In Spain’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, women are taking the lead in shaping the future of innovation. Across various sectors, female founders are not only breaking barriers but also driving growth in ways that redefine the landscape of tech, healthcare, education, and sustainability. These trailblazers are proving that diversity in leadership sparks creativity and results in groundbreaking solutions that address both global challenges and local needs.

As these women-led startups continue to grow, they are gaining recognition for their bold ideas and significant impact. Keep reading to explore a list of Spanish startups thriving under female leadership!

Founderz

Founderz is a decentralised education platform headquartered in Barcelona. Founded in 2015 by Anna Cejudo and Pau Garcia-Mila, its mission is to make education more inclusive and accessible to everyone.

The platform offers various online short courses, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation, catering to the evolving needs of learners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Founderz is positioned as a significant player in the educational technology sector, striving to empower individuals through accessible and innovative learning solutions.

As of 2024, Founderz has successfully raised a total of $1.57 million (approximately €1.46 million) over two funding rounds, with the latest being a Seed round in April 2023, where it secured approximately $1.1 million (approximately €1.02 million) from prominent investors Oryon Universal and Sevenzonic. 

LactApp Women Health

Founded by Maria Berruezo and Alba Padrò in 2016, LactApp Women Health is headquartered in Barcelona. It is the first digital lactation consultant, offering new mothers personalised, expert advice on breastfeeding and maternity through AI. 

LactApp has raised a total of $33,000 (approximately €30,690) in funding, with key backers including EIT Health, Conector Startup Accelerator, and Google for Startups Accelerator. While there is no latest funding stage reported, these investors have played a crucial role in advancing the company’s innovative vision.

The LactApp mobile application is the company’s flagship product, featuring real-time chat functions for immediate consultations, as well as tools to log baby health metrics like feeding and weight. It also provides comprehensive guidance on various breastfeeding topics, positioning LactApp as a vital resource for mothers navigating early childcare.

Uttopy

Founded in December 2016 by Cristina Fernandez Romero and Ines Echevarria, Uttopy is based in Barcelona. 

The company aims to drive positive social change by connecting NGOs, businesses, and individuals through everyday micro-activism. By encouraging small, meaningful actions, Uttopy seeks to create a community dedicated to making a larger impact over time.

Although specific funding and investors are not yet disclosed, Uttopy’s mission is reflected in its product line, which focuses on sustainable fashion and ethical practices. The company runs campaigns supporting causes like aiding premature babies, further emphasising its commitment to social good.

Moonai App

Founded in 2021 by Laura-June Clarke, Moonai App is headquartered in Barcelona. The app is dedicated to managing period pain through personalised music therapy, utilising soundscapes designed to alleviate discomfort and enhance overall well-being for women.

Moonai has successfully raised a pre-seed investment, securing €100,000 from Think Bigger Capital, along with additional funding from private angels and Techstars. With an estimated enterprise valuation ranging from $440,000 to $660,000 (approximately €409,200 to €613,800), as reported by Dealroom.co in April 2021, the company has established a solid foundation for growth.

The Moonai App’s positive reception is evident, having been recognized as “App Of The Day” by Apple in multiple countries and achieving over 25,000 downloads. By combining technology and wellness, Moonai is making strides in improving women’s health and offering a unique approach to pain management.

Nora Real Food

Founded in 2018 by Nora Vallcorba Barata and Albert Solé, Nora Real Food is based in Barcelona, Spain. The company is dedicated to transforming mealtimes into enjoyable experiences while promoting healthy and sustainable dining. By providing customers with balanced meals made from seasonal ingredients, Nora Real Food emphasises the significance of nutrition and environmental responsibility.

Operating without initial external funding, Nora Real Food focuses on organic growth and resourceful operations. The company aims to expand its services and is projected to achieve €4.5 million in annual revenue by 2023, indicating strong market potential despite not publicly announcing new funding stages since its inception.

