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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 sought startup feedback to ease AI Act compliance and costs under its AI Continent Action Plan.

• Mistral has secured a $114 million five-year deal with CMA CGM to develop AI models for logistics and media applications.

• Neko Health opened a London clinic capable of scanning 30,000 people annually as it expands its preventative healthtech services in the UK.

• Revolut was fined $3.99 million by the Bank of Lithuania for failing to detect money laundering on its app.

• Anthropic is planning to hire 100+ people across Europe, including London, Dublin, and Zurich, amid rising AI talent demand and Big Tech competition.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• German green energy startup Enpal raised $120.5 million in equity funding led by TPG to expand into new markets and launch an energy trading platform.

• Job&Talent completed a $101.3 million downround to fuel global growth and expand AI-driven recruitment and workforce management.

• French accounting platform Pennylane raised $82.2 million to capitalize on electronic invoicing opportunities ahead of mandatory rollout in 2026.

• Sipay closed a $78 million Series B round at an $875 million valuation to scale its digital wallets and embedded finance services across Turkey.

• Ÿnsect, a French insect protein startup, replaced its CEO and secured $11.40 million in bridge funding after entering insolvency.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Japan’s Zozo acquired UK luxury fashion platform Lyst for $154 million to expand globally, with Lyst set to operate independently.

• Scania has acquired Northvolt Systems’ Industrial Division gaining battery production, R&D capabilities, and 260 employees.

• DEUTZ acquired Dutch Urban Mobility Systems to boost its alternative drive systems and accelerate electrification in off-highway vehicles and machinery.

• Model ML acquired Flippr to enhance its platform with document AI agents and expand in the professional services market.

• Visma acquired Finmatics to expand its DACH presence and enhance AI-driven pre-accounting solutions.

🏦 About Investors

• Ex-Sequoia partner Matt Miller is raising a $300 million London-based fund to lead Series B and C rounds in European AI and B2B startups.

• Atempo Growth has secured $342.04 million for the first close of its second fund, Atempo Growth II, to support European tech companies.

• Berlin-based VC Revent closed a $114.01 million fund to back early-stage European startups in climate health and empowerment.

• Carbon Equity has closed its Climate Tech Portfolio Fund III at $119.71 million from 460 investors, focusing on innovative climate solutions.

• Dig Ventures, founded by Ross Mason, raised a $100 million fund to back AI cloud and SaaS startups across Europe offering capital plus hands-on support.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Enpal

German green energy startup Enpal, founded in 2017 by Mario Kohle, Viktor Wingert, and Jochen Ziervogel, has raised $120.5 million in equity funding led by TPG to expand into new markets and launch an energy trading platform. The company, recognized as Germany's first Greentech unicorn, offers integrated renewable energy solutions such as photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, battery storage, and its Enpal.One+ platform. Despite a valuation adjustment to $2.51 billion, Enpal continues to attract significant investment, with previous backers including TPG Rise Climate and Softbank, bringing its total funding to $787.67 million.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Atempo Growth

Atempo Growth, a pan-European venture debt platform founded in 2021 by Luca Colciago, Jack Diamond, and Matteo Avramov Giulivi, has secured $342 million for the first close of its second fund, Atempo Growth II, aiming for a final close of $438–548 million by early 2026. Backed by strategic partner Santander alongside investors like the European Investment Fund and British Business Investments, the fund will support high-growth European tech companies from Series A to Pre-IPO stages. Headquartered in London with operations in Italy, Atempo has grown rapidly, now managing over $767 million in assets and playing a key role in Europe’s expanding venture debt ecosystem.

 🤑 Opportunity Radar

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