#62 Fundraise with Amela
Fundraising bootcamp, Stablecoin Law, AI prototyping, and Startup Marketing
Every Monday, we publish a weekly round-up of insights + learning recs for European techs, from a diverse & inclusive perspective. Follow or share along to learn more about starting and investing in tech companies.
Hi all ๐,
I hope youโve all been enjoying what (in Berlin at least) has been a delightful autumn thus far, with beautiful reds and oranges ๐ to enjoy on the trees, as well as a great deal of sun, all of which has amalgamated to me being extremely productive and happy.
Iโve said it before, and Iโll say it again, weโre looking towards a brighter future for fintech! We also have some other pieces on crypto, understanding economics moats, and a startup marketing strategy guide. Thereโs also quite a cool piece on economic moats, which is something that really is overlooked, particularly by start-up founders, as founders should be frugal, and an economic moat doesnโt normally fit into that narrative.
In the menu this week:
๐ Europe and Israelโs Fintech Founder Factories ๐ญ
๐ช๐บ EU Partners with Venture Capital Firms to Boost Tech Sector ๐
๐ช UK to Introduce Stablecoin Law Within Months ๐ฌ๐ง
๐ฉโ๐ผ Is Entrepreneurship Right for me?
๐ A Startup Marketing Strategy Guide
๐ฐ Understanding Economic Moats
P.S.: Want to stay on top the news and be the first one to know everything? Join our โAmela Network whatsappโ ๐
Join our 3-hr Fundraising Bootcamp this November 9th!
It's time to raise capital! The Amela Fundraising Bootcamp is back on November 9th. As always, you can expect the pressure and impact of a 3-hour bootcamp. Get into the mindset of investors and create a process that allows you to start and close your round, whether with angel investors or VCs. Join here.
News
All about technology in Europe and the world ๐
Lilium Burned Through $1 Billion and Faces Bankruptcy ๐ธ
Flying taxi startup Lilium has reportedly burned through $1 billion in funding and is now confronting the possibility of bankruptcy. Despite ambitious plans for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the company has struggled to achieve operational milestones and secure additional investments. This situation raises significant concerns about the viability of the urban air mobility sector and the challenges faced by startups in bringing innovative technologies to market. Read.
Europe and Israelโs Fintech Founder Factories ๐ญ
Europe and Israelโs Fintech Founder FactoriesAccel's "Founder Factory" report highlights the rapid growth of GenAI startups across Europe and Israel, powered by top academic institutions and tech research hubs. London, Tel Aviv, and Paris lead the charge, with 25% of founders having experience at companies like Amazon and Google. French startups are leading in funding, raising $2.29B. This signals the region's strong potential to shape the global AI landscape. Download here.
EU Partners with Venture Capital Firms to Boost Tech Sector ๐
The European Union has announced a collaboration with venture capital firms to strengthen the region's tech sector. This partnership aims to enhance funding for innovative startups and support the growth of emerging technologies across Europe. By pooling resources and expertise, the EU hopes to foster a more vibrant and competitive tech ecosystem, addressing challenges such as talent retention and market access. Read more details here.
UK to Introduce Stablecoin Law Within Months ๐ฌ๐ง
The UK government plans to introduce legislation regulating stablecoins in the coming months, according to Circle's Dante Disparte. This move aims to establish a clear framework for the use of stablecoins, which are digital currencies pegged to traditional assets like the dollar. The legislation is expected to enhance consumer protection and foster innovation in the digital currency space, positioning the UK as a leader in cryptocurrency regulation. Read more.
Investments
From the 21st to the 27th of October. Find a ๐ next to the raises of the teams with at least one woman in the founding team.
๐ฎ๐น xFarm raises โฌ36M to expand its digital farming platform. This will result in helping farmers increase efficiency and sustainability through data-driven solutions.
๐ฉ๐ช Autarkize raises โฌ2.3M to advance its CO2 sinks and industrial decarbonisation technology. The funding will be used to further develop its sustainable solutions for reducing industrial carbon emissions. Congrats Sophie! ๐
๐ฉ๐ช Passionfroot raises $3.8M to build a marketplace connecting business-focused content creators with brand partnerships. Congrats Jennifer! ๐
๐ง๐ช MobilityPlus secures โฌ40M to drive EV charging growth, to expand its charging infrastructure and support the growing demand for electric mobility in both markets.
๐ต๐น Sensei reels $16M to expand its contactless store technology across Europe. The funding will be used to scale its platform and enhance the customer experience in autonomous retail.
๐ฉ๐ช Exomatter gets โฌ1.7M in pre-seed funding for its AI-based materials R&D platform, expand its capabilities in material discovery optimized for performance, cost, and sustainability. Congrats Barbara! ๐
๐ช๐ธ Matteco secures โฌ15M to advance its technology and make green hydrogen more affordable, supporting the transition to sustainable energy.
๐ซ๐ฎ Cambri bags โฌ8M to enhance its market research platform. Their AI engine predicts product launch success as well as insights to help improve products before launch. Congrats Outi and Heli! ๐
๐ฎ๐น Cyber Guru snaps $25M to expand its AI-powered cybersecurity training platform.
๐ซ๐ฎ Avenue BioSciences raises $2.5M to advance its biotech solutions for healthcare. Congrats Katja! ๐
๐จ๐ญ Terralayr secures $77M to expand its projects focused on eco-friendly construction and environmental resilience.