Nora Real Food offers a diverse range of healthy meals, such as truffled fettuccine, roast beef, green hamburgers, falafel salads, and kale and mango gazpacho, all prepared daily with fresh, seasonal products. Committed to sustainability, meals are served in reusable glass containers or biodegradable options made from PLA, a corn-derived vegetable polymer. 

LetMePark

Founded in 2020 by Uliana Torkunova, LetMePark is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and is on a mission to transform the parking experience through innovative technology. The company offers a voice-powered virtual parking service, allowing users to park their vehicles using voice commands. By integrating with platforms like Amazon Alexa, LetMePark aims to streamline the parking process, making it safer and more user-friendly.

LetMePark has successfully raised a total of €741,000 in funding over five rounds, with its latest funding stage being Pre-Seed. Backed by investors such as CASTIVENTURES, S.L., the company has established a strong foundation for growth, with an enterprise valuation estimated between $132,000 and $198,000 (approximately €122,760 and €184,140) according to Dealroom.co as of August 2017.

The primary offering from LetMePark is its voice-activated parking solution, which enhances convenience and safety by allowing users to issue voice instructions for parking. Designed to work seamlessly with smart home devices, particularly Amazon Alexa, this service is positioned to cater to a broad audience, making parking more accessible and automated. With its focus on contactless interactions, LetMePark is set to revolutionise how people approach parking in urban environments.

ODDERS LAB

Founded in 2018 by Ana Maria Molina Jurado, Odders Lab is an innovative firm based in Madrid that specialises in developing cutting-edge products across various fields, including the Internet of Things (IoT), voice assistants, and virtual reality (VR). The company’s primary objective is to create immersive VR experiences that seamlessly blend technology with user engagement, particularly within gaming and interactive applications.

Its product lineup includes Les Mills XR Dance, launched on December 14, 2023, which focuses on health, fitness, and lifestyle and Chess Club, released on June 29, 2021, targeting strategy and classic board game enthusiasts.

In addition to developing VR experiences, Odders Lab actively seeks collaboration opportunities with talented individuals in the industry. Currently, there is yet to be specific information regarding funding and investor details.

MYHIXEL

Based in Seville, MYHIXEL is a pioneering brand that focuses on male sexual health. The company, which was founded in 2017 by Patricia López, aims to disrupt the traditional landscape of sexual wellness by offering innovative, technology-driven, and clinically validated solutions designed to enhance men’s sexual experiences. 

MYHIXEL integrates cutting-edge research with practical applications to provide a holistic range of physical and digital products aimed at improving sexual health while challenging the stigmas surrounding male sexuality.

On January 9, 2024, MYHIXEL successfully raised €1.4M across two funding rounds: €300,000 in debt financing from Zubi Capital and €1.1M in a venture round from SEGO Venture. 

The flagship products offered by MYHIXEL include MyHixel Control, a program paired with a device aimed at helping users manage and enhance their climax control, and the MyHixel Ring, an innovative device designed to improve erections and overall sexual performance. 

Cologne-based AI language unicorn DeepL has become one of the first companies that invest in  the cutting-edge NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD with DGX GB200 systems. Expected to be fully operational by mid-2025, this deployment will provide DeepL with the advanced computing resources essential for evolving its AI research and expanding its translation and communication tools suite.

DeepL’s latest SuperPOD, featuring NVIDIA’s new GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchips and liquid-cooled rack-scale architecture, will allow the company to drive superscale generative AI workloads, underpinning its platform’s ability to deliver real-time, high-performance Language AI for professionals and businesses globally.

This enhanced infrastructure also supports the scalability of up to thousands of GPUs, positioning DeepL to continue pushing the boundaries of AI-driven language solutions.

“DeepL has always been a research-led company, which has enabled us to develop Language AI for translation that continues to outperform other solutions on the market,” says Jarek Kutylowski, CEO and founder of DeepL. 

“This latest investment in NVIDIA accelerated computing will give our research and engineering teams the power necessary to continue innovating and bringing to market the Language AI tools and features that our customers know and love us for.”

