Spain’s TitanOS just pulled in €50 million in Series A funding, a strategic move aimed at scaling its European connected-TV ambitions. With giants like Philips and Sony already aligned, this development sends a clear message: Europe’s tech ecosystem is ready to support homegrown solutions in a field dominated by U.S. players like Roku and Amazon Fire TV. This funding is more than a cash boost; it’s about redefining the way viewers, advertisers, and manufacturers interact through television.
What Makes TitanOS Stand Out?
Founded in 2023 by Jacinto Roca (also known for Wuaki.tv, acquired by Rakuten) alongside co-founders Timothy Edwards, Miquel Barba, and Tobias Pfalzgraff, TitanOS entered the market with a bold idea, creating an independent, Europe-based connected-TV operating system. Over the past two years, the company has achieved 10x revenue growth and boasts over 18 million active users. It’s already secured key partnerships with major manufacturers like Philips, Sony, Vestel, and JVC, who use its platform on their smart TVs.
Unlike most TV operating systems, TitanOS focuses on simplifying content discovery. It puts local European broadcasting, global streaming services, and free FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) channels in one place, tailored through AI-driven user recommendations. For advertisers, the platform offers integrated ad technology with options like shoppable ads and tailored placements based on viewer habits.
The Numbers and the Backers
The €50 million investment round was led by Highland Europe, with participation from Mangrove Capital Partners. Timothy Edwards, TitanOS’s COO, described the funding as a stepping stone to further plans: “This milestone reinforces our vision to lead the independent Connected TV OS space from Europe. We aim to raise another round in 2026 to accelerate further.”
Highland Europe’s Laurence Garrett emphasized the opportunity to create a unique player in an industry largely defined by U.S. tech companies: “TitanOS has proven that there’s strong demand for a solution tailored to the European market, a space that demands local relevance alongside technological excellence.”
How TitanOS Plans to Use the €50 Million
The funding will go towards key growth and refinement areas. Here’s what they’re focusing on:
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Improving the Consumer Experience
- Enhancements to make content navigation faster and more intuitive.
- Better integration with streaming services and live TV.
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Strengthening Relationships with Manufacturers
- Collaborating more closely with partners like Philips and Sony to expand the OS’s reach.
- Offering tailored solutions for TV manufacturers to maximize sales globally.
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Driving Advertising Revenue
- Developing cutting-edge ad formats specifically for Connected TV, including non-invasive ad placements that enhance rather than disrupt the viewing experience.
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Scaling Team and Infrastructure
- Doubling its efforts in development and testing to keep up with expanding user demands.
- Adding local offices in new European markets to secure regional partnerships.
A Quick Guide for Emerging Entrepreneurs: Lessons from TitanOS’s Journey
If you’re a founder gearing up to launch a scalable tech startup, there are some clear takeaways from what TitanOS has done well:
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Pick a Niche, but Think Big
TitanOS isn’t competing with smartphones, gaming consoles, or laptops. Instead, they carved out a unique space by addressing the fragmentation in smart TVs. Focus your efforts where problems are localized yet scalable. -
Start with Credible Partnerships
Signing recognizable brands (Philips, Sony) early on gave TitanOS instant credibility and market access. When starting, find partnerships that help validate your solution in the eyes of customers and investors. -
Keep Your Revenue Model Adaptive
By integrating content and ad tech, TitanOS found a way to offset declining hardware profits for TV manufacturers. How can your business model align with industry trends while addressing pain points? -
Be Ready to Scale Rapidly
TitanOS achieved its explosive growth because they positioned themselves alongside established brands while investing in scalable technology. How prepared are you to meet demand once interest spikes?
Common Missteps Startups Should Avoid
Having seen my own ventures falter before succeeding, I can identify traps you might hit:
- Overlooking Regional Value: European customers want local content. American approaches often miss this detail. TitanOS puts European broadcasters and content in its core offering, don’t make the mistake of ignoring cultural differences.
- Focusing Only on Features: It’s tempting to over-engineer products early on. TitanOS’s strength lies in seamless content discovery and intuitive navigation, not flashy, confusing tools. Keep it user-first.
- Rushing Fundraising: A well-timed raise boosts growth without unnecessary dilution. TitanOS waited to prove scaling potential before launching its €50 million Series A.
- Ignoring Advertising Revenue: Many rely solely on hardware or subscriptions. Be like TitanOS and diversify into high-growing streams like advertising or licensing agreements.
Why This Funding Matters for Europe
Connected TV ad spending is climbing, projected at €32.6 billion globally by 2027. That marketplace is largely controlled by U.S. players, but TitanOS’s presence signals a shift. Beyond Europe, this funding lets TitanOS compete in markets like Latin America and Asia, regions where affordability drives device purchases and the demand for tailored, localized offerings is massive.
Moreover, TitanOS’s growth shows Europe can foster global tech leaders without relying solely on Silicon Valley. Startups like TitanOS (and France’s Vibe.co) demonstrate the potential of clustered regional funding to reshape industries. It raises a broader question: How can European tech ecosystems keep producing breakout successes?
Final Thoughts
TitanOS isn’t just about televisions. It’s a story of how strong customer focus and strategic partnerships can lift a startup into competition with giants. Entrepreneurs, whether you’re creating the next AI-powered SaaS or solving retail inefficiencies, can steal pages from TitanOS’s playbook today.
For those of you exploring startup models or industries poised for revenue diversification, connected TV is just one of the fields opening up room for challengers. Europe needs more founders who aren’t afraid to aim high, disrupt existing norms, and stay fiercely rooted in local value. Keep watching companies like TitanOS because, as they grow, so do the possibilities for visionary entrepreneurship everywhere.
FAQ
1. What is TitanOS?
TitanOS is an independent, Europe-based connected-TV operating system designed to simplify content discovery while offering advanced advertising opportunities. It integrates local broadcasting, global streaming services, and AI-driven recommendations into one platform. Explore TitanOS's features
2. Who are the founders of TitanOS?
The company was founded in 2023 by Jacinto Roca (formerly of Wuaki.tv), Timothy Edwards, Miquel Barba, and Tobias Pfalzgraff.
3. How much funding has TitanOS secured?
TitanOS recently raised €50 million in its Series A funding round aimed at scaling its offerings across Europe. Learn more about the €50 million Series A funding
4. Who were the investors in the Series A funding?
The funding was led by Highland Europe with participation from Mangrove Capital Partners. Read more about the TitanOS investors
5. What makes TitanOS different from competitors?
TitanOS emphasizes a content-first approach, simplifying navigation and integrating shoppable ads while maintaining a focus on local European broadcasting and global streaming services.
6. Which major manufacturers use TitanOS?
TitanOS has secured partnerships with leading manufacturers like Philips, Sony, Vestel, and JVC, among others, to power their smart TVs.
7. What are the key areas where TitanOS plans to use the funding?
The funding will be used to improve consumer experience, strengthen manufacturer relationships, develop new advertising formats, and scale its team and infrastructure.
8. How many active users does TitanOS currently have?
Over 18 million users actively use TitanOS, reflecting a 10x growth in revenue over the past two years. Check out TitanOS's growth metrics
9. What is the global context for connected-TV advertising?
Connected-TV ad spending is projected to reach €32.6 billion globally by 2027, offering an opportunity for platforms like TitanOS to capture significant market share.
10. What are TitanOS’s future plans?
TitanOS plans to raise additional funding in 2026 to expand its offerings and strengthen its position in Europe. Discover TitanOS's expansion plans
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
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Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
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- 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.