#72 AIvolution: How Europe is Leading the Tech Revolution 🤖
UK AI Plan, Pitch Guide by Accel, and EU Startup regulations
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 👋,
This week it’s been a quiet one for me, settling back to life in Berlin, the sun has been out which has brought my mood to one of anticipation! I hope the new year’s resolution haven’t been lost on us yet, I vowed to complete 100 5k runs this year, and I’m currently on track, so let’s see how that goes…
It’s been a really interesting start to the year, with a number of movements by governments in support of VC, and generally a positive sentiment, inevitably driven by AI. There are a couple of resources here at the bottom, particularly the Accel round should be taken into consideration, as a North Star for founders looking to raise significant round.
In the menu this week:
Tech Firms Commit $14B to UK AI Plan 🇬🇧
State of European AI in 2025: Insights from 150+ Tech Leaders 🤖
Venture Funding Remains Stable in France, Boosted by AI Startups 📈
EU Startup Regulations in 2025 🧑🏽⚖️
Ultimate Seed Pitch Guide: Learnings from a $7.5M Seed Round with Accel 🗣️
Investment Memo Template: A Resource for Startups and Investors 📝
P.S.: Want to stay on top the news and be the first one to know everything? Join our “Amela Network whatsapp” 😉
Join the Foundations Program this Saturday, the 25th! 🚀
Kickstart your entrepreneurial journey with Amela’s Foundations Program, a 4-week series of interactive workshops. This program is designed to help you explore and validate your business ideas through a structured approach, including problem identification and experiments to test your concepts. Perfect for anyone looking to build scalable businesses, these sessions will equip you with the tools you need to move forward with your entrepreneurial aspirations! Read more here.
News
All about technology in Europe and the world 🌐
🇬🇧 Tech Firms Commit $14B to UK AI Plan
In a significant boost to the UK's artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, major technology companies have pledged over $14 billion to develop and operate advanced data centers across the country. This initiative aims to enhance the UK's capabilities in AI research, development, and deployment, positioning the nation as a leader in the global AI landscape. The investment is expected to create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth, reinforcing the UK's commitment to technological innovation. Read more.
🤖 State of European AI in 2025: Insights from 150+ Tech Leaders
In a recent report, Lleverage shares insights from conversations with over 150 tech executives across Europe. These discussions reveal key patterns in AI adoption, highlighting that while many companies are starting AI projects, only 14% have fully integrated AI with measurable results. The report suggests that companies focus on high-impact AI use cases and build dedicated teams to accelerate AI adoption. Read more here.
📈 Venture Funding Remains Stable in France, Boosted by AI Startups
As for the latest tech funding news, venture capital in France remained stable in 2024, thanks in large part to the surge in investments in AI startups. AI companies now account for 27% of total funding, with these startups raising 82% more than in 2023. On the other hand, non-AI investments have seen an 11% decline. This trend highlights the growing importance of AI in France's tech ecosystem and its role in maintaining a strong investment climate despite broader challenges in the market. Read more here.
Investments
From the 13th to 19th of January. Find a 💜 next to the raises of the teams with at least one woman in the founding team.
🇩🇪 Nelly raises $51M to accelerate the digitalization of medical practices in Europe.
🇺🇦 LetsData raises $1.6M in a pre-seed round to detect and analyze misinformation, helping organizations and governments protect public discourse and enhance media literacy. Congrats Ksenia! 💜
🇩🇪 Neura Robotics secures €120M in Series B funding to advance its cognitive robotics technology.
🇳🇱 Klearly raises €6M in a seed round led by Global PayTech Ventures to symplify in-person card payments. Congrats Eva Rosa! 💜
🇫🇷 Maki raises €26M to revolutionize hiring and talent management with AI-powered conversational agents.
🇫🇷 Bioptimus raises $41M to develop an AI model for biological research. Congrats Zelda! 💜
🇪🇸 H2SITE secures €36M to scale its cutting-edge hydrogen separation technology, advancing sustainable on-site hydrogen production.
🇬🇧 Freetrade acquired for £160M. The commission-free trading platform gained popularity for its accessible investment services.
