziv Reichert (Phoenix Court) explored how AI is transforming creative production, from filmmaking and storytelling to the broader media landscape. The session examined how AI tools are shifting the economics of content creation, what this means for the role of human creativity, and where the investment opportunities lie as the creative industries undergo a fundamental transformation. AI, Capital and Conviction: Where the Next Generation of Startups Will Emerge Baturay Kaya (BEK Ventures), Agata Nowicka (AI Visionaries), Alexis Frentz (Elaia) and Cate Lawrence (Tech.eu) discussed where the next generation of AI-native startups will come from and what it takes to build defensible businesses in 2026. The conversation ranged from the evolving AI stack and what comes after generative AI, to the investor conviction required to back early-stage companies in an increasingly crowded market. Scaling in Europe Tero Sarkkinen (Basemark), Harshit Krishna (Multiverse Computing), Louis Mather (Axelera AI) and moderator Jean-Michel Deligny (Triple B) closed the summit with a panel on the realities of scaling deeptech companies across Europe. Bringing together founders and executives from quantum computing, AI hardware and autonomous systems, the session addressed commercialisation challenges, capital intensity and what it takes to build category-defining companies at the frontier of technology in Europe. Closing The Tech.eu Summit London 2026 wrapped up after two days of sessions, conversations and networking that brought together some of the most influential figures in European technology and investment. From the AI platform shift to agentic commerce, fintech resilience to deeptech scaling, the event reflected where the European tech ecosystem stands today and the strategic questions that will define the years ahead. We look forward to welcoming you back for the next edition.

For Vexlum CEO and CTO Jussi-Pekka Penttinen, in Finland, there’s a simple way to tell if a company has moved from startup to scale-up: whether it has a sauna in the factory. “We do. So we consider ourselves a real company now.” When people think about semiconductors, they usually think about silicon chips. But Vexlum specialises in III-V semiconductors, which are essential for lasers, solar cells, and detectors. The scaling up of technologies such as quantum computing and atomic clocks is currently constrained by the limited availability of compact, cost-effective, high-power laser sources at precise wavelengths.  Vexlum’s proprietary lasers address this bottleneck, enabling industrial deployment of these systems. Vexlum is the outcome of more than 20 years of laser and semiconductor research. The core technology — which the company calls VECSEL — started in 2005 at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) in Tampere. Initially, the team was developing a range of applications, from yellow lasers for sodium guide stars in space to dermatology, where specific wavelengths can target blood vessels with high precision. Penttinen joined the research group in 2010, and a key turning point came in 2012, when researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, approached the company.  Penttinen explained: “They had seen our publications and were struggling with lasers for quantum applications, particularly ion trapping. At the time, we were developing high-power red lasers for projection, but we began tailoring them for quantum use. Together, we realised these lasers were an excellent fit for quantum systems: high power, visible wavelengths, excellent beam quality, and very low noise.  That led to the spinout of Vexlum in 2017, where I became one of the co-founders.” Addressing a bottleneck in the quantum age Vexlum’s semiconductor-based Vertical-External-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VECSEL) technology addresses a critical bottleneck in high-tech industries: the lack of compact, cost-effective, high-power laser sources at precise wavelengths.  Applications such as atomic clocks and quantum computers, as well as next-generation semiconductor metrology and free-space optical communication, all rely heavily on lasers. Today, Vexum produces around 200 lasers annually. A critical step in the process — semiconductor fabrication — has previously relied on equipment rented from Tampere University, but now the company is building its own fabrication facility, a move essential to support its next phase of scaling. With this the company is moving beyond boutique production to industrial-scale capability to meet the demand from the quantum, semiconductor, and space sectors. “We’ve already received our epitaxy reactor, and our cleanroom should be completed within a few months. The goal is to have the full fab operational within this year,” shared Penttinen. How do you create laser?  Producing a laser is a multi-stage, highly controlled process that begins with the growth of semiconductor layers atom by atom on a substrate. Using molecular beam epitaxy, Vexlum “grows” its wafers in a reactor— effectively 3D printing at the atomic scale. These III–V semiconductor materials, such as gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, and gallium antimonide, are deposited at a rate of around one micron per hour, roughly the speed at which a beard grows. While growing a single structure takes about a day, developing it can take weeks or even years, depending on its complexity. Once the wafer is ready, it is processed into chips in a specialised cleanroom over a few weeks, followed by additional weeks to assemble the final laser system. “In total, we can produce a new wavelength in about a month. That flexibility is a key advantage for us,” said Penttinen. The finished, quality-controlled chips are then integrated into laser systems to generate light at specific wavelengths.  By owning and operating this vertically integrated process — from chip fabrication to final system assembly — Vexlum can maintain tight control over the entire value chain and respond more precisely to customer requirements. From niche beginnings to multi-wavelength demand in quantum systems I was curious about the strongest commercial demand for Vexlum’s lasers, given the current hype around quantum computing.  Penttinen explained that interestingly, when they spun out Vexlum, there was no hype at all:  “People even told us the market was too niche." But what started as a “too niche” research project is now becoming foundational to some of the most advanced technologies in development.  Today, demand is growing, particularly in areas such as ion trapping and neutral-atom systems. What’s important is that these systems require multiple lasers at different wavelengths. "For example, a single quantum setup might need six different wavelengths. That’s where our technology stands out. We can deliver multiple wavelengths with high power and low noise, which is exactly what these applications require,” shared Penttinen. Targeting legacy laser markets from semiconductors to space Vexlum’s customers today are research institutions or commercial players, although even commercial quantum companies are still largely in an R&D phase.  “They have ambitious roadmaps, but the reality is that most systems are still being developed rather than deployed at scale, " shared Penttinen. However, the company is looking beyond quantum to areas like semiconductor manufacturing — including developing capabilities in UV wavelengths — and metrology, where older laser technologies are still widely used. According to Penttinen, Vexlum, lasers offer better performance, including lower noise and better beam quality, to traditional offerings, and they’re also much more energy-efficient.  “In some cases, existing systems consume as much electricity as a sauna, which is a useful reference point in Finland. So there’s a clear incentive to upgrade.” The company is also working with the European Space Agency on laser systems for space applications, where it can replace more complex and expensive legacy solutions.  Nordic photonics gains ground with Vexlum’s €10M raise In February, the company raised €10 million, to date the largest Seed round to date for a photonics company from the Nordics.  It included €6 million in equity investment led by Kvanted, with participation from Finnish state-owned Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) and the EIC Fund, alongside a €2.4 million grant from the EIC Accelerator, and a €1.6 million loan from Nordea. Sweden is home to over 200 photonics companies, with over 80 in Finland, underscoring the region’s quiet but significant depth in optical and semiconductor technologies. The Nordics, in particular, have built a strong foundation in photonics through decades of academic research, specialised institutes, and close collaboration between universities and industry. According to Penttinen, Tampere — and Europe more broadly — has strong expertise in this area.  “There’s a real concentration of knowledge and talent here, which is why we’re scaling our manufacturing locally.” And, Vexlum’s bet on precision lasers is well-timed as it turns its technical edge into scalable production. Lead image: Vexlum.

