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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Europe, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌍

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📰 Important News

• The EU has unveiled an $866.7 billion plan to enhance its defense capabilities, with $162.5 billion in loans and private investment.

• Ultraleap has sold parts of its business and laid off over half its staff, following an underperformance even after raising $200 million.

• Wayve is expanding globally with a new testing hub in Germany to accelerate development and secure commercial deals.

• Mistral has launched a new multimodal OCR API that converts complex PDF documents into AI-ready Markdown files.

• Ryan Breslow has been reinstated as CEO of fintech company Bolt after a challenging few years, with unanimous board approval.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Swedish EcoDataCenter secured $487.5 million in funding to expand its sustainable data centre operations and drive the green transition.

• Quantexa has raised $175 million in Series F funding, reaching a $2.6 billion valuation and plans to expand in the US while seeking acquisitions.

• Amsterdam-based unicorn Mews raised $76.5 million in funding led by Tiger Global and Goldman Sachs to fuel its U.S. and DACH expansion.

• The Spanish government has co-invested $72.6 million in Multiverse Computing to advance AI compression technology.

• Lenkie, a London-based FinTech cashflow management platform, has secured $62 million in Series A funding to provide fast, flexible financing for SMEs.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Klarna plans to file for its $1 billion IPO this week targeting a $15 billion valuation on the NYSE, expanding beyond BNPL into banking products.

• IDnow has been acquired by Corsair Capital in a $295 million all-cash deal marking one of the biggest fintech exits in Germany in recent years.

• EcoMotion acquired Dutch e-moped brand Brekr after its bankruptcy, ensuring continuity in service and deliveries.

• Eventix merged with Weezevent to create Weeztix, expanding their European presence and enhancing event management services.

• T‑Mobile acquired Vistar Media and Blis to create a comprehensive, privacy-centric digital ad platform that delivers targeted consumer experiences.

🏦 About Investors

• Paris-based Sofinnova Partners raised $1.3 billion in the past year, surpassing $4.33 billion in AUM to support 50-60 new life sciences companies.

• Cottonwood Technology Fund announced the first close of its $27.08 million fourth fund to support early-stage B2B hardware startups.

• Araya Ventures, a solo GP fund led by Rupa Popat, has raised $23.54 million of its $25.9 million target for its first fund.

• The Hague-based Invest International launched a public-private fund to reduce the Netherlands' dependence on critical raw materials.

• Former London-listed VC firm Eurovestech has begun trading shares on the JP Jenkins platform, marking a move to raise capital outside public markets.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Quantexa

AI analytics startup Quantexa has raised $175 million in Series F funding, bringing its valuation to $2.6 billion. The round was led by Teachers’ Venture Growth, with participation from several other financial institutions, and will support the company's expansion in North America and potential acquisitions to enhance its fraud detection and data analytics services. Founded in 2016, Quantexa has grown rapidly, achieving Centaur status with over $100 million in annual recurring revenue, and expanding its global footprint with 16 offices and over 800 employees. The company is solidifying its position as a leader in AI-driven decision intelligence, focusing on innovation and strategic partnerships, particularly with Microsoft, and aims to drive AI adoption across industries like insurance, telecommunications, and the public sector.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Sofinnova Partners

Paris-based Sofinnova Partners, a leading European venture capital firm specializing in life sciences, has raised $1.3 billion over the past year, bringing its assets under management to over $4.33 billion. The firm, founded in 1972, plans to support 50 to 60 new companies tackling global health and sustainability challenges across the biotech, medtech, and digital medicine sectors. With over 80 professionals, including 25 investment partners with deep industry expertise, Sofinnova continues to build on its 50+ years of experience and strong track record in venture funding, actively partnering with entrepreneurs from seed to later-stage investments. The firm has offices in Paris, London, and Milan and a global presence in major innovation centers, driving transformative innovations with the potential to positively impact the future.

 🤑 Opportunity Radar

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