In the world of startups, funding is often the lifeblood that transforms ambitious ideas into scalable solutions. As someone who has navigated Europe’s multi-national startup scene and supported others through my initiatives like the Fe/male Switch Startup Game, I believe that analyzing trends in funding provides actionable insights not just for current founders but also for aspiring entrepreneurs.
From November 24-28, 2025, Europe saw another wave of dynamic funding activity, proving that the economic tremors of recent years have not dampened the appetite for innovation. Here, we’ll break down the key funding rounds, how these startups align with broader market trends, the insights founders can glean, a guide to crafting standout pitches, and the pitfalls to avoid when seeking investment.
Weekly Snapshot: Funding Rounds (Nov. 24-28, 2025)
This past week was particularly active, with startups across sectors securing diverse funding. Here are a few notable highlights:
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Kovant (Sweden)
- Industry: Deeptech
- Funding: €1.5M Pre-seed round
- Investors: J12 Ventures, Ampli, and Greens Ventures
- Summary: Kovant is focusing on cutting-edge AI applications for sustainable energy optimization.
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Noahs (Denmark)
- Industry: Foodtech
- Funding: €1.9M
- Lead Investor: PSV Tech, joined by angel investors.
- Summary: Noahs aims to digitize convenience retail, focusing on smart inventory and logistics management for small grocers.
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PowerUP Energy Technologies (Estonia)
- Industry: Defense Tech
- Funding: €10M Series A round
- Focus: Hydrogen fuel cell-based energy storage solutions to support military operations.
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Baobab Ventures (UK)
- Fund Raised: €15M
- Specialization: Backing global seed and pre-seed deeptech startups, targeting innovations in artificial intelligence and robotics.
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Nzyme (Spain)
- Funding: €160M
- Strategy: Focused on the digital transformation of local small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their operational efficiency and global competitiveness.
Emerging Trends in European Startup Funding
Being a serial entrepreneur myself, I’ve observed funding trends evolve drastically in the European ecosystem. Let’s dig into what these rounds reveal about where we are headed:
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AI-Powered Solutions Hold Court:
Startups like Kovant and Nzyme emphasize how critical AI is in shaping the future of industries, ranging from energy to traditional SMEs. Investors are demonstrating a willingness to place significant bets on AI-powered solutions that promise efficiency and sustainability. -
Defense-Tech Is Resilient:
With global tensions rising, funding for startups in the defense and clean energy mix, such as PowerUP Energy Technologies, underscores a shift toward innovation in military capabilities, particularly in sustainable resources like hydrogen. -
Impact on SMEs and Local Economies:
Players like Nzyme showcase a trend where funding doesn’t just favor breakthrough innovations but also tools enabling already-established SMEs to adapt to newer, digital-first landscapes. -
Foodtech Growing Sharply Post-COVID:
Consumers are increasingly demanding smarter food delivery, supply chain transparency, and convenience, fueling investments in foodtech businesses like Noahs.
Startup Funding: How to Get Ahead
For any founder reading this, landing the funding you need won’t just depend on your idea, it’s about execution, strategy, and storytelling. I’ve summarized what investors are looking for based on my experience pitching to some of Europe’s most competitive investors:
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Real-World Problem-Solving:
Investors want to see that you’re attacking a real pain point. Every slide in your pitch deck should reinforce how you’re solving a problem more efficiently or affordably than anyone else. -
Scalability Is Paramount:
Venture Capital’s raison d'être is exponential growth. Highlight how your solution scales geographically or to adjacent industries. A helpful guide can be found in this startup scalability resource. -
Sustainability Matters:
With eco-consciousness on the rise, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s become a core pillar that could give you a competitive edge when pitching. -
Data-Backed Metrics:
Whether it’s your customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), or user retention rates, always have numbers to validate your pitch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Fundraising
Over the years, I’ve watched both my own peers and game participants overlook some fundamental errors in their fundraising strategies. Here’s what you don’t want to do:
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Neglecting Relationships with Investors Before Funding:
Don’t just approach an investor when you need funding. Start building relationships early. Keep investors updated on your progress even when you’re not actively seeking funding. -
Over-Complicating Your Pitch:
No one has the time (or patience) for a 40-slide, text-heavy pitch deck. Focus on crisp visuals and compelling insights. -
Ignoring Timing:
Understanding seasons of funding trends and your sector’s economic health is critical. -
Focusing Only on Funding, Not Traction:
Founders often hyper-focus on raising the next round but forget to grow their user base or validate their MVP.