Nox Mobility has raised €2 million in pre-seed funding to develop a new generation of overnight trains. The round was led by Berlin-based IBB Ventures, with participation from Italian investor Tommaso Lucca and industry experts, including Patrick Andrae, co-founder and CEO of HomeToGo. Demand for night trains in Europe has recently increased, with strong booking activity on key routes. However, the market has contracted significantly over the past decades, reflecting longstanding structural challenges in service design and passenger experience. The company aims to address these challenges by rethinking overnight rail. Unlike traditional night trains, where passengers share compartments, it is developing trains that provide each traveller with a fully private space. The concept combines transportation and accommodation into a single overnight journey at a comparable price point, with departures from city centres in the evening and arrivals the following morning. Its approach is based on a modular, high-density cabin system integrated with standardised operations to maximise capacity and efficiency. This enables scalable deployment of private overnight rail without requiring new rolling stock. The model integrates operational reliability with a hospitality-focused experience inspired by boutique hotels. It is designed to serve both leisure and business travellers by reducing the need for additional hotel stays, minimising travel time, and improving overall comfort and predictability. Founded in 2025 by Thibault Constant, Janek Smalla, and Artur Hasselbach, Nox Mobility brings together experience in rail, mobility platforms, and technology startups. Night trains are one of Europe’s last big untapped mobility opportunities. The infrastructure already exists, and the market is waiting. Raising this round shows that investors believe in our approach to create a lovable product with a business model that works, said Artur Hasselbach, co-founder of Nox Mobility. With the new funding, Nox Mobility aims to advance product development and establish its position in the evolving European rail landscape, focusing on delivering a more consistent, private, and user-centred overnight travel experience.

Calibre, a London-based Healthtech company, launches out of stealth today to introduce a new category in proactive health: Causal Health Navigation.  Calibre combines clinical expertise with causal AI to help people understand what is actually driving their health and exactly how to change it. Until now, this level of personalised health intelligence has required a team of private specialists costing thousands of pounds a year. Calibre is available from £69 a month. Calibre has raised $3.3M in pre-seed funding to date, led by Berlin-based Amino Collective, alongside Daybreak Ventures, Cocoa Ventures and a group of experienced founders, operators and medical experts. Prominent angels include Gousto founder Timo Boldt and N26 co-founder Maximilian Tayenthal.  Despite rising life expectancy, people in the UK now spend around 25 per cent of their lives in poor health. 74 per cent of UK adults believe that establishing good health habits is key to preventing future illness, yet 37 per cent still find it difficult to know what their body actually needs, and are left guessing.  Calibre’s approach identifies the underlying drivers of people’s health by connecting medical history, daily behaviours and environmental context with the right diagnostic tests.  By combining a clinician-led approach with causal AI, Calibre provides members with a complete, evolving picture of their health and a personalised plan to improve their daily energy and take action on long-term health risks.  It removes the need for guesswork, delivering a level of insight previously limited to elite athletes and the wealthy.  All clinical care is currently delivered by Calibre’s partner DocTap, a CQC-registered provider. Calibre has submitted its own CQC application, reflecting its commitment to delivering care to the highest clinical standards. Calibre was founded by Alexander Weber, Founder and CEO, who spent the past decade building and scaling high-impact consumer companies. He joined N26 as one of its earliest team members, later becoming Chief Growth Officer as the business scaled beyond €200 million in revenue.  Ben Levy, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, brings over 20 years of software engineering experience. He previously built and scaled Healthtech companies such as Elvie and Manual beyond €100 million in revenue, and Dr  Reinhold Innerhofer, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, who is a medical doctor and sports scientist who has worked with Olympic medallists, world champions and hundreds of ordinary people to improve their health. According to Alex Weber, Co-founder and CEO of Calibre, the last few years have seen a generational shift in how people think about health — from health being the absence of sickness to it being the foundation to live life fully.  “Left alone by the system, people are now in the era of health guesswork. Calibre is what comes next: a proactive health partner for life that deeply understands your full picture, tells you what's actually driving your health, and guides you as your health evolves. Our vision is a world where everyone has the health to realise their potential.” Manuel Grossmann, General Partner at Amino Collective, commented. “Consumer health has been full of tools that track everything and change nothing. Calibre is changing health outcomes by understanding what's actually driving them, and helping you to take action." Timo Boldt, Founder and CEO at Gousto, commented:  “I built Gousto on the belief that food is medicine. But food is only a part of the picture, and the UK's health crisis makes that clear as people are spending decades of their lives in poor health. What's missing is the full picture and the personalised insight to act on it. That’s where Calibre comes in.”  Calibre has opened its waitlist ahead of its initial rollout: 

QMatter, a quantum technology startup, has raised $1.2 million in pre-seed funding, led by 55 North, with participation from XTX Ventures, Bellstate Oy, and the Conception X Angel Syndicate. Simulating quantum mechanics remains highly computationally demanding, with both classical and current quantum systems unable to address the most complex problems in areas such as drug discovery and materials science. While quantum computing is theoretically well-suited to these simulations, practical limitations, including constrained qubit counts, noise, and system instability, continue to restrict scalability and prevent many commercially relevant applications. QMatter addresses these challenges through its quantum compression technology, which reduces the size of complex problems before they are processed by quantum or classical systems. This approach is designed to extend the capabilities of existing and next-generation hardware while also improving the performance of classical algorithms across different computing environments, from local systems to large-scale supercomputers. QMatter compresses complex quantum problems to their essential core, ensuring solutions remain both accurate and useful. By doing so, we unlock greater performance from today's quantum hardware while broadening the problem landscape for future error-corrected machines, said Alexis Ralli, co-founder and CEO of QMatter. The company is initially focused on the life sciences sector, working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to improve simulation capabilities and accelerate research and development. In parallel, QMatter is building high-quality, physics-informed data libraries that can support the training of advanced machine learning models. With the new funding, QMatter aims to expand its platform and enable more scalable and efficient simulation of complex quantum systems, supporting advances in both scientific research and industrial applications.

