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

• OpenAI is opening a subsidiary in Paris to commercialize and develop AI software expanding the company's European presence after opening offices in London and Dublin.

• Ekaterina Zaharieva has been nominated as the European Commission's first-ever commissioner for startups, overseeing research and innovation.

• Germany unveils the WIN initiative to mobilize €12 billion ($13.4B) for startups by 2030, leveraging public and private capital to boost growth and address late-stage funding gaps.

• Clara Chappaz has been appointed as France's Secretary of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital, transitioning from her role leading the French Tech mission.

• Lithuanian fintech kevin has been declared insolvent by the Vilnius District Court after struggling to meet financial obligations, despite raising over $65 million from major investors.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• French health tech unicorn Alan has raised $193 million in Series F at a $4.5 billion valuation led by Belgian bank and insurer Belfius.

• Berlin-based grocery delivery company Flink has raised $150 million in funding comprising $115 million in equity and $45 million in debt.

• Akur8 has secured $120 million in Series C funding led by One Peak to enhance its platform for non-life insurance pricing and expand globally.

• DeepDrive raised €30 million ($33.5M) in Series B funding led by Leitmotif to advance its electric motor technology.

• Peratech has raised $31.5 million in its second funding round led by Dark Matter Partners to advance its force sensing and haptic feedback technologies.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Seaya Andromeda acquired a 70% stake in Zyclora/Bike Ocasión, Spain's leading refurbished bicycle retailer, to enhance sustainable mobility through the circular economy.

• One Click LCA acquired ENVI-met, enhancing its sustainability software with advanced microclimate simulation tools.

• Novakid acquired UK-based Lingumi to enhance its AI tutoring offerings, enabling self-led learning for young English learners.

• Barcelona's Privado ID merged with Disco.xyz to create a unified multichain digital identity infrastructure.

• Stockholm's Flower acquired Arise's 40MW battery project, enhancing control over the battery value chain and supporting Sweden's energy transition.

🏦 About Investors

• Headline raised $865 million for its fourth growth fund, planning to invest half in Europe, targeting defense, pharma, and freight software sectors.

• Capmont Technology launched a €100 million fund ($111.6M) to invest in early-stage B2B tech startups across Europe and the US.

• PFR Ventures invested €47 million ($52.5M) in four new Polish early-stage VC funds aiming to support innovative companies for the next five years.

• Blume Equity secured €25 Million ($27.9M) from British Patient Capital for its debut fund, focusing on growth-stage climate tech across Europe.

• Groningen’s Future Tech Ventures launched a €20 million ($22.3M) proof-of-concept fund to support 50 high-tech startups in Northern Netherlands.

📈 Deep Dive Bites

Explore Warsaw’s dynamic venture capital scene and discover the VC firms shaping Poland’s innovation landscape with key investments across fintech, deep tech, and more. Learn about their leaders and the startups they support, fueling the nation's entrepreneurial growth. Check out the full list to dive deeper into the leading VCs driving innovation in Poland, from Inovo VC to OTB Ventures.

🤝 Diversity Spotlight

Explore the influential female VC partners shaping Norway’s venture capital landscape with their innovative approaches to investment and commitment to fostering inclusive growth. Learn more about their backgrounds and significant contributions as they pave the way for future female leaders in venture capital. Check out the full article to see the complete list and detailed profiles of these trailblazing women.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Alan

Alan raised $193 million in a Series F round led by Belfius at a $4.5 billion valuation, alongside investors like Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Temasek. Co-founded by Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve and Charles Gorintin, Alan provides tech-driven, AI-enhanced health insurance for over 650,000 members across France, Spain, and Belgium, and is expanding through a strategic partnership with Belfius to serve corporate clients. The funds will support Alan's expansion in Belgium, new hires, and ongoing innovation in personalized healthcare services.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Headline

Headline has raised an $865 million growth fund, with plans to deploy half of it in Europe. Led by Shalini Rao, the fund targets Series B and above investments in sectors like defense, pharma, and freight software. This fund, supported by major LPs like Bpifrance and KfW Capital, aims to invest in about 25 companies, writing cheques between $20 million and $70 million, focusing on opportunities unique to Europe while addressing challenges in sectors like AI and defense tech.

 🤑 Opportunity Radar

Moove Lab - Batch #13 BMW France

Apply to Moove Lab Batch #13 by October 4, 2024, to join a 6-month acceleration program at Station F, focusing on mobility and auto-tech innovation. Benefit from expert mentorship, networking with industry leaders, and opportunities for collaboration to scale your startup between December 2024 and May 2025.