European startups never fail to surprise me, and this week was no exception. Between December 8 and December 12, several exciting funding rounds were announced, showcasing the depth of innovation and ambition in the region. As someone who has spent decades in the startup world across various countries, I find these updates energizing. Not because of the numbers, though some were substantial, but because of the thought process behind these ventures and the sheer determination of founders who refuse to settle for mediocrity.
Let’s dive into what stood out this week, covering the who, what, and why across some major funding rounds tracked in Europe.
Highlights from Recent European Startup Funding Rounds
1. Equixly secures €10 million for AI-driven API security testing
On December 9, Equixly, based in Verona, secured a landmark €10 million in funding to scale its AI-focused platform aimed at automating API security testing. The funding reflects a growing demand for secure, seamless API integrations globally, and Equixly is positioning itself to be the lead innovator in this domain. Their focus is laser-sharp: solving vulnerabilities as they arise, and thus preventing potential data breaches.
If you’re considering venturing into areas like AI security tools, Equixly’s approach provides a roadmap: meet an urgent need with clear, data-centric solutions that also promise scalability.
Where to learn more: Explore Equixly’s funding plans through Verona’s Innovation Digest section.
2. Anaphite gathers €1.6 million to disrupt battery innovation
The buzz around sustainable tech solutions is getting louder in 2025, and Bristol-based Anaphite is riding this wave. Raising €1.6 million, they have committed themselves to revolutionize battery production by making it quicker and more eco-efficient. Their dry coating technology for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries is particularly exciting, considering Europe’s push to innovate in electric vehicle and renewable energy spaces.
As an entrepreneur, I see this as a confidence signal for deep-tech sustainability startups. You don’t always need enormous funding rounds to make waves; instead, focus on entering untapped niches within larger industries.
3. Orbital Marine Power secures €8 million for tidal-stream projects
Scotland’s Orbital Marine Power took home €8 million this week, which will be used to bring tidal-stream energy commercial projects into new phases. There’s heavy momentum in climate tech right now, and startups like Orbital are not just on-trend, they’re essential. The unique aspect here is not just “renewable energy,” but a very specialized domain within it: ocean energy.
If you’re considering launching in a niche climate-tech subfield, this case underlines how specificity breeds funding success. Investors gravitate toward clarity in vision and feasibility.
Behind the Numbers: Key Trends Driving These Investments
AI takes center stage
With Equixly’s €10 million raise setting the tone, artificial intelligence is maintaining its dominance across funding conversations. AI’s application in defensive tools like cybersecurity and API testing shows investors are prioritizing tangible utility over abstract concepts.
Sustainability lives on
Besides Anaphite and Orbital Marine Power, several smaller funding rounds in energy management and circular production show Europe is continuing its march toward sustainability excellence. This ties into upcoming regulations in several EU countries pushing for greener innovations.
HealthTech still draws attention
Gene therapy startup EpilepsyGTx grabbed attention this week with a significant €28 million funding round targeted at treatments for severe epilepsy. This sector has always excited me due to its ability to combine science and humanity, solving dire healthcare challenges while creating impactful businesses.
Most Common Mistakes Startups Make During Funding
After years of working in startups and speaking with hundreds of founders, here's what I often see tripping up aspiring entrepreneurs during their funding journey:
- Overcomplicating the pitch: Investors don't have time to decipher jargon or spend hours figuring out the potential of your idea. Keep it simple and impactful.
- Ignoring market size research: A lack of thorough knowledge about your target audience and market size can make otherwise promising ideas look weak in front of investors.
- Underestimating scalability: You might have a phenomenal product, but if you're unable to show its potential for scaling, you’re missing the point of venture funding altogether.
- Failure to build personal rapport: No matter how perfect your slides look, personality and credibility are often the deciding factors for investors.
How to Approach Investors Like a Pro
If you’re starting to fundraise or meeting investors for the first time, take these steps seriously:
- Prepare a watertight pitch: Address the problem you’re solving, why you’re uniquely positioned to fix it, and what market opportunities exist.
- Set funding limits and break them into milestones: Investors want to know exactly how the money will be used and in what time frames.
- Have answers ready for tough questions: Why now? What's your traction proof? Who are your competitors? Prepare and rehearse your responses.
- Focus on building relationships: Funding outcomes sometimes hinge on emotional intelligence, not just data pitches. Emails that show genuine interest in a long-term relationship yield better connections.
Insights From the Week
The most exciting trend to watch is the sheer diversity in approaches. A €500 million raise for cleantech in Sweden and €1.6 million for battery science in Bristol might look worlds apart, but they represent the same core principle: sharp problem-solving. Even fund sizes, growing from seed rounds to multi-million euro operations, follow this logical narrative.
Behind all this progress is a common truth that startups thrive in ecosystems that support them. From regional initiatives in Scandinavia to growing hubs in Germany, the infrastructure for founders expands monthly. That should encourage anyone thinking, “Is Europe really the best place to start?”
European startup funding rounds this week delivered not just numbers but stories of resilience, innovation, and impact. While startup founders, myself included, cheer these wins, we also know how many years of preparation go into securing each euro. Let these figures inspire, but also push you to craft your own path backed by clarity, perseverance, and integrity.
If I’ve learned anything over my years of work, it’s this: The best time to start chasing those dreams isn’t tomorrow. It’s right now.
FAQ
1. Which startup secured €10 million for API security testing?
Equixly, based in Verona, raised €10 million to scale its AI-driven platform for automated API security testing. Learn more about Equixly
2. How is Anaphite contributing to sustainable technology?
Bristol-based Anaphite raised €1.6 million to improve the production speed and eco-efficiency of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, creating a positive impact in the renewable energy and electric vehicle industries.
3. What are Orbital Marine Power's recent achievements?
Orbital Marine Power secured €8 million to advance its tidal-stream energy projects. This funding demonstrates a growing focus on ocean energy as part of the renewable energy transition.
4. What is the primary focus of U2V’s €60 million fund?
U2V, a spin-off from Earlybird-X, launched a €60 million fund to support European deeptech startups originating from tech universities. Learn about U2V’s €60M DeepTech Fund
5. Which healthtech-focused venture fund recently closed a €30 million investment?
Catalpa Ventures, based in Luxembourg, closed a €30 million fund aimed at supporting early-stage healthtech innovation in Europe. Explore Catalpa Ventures HealthTech Fund
6. How does the startup XFA aim to improve cybersecurity?
With its €1.5 million funding, Antwerp-based XFA is addressing workplace cybersecurity blind spots through its innovative solutions tailored for modern organizations. Learn more about XFA Cybersecurity
7. What was Elvy's major funding achievement and its focus area?
Sweden’s Elvy raised €500 million to reduce household energy costs and support the transition to smart energy solutions. Discover Elvy's €500M Cleantech Initiative
8. Which sectors are currently topping European startup investment trends?
Sustainability, AI-driven cybersecurity, deeptech, and healthtech are currently dominating European startup investment trends due to growing market needs and regulatory support.
9. How active are Nordic countries in European funding rounds?
The Nordic region, including Sweden and Norway, is seeing significant funds for cleantech and healthtech startups, with a strong focus on sustainability and digital health solutions.
10. Why is Europe considered a significant ecosystem for startups in 2025?
Europe offers growing investment opportunities, supportive regional initiatives, and diverse funding rounds ranging from seed to mega-round operations. It remains one of the most promising hubs for innovation and technology growth.
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.