Realm has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to accelerate enterprise sales cycles. The round was led by Frontline Ventures, with participation from HubSpot Ventures, Cal Henderson, and Alex Bouaziz. Revenue teams continue to rely on fragmented systems and unstructured data, making it difficult to efficiently produce critical materials such as RFP responses, security questionnaires, and business cases. Unlike software development, where structured codebases provide context for AI tools, revenue workflows often require assembling information from multiple disconnected sources. Realm addresses this challenge by transforming raw business data into a structured representation of a company’s market, products, pipeline, and strategy, enabling AI agents to generate and support deal-critical materials and automate tasks that traditionally require significant manual effort. According to Mikko Mäntylä, CEO of Realm, tools such as Cursor and Claude Code have transformed how developers work, with many now managing multiple AI agents simultaneously. He noted that leading revenue teams are beginning to apply similar approaches by automating tasks like RFP responses and security questionnaires. The platform integrates with Slack, CRM systems, and AI assistants, allowing teams to apply structured context and automation within their existing workflows. As usage grows, outputs and edits are incorporated back into the system, creating a continuously improving knowledge base that can be reused across the organisation. As Mäntylä explained, customers use Realm to produce essential deliverables, from large bids to business cases that influence important decisions. Typically, 70–80% of Realm’s work is approved as-is. Any edits feed back into Realm’s context, creating a compounding record that everyone in the organisation benefits from. With the new funding, Realm plans to scale its operations, expand its team, and further develop its platform to support AI-driven revenue processes.

Linexa, a Munich-based startup, has raised €2 million in pre-seed funding, led by Project A, with participation from angel investors including Thomas Böck, Bastian Nominacher, and Christian Schlögel. Founded in late 2025, Linexa is developing a platform that decodes legacy industrial automation systems across vendors, enabling AI-driven monitoring and optimisation of production lines. By making complex systems more transparent and adaptable, the company supports manufacturers in modernising operations and improving resilience. European manufacturing is facing increasing pressure, with major industrial companies announcing significant job cuts while highly automated production models continue to advance globally. At the same time, many factories still rely on complex control systems built over decades, often combining technologies from multiple vendors. This fragmentation limits visibility into production processes and makes system changes difficult, as even small adjustments can risk costly downtime. Linexa addresses these challenges by providing manufacturers with a comprehensive view of their production systems and enabling autonomous optimisation through AI. Unlike many existing solutions that focus on business processes or sensor data, the company operates directly at the level of machine control systems, translating operational logic into a unified data model. In practice, this approach allows manufacturers to better understand and adapt their production environments. For example, when switching a filling line from one product to another, the system can analyse control logic, identify potential risks before they cause disruptions, and reduce changeover times. Every production site that closes in Germany and Europe, every hidden champion acquired by foreign investors, weakens our economic strength and with it Europe's independence. A strong manufacturing industry is the foundation of our prosperity. Linexa gives manufacturers control over their own operations again and strengthens their competitiveness, said Viktor Stryczek, co-founder and co-CEO. With the new funding, Linexa plans to further develop its technology and support manufacturers in navigating an increasingly competitive global landscape.

ATMOS Space Cargo, a European company developing orbital transport and re-entry vehicles, has closed a €25.7 million Series A financing round.  The funding will support an initial three-vehicle PHOENIX 2 fleet, the launch of ATMOS WORKS for governmental and defence customers, and the development of PHOENIX 3, the company’s next-generation orbital return vehicle.  PHOENIX 2 is a free-flying spacecraft equipped with integrated propulsion and power systems, capable of mission durations from hours to several months in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The vehicle performs autonomous de-orbit, controlled atmospheric re-entry using ATMOS’s Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerator (IAD) technology, which serves as both a heat shield and an aerodynamic brake. Its non-ablative design minimises material loss and environmental impact while maximising payload-to-mass efficiency and re-entry precision for rapid payload recovery.    Three PHOENIX 2 orbital transfer and return vehicles (OTRVs) will be constructed and operated as a phased operational mission campaign, servicing institutional and commercial clients across a range of payload and mission profiles. In doing so, it begins to turn orbital return into a repeatable European service rather than a one-off demonstration.  Initial recovery operations are being prepared near Santa Maria in the Azores, under Portugal’s ANACOM-09/2026-AE licence, enabling commercial orbital re-entry operations under a continental European Union member state’s jurisdiction.  ATMOS has also begun development of PHOENIX 3, a next-generation orbital transfer and re-entry vehicle designed for a payload capacity of approximately one metric tonne – roughly ten times that of the PHOENIX 2.  The launch of ATMOS WORKS: a dedicated entity for European governmental and defence institutions ATMOS Space Cargo is also launching ATMOS WORKS, a dedicated business focused on space logistics and operational capabilities for European governmental and defence customers. The PHOENIX platform’s dual-use architecture supports mission profiles including in-orbit demonstration and validation (IOD/IOV) , secure and sovereign return of sensitive hardware and data, and responsive time-critical operations.  The round is co-led by Balnord and Expansion, and joined by Keen Defence and Security. The European Innovation Council (EIC) participates through its Accelerator programme, which uses blended financing that combines grant and equity components.   Additional investors include OTB Ventures, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), APEX Ventures, Seraphim, Faber, E2MC, Kirch Ventures, Lennertz & Co., Mätch VC, MBG Baden-Württemberg, and Tech Horizons. According to Sebastian Klaus, CEO and co-founder, ATMOS Space Cargo the financing allows the company to move to regular operational service.  “A structured campaign of three vehicles establishes Europe’s first routine orbital return infrastructure.  PHOENIX 2 is the first step to build a scalable European return infrastructure that will demonstrate our ability to access, operate, and return materials, data, and hardware from orbit independently. With ATMOS WORKS and PHOENIX 3, we are building the full architecture – commercial, institutional, and defence-capable – in parallel.” Aleksander Dobrzyniecki, General Partner, Balnord, contends that ATMOS is building exactly the kind of dual-use capability Europe needs more of: sovereign access not only to orbit, but back from orbit.  “We believe ATMOS can become a crucial part of the logistics backbone of a real European space industrial base — one built on operational services, strategic autonomy, and the ability to serve commercial, institutional, and defence customers from the same platform.”  

