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Where Europe Can Take the Lead in 2026

Where Europe Can Take the Lead in 2026
Discover more at www.speedinvest.com

The beginning of a new year brings new challenges, but more importantly, new opportunities. In Europe, big questions about our tech future are ever‑present. At Speedinvest, we stay focused on backing the innovators who will turn those questions into future-defining companies.

Across key technology sectors, Europe has a unique chance to lead. As AI commoditises intelligence and software becomes faster and cheaper to build, the real edge is shifting down the stack into infrastructure, physical systems, and foundational technologies. 

In our latest blog, our investors map out the 2026 frontiers where European leadership is still up for grabs – and where ambitious founders can make the biggest difference.

What else is happening...

→ Have You Heard? one • fıve has raised €14 million for its AI-powered packaging platform in a round led by Haribo. Handelsblatt has more details.

→ Speedinvest News: We're partnering with QIA, and among the most active foreign investors in France!

→ Our Perspective: Speedinvest published its inaugural Crypto 50, marking out the leading Crypto companies in EMEA.

Additional portfolio updates, deep-dive content, job openings, and more below ⬇️

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Welcome to the Family

We’re excited to be backing media generation startup Runware, founded by Ioana Hreninciuc and Flaviu Radulescu, as they accelerate the development and deployment of their developer-first API.

Runware works through a single API, unifying AI models to allow companies to generate images and video in real-time. As automation and AI continue to converge, companies that can deliver reliable, cost-effective inference at scale will define the next wave of applications.

TechCrunch has more.

  • Polaron, a UK-based company creating the intelligence layer for material sciences, has officially come out of stealth and announced $8 million in total funding. The Imperial College London spinout, which previously won the inaugural Manchester Prize for AI development, is scaling its impact across energy, automotive, and industrial applications with this new funding. We're excited to finally share our investment and to continue backing the team. Learn more from Sifted and Tech.EU.

Have You Heard?

Our portfolio's latest funding announcements

one • fıve founders: Claire Hae-Min Gusko and Martin Weber

Hamburg-based one • fıve has raised €14 million in new funding in a round led by Dr Hans Riegel Holding (a shareholder of Haribo).

Founded in 2020 by Claire Hae-Min Gusko and Martin Weber, formerly of Berlin-based company InFarm, one • fıve uses AI to help match product requirements with potential packaging materials to help reduce plastic waste.

Handelsblatt and Tech Funding News have more details on the funding round.

  • HomeCooks, a British meal-prep marketplace startup, has raised €1.6 million from PXN Ventures to accelerate its retail expansion and growth across the UK. Founded in 2020, HomeCooks connects health-conscious consumers with homemade dishes from independent chefs and will expand its partnerships with supermarkets. EU Startups has more.

Portfolio Headlines & Highlights

News and updates from across our portfolio

Cylib founders Gideon Schwich, Lilian Schwich, and Paul Sabarny.
  • Cylib, Twaice, and Dronamics were named among Europe's 50 most promising startups by Handelsblatt.
  • Vocca AI was named among France's most promising seed-stage companies in the 2025 State of French Tech report from 20VC.
  • mimic Robotics and Emmi AI have been selected by Sprind, Germany's innovation agency, for the first stage of its AI frontier labs programme.
  • Emmi AI also released Noether, their open source deep learning framework for engineering AI, and was featured on EU Startups list of 10 Austrian startups to keep an eye on in 2026.
  • Nomos Energy is set to power IKEA's new energy plan in Germany, offering dynamic pricing to around 16 million IKEA members.
  • Deblock announced its new wallet import tool, allowing users to connect self-custodial wallets to current accounts, enabling interaction between wallets on one platform.
  • Tide has expanded to France, meaning entrepreneurs can open business accounts with the platform to help simplify everyday financial operations.
  • Bitpanda announces strategic partnership with Deutsche Börse Group, and is extending its offering to provide investment & trading products, such as stocks and ETFs, plus fractional investing.

Our Perspective

Sector-focused expertise and insights on the VC ecosystem at large

Our Fintech & DeFin investment team published its inaugural Crypto 50 EMEA, highlighting 50 companies that embody the most promising crypto and digital asset innovation across the region, from early to late stage.

After a long “crypto winter,” the conversation in Europe has shifted from speculation to structure: MiCA has brought regulatory clarity, institutional adoption is accelerating, and real infrastructure is now powering the real economy.

Our list shines a light on the builders behind this shift. From compliant DeFi and stablecoin payments to institutional‑grade custody and core financial rails, the chosen European teams are helping shape the next era of digital assets.

  • Our Marketplaces & Consumer team published their view on the year ahead with market predictions centred on AI-native consumer products, the rise of Gen Z, and increasing RAM costs. Read more of their take on 2026 on our blog.
  • Our Partner Will Wells spoke to Sifted as they profiled 11 UK-based companies that VCs will be keeping their eye on in 2026.

Who's Hiring?

There are more than 1,000 vacancies across our portfolio. Browse open jobs below and on our website.

Sign up for our exclusive talent pool!

With 400 portfolio companies, Speedinvest has become one of the largest networks in the European startup scene. Join our exclusive talent pool to find your next career move, receive top news, and connect with founders directly.

Join the Speedinvest Team

Our team is always on the lookout for top-tier talent. Check out our featured roles below.

See you next month!