SuperPOD upgrade for faster Language AI

The DGX GB200 SuperPOD will be deployed at DeepL’s Swedish data centre, joining an NVIDIA DGX H100 SuperPOD installation from last year. This upgrade promises even more processing capacity than the DeepL Mercury, a system ranked among the Top500 supercomputers. 

DeepL aims to deliver near-instant AI responses and power advancements in language model training and inference with this high-performance AI infrastructure.

“Customers using Language AI applications expect nearly instant responses, making efficient and powerful AI infrastructure critical for both building and deploying AI in production,” explains Charlie Boyle, Vice President of NVIDIA DGX Platform at NVIDIA. 

“DeepL’s deployment of the latest NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD will accelerate its Language AI research and development, empowering users to communicate more effectively across languages and cultures.”

DeepL, which has rapidly grown its customer network to encompass over 100,000 businesses and governmental organisations—including 50 percent of the Fortune 500—continues to build on a year of notable achievements. 

In addition to expanding into New York and introducing updates to its translation tools, the company recently launched a next-generation large language model, claiming unmatched performance in translation quality over leading platforms like GPT-4 and Google.

The Cologne-based company, recently minted as a unicorn, announced in May that it secured $300 million (approximately €277 million) in funding at a $2 billion valuation. Led by Index Ventures, the investment round included late-stage backers ICONIQ Growth and Teachers’ Venture Growth, as well as continued support from existing investors IVP, Atomico, and WiL. 

The fourth quarter of 2024 promises to be an exciting time for the tech industry, with numerous events lined up across Europe.

For industry players, the tech events provide a great chance to expand their knowledge and grow their network. From startup expos to sustainability forums, there’s something for every interest.

Here’s your essential guide to the top European tech conferences in Q4 2024 that you won’t want to miss!

Net Zero Festival 

Date: October 22-23

Net Zero Festival is an annual event hosted by BusinessGreen, the UK’s leading green business media brand. It focuses on sustainability in technology and business practices and discusses how technology can drive sustainable practices across industries.  

Features over 150 expert speakers on various aspects of achieving net zero goals, including keynote speeches from Emily Shuckburgh (Director, Cambridge Zero), Simon Reeve (Author and TV Presenter), and James Murray (Editor-in-chief, BusinessGreen). The event also provides networking opportunities among attendees from diverse backgrounds. 

Find out more here.

Webit Impact Forum

Date: October 23

Webit Impact Forum is a significant event held annually in Sofia, Bulgaria, focusing on the impact of digital transformation on society and businesses. The forum brings together industry leaders, startups, investors, and policymakers to discuss and showcase the latest advancements in various sectors.

With 15 parallel stages, the event hosts summits on a wide range of topics such as health innovation, fintech, smart cities, cyber security, and more. Keynote speakers include Matthew Prince (Co-Founder and CEO, Cloudflare) and John Lee Allen (Managing Partner, RYSE Asset Management).

You can register here. 

SuperInvestor 

Date: November 5-8

Superinvestor is an investment conference that focuses on connecting high-net-worth investors, family offices, and venture capitalists with innovative startups and investment opportunities. The conference will explore key themes in private equity, including resilience in the face of market challenges, diversity and inclusion strategies, and the integration of ESG factors into investment practices.

Attendees can gain insights from keynote speakers, including Dylan Cox (Head of Private Markets Research, Pitchbook Data Inc.) and Mark Affolter (Partner and Co-Head of U.S. Direct Lending, Ares Management).

Join the event in Monaco by registering here. 

Wolves Summit 

Date: November 6-7

Wolves Summit is an integrated deal-flow and digital marketing platform that connects young tech and startup companies from Central Eastern Europe (CEE) and Germany-Austria-Hungary (DACH) regions. The event will be held in Vienna, but people can also participate online. 

This summit allows attendees to connect with VCs, angel investors, and other financial backers through matchmaking sessions and panel discussions. This year, the summit features several keynote speakers, including Hanno Lippitsch (CEO, Eversports) and Tomasz Czechowicz (Founder and Managing Partner, MCI Capital). 