The Tech.eu Summit London 2026 kicked off on April 21 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, bringing together founders, investors, and operators from across Europe. This year’s agenda is heavily shaped by artificial intelligence, alongside fintech, deeptech and climate tech, with a clear focus on execution and real-world impact. Here’s what happened on day one: Opening remarks: Arda Kutsal & Helen Walsh The event opened with remarks from Arda Kutsal and Helen Walsh, setting the tone for the day and welcoming attendees to the Tech.eu Summit London 2026. They highlighted the focus areas of this year’s event, pointing to a programme shaped around artificial intelligence, alongside fintech, deeptech and climate tech, and a strong emphasis on real-world applications and execution. The AI Platform Shift: Where Value Will (Actually) Be Created Cate Lawrence (Tech.eu), Payton Dobbs (Hoxton Ventures), and Wulfie Bain (OpenAI) discussed where value is actually accruing in the AI stack, focusing on how the balance is shifting from foundation models toward application layers and distribution. The opening fireside chat set the tone for the rest of the agenda, focusing on where value is actually accruing in the AI stack. As AI moves from hype to commercial reality, the discussion highlighted a shift away from foundation models toward the application layer, distribution, and execution. The gap between technical capability and real-world deployment emerged as one of the defining challenges for the industry. British Dynamism: UK AI Companies Solving Problems That Matter Cate Lawrence (Tech.eu), Daniele Simoneschi (Molecular Glue Labs), Ted Eltringham (Architect AI) and Tommy Stadlen (Giant Ventures) highlighted how a new generation of UK-based AI startups is focusing on solving concrete, high-impact problems across industries. The next panel zoomed in on the UK ecosystem, highlighting a new wave of AI startups focused on solving concrete, high-impact problems. Rather than building general-purpose tools, founders are increasingly leaning into domain expertise - a trend that positions the UK, and Europe more broadly, as strong players in specialised AI applications. Accelerating the Inevitable: Scaling Industrial Mobile Autonomy Rebecca Marsden (Oxa) brought the conversation into the physical world, focusing on industrial autonomy. Her talk underscored that AI is no longer confined to software environments. As it moves into real-world systems, scaling becomes a question of infrastructure, partnerships, and operational reliability - not just model performance. AI Beyond Software: Building Real-World Companies in the Age of Intelligence Ali Morrow (Clay Capital), Gustaf Hemberg (Scindo), and John Reynolds (Tech.eu) explored how companies can build defensible AI-driven businesses as the technology becomes increasingly commoditised. After the break, discussions shifted toward defensibility and execution. Speakers argued that “having AI” is no longer a moat. As capabilities become commoditised, competitive advantage is increasingly defined by data, distribution, and the ability to execute in real-world environments - especially in sectors like supply chains, production, and biology. He Said, She Said: In the Age of AI, Context Wins Doruk Mutlu (Evam) discussed how context is emerging as a key differentiator in AI systems. This shorter session focused on how context is becoming a key differentiator in AI systems. Rather than raw model power, the ability to interpret, structure, and apply context is emerging as a critical layer for building useful and reliable AI products. AI Is Rewriting Enterprise Software Cate Lawrence (Tech.eu), Firat Isbecer (Commencis), Gian Maria Gramondi (Shop Circle) and Sean Blanchfield (Jentic) examined how AI is transforming enterprise software and reshaping existing workflows. Enterprise software was another major theme of the day. Speakers highlighted that companies can no longer simply layer AI on top of existing workflows. Instead, AI is forcing a deeper rethinking of how enterprise systems are built - with compliance, integration, and reliability becoming central to long-term success. Why Now Is the Time to Build in Europe Chantelle Young (Tech Nation), Maren Bannon (January Ventures), Sarah Kunst (Cleo Capital) and Sedinam Simpson (The Tech Bros) discussed why Europe is becoming an increasingly attractive region for building technology companies. The conversation then turned to Europe’s positioning. Panelists pointed to a combination of talent, capital, and regulatory developments that are making Europe increasingly attractive for founders. There was also a growing narrative around operators returning from the US to build in Europe. AI & SaaS: How Deep Is Your Moat? Sean Duffy (CIBC Innovation Banking) explored how defensibility is evolving in the AI-driven SaaS landscape. This session tackled one of the most pressing questions in the AI era: defensibility. As access to models becomes standardised, traditional SaaS advantages are eroding. Speakers emphasised that sustainable differentiation is shifting toward proprietary data, embedded workflows, and strong distribution channels. How Early-Stage AI Startups Can Win Against the Giants Ali Servet Eyuboglu (AI Tech Builders), Burcu Agma (Connectmind AI), Maximilian Wilhelm (Left Lane) and Yana Abramova (Pretiosum Ventures) discussed how early-stage startups can compete with large incumbents in the AI space. Competition dynamics took centre stage here. Rather than competing on scale, early-stage startups are finding advantages in speed, focus, and verticalisation. Deep integration into specific workflows was highlighted as a key strategy to compete against larger players. Deep Applied AI in the Physical World Christian Hernandez Gallardo (2150), Dr Noah Miller (Carbon Re), Greg Lawton (Nodes & Links) and John Reynolds (Tech.eu) explored how AI is being embedded into industrial and real-world systems. In the afternoon, the focus moved decisively into deeptech. This panel explored how AI is being embedded into industrial systems, from manufacturing to infrastructure. Europe’s engineering depth and industrial base were repeatedly highlighted as structural advantages in this space. Why Europe Is the Hardest and Most Defensible Place to Build Fintech Laura Waldenstrom (Earlybird), Max Schertel (finmid), and Symmie Swil (Upvest) discussed the complexities and advantages of building fintech companies in Europe. Fintech discussions added another layer to the regional perspective. Speakers argued that while Europe’s fragmented regulatory landscape creates complexity, it also builds long-term defensibility for companies that manage to navigate it successfully. Financing the Future: How Climate and DeepTech Companies Are Built and Scaled Ali Morrow (Clay Capital), Devika Thapar (Wilbe), John Reynolds (Tech.eu) and Sanghamitra Karra (Morgan Stanley) discussed how climate and deeptech companies are financed and scaled. Investment themes became more prominent in the later sessions. The discussion focused on the realities of building deeptech and climate tech companies - including longer development cycles, higher capital requirements, and the importance of patient capital. The New AI Investment Playbook: From Societal Impact to DeepTech Cecilia Ma (Norrsken VC), Nadja Reischel (Cherry Ventures), Sam Nasrolahi (InMotion Ventures) and Tamara Djurickovic (Tech.eu) explored how AI investment strategies are evolving. Investors discussed how AI investment strategies are evolving beyond productivity gains. There is a growing focus on societal impact, infrastructure, and deeptech opportunities - reflecting a shift toward longer-term value creation. Building Europe’s Next DeepTech Champions: From Capital to Real-World Deployment Crijn Bouman (Rocsys), David Ordonez (NATO Innovation Fund), Simone Lavizzari (Join Capital) and Tamara Djurickovic (Tech.eu) discussed how deeptech companies can scale from early-stage innovation to real-world deployment. This session explored what it takes to scale deeptech companies in Europe. Speakers pointed to the need for stronger alignment between research, capital, and commercialisation - as well as the importance of supporting companies beyond the early stages. Can Europe Win the AI Race? Policy, Capital and the Rules of Scale Iwona Biernat (EU-Inc), Kamil Mieczakowski (Notion Capital), Patrick Newton (Form Ventures) and Tamara Djurickovic (Tech.eu) discussed Europe’s position in the global AI race and the factors that will shape its competitiveness. The final panel brought the conversation back to the big picture. Discussions centred on whether Europe can compete globally in AI, and how regulation, capital, and market structure will shape that outcome. While challenges remain, there was a clear sense that Europe could build a distinct and defensible position - particularly in regulated and industrial sectors. The first day highlighted a strong focus on real-world AI applications and execution. The summit continues on day two. See you tomorrow! Partners Pavilion Partner Gold Partners   Silver Partners   Supporting Partner Community Partners           

