Startup Researcher - Europe: Week 20, 2024

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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 🌍

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

• AWS will launch a European "sovereign cloud" in Germany by 2025, investing €7.8 billion to enhance data residency and security within the EU.

• NVIDIA has partnered with UK-based ORCA Computing and the Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center (PSNC) to advance hybrid quantum-classical high-performance computing.

• Microsoft announced its largest investment in France, totaling €4B, to accelerate AI and cloud technology adoption, achieve renewable energy goals, and up-skill 1 million people by 2027.

• Anthropic, a key player in generative AI, is expanding its presence in Europe. Its AI assistant, Claude, is now available in multiple languages, including French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

• UK digital health startup Numan sold food supplements unlawfully for over two years without registering as a Food Business Operator (FBO), a legal requirement for selling such products.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• UK-based nuclear startup Newcleo, Europe's best-funded in the sector, has raised €87m in the first close of a targeted €1bn fundraising round.

• Gerard Piqué's Kings League, a pioneering seven-a-side football competition blending entertainment with sports, has secured a €60 million investment round.

• German battery recycling startup Cylib raised €55m in a Series A round led by European climate tech VC World Fund and Porsche Ventures

• London-based PolyAI has secured €46 million to advance its enterprise conversational assistants powered by AI.

• Vienna-based Enspired has secured a €25.5M Series B round to enhance its battery storage energy technology.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Deeptech investment firm EMV Capital has acquired Cambridge-based seed-stage VC Martlet Capital, excluding its investment portfolio.

🏦 About Investors

• Amsterdam-based Innovation Industries has unveiled a new €500M fund, Innovation Industries Fund III, to support deep-tech startups and scale-ups in the Benelux and Germany.

• Accel launches a $650 million fund for early-stage startups in Europe, marking its eighth fund in the region since 2000.

• Stockholm-based Norrsken VC has closed its second fund at €320M, exceeding the original €250M target, to back 30+ impact startups.

• The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Hellenic Republic have launched a €200M equity funding initiative, to support Greek startups and SMEs in life sciences, healthcare, and sustainability.

• PeakBridge, a Luxembourg-based global fund manager in agri-food tech, closes its PeakBridge Growth Fund II at $187 million, focusing on food innovation amidst climate change.

📈 Deep Dive Bites

Explore the landscape of French innovation in 2024 with our selection of top startups. From health insurance to food-tech, these visionary entrepreneurs are reshaping industries and inspiring possibilities.

Read the full article for more insights.

🤝 Diversity Spotlight

Discover the trailblazing women at the forefront of Sweden's venture capital scene, leading the charge in driving innovation and diversity. Delve into their stories, achievements, and contributions shaping the dynamic startup ecosystem of 2024 and beyond.

Learn more about these remarkable female leaders by reading the full article and be inspired by their transformative impact.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Newcleo

Europe's nuclear frontrunner, Newcleo, recently raised €87 million in its latest funding round, propelling its total funding to €487 million. Specializing in innovative nuclear reactor technology fueled by radioactive waste, Newcleo is reshaping the future of clean energy.

With backing from major investors like Exor Ventures and the Agnelli family office, the UK-based startup is poised for further growth as it aims to lead the charge in revolutionizing the nuclear energy sector.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Innovation Industries

Amsterdam's Innovation Industries introduces its latest project, the Innovation Industries Fund III, backed by €500 million. With support from entities like Invest-NL and the European Investment Fund, this fund targets deep-tech startups and scale-ups in the Benelux and Germany, focusing on societal challenges in energy, healthcare, circularity, and agrifood.

Innovation Industries adopts a proactive stance, providing financial backing and strategic guidance to tech ventures. Prioritizing startups aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the firm's investment approach emphasizes fostering positive societal impact through innovation.

 🤑 Opportunity Radar

• Food for Health Challenge 2024 by Fork&Care

  The Food for Health Challenge offers European health-food startups a chance to be featured in the first European mapping and compete for the Startup of the Year title, fostering collaborations with healthcare and agro-food industry stakeholders.

  Application deadline: 26/05/2024

• Berliner Startup Stipendium – Science & Startups for Future

  The Berliner Startup Stipendium by Science & Startups supports teams with innovative, knowledge-driven business ideas in sustainability, healthcare, and technology, offering financial aid, mentoring, and access to university resources.

  Application deadline: 30/05/2024
  

• RootCamp #6 - AgTech and Bioeconomy Acceleration Program
  The RootCamp Acceleration Program supports early-stage startups with a 3-month acceleration phase offering grants up to €6k, followed by an optional 12-month pilot project with up to €40k in additional funding. The program includes weekly coaching, mentorship, and networking opportunities, culminating in a Demo Day, and requires no equity in return.

  Application deadline: 30/05/2024