Hello there,

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 🌍

If you haven't subscribed yet, now's the perfect time. Don't miss the opportunity to supercharge your understanding and stay ahead in this dynamic world.

Let's delve into the core sections of our weekly newsletter:

• 📰 Important News

• 💸 Top Funding Rounds

• 💰️ Notable Exits

• 🏦 About Investors

• 📈 Deep Dive Bites

• 🤝 Diversity Spotlight

• 🚀 Startup of the Week

• 💼 Investor of the Week

• 🤑 Opportunity Radar

📰 Important News

• Revolut's valuation has surged to $45 billion after a secondary share sale, involving investors like Coatue, D1 Capital Partners, and Tiger Global, highlighting its status as Europe's top fintech.

• Voice AI Unicorn ElevenLabs has set up its European headquarters in London, driven by the city's tech ecosystem and its founders' ties to the UK.

• Elon Musk has clashed with the EU over the Digital Services Act, using memes to dismiss criticism and facing potential fines or operational restrictions if X does not address the issues raised by the EU.

• Adyen’s co-CEO, Ingo Uytdehaage, confirmed that the company will continue its organic growth strategy and avoid M&A, citing the challenges and risks of consolidation despite falling fintech valuations.

• Klarna is expanding into banking with new savings and cashback features in the U.S. and Europe, with plans for further product developments.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Berlin-based Caresyntax raised $180 million comprising $80 million in equity and $100 million in debt to accelerate US and EMEA expansion, AI development, and potential M&A.

• Sling Money, an Amsterdam-based app for instant global money transfers, raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Union Square Ventures, Ribbit Capital, and Slow Ventures.

• London-based Hexarad raised €13 million ($14.43M) in funding led by Swiss-based growth equity firm MTIP to enhance its teleradiology technology and expand its international presence.

• Lisbon-based FRVR raised $12.7 million in funding led by Iberis Capital to enhance its AI-powered game creation platform, aiming to revolutionize game development and distribution.

• Gaussion, a UCL spinout, raised $12 million in Series A funding led by Autotech Ventures to advance its magnetic-enhanced battery charging technology.

💰️ Notable Exits

• EQT Private Equity, involving QT X and EQT Future funds, is acquiring a majority stake in AMCS, a leading provider of AI-enabled software for waste management and recycling.

• Lumivero has acquired Risk Decisions, enhancing its risk management solutions by integrating Risk Decisions' Predict! suite.

• Korbyt has acquired NFS Technology to integrate its advanced room booking and space management solutions into Korbyt’s digital signage and workplace communication platform.

• STS Digital has acquired Swiss digital asset market maker flovtec to enhance its market-making services, integrate advanced trading technologies, and expand its European presence.

• Helpware acquired Unicsoft to boost its IT and digital transformation capabilities, integrating Unicsoft's expertise in AI, blockchain, and software development.

🏦 About Investors

• Balderton Capital raised $1.3 billion, split between a $615 million Early Stage Fund IX and a $685 million Growth Fund II, to support European tech startups from seed to IPO.

• Danish VC Nine Realms raised €50 million ($55.15M) from the European Investment Fund for its new fund focused on early-stage supply chain technology, emphasizing climate and environmental impact.

📈 Deep Dive Bites

Discover Finland's dynamic venture capital landscape, where top firms are driving innovation and nurturing the next wave of successful startups. From technology to sustainability, these VCs provide crucial capital, strategic guidance, and industry connections. Want to know which firms are leading the charge? Check out the full article to explore how these key players are shaping Finland’s global reputation in tech and innovation.

🤝 Diversity Spotlight

Explore the transformative impact of female VC partners leading the charge in Spain's investment landscape. These pioneering women are driving innovation across diverse sectors, from tech and healthcare to agribusiness and sustainability. Their leadership and expertise are shaping Spain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and setting new standards for venture capital. Delve into the full article to discover their inspiring backgrounds and the remarkable influence they wield in the industry.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Caresyntax

Caresyntax, a Berlin-based leader in AI-driven surgical data platforms, has secured $180 million in a Series C extension, which includes $80 million in equity and $100 million in debt. This funding round builds on the $130 million raised in two previous Series C rounds in 2021, bringing the company's total equity funding to $220 million. The company is planning to leverage the funds to grow in the US and EMEA markets, advance AI development, and support strategic mergers and acquisitions. Founded in 2013 by Dennis Kogan and Björn von Siemens, Caresyntax is renowned for its enterprise-grade surgical intelligence system that optimizes workflows and enhances patient outcomes, being utilized in over 3,000 operating rooms worldwide and supporting more than 3 million procedures annually.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Balderton

Balderton Capital, a leading venture capital firm based in London, has raised $1.3 billion in new funds to support European tech startups from seed to IPO. The funding is split between a $615 million Early Stage Fund IX and a $685 million Growth Fund II. Led by Bernard Liautaud, Balderton Capital has over two decades of experience specializing in early-stage investments across the technology sector. Originally established as Benchmark Capital Europe in 2000, the firm became independent in 2007 and is now one of the largest venture capital firms in Europe.

 🤑 Opportunity Radar

Y Combinator - F2024

Apply to the Y Combinator Fall 2024 Batch by August 27th, 2024, to accelerate your startup journey in San Francisco. Immerse yourself in a dynamic ecosystem with access to top-tier resources, weekly in-person meetups, and unparalleled networking opportunities. This program is tailored for ambitious founders ready to scale their startups, offering mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and connections with YC’s extensive investor network. Begin your application today and join a community of innovative founders starting in September 2024.