A Case Study on an Effective Pitch
Let me share a framework from my experience with CADChain during a seed funding round:
- Pain Point: Creative industries struggle with CAD-file protection, leading to IP theft and financial loss.
- Solution: Blockchain-based IP protection and licensing platform for CAD files.
- Impact: 40% reduction in IP disputes among early adopters.
- Validation: Secured €100K in non-dilutive grants and onboarded early-paying beta users.
- Ask: Seed funding to expand across Europe and enhance AI-powered fraud detection.
By structuring your pitch this way, you focus the investor’s attention on why you deserve funding and the opportunity they could potentially miss.
Actionable Steps to Take This Week
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Identify Relevant Investors for Your Sector:
Platforms like Vestbee and AngelList can help you find VC funds focused on your industry. -
Polish Your Pitch Deck:
Highlight your problem, solution, and competitive edge. Templates are available via platforms like Canvanizer. -
Practice Your Pitch:
Practice with mock investors or platforms that simulate funding rounds. -
Join Online Incubators:
Programs like Fe/male Switch not only prepare you through play-based learning but also build connections with VCs.
Conclusion: What This All Means for Entrepreneurs
The funding ecosystem in Europe is thriving, but only for those who take the time to prepare, strategize, and execute effectively. Whether you’re the founder of a software startup or innovating in deeptech, knowing where capital is flowing and how to position yourself is vital.
Take this week’s funding successes as inspiration. These startups weren’t just in the right geographical location, they had the right plans, partnerships, and pitches. Funding isn’t the pinnacle; rather, it’s one of the many tools to build something impactful. And as I tell all aspiring entrepreneurs in my game, don’t just chase money, chase value creation. That’s what attracts the capital you need.
FAQ
1. What were the key funding rounds in Europe during November 24-28, 2025?
During this week, notable funding rounds included €1.5M for Sweden-based Deeptech startup Kovant, €10M for Estonia's PowerUP Energy Technologies in Defense Tech, and €1.9M for Denmark's Foodtech company Noahs. Read more details about Kovant and other startups
2. What industries showed strong funding activity in Europe that week?
Key industries with strong funding included AI-powered solutions in energy and SMEs, Defense Tech innovation in sustainable resources, and Foodtech advancements driven by post-COVID retail digitization. Explore European startup funding trends
3. Which AI-related startup made a significant funding announcement?
Kovant, a Deeptech startup from Sweden, raised €1.5M to develop AI applications for sustainable energy optimization. Check out Kovant’s funding details
4. How is Defense Tech performing in terms of funding in Europe?
Defense-focused companies like PowerUP Energy Technologies in Estonia continue to secure significant investments, reflecting growing interest in military applications of clean energy solutions. Learn about PowerUP's funding round
5. What makes Nzyme's €160M funding so pivotal?
Nzyme, based in Spain, raised €160M to digitally transform local SMEs, helping to enhance operational efficiency and global competitiveness. Discover Nzyme's strategy and recent funding
6. Which sectors should newly launched startups focus on?
Emerging trends emphasize AI-driven innovations, Defense Tech aligning sustainability with military needs, solutions enhancing SME digital capabilities, and Foodtech targeting post-pandemic demands. Explore insights for startup sectors
7. What are the key pitching tips for startups seeking funding?
Startups should focus on solving real-world problems, demonstrating scalability, emphasizing sustainability, and presenting data-backed metrics to appeal to investors. Learn to craft standout pitches
8. What common fundraising mistakes should startups avoid?
Mistakes include failing to build early investor relationships, presenting overly complex pitches, ignoring funding timing, and neglecting customer and product traction. Learn to avoid common mistakes
9. How can early-stage startups identify the right investors?
Platforms like Vestbee and AngelList provide easy access to detailed profiles of VC funds and angel investors specific to various industries. Find investors with Vestbee
10. What online resources can founders use to improve their startup strategies?
Programs like the Fe/male Switch Startup Game and resources like Canvanizer offer practical tools and learning opportunities for founders to refine funding strategies. Check out Fe/male Switch Startup Game | Explore Canvanizer resources
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.