Register here.

Web Summit 

Date: November 11-14

Web Summit is one of the world’s largest and most influential technology conferences, taking place annually in Lisbon, Portugal. The event covers various topics, from AI and fintech to marketing and sustainability. Keynote speakers include Pharrell Williams (Artist and Entrepreneur), Brad Smith (President and Vice Chair, Microsoft) and Meredith Whittaker (President, Signal).

Extensive networking opportunities with thousands of attendees worldwide are also available. Join the event here.

AI Day 2024 

Date: November 13

AI Day 2024 is an upcoming event in Denmark focusing on Generative AI, Innovation/Future, and AI Use Cases. The conference aims to provide attendees with the latest knowledge on AI from 35 Danish and international experts, inspiration for implementing various AI tools in businesses, and concrete use cases where AI has significantly impacted organisations. 

Influential figures in the AI field, like Jacob Bundsgaard (Mayor, Aarhus Municipality) and Dona Sarkar (Chief Troublemaker, Microsoft USA), will be present as keynote speakers.

You can get networking opportunities with up to 600 attendees with full catering provided throughout the day. Secure your seats here.

Future of Work 

Date: November 13-14

Future of Work is a conference that explores how technology is reshaping work environments and employee experiences. Attendees will have the chance to connect with industry leaders, HR professionals, and innovators who are shaping the future of work. 

It features notable speakers like Mabinty Esho Koroma (Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Comic Relief) and Barrie Hottinger (Vice President, Workplace Experience, Mastercard). Attendees can participate in interactive sessions focusing on practical applications of emerging technologies in the workplace.

Check out the event here. 

The Business Show

Date: November 13-14

Held in London, The Business Show is designed to help businesses grow and succeed through various activities. This event features Speed Networking sessions, allowing participants to engage in brief, timed meetings to quickly exchange professional information and explore potential collaborations. Additionally, the interactive masterclasses offer direct mentorship from industry experts to drive businesses forward.

The summit also features notable speakers like Rachel Elnaugh (Former Dragons’ Den Entrepreneur, Rachel Elnaugh-LOVE), Levi Roots (Entrepreneur & Chef, Levi Roots Reggae Reggae Food Limited), and many more successful business leaders.

Join the event here. 

Slush 

Date: November 20-21

Slush is the world’s leading startup event held annually in Helsinki, Finland. The event is known for its founder-focused environment, featuring multiple stages with curated content directed at startups and investors.

This year, Slush features notable speakers like Chris Malachowsky (Founder, NVIDIA), Justin Kan (Co-founder, Stash and Twitch), and Nik Storonsky (Founder and CEO, Revolut). Extensive networking opportunities are also available through an in-house matchmaking tool, and various side events tailored for founders and investors. 

Check out the event here.

London EV Show

Date: 26-28 November

The London EV Show is a premier event in the electric vehicle industry, now in its fourth edition, focusing on the latest mobility solutions and trends. Held in London, this summit brings together industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts to explore cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly transportation.

This year’s agenda features a dynamic exhibition with 18,000 square metres of display space, including test drives and demonstrations from over 300 exhibitors. New highlights at #LEVS24 are Mobility Business Connect, product launches, a startup showcase, a micro-mobility zone, and multiple conference tracks. Notable speakers include Alex Gilbert (Transport for London) and Mete Coban (Greater London Authority).

Find out more here.

Women of Silicon Roundabout 

Date: 27-28 November 

Women of Silicon Roundabout is the UK’s largest tech event exclusively for women, known for its impactful role in advancing gender diversity in the tech sector. Taking place in London, the event focuses on the theme “Digital X Human,” emphasising the fusion of technology and human potential. 

It features over 250 speakers discussing industry trends and career development, such as Katherine Ainley (UK and Ireland CEO, Ericsson), Ha Cole (CTO Tech for Social Impact, Microsoft), and Clare Jones (Chief Executive Officer, Polarsteps). This event will also include networking sessions, tech demonstrations, and career development workshops. 

Find out more about the event here. 