Surgical tech company Alesi Surgical has raised £7 million in a funding round led by IW Capital and supported by existing shareholders, IP Group and Mercia Ventures to tackle the problem of surgical smoke in operating theatres . Surgical smoke is produced in around 90 of procedures, of which there are an estimated 266 million each year. The smoke impairs surgeons’ visibility and exposes healthcare staff and patients to harmful aerosols and particulates. Although 95 per cent of surgical smoke is water, the remaining 5 per cent can contain viable viruses, bacteria and chemicals. This presents both a short-term infection risk and long-term toxicity hazard for operating theatre staff.   Historically, adoption of smoke management solutions has been limited by cumbersome extraction systems that interrupt surgical workflow. But growing regulatory momentum – led by the US, where 20 states have now passed regulations- is driving a shift towards smoke-free operating theatres becoming the standard of care.   Alesi’s proprietary Ultravision platform technology provides an innovative alternative to existing products. It uses electrostatic precipitation to actively remove smoke as it is generated rather than relying on suction and mechanical filtration. The first-generation Ultravision System has already been used in over 50,000 “keyhole” laparoscopic and robotic procedures in Europe, the US and Japan, and independent industry studies have shown that in laparoscopic surgery, smoke is removed from the atmosphere up to 225-times faster than competing technologies.   There are also a multitude of benefits for patients. The technology reduces strain on the body by enabling surgeons to operate at lower abdominal pressure during laparoscopic and robotic procedures, reducing CO₂ usage by up to 82 per cent while maintaining a clear surgical field. This approach is associated with reduced surgical time, improved patient outcomes and recovery, and a lower cost per procedure than other available advanced technologies.   In addition to keyhole procedures, its recently regulatory-cleared next-generation Ultravision2 System can also be used in open surgery procedures where current solutions have proven unpopular, described by surgeons as inefficient, bulky, awkward, cumbersome, and noisy. The Ultravision2 System also offers users the ability to use Alesi’s own surgical tools, which combine advanced smoke management with tissue dissection functionality.    The funding will support international commercial expansion and further development of Alesi’s Ultravision2 platform as regulations around smoke control tighten.    According to Dr Dominic Griffiths, Founder and CEO of Alesi Surgical, electrosurgical tools have transformed modern surgery, but also generate surgical smoke that affects the quality and efficiency of surgery and poses risks to operating theatre staff: “For years, available solutions have required trade-offs between effectiveness and workflow disruption, slowing adoption across the industry. As awareness grows that smoke management is integral to surgical safety and efficiency, solutions that tackle smoke at its source, such as Ultravision2 which is FDA-approved and CE-marked, are becoming increasingly important for supporting the next generation of minimally invasive and robotic procedures.”   Isobel Egemole, Investment Director at IW Capital, says:  “Alesi Surgical offers a fundamentally different approach to smoke management that addresses the problem at its source. As the industry moves toward smoke-free operating theatres becoming the norm, Ultravision2 is well positioned to play a key role.”  

Bubble Robotics has secured a $5 million pre-seed funding round, led by Episode1 Ventures, Asterion Ventures, and Norrsken Evolve, following its launch out of Entrepreneurs First. The ocean plays a central role in global energy systems, trade, data infrastructure, and climate resilience. However, offshore operations have seen limited innovation, even as the industry faces increasing demand and a projected workforce shortage of hundreds of thousands of professionals in the coming years. Bubble Robotics is building what it describes as an autonomous offshore workforce. Instead of episodic, vessel-based missions, the company deploys resident robotic systems capable of operating continuously, enabling persistent inspection, monitoring, and data collection. Founded in 2025 by former robotics engineers from NASA and ETH Zürich, Bubble Robotics is developing a fleet of intelligent robotic systems designed to operate continuously at sea for extended periods without human intervention. The company’s approach addresses longstanding inefficiencies in offshore operations, which still rely heavily on vessels, crews, and equipment that can cost up to $100,000 per day. Jean Crosetti, CEO and co-founder of Bubble Robotics, said that vessels and crews account for roughly 80 to 90 per cent of offshore inspection costs. By removing that dependency, we unlock a step change in cost, safety, and operational frequency. What used to be episodic becomes continuous. Recent advances in robotics, edge AI, and satellite connectivity now enable autonomous systems to operate at sea with minimal human oversight. Bubble Robotics applies these technologies across offshore operations, including infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, and maritime security. The company operates under a robotics-as-a-service model, allowing operators to reduce costs, address workforce shortages, and increase inspection frequency without upfront capital investment. Inspired by satellite constellations, Bubble Robotics is building a distributed network of autonomous systems to collect high-frequency underwater data and support more efficient ocean management. The newly raised funding will support the company’s continued technology development and initial deployments, as it works to establish a new model for autonomous offshore operations.