🇫🇷 Robeauté raises €27.2M to revolutionize neurosurgery with microrobots by developing tiny, precision-controlled robots to perform minimally invasive brain surgeries. Congrats Joana! 💜
🇬🇧 Synthesia raises $180M in Series D funding to expand its AI video platform. Congrats Lourdes!
🇬🇧 Cera raises $150M to scale its AI-driven in-home healthcare services.
🇬🇧 NatureMetrics secures $25M in Series B funding to scale its biodiversity monitoring platform. Congrats Kat! 💜
Here is a quick recap on video:
Opportunities and Events
Open calls and events for entrepreneurs
📅Online: Inspire Capsule: June Angelides on Breaking Barriers & Building Bridges (January 23)
Join an empowering session with June Angelides, MBE, a leader in tech, finance, and venture capital, as she shares her journey and insights on fostering diversity and inclusive leadership in the tech industry. This event is part of Amela's Inspire Capsules series, designed to inspire and empower women entrepreneurs through the experiences of highly accomplished individuals. Register here.
📅🇩🇪 Event: Amela's Morning Club: Workout + Mindful Networking with Entrepreneurial Women (January 24)
Start your day with an energetic Barre class followed by a coffee chat at Amela's Morning Club in Berlin. This event is designed for female founders, VCs, and angels to network in a supportive environment. The session includes a workout and a structured networking opportunity to foster meaningful connections among attendees. Register here.
📅🇸🇪 Event: Techarena 2025 (February 20-21)
Join Scandinavia's largest tech and business event, Techarena 2025, at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm. This event will host over 12,000 attendees, including business leaders, founders, investors, and decision-makers. Engage with 350 world-class speakers and panelists, discover emerging technologies, and seize investment opportunities. Experience over 100 side events and meet a diverse international delegation to expand your network and explore Europe's innovation capital. Register here.
📝 Application: Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders (Apply by January 24)
This hybrid ten-week accelerator program targets women-led tech startups using AI technology in Europe and Israel. Designed for Seed to Series A funded startups, the program leverages Google’s resources to advance the growth and success of participants. Apply here.
📝 Application: European Startup Prize for Mobility #6 (Apply by February 7)
EIT Climate-KIC's European Startup Prize for Mobility is seeking innovative startups that contribute to sustainable mobility. The competition offers extensive support, including a remote acceleration program, investment opportunities, and strategic consultancy by Boston Consulting Group. Finalists gain significant exposure, with top startups receiving tailored guidance to expand within Europe. This is an invaluable opportunity for growth and recognition in the mobility sector. Apply here.
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Recommendations
Articles, videos, and other resources to learn
🧑🏽⚖️ EU Startup Regulations in 2025
The startup landscape in Europe is about to change with game-changing regulations for 2025. From the EU AI Act tightening rules on high-risk AI systems to the Data Act fostering better data sharing, these policies are set to shape how startups, especially in AI and data, operate. Plus, the 28th Regime promises to simplify cross-border operations for businesses across the EU. Stay ahead of the curve—explore how these updates could drive both compliance and growth for your startup. Don’t miss out on the details and tips to prepare. Read more.
🗣️ Ultimate Seed Pitch Guide: Learnings from a $7.5M Seed Round with Accel
If you're looking to master your seed pitch, this guide is a must-read! Tejas Gawande shares valuable lessons from raising $7.5 million in seed funding with Accel. He covers essential strategies for creating a compelling pitch deck, structuring your narrative, and understanding what investors look for. Whether you’re preparing for your first pitch or refining an existing one, this resource provides actionable insights to help you succeed. Highly recommended for founders looking to take their pitch to the next level! Read more here.
📝 Investment Memo Template: A Resource for Startups and Investors
Check out this valuable investment memo template designed to help startups and investors effectively communicate key information about investment opportunities. It highlights a VC framework for assessing startups, emphasizing team fit, $1B+ market size, competitive edge, strong traction metrics, and clear exit potential. Mastering this rubric is key for founders aiming to secure funding in 2025. Read more.