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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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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

• Electric aircraft startup Lilium is shutting down after failing to secure emergency funding from the German government.

• Klarna Group shareholders have voted to remove Mikael Walther from the Board of Directors and to amend the company's Articles of Association to align with British governance standards.

• Robinhood has launched margin trading in the UK, allowing investors to borrow money for larger trades.

• Jungle Corp, a French AgTech firm focused on zero-pesticide plant solutions, has ceased operations after eight years.

• Dublin-based Equal1 has partnered with TNO to enhance the fabrication of quantum system-on-chip processors.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Lithuanian unicorn Vinted has secured €340 million ($367M) in a secondary investment round led by TPG Tech Adjacencies.

• Moneybox has secured £70 million ($90.7M) in investment from Apis Global Growth Fund III and Amundi to accelerate growth.

• ONWARD Medical has raised €50 million ($54M) in funding led by Ottobock aiming to restore movement for those with spinal cord injuries.

• MobilityPlus has raised €40 million ($43.17M) from Suma Capital and Concentra to expand its EV charging solutions in Belgium and France.

• Epitopea has closed a $31 million pre-Series A financing round to advance the development and clinical entry of its RNA-based immunotherapies.

💰️ Notable Exits

• ProQR Therapeutics has priced an underwritten public offering of 18 million ordinary shares at $3.50 each, aiming for gross proceeds of $63 million.

• Everfield has expanded its portfolio by acquiring field service management software provider Frontu and food service specialist KOST.

• London-based Kraken has acquired Rotterdam's Jedlix, a leader in smart EV charging solutions, to enhance its flexible demand management capabilities.

• Aunetic has acquired Swedish compliance software provider Qnister to enhance its product portfolio and strengthen its presence in Sweden.

• BlaBlaCar has received approval to acquire a majority stake in the Turkish travel startup Obilet.

🏦 About Investors

• General Catalyst has raised $8 billion to invest in early-stage startups globally, focusing on AI, healthcare, and climate tech.

• Newwave is being taken over by billionaire Xavier Niel’s NJJ Holding as co-founder Pia d’Iribarne departs and Jean de La Rochebrochard returns.

• Resurge Growth Partners is raising €120 million ($129.5M) to invest in struggling portfolio companies dubbed VC orphans.

• DMG Ventures has launched two funds totaling £50 million ($64.7M) to invest in consumer startups, aiming to leverage media credits for marketing.

• 360 Capital has announced a first closing of €30 million ($32.3M) for its new fund, 360 Digitaly, aimed at seed and early-stage digital transition startups.

📈 Deep Dive Bites

Discover the key players driving innovation in Hungary’s vibrant venture capital landscape. These Budapest-based firms fuel growth across fintech, AI, and tech-enabled services, supporting startups from early-stage investments to growth-stage development. Explore the full article to learn more about the most prominent VC firms, their leadership, and notable portfolio companies shaping Central Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

🤝 Diversity Spotlight

Meet the pioneering women revolutionizing the UK's venture capital landscape. From deep tech to sustainability, these influential partners drive innovation across healthcare, AI, and climate technology. With backgrounds spanning investment banking, entrepreneurship, and scientific research, they bring diverse perspectives and extensive expertise to the table. Ready to explore these changemakers' journeys? Check out the full article to learn about their remarkable achievements and investment philosophies.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Vinted

Vinted, the leading European marketplace for second-hand fashion has successfully secured €340 million in a secondary investment round, boosting its valuation to €5 billion. Established in 2008 in Lithuania, Vinted has transformed from a platform for trading clothes among friends into a prominent player in the second-hand market, championing sustainable consumption. This recent investment, spearheaded by TPG, aims to reward employees and early investors while paving the way for further growth and market expansion. Vinted's dedication to sustainability is evident in its remarkable 61% revenue growth over the past year, with an increasing number of users prioritizing second-hand purchases in their shopping habits.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

General Catalyst

General Catalyst has raised approximately $8 billion in new capital to bolster its investment strategies across applied AI, healthcare, climate solutions, and more. This funding is divided into several strategic areas, with $4.5 billion allocated for core venture capital and $1.5 billion for incubating new ventures. The firm aims to support ambitious founders and foster transformative companies through innovative funding approaches and initiatives like the GC Institute, which connects startups with public sector bodies. This comprehensive strategy positions General Catalyst as a significant player in addressing global challenges and driving innovation across critical industries.

 🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call For Applications: Techstars Transformative World Torino

Apply to the Techstars Transformative World Torino accelerator by November 20th, 2024, to drive impactful change across industries with a global network in Torino, Italy. Open to coachable and fast-executing teams with leadership potential, this accelerator offers up to $120,000 in funding, access to a world-class network of investors, hands-on mentorship, and $4M+ in perks. Starting in February 2025, participants will receive expert guidance on fundraising, perfecting their pitch, scaling, and more, culminating in a Demo Day on May 22nd. Seize the chance to join over 9,000 founders who have built thriving ventures through Techstars.