Italy’s venture capital ecosystem is accelerating, with $1.7 billion raised in 2025 and a further $249 million deployed in Q1 2026, according to new Dealroom data released by tech conference Wave by Vento. The 2025 total marks Italy’s second strongest year on record, while Q1 2026 significantly outpaces previous years, up from $109 million in Q1 2024 and $174 million in Q1 2023. While below the exceptionally strong Q1 2025 ($297 million), these figures point to a steadily rising baseline and a more consistent investment environment. Italy’s growing tech ecosystem is translating into real economic impact. The enterprise value of the country’s tech companies has more than doubled since 2022, reaching $65 billion, while the sector now employs nearly 130,000 people. Italy is also home to 17 unicorns valued at $44.6 billion, including two new unicorns revealed in 2025: Prima and Namirial. Activity in early 2026 also highlights the diversity and ambition of Italian tech. Recent rounds include: D Orbit’s $62 million Series D in space logistics, Subbyx’s $35 million Series A in consumer platforms, and Dronus’ $17 million early-stage investment to elevate its drone technology. Meanwhile, Niulinx, a spinout from the Polytechnic University of Milan, raised $38 million in seed funding, Europe’s largest ever seed round for autonomous driving.  Meanwhile, Italy’s AI ecosystem continues to deepen. AI investment reached $414 million in 2025, with Q4 alone delivering $227 million, one of the strongest quarters on record. The enterprise value of AI companies in Italy has grown from $4.3 billion in 2022 to $8.6 billion in 2026, and they employ 16,000 people. Diyala D’Aveni, CEO of Vento, said: “Italy is proving that consistent growth matters. We are seeing a stronger baseline year after year, with more capital, more ambitious founders and more companies reaching scale. The ecosystem may still be smaller than others in Europe, but it is becoming more resilient and more internationally relevant. With Wave by Vento, we are bringing global capital and talent into that momentum, helping Italian founders build companies that can compete at a global level.” Yoram Wijngaarde, Founder of Dealroom, said: “The data shows a clear upward trend in Italy. 2025 was one of its strongest years on record, with $1.7 billion invested and a record final quarter, highlighting growing momentum. While still smaller than Europe’s largest markets, Italy is becoming more established and increasingly competitive within the European ecosystem.” Lead image: Freepik.

Smart Robotics, an embodied AI company focused on intralogistics automation, has closed a €10 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Rotterdamse Havendraken, with participation from Innovation Industries and the Dutch family office Ernij Next. The funding will be used to accelerate the company’s European expansion across product categories and to further develop its AI-driven control layer. For more than a decade, Smart Robotics has developed AI-powered pick-and-place solutions for intralogistics. Its full-stack robotics platform is built around a proprietary AI control layer that enables systems to handle high SKU variability and operational complexity with precision, speed, and a consistently low failure rate. By combining AI software, robotics hardware, and integrated services, the company aims to advance the next phase of warehouse automation. According to Heico Sandee, the company’s strength comes from combining proprietary AI software, extensive deployment experience, and a multidisciplinary team across AI, robotics, and logistics. What truly sets us apart is the scale of real-world data we have accumulated, enabling us to continuously improve our AI and outperform traditional automation systems. This puts us in a strong position to help shape the next wave of automation in logistics. While manufacturing automation has reached higher levels of maturity, logistics automation remains relatively underpenetrated, even as demand continues to grow. The expansion of e-commerce, rising operational requirements, and ongoing labour shortages are driving increased adoption of automated solutions, particularly in robotic pick-and-place applications. With this funding, Smart Robotics aims to strengthen its position in the evolving automation landscape and continue scaling its AI-driven solutions across European markets.

Quantum chip testing company Orange Quantum Systems (OrangeQS) has announced the second closing of its seed round, extending its funding to €15 million. This follows the first closing in summer 2025, at €12 million.  The additional funds come from the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Fund, which supports European deep tech innovation through venture capital. To coincide with the funding, EIC Fund investor Zeina Chebli is joining the OrangeQS board. The new funding news comes as OrangeQS announces a significant new program to enhance the OrangeQS MAX product line and accelerate quantum chip testing across the industry. Quantum computing is a rapidly developing field. As the chips that underpin many of these advances become more complex, a significant challenge has emerged: the need for scalable, precise, and cost-effective quantum chip testing. The new OrangeQS MAX Partnership Program aligns the company’s exponential development roadmap with key quantum chip manufacturers. The first companies to join the program are Rigetti Computing, QuantWare, and Peak Quantum .  The program will see each partner company work independently with OrangeQS to influence specific parts of the OrangeQS MAX technology and product roadmaps, depending on their needs and level of commitment. This allows them to keep their IP protected, while ensuring the next generation of test solutions supports their quantum chip architectures and production processes. The program will ensure that the OrangeQS MAX quantum chip testing system remains future-proof and fit-for-purpose. Future upgrades will allow for faster cryogenic quantum chip testing, aligned with the roadmaps of major quantum chip manufacturers. The OrangeQS MAX Partnership Program will initially focus on developments in parallel and non-destructive testing technologies. OrangeQS has published a new white paper that proposes a visionary framework on utility‑grade quantum chip testing as a key enabler in future ‘dark quantum foundries’, indicating the company’s future direction. Garrelt Alberts, executive director of OrangeQS, said: “OrangeQS MAX already sets new industry benchmarks for high‑volume, automated quantum chip testing. With our new Partnership Program and support of EIC Fund, we are set to consolidate our leading position in one of the most challenging parts of the quantum computing sector as it scales towards commercial production.” Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the EIC Fund Board, said: “This investment reflects the EIC Fund’s commitment to backing Europe’s most ambitious deep tech innovators. By advancing quantum chip performance validation, OrangeQS is addressing a key bottleneck in scaling quantum technologies.”   The new funding will be used to accelerate development of key technologies to further enhance the OrangeQS MAX product line, a turn-key, automated, and fast quantum chip testing system. Lead image: Orange QS (Gaby Jongenelen Fotografie).

