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

• A grassroots movement named EU Inc is advocating for a new pan-European corporate status to enhance competitiveness in the startup sector.

• Gut health startup Zoe is undergoing its second round of layoffs in six months, primarily affecting its marketing and nutrition coaching teams.

• London-based Amazon aggregator Olsam faces a winding-up petition from Knoza Consulting due to unpaid debts.

• Dutch startup HULO.ai won the VDS Startup Competition at the Valencia Digital Summit for its innovative AI-driven water management solutions.

• Cologne-based DeepL has invested in NVIDIA's new DGX SuperPOD system to enhance its AI language tools.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Turkish martech unicorn Insider has secured $500 million Series E funding led by General Electric to expand its global operations.

• Dublin-based SynOx has raised an additional €84.8 million ($91.6M) in its Series B to advance its Phase 3 clinical trial of treatment for cell tumors.

• Blue Earth Therapeutics has closed a $76.5 million Series A financing round to advance its targeted radioligand therapies for prostate cancer.

• AI startup Sana has secured $55 million in a Series C funding round led by NEA, achieving a $500 million valuation.

• Stockholm-based Flower has raised €45 million ($48.6M) in Series A funding to enhance energy flexibility and support its expansion across Europe.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Sistema.bio acquired Inclusive Energy to boost biogas tech and real-time carbon credit verification for sustainable farming.

• National Energy Services Reunited Corp has acquired a minority stake in SALTTECH BV to enhance its Circular Water technology.

• Brand Engagement Network has acquired Munich-based media company Cataneo for $19.5 million to enhance audience engagement.

• Rover has acquired the cat-sitting platform Cat In A Flat to expand its European presence.

• Sipay has fully acquired online comparison platforms Hesapkurdu and Koalay from BHL Holdings UK.

🏦 About Investors

• The European Innovation Council announced its plans to invest €1.4 billion ($1.53b) in 2025 to support deep-tech research and high-potential startups.

• Creative Capital Ventures launched an €18 million ($19.62M) fund to support early-stage companies with plans to reach €50 million by Q1 2025.

• Flywheel Capital, founded by ex-Crowdcube executives, has raised $10 million for its debut secondaries fund, targeting a final close of $25 million.

📈 Deep Dive Bites

Discover the driving forces behind Romania’s vibrant startup ecosystem, where active venture capital firms are empowering innovation and supporting the next generation of tech pioneers. Across Romania’s major cities, these firms offer crucial funding and strategic insights to help startups scale and thrive on the global stage. Curious to learn more? Delve into the full article for an in-depth look at Romania's key players in venture capital and their impact on the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.

🤝 Diversity Spotlight

Building on the trailblazers featured in Parts 1 and 2, our series continues with another remarkable cohort of venture capital leaders shaping Britain's innovation landscape. These accomplished partners bring diverse expertise spanning deep tech, healthcare, sustainability, and fintech, with a shared mission to revolutionize European startup funding. From pioneering climate innovation to championing next-generation startups, they're not just writing checks – they're crafting lasting legacies while fostering a more inclusive ecosystem. Dive into the full article to discover how these remarkable women are setting new standards for excellence in venture investing.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Insider

Insider, an AI-driven omnichannel customer engagement platform founded by Hande Cilingir, has secured $500 million in Series E funding led by General Atlantic. This investment will drive Insider’s expansion in the U.S. market, boost its AI capabilities, and support further innovation in its marketing technology. With over 1,500 global customers, including brands like Nike and Samsung, Insider aims to disrupt the MarTech sector through its integrated platform that leverages real-time data for personalized automation across 12 channels. The company is also helping brands transition from traditional marketing clouds, offering faster integration and time to value.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Creative Capital Ventures

Creative Capital Ventures (CCV), a venture studio based in Lisbon and London, has launched an €18 million ($19.62M) investment fund to support early-stage technology companies and intellectual property (IP) acquisitions. Founded in 2024 through the merger of Impact Counsel, Rocket Studios, and Pivotal, CCV aims to raise a total of €50 million ($54.5M) by the end of Q1 2025. The fund will focus on high-growth sectors such as sports tech, media, entertainment, and lifestyle, with plans to begin making investments by the end of 2024.

 🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: YC W25

Apply to Y Combinator's Winter 2025 Batch by November 12th, 2024, to supercharge your startup journey. Gain access to a world-class ecosystem, resources, and networking opportunities in the heart of San Francisco. The YC program is designed for founders at all stages, from those with just an idea to companies with significant traction. Begin your application process today and join the ranks of successful startups like Airbnb, Stripe, and Reddit. The batch runs from January to March 2025, featuring weekly meetups, eminent speakers from the startup world, and dedicated support from experienced YC partners. Don't miss this chance to tap into YC's $600B combined valuation network and receive $500,000 in funding to kickstart your company's growth.