Hello!
Here is what happened today in European tech:
Deals
- Bizay, a Lisbon-based customised products marketplace for SMBs, has raised €32 million in Series C financing. The round was co-led by Indico and the European Investment Bank with support from Iberis Capital and existing investors including LeadX Capital Partners, Omnes Capital and Pathena.
- Pigment, a Paris-based startup behind the eponymous business forecasting platform, has raised $25.9 million to scale up. The Series A round was led by Blossom Capital, with participation from investors New York-based FirstMark Capital and Frst.
- Ultimate.ai, a Berlin/Helsinki-based virtual customer service agent builder, has closed a $20 million Series A round of funding, led by Omers Ventures with participation from Felicis Ventures and existing investors HV Capital, and Maki.vc — bringing its total raised to date to $25M+.
- OTV (formerly Olive Tree Ventures), Israel’s ‘digital health first’ venture capital firm, has closed a new fund with a total of $170 million. OTV also announced their new name and the appointment of a new Head of Asia Pacific (with an office in China) to spearhead the fund’s expansion there.
- Zurich-based ANYbotics, a manufacturer of four-legged robots, has completed its series A round led by Swisscom Ventures. The company has raised CHF 20 million (about €18.5 million) to accelerate the commercialisation of its autonomous robots for industrial inspection applications.
- The European Investment Bank, the long-term lending institution of the European Union and Spire Global, a company with the world’s largest multi-purpose constellation of satellites, have announced a venture debt financing agreement of up to €20 million.
- Venture capital firm Entrée Capital announced the closing of Israel Opportunity Fund I. The Fund closed at $125 million primarily from existing long term investors, as well as two new institutional investors. The new fund will target early-stage startups typically raising series B and C rounds that are led by Israeli founders.
- Karakuri, a UK-based food robotics startup, has unveiled its first automated canteen to make meals: the “DK-One” robot. It also announced a $8.4 million investment, which was led by firstminute capital, with participation from from Hoxton Ventures, Taylor Brothers, Ocado Group and the UK’s government-backed Future Fund.
- London-based workplace communications startup and Slack rival Sedna has secured a $10 million Series A round, led by Chalfen Ventures and Stride VC.
- French medtech startup Kayentis, provider of digital data capture systems for clinical trials, has raised €7 million in growth capital. Previous backers Extens and LBO France led the round, and Bpifrance joined as a new investor.
- We also tracked a large number of (other) European tech funding rounds and M&A transactions, all of which we are putting in a handy list for you on Friday afternoon in our weekly roundup newsletter (note: the full list is for paying customers only). Also check out our European tech news section for ongoing coverage.
Worth Knowing
- Earlier today at Web Summit 2020, the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) unveiled a brand new financing instrument to support artificial intelligence companies across Europe. The co-investment facility of (up to) €150 million will allow the EIB Group to invest in promising early-stage and growth-stage AI tech companies alongside funds backed by the European Investment Fund.
- As part of the European Commission’s Democracy Action Plan, the EU is charting the establishment of punitive measures to improve the bloc’s and member states’ capacity to counter disinformation.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly accelerated growth at online takeaway business Deliveroo, its chief executive said at Web Summit on Thursday.
- Sber, Russia’s largest bank with some 100 million customers, has partnered with JP Morgan to unveil its digital currency next year.
- Bolt, best known for its ride-hailing service but also operating an electric scooter service in 45 cities across Europe, has presented its new scooter model, which was designed by the company’s in-house hardware team and focuses on safety.
- Israeli mobile app development company AppsVillage saw its share price rise 134.37% on the Australian Securities Exchange today after announcing an advertising partnership with TikTok.
- YouTube has promoted Laurie Davison to head its TV and film operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Davison, who previously covered the media and entertainment sector as an analyst at Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs, will oversee the platform’s relationship with broadcasters, production companies and studios, public service broadcasters and pay TV groups across the three regions.
- 20 European Fintechs taking on LatAM
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