A focus on metabolic health — how the body produces, uses, and stores energy — is not merely a trend. Although 80 per cent of all women will be affected by a chronic illness at some point in their lives, the medical system continues to treat symptoms rather than addressing underlying metabolic causes early on. Women are systematically underrepresented in clinical studies; hormonal fluctuations across the entire lifecycle – from the menstrual cycle through pregnancy to menopause – are barely accounted for in existing healthcare models. And for most women, personalised prevention simply does not exist. Austrian startup Hello Inside aims to change that. The company is positioning CGM (continuous glucose monitoring)-based metabolic tracking as a tool for women’s health, addressing areas such as PMS, menopause, energy levels, cravings, and symptom awareness. It delivers this through personalised, sex- and gender-sensitive recommendations. Its programme is now available free of charge to members of BARMER, one of Germany’s largest statutory health insurers, which covers more than 9 million people. I spoke to co-founders Mario Aichlseder, CEO, and Jürgen Furian, COO, to learn all about it. ​ The challenge of reach vs impact For Aichlseder, that gap between reach and impact is personal. Aichlseder was a professional athlete in his youth, competing as a rock climber at the European and World Championships. He was an early employee at Runtastic, where, as VP Growth, he helped scale the organisation to 140 million registered users, and then sold the company to Adidas in 2015 for €220 million. He stayed on for another four years through the corporate integration, getting to know corporate life. And during that time, he revealed, one thing became very clear: “We had a fantastic product and fantastic reach, but reach does not necessarily mean impact. In other words, we helped healthy people stay healthy in a fun way, but it translated into a 1 per cent day-30 retention rate. “ At that point, he was working very closely with the Sports Performance Team at adidas to explore the next frontier in hardware beyond smart wearables and scales. They were looking into biomarkers, hormone monitoring, blood sampling, and glucose. And that’s when, according to Aichlseder, things shifted. Experiencing an instant feedback loop Two of Aichlseder’s three aunts live with diabetes, and his mother also died early from a chronic disease. That´s why preventative health became such an important topic in his life. He borrowed a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) from one of his aunts and put it to use. He recalled: “My brain went in a completely different direction, because it was the first time I got real-time insight into how my food, movement, stress, and sleep were immediately visible and gave me an instant feedback loop.” Aichlseder admits, “We tried building this before, back at Adidas and Runtastic, with a group of health experts. We had all the resources. But it is really hard to figure out human metabolism. There are so many complex patterns and interdependencies. We worked with static decision trees, protocols, diets, exercise regimens — trying to somehow create structure — but we really failed.”            So he decided to join forces with Jürgen Furian, founder of Pioneers and  Vinzenz Weber, founder of blockhaus medienagentur and CTO of Diagnosia, to solve it. Cracking the code with data intelligence Image: Hello Inside in action. Most metabolic or wearable platforms stop at data collection and visualisation: glucose curves, sleep scores, activity metrics. Hello Inside takes it a step further by building a system that interprets those signals in context and translates them into decisions. Aichlseder believes Hello Inside has cracked the code. Most companies use generative AI on large datasets. But in healthcare, recommendations must be auditable and traceable. So the company built its tech using a "Controlled-by-Design" principle: every recommendation is transparent, monitored, and aligned with established medical guidelines. Aichlseder explained: “We rank them according to current scientific standards and then pass those into the model. From there, we again reprioritise and apply quality assurance standards to the recommendations and insights.” This is necessary because much of the public health model's training data is of poor quality.  A 2025 report by Yale, Harvard, and John Hopkins-affiliated researchers reports an approximately 60 per cent failure rate across 13 LLMs on women's health questions.   Worse, these models often delivered incorrect answers with high confidence. The company has built what is likely the most comprehensive metabolic health dataset for women in Europe, including 66,000 symptom logs from 1,743 women, tracked continuously with glucose monitors over a 90-day period. The approach is holistic, combining glucose data with inputs on movement and sleep, and integrating with wearables such as Oura, Garmin, and others. Women come for weight loss, but report exhaustion An internal analysis by Hello Inside based on user-reported observational data suggests that engaged users of Hello Inside reported improvements in weight and several symptoms over 90 days. One of the most interesting insights from Hello Inside’s data is that the number one symptom women report isn't what anyone in the industry assumes. “Over the last six years, we kept hearing the same thing from women: 'I’ve been to multiple doctors, my lab results are normal, but I’m exhausted, I can’t lose weight, and no one can tell me why.” At first, it was just feedback. But when we analysed the data, we saw that the number-one symptom — by far — is a lack of energy. What’s interesting is that when users sign up, they rarely choose “increase energy.” They choose “lose weight.” So there’s a disconnect. People come for weight loss, but the underlying issue is exhaustion.” Hello Inside also observed unexpected correlations, such as improvements in skin health linked to glucose stability. And importantly, even as it scaled the data by doubling and quadrupling, the results remained consistent. Cycle syncing enters the evidence base Further, a recent IRB-approved clinical study led by FLO Living in collaboration with Mira, Hello Inside, and Citruslabs found that a “cycle syncing” approach that aligns nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle habits with the phases of the menstrual cycle was associated with significant reductions in PMS symptoms. In the three-month, single-group trial of 60 women aged 22 to 42, 92 per cent of participants reported a reduction in both the number and intensity of PMS symptoms within 60 days, with improvements emerging as early as the first month. And the company has achieved stickiness that few app developers could even dream of. According to Furian, “Our hypothesis was: if we can capture attention, we can change behaviour. With the CGMs, we see up to 19 app opens per day. Without them, around three per day.” That kind of frequency — closer to social media than healthcare —i s what enables behaviour change. Making the shift from D2C to statutory health Commercially, Hello Inside started with a D2C angle, which is no easy endeavour, but Aichlseder asserts, “thankfully we had enough operating experience, and from my eight-plus years in the space I knew how to keep a cool head, keep the focus, and keep momentum at a sustainable pace — without over-raising or going overboard on the investor side.” This enabled the company to be very diligent about building the foundation and then finding proof in the D2C space. With the data, the company realised it needed to shift into a B2B2C business model. And it started with statutory health insurance. According to Aichlseder, the company went after the people who could see the potential — rather than trying to convince those who just weren’t receptive. “ The D2C proof was beneficial because it removed the risk factor for statutory insurers around whether end users would actually like the product.  Most companies trying to enter insurance build only for the payer and completely ignore the consumer. If someone asked me what the biggest challenge in this business is, it’s that we are trying to do the impossible: build for the payer and the consumer at the same time. That’s the real stretch. Second, outcomes matter. You have to show and prove that whatever you offer has measurable health outcomes, and that it helps the statutory insurer understand, measure, and adapt.” Further, while Germany and Austria both say they prioritise prevention, in practice, incentives remain relatively modest, fragmented, and often behaviour-based rather than outcomes-driven. That creates an interesting gap for companies like Hello Inside. Currently in Germany, many incentivised health insurance programs, such as gym attendance and health checkups, focus on attendance rather than outcomes as a measure of success. However, a suite of free, doctor-prescribed, health-condition-specific apps, such as those from HelloBetter, has paved the way for inclusion as a competitive advantage for startups targeting health insurers. BARMER has now launched a ZPP-certified metabolic prevention program and a 21-day blood sugar challenge on Hello Inside’s platform, closing a critical gap in women's healthcare. This represents one of the first large-scale integrations of AI-powered metabolic prevention into statutory health insurance in Germany. Building the next layer of metabolic insight From here, Hello Inside wants to create better selection and higher-resolution content and courses for specific areas — whether that’s energy, pregnancy, menopause, or gestational diabetes. As its intelligence layer is already built to scale, Aichlseder predicts that its biomarker tracking will expand soon: “Lactate is something he sees coming fairly soon, but the one he’s most excited about, and which is probably one and a half to two years out, is cortisol.” Furian asserts: “Metabolic health has gone from unknown to central. In 10 years, we’ll look back and realise how little we understood.”

