Funding raise of €433 million for Electra through green loans, ongoing challenges for open-source software financing, and the growth of European private capital to a remarkable €1.25 trillion by 2024.
Over the past week, Europe's tech sector has seen a flurry of significant funding deals, acquisitions, and strategic moves. Here are some highlights:
Funding Deals
- Propel Finance, a UK-based fintech company, secured a massive £1.5 billion in funding.
- Ferovinum, another UK-based company, raised £400 million to support its global expansion.
- Climeworks, a Swiss company focused on carbon capture, raised $162 million.
- Talon.One, a German company offering promotions, loyalty, and gamification platform, raised €114.7 million.
- Genesis AI, a French startup focusing on AI basic models for robotics, secured $105 million in seed funding.
Acquisitions and Mergers
- Legaltech company Clio, based in Spain, acquired vLex in a deal valued at $1 billion.
- Open Cosmos, a Portuguese company in the space tech sector, acquired Connected, marking a significant European space tech exit.
- Defence tech unicorn TEKEVER, also based in Portugal, acquired Cocoon Experience to focus on human-centric innovation.
- Core Optimisation, an Irish company, acquired ClearStory to enhance its global expansion.
Notable Moves
- The Baltic states launched a major AI infrastructure initiative backed by the EU, with a budget of approximately 3 billion euros. This initiative, involving startups, investors, and public sector institutions, signals a large-scale consortium forming in AI technology.
Regional Updates
- Similar trends of AI and fintech investments continue in Latin America, as seen in Woba raising $13.5 million. This reflects the ongoing global appetite for AI startup funding and fintech expansion.
Major M&A Transaction
- Dutch semiconductor giant NXP B.V. acquired Austrian automotive technology firm TTTech Auto AG for $625 million, aiming to enhance software-defined vehicle technology by integrating TTTech's advanced safety software into its platform.
However, it's worth noting that chronic underfunding of open source software poses a strategic risk to Europe's digital sovereignty. This is a challenge that needs to be addressed to ensure the continent remains competitive in the global tech landscape.
References: [1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/eu-invests-3-billion-ai-infrastructure-consortium-2022-may-31_en [2] https://www.siliconrepublic.com/startups/irish-startups-mergers-acquisitions-july-2025 [3] https://www.latinamericandigitalhouse.com/news/woba-raises-13-5-million-to-accelerate-growth-in-latin-america/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/dutch-semiconductor-giant-nxp-agrees-buy-austrian-automotive-tech-firm-tttech-2025-07-21/
The newsletter mentioned a significant funding round for Genesis AI, a French startup focusing on AI basic models for robotics, securing $105 million in seed funding. Additionally, the lifestyle section highlighted the acquisition of vLex by Legaltech company Clio, based in Spain, valued at $1 billion.