๐ณ๐ด Datacrunch raises $13M in seed funding to enhance its AI capabilities and expand its data center operations to support growing demand for AI-driven solutions.
๐ฑ๐น Vinted bags โฌ340M at a โฌ5B valuation to expand its second-hand fashion marketplace to be the largest online consumer-to-consumer marketplace for second-hand fashion in Europe. Congrats Milda Mitkutฤ! ๐
๐ง๐ช Amphistar receives โฌ2M from SPRIN-D as a biotech to leverage synthetic biology to create designer molecules that meet specific performance needs. Sophie, Karolien and Sofie! ๐
You can see a quick version of it here:
Opportunities and Events
Open calls and events for entrepreneurs
๐ ๐ช๐ธ Event: Barcelona MLOps Community #02 (October 29)
Join the second meetup of the Barcelona MLOps Community for an exciting evening focused on AI innovation. Expect two insightful talks: one on building a Generative AI platform, and the other on the challenges and potential of AI agents. This event is perfect for those interested in AI platforms, and the future of automation. Register here.
๐ ๐ฉ๐ช Event: Shaping the Future: AI Innovation in Product Development (October 30)
Join Product People and N26 for an exclusive in-person event in Berlin focused on AI innovation in product development. Featuring a panel discussion with top product leaders, the event offers a chance to explore the latest AI trends in product management. Attendees can also enjoy networking over breakfast. Register here.
๐ ๐ฆ๐น Event: Wolves Summit 2024 (November 6-7)
Join the Wolves Summit, a premier tech and startup event in Vienna. Connect with over 250 founders, 100+ VCs, angels, and corporate investors through 1:1 matchmaking, engaging panels, and startup showcases. This event is ideal for scaling companies and entrepreneurs looking to forge meaningful partnerships. Register here.
๐ ๐ฌ๐ง Event: London Climate Technology Show 2024 (November 27-28)
Join the global leaders in climate tech at the London Climate Technology Show. This event brings together innovators, policymakers, and investors to explore breakthroughs in climate technology, renewable energy, and sustainability. Expect engaging panels, exhibitions, and networking opportunities that shape the future of climate action. Register here.
๐ Online: Bootcamp: Prototyping in the Age of AI (November 30)
Join this AI-powered bootcamp designed to help founders and early-stage entrepreneurs leverage AI tools to accelerate growth and innovation. Led by product advisor Karin Garcรญa, the event covers frameworks for AI-powered prototyping, tools for ideation, and no-code solutions for web applications. Perfect for those looking to scale faster and smarter in todayโs tech landscape. Register here.
๐ Program: Innovation Outre-mer (November 22)
Innovation Outre-mer is an initiative designed to boost innovation in the French Overseas Territories. The program offers support for startups and entrepreneurs through workshops, mentoring, and access to funding opportunities. It aims to foster sustainable growth, create jobs, and promote technological advancements in these regions. Register here.
๐ Program: EmpoWomen Program 2024: Empowering Women in Deep Tech (Apply by December 2)
EmpoWomen is a 2-year program offering equity-free funding of up to โฌ45,000 for women-led startups in robotics, AI, and data technologies. The initiative supports 25 startups, providing mentorship, business angel networking, and access to tech summits. The 2nd open call for applications will be in October 2024, offering a 6-month acceleration program. If you're a female founder in deep tech, don't miss this chance to grow your venture. Apply.
๐ Application: TALOS Open Call for European Startups and SMEs (Apply by December 3)
European startups and SMEs can now apply for funding to develop innovative solutions in robotยซaics, AI, and data technologies. This initiative provides financial support to foster groundbreaking projects in these fields. A fantastic opportunity to accelerate your tech solution with the backing of a European innovation ecosystem. Apply here
๐ Application: FU-Tourism Program 2024 Pre-Call
The FU-Tourism Program 2024 invites proposals for innovative projects aimed at enhancing sustainable tourism in Europe. This pre-call seeks ideas that integrate technology, environmental sustainability, and community engagement to create impactful tourism solutions. Selected projects will receive support, mentorship, and funding opportunities to develop and implement their concepts. Apply here.
Would you like to add something here? ๐
Recommendations
Articles, videos, and other resources to learn
๐ฉโ๐ผ Is Entrepreneurship Right for me?
In this episode of Harvard Business Review's podcast, Elainy Mata explores whether entrepreneurship is the right path by following Jemma Sbeg's journey. Jemma, who left her corporate consulting job to start her own podcast, shares her experiences from the first day of self-employment to five months later. The episode covers Jemma's fears, loneliness, money management, and whether entrepreneurship brought her more happiness. You can listen to the episode here.
๐ A Startup Marketing Strategy Guide
This article provides a comprehensive guide to crafting an effective marketing strategy for startups. This resource covers essential components, including market research, branding, digital marketing tactics, and customer acquisition strategies. Whether you're just launching your startup or looking to refine your approach, this guide offers actionable insights and best practices to help you build a strong market presence and drive growth. Read more.
๐ฐ Understanding Economic Moats
Check out this in-depth exploration of economic moats, the competitive advantages that protect a business from competitors. This resource outlines different types of moats, such as brand strength, cost advantages, and network effects, and explains how they contribute to a company's long-term success. Whether you're an entrepreneur or an investor, understanding economic moats can help you identify sustainable business models and make informed decisions. Read more.