Polish startup Zynt, which develops a signal intelligence platform for B2B sales, has closed a $500,000 pre-seed funding round. The company was founded by Cezary Raszel and Wojciech Ozimek and backed by Poland-based fund 24Ventures alongside a group of angel investors. Zynt’s platform is designed to address a shift in B2B sales dynamics. While modern sales tools have made it easier to reach large numbers of potential customers, the increasing use of automated and AI-generated communication has contributed to higher inbox volumes and reduced effectiveness of outbound efforts. Zynt focuses on identifying the timing and context behind purchasing decisions rather than simply expanding contact lists. Our platform rethinks how sales teams approach outreach. Instead of asking only ‘who to contact,’ we focus on ‘when and why now.’ This lets companies move away from random, high-volume blasting and concentrate on leads that are genuinely close to a buying decision, said Cezary Raszel, CEO of Zynt. The platform aggregates and analyses data from sources including news, social media, job postings, press releases, and product launches. This data is processed through a multi-stage ELT pipeline using machine learning and natural language processing to identify relevant buying signals. It provides users with contextual insights into prospects, including an assessment of whether the timing for engagement is appropriate. Zynt operates in a growing market for sales automation and intelligence tools, where increasing pressure on sales teams is driving demand for more effective, data-driven approaches. While many solutions continue to prioritise scale, Zynt focuses on the gap in understanding timing and intent. The funding will be used to advance the platform, including enterprise readiness, deeper CRM integration, and enhanced signal detection capabilities. The company is also developing an event intelligence feature to help customers track industry events and identify potential engagement opportunities.

VisioLab, a provider of AI-powered visual self-checkout solutions for food service, has closed an $11 million Series A financing round. The round was co-led by eCAPITAL Entrepreneurial Partners and Simon Capital, with continued participation from existing investors High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), zwei.7, and Heartfelt (formerly APX). Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Osnabrück, Germany, with a U.S. office in Boston, VisioLab develops iPad-based checkout systems that use computer vision and edge AI to recognise both packaged and unpackaged food items at the point of sale. This enables integrated checkout and payment without barcode scanning or the need for venue infrastructure modifications. The system is deployed across sectors, including corporate dining, higher education, sports and entertainment, and travel and leisure. According to operator-reported data, the solution can reduce average transaction times by up to 70 per cent and can be set up by existing staff in approximately 10 minutes. Alongside the funding, VisioLab is launching an integrated checkout-to-payment platform that combines item recognition, point-of-sale software, and payment processing in one system, eliminating the need for separate payment terminals and reducing complexity and costs. The company is also introducing a B2B e-commerce channel, enabling operators to configure and order systems online, simplifying procurement for multi-site deployments. The new funding will support VisioLab’s next phase of international expansion, building on recent deployments such as stadium-wide rollouts at the Orlando Magic’s Kia Center and Inter Miami CF’s Nu Stadium, as well as an ongoing rollout with Live Nation Entertainment.

Rivan, a company developing synthetic fuel to strengthen Europe’s energy security, has raised $34 million in funding led by IQ Capital.  Previous investor Plural participated, with new investor Fundomo and angels, including: Thomas Wolf (Hugging Face), Matt Clifford (Entrepreneur First), and Markus Villig (Bolt). This brings the company’s total raised to $46 million.   Natural gas remains essential to Europe’s economy, from powering heavy industry to generating electricity and heating millions of homes. Yet the UK and Europe remain heavily dependent on imported fuel: 42 per cent for the UK and 85 per cent for Europe. This leaves the region exposed to supply shocks and increasing global competition for liquefied natural gas.  Energy prices surged following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and remain highly sensitive to disruption. The recent war in Iran and threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have caused oil and gas prices to climb roughly 55–60 per cent on average since February, driving volatility and underscoring the continued risks of relying on foreign fuel supplies.  Rivan was founded to address this challenge by producing synthetic fuels for industries that cannot be electrified. Its technology enables the domestic production of synthetic fuels in Europe at country-scale and at fossil-fuel prices.  Founded in 2024 by serial entrepreneur Harvey Hodd, Rivan has assembled an elite team of 30+ electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineers working from its HQ in London and is now hiring for further roles to accelerate its timelines. This team has enabled the company to vertically integrate the entire synthetic fuel production at scale, demonstrated by a 1MW plant in Wiltshire, currently the largest of its kind in the UK.  Since its Seed round last year, the company has moved from pilot-scale systems to a fully operational plant, having tripled its customer contracts, reflecting the growing demand for domestically produced fuel. The company’s technology vertically integrates every step of producing SNG, from renewable energy, all the way through to gas grid injection. Rivan’s system uses solar energy to produce green hydrogen from electrolysis, captures CO2 from the air via direct air capture (DAC) and converts both into carbon-neutral natural gas via a reactor. The resulting SNG is chemically identical to natural gas and can be injected directly into existing pipelines and storage infrastructure, allowing the system to scale using existing infrastructure, without requiring the major structural changes needed by alternatives, such as hydrogen. Rivan designs and manufactures its systems in-house in the UK, allowing it to optimise performance, reduce costs and scale deployment more quickly. This integrated approach underpins the commercial viability of its systems today, with synthetic fuels expected to reach cost parity with fossil gas as the platform scales.  Scaling domestic fuel production The new funding will support the deployment of Europe’s largest synthetic natural gas (SNG) plant, the opening of a new 50,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in London and more than double the team to 100 people.  In addition, the company has partnered with Wales & West Utilities to deliver the UK’s first grid-connected commercial SNG project. Multiple larger gigawatt (GW) sites are now being developed.  By building a new generation of domestic energy infrastructure, Rivan aims to produce more than one billion cubic metres of synthetic natural gas annually within the next decade, representing almost 20 per cent of the UK’s industrial gas demand today, whilst also removing millions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.  According to Harvey Hodd, founder and CEO at Rivan, the company was founded to create a large-scale domestic supply of synthetic fuels, removing the price, supply and emissions risk crippling Europe today.  “Natural Gas will remain an essential part of the energy system, especially for heavy industry, but how it is produced needs to change. By vertically integrating the entire process and manufacturing entirely in-house, we can enable domestic production of synthetic fuels at a scale and price that can make a dent in Europe’s energy security plan.“ Jonno Evans, Partner at IQ Capital, said: “What Harvey and the team have achieved in the past two years is extraordinary. Rivan is proving that it is possible to create cost-competitive synthetic natural gas at scale. It is clear that Europe requires more resilient, secure, and clean energy supplies and Rivan’s technology is a critical component in delivering that. We look forward to supporting Harvey and the Rivan team to become the next energy major in Europe.” Taavet Hinrikus, partner at Plural, said: “Producing synthetic fuel has historically been constrained by cost, complexity and scale. Rivan has made rapid progress in addressing each of these, moving from first principles through to a functioning system with early commercial validation. That combination of scientific progress, engineering execution and early traction is rare, and puts Harvey and the team in a strong position to build a new category of domestic energy production.” Lead image: Rivan founder and CEO Harvey Hodd.