Europe’s Top 20 Startup Funding Rounds of 2025 (So Far)
▼ Summary
– European startups raised €19bn in H1 2025, spanning AI, biotech, defence, and deep tech, despite a cautious VC climate and geopolitical concerns.
– Helsing, an AI defence tech startup, secured €600M, reaching a €12bn valuation and becoming one of Europe’s most valuable private companies.
– Isomorphic Labs raised €508M to accelerate AI-driven drug discovery, reflecting strong investor confidence in AI’s potential for pharmaceuticals.
– NEoT and Proxima Fusion highlighted Europe’s green and energy transition focus, raising €350M and €130M respectively for clean transport and fusion energy.
– The UK and Germany led in funding, but France and Spain also saw significant activity, with multiple startups raising over €150M.
Europe’s startup ecosystem continues to thrive in 2025, with groundbreaking companies securing massive funding rounds despite global economic uncertainties. The first half of the year saw €19 billion flow into innovative ventures, spanning industries from artificial intelligence and biotech to clean energy and space technology. Here’s a closer look at the 20 largest funding deals of the year so far, showcasing where investors are placing their bets.
1. Helsing – €600M Based in Munich, this defence tech firm develops AI-driven software to enhance national security systems. Its €600 million Series D round, led by General Catalyst, propelled its valuation to €12 billion, cementing its position as a leader in Europe’s rapidly expanding defence sector.
2. Isomorphic Labs – €508M A London-based DeepMind spinout, Isomorphic Labs leverages AI to revolutionize drug discovery. The €508 million raised in March underscores growing confidence in AI’s potential to transform pharmaceutical research.
3. NEoT – €350M Parisian startup NEoT provides financing for sustainable infrastructure, including electric transport and off-grid energy solutions. Its €350 million funding round highlights the increasing demand for scalable green initiatives.
4. Verdiva Bio – €348M Emerging from stealth mode, this London biotech firm secured €348 million to develop cutting-edge obesity treatments, marking one of Europe’s largest-ever biotech investments.
5. XY Miners – €254M Specializing in cloud-based Bitcoin mining, Lewes-based XY Miners raised €254 million in a late-stage round, reflecting continued interest in blockchain infrastructure.
6. Neko Health – €250M Founded by Spotify’s Daniel Ek, this Swedish health-tech company uses AI-powered scans for early disease detection. Its €250 million Series B signals strong investor belief in preventative healthcare.
7. Multiverse Computing – €189M San Sebastián’s Multiverse Computing builds quantum software for industries like finance and logistics. Its €189 million Series B positions it as a frontrunner in Europe’s quantum computing race.
8. Auro Travel – €180M Madrid’s premium ride-hailing service for businesses secured €180 million, aiming to expand across Southern Europe’s corporate mobility market.
9. TravelPerk – €170M Barcelona’s corporate travel management platform raised €170 million in Series E funding as business travel rebounds post-pandemic.
10. Windward Bio – €169M Swiss biotech Windward Bio emerged with €169 million to pioneer treatments for cancer, immune disorders, and rare diseases.
11. Dojo – €161M London-based Dojo, which provides payment solutions for service businesses, secured €161 million to challenge industry giants like Square and Stripe.
12. Synthesia – €152M This AI video generation platform, also from London, reached a €1.9 billion valuation after raising €152 million, demonstrating strong demand for automated content creation.
13. Isar Aerospace – €150M Germany’s Isar Aerospace, known for small satellite launch vehicles, secured €150 million, bringing total funding past €600 million as it cements its lead in Europe’s space race.
14. Ori Industries – €149M Specializing in edge computing infrastructure, London’s Ori Industries raised €149 million to meet growing demand for decentralized cloud solutions.
15. Quantum Systems – €149M This German drone manufacturer, serving defence and agriculture sectors, became a unicorn with its €149 million Series C round.
16. Quantexa – €148M Using AI to detect financial crime, Quantexa’s €148 million funding round pushed its total capital raised beyond €500 million as it expands into insurance and defence.
17. Solaris – €140M Berlin’s Banking-as-a-Service platform Solaris secured €140 million in Series G funding, reinforcing its role in embedded finance.
18. Zepz – €140M Owner of remittance platforms WorldRemit and Sendwave, Zepz raised €140 million to strengthen its presence in emerging markets.
19. Azafaros – €132M Dutch biotech Azafaros focuses on rare metabolic disorders, securing €132 million in Series B funding.
20. Proxima Fusion – €130M Munich’s nuclear fusion startup made history with Europe’s largest-ever fusion funding round, raising €130 million to develop stellarator reactors for clean energy.
The Takeaway AI, biotech, defence, and deep tech dominated funding in 2025, with the UK and Germany leading the charge. However, Spain and France also demonstrated strong performances, proving Europe’s startup landscape remains diverse and dynamic. As these companies scale, they’re set to redefine industries and drive innovation across the continent.
(Source: The Next Web)