London Climate Technology Show

Date: 27-28 November 

The London Climate Technology Show is a pivotal event in the climate tech sector, focusing on accelerating the transition to a global net-zero economy. It combines educational content, networking opportunities, and business engagement.

This year’s agenda includes B2B matchmaking, industry roundtables, and live product demos. Notable speakers include Mark Mills (Founder and CEO, Optopia Ltd), Laura Sandys (Chair, Green Alliance), Dr. Stefan Kaufmann (Member of the Bundestag, German Bundestag), and other exceptional speakers.

Learn more about the event here.

Tech Summit London 

Date: November 28-29

Tech Summit London is an immersive experience designed for tech professionals. It features industry-leading experts, innovators, and leaders and aims to foster collaboration among tech leaders across various sectors.

Participants can gain insights from keynote speakers like Adetayo Teluwo (Managing Partner, FbX Ventures) and Catherine Henry (Managing Principal, Web3 Business Transformation). There will also be interactive workshops and exclusive networking sessions. 

Register for the event here. 

At World Summit AI 2024, the highly anticipated Startup Showcase will showcase innovative early-stage AI startups from around the globe.

The summit’s Europe edition, which will be held in Amsterdam on October 9–10, 2024, will give emerging companies the opportunity to pitch their next-generation AI solutions in front of international experts and a panel of judges. With the chance to gain industry exposure, secure partnerships, and connect with investors, the competition promises to be a pivotal moment for these businesses.

In this year’s competition, five startups stand out for their creative use of AI to transform industries, from legal services to health and well-being. From simplifying complex legal processes to making healthy eating easier, these companies are pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and integrating it into everyday life. 

Here’s a closer look at the five startups.

NeuroCreate Ltd

NeuroCreate Ltd, founded in 2017 by Dr Shama Rahman, is a UK-based company headquartered in London. The company combines neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and design to enhance creativity and productivity. Focusing on the creative industries and well-being sectors, NeuroCreate helps professionals achieve peak cognitive performance through AI-driven tools.

Its flagship product, FlowCreate Innovator, provides AI tools to boost problem-solving, strategy development, and ideation efficiency. Rooted in neuroscience, it aims to improve creativity and well-being. 

NeuroCreate’s mission is to transform the future of work by helping individuals and teams access Flow mental states, maximising focus and creativity. Recognised as one of the Top 100 UK Createch companies, NeuroCreate is committed to broadening its impact through partnerships in education and non-profit sectors.

Leya AI

Stockholm-based Leya AI focuses on developing an AI-powered workspace designed for law firms and legal professionals. The platform integrates with existing legal documents and public legal sources to improve the efficiency of legal processes.

Leya was founded in 2023 by Mindaugas Bruzas and Donatas Tamosauskas. It aims to streamline contract review and document management by extracting relevant information and providing solutions that boost productivity. 

In July 2024, Leya raised $25 million in a series A funding round led by Redpoint Ventures. With a focus on innovation, Leya AI is committed to continuously developing new features that meet the evolving needs of the legal sector. 

Ai Master

Ai Master is dedicated to transforming artificial intelligence into practical solutions for businesses and individuals. The Prague-based company partners with clients to integrate AI into everyday processes, offering strategic advice and hands-on solutions that drive innovation and efficiency.

Founded by CEO Michal Schulz, Ai Master specialises in AI strategy development, transformation roadmaps, employee training, and ongoing support. It works with various clients, from small startups to global corporations, helping them harness AI’s potential to improve daily operations and drive growth.

FLTRD

FLTRD, established by Anke Kuik, is a Dutch health company that simplifies healthy food choices for all. Its innovative digital platform aids users in filtering out ultra-processed foods from their diets, providing personalised suggestions, educational materials, and straightforward, nutritious recipes.

FLTRD primarily targets families and individuals aiming to enhance their eating habits. It is particularly advantageous for those with chronic health issues or anyone seeking a healthier lifestyle. The platform empowers users with the knowledge and tools to make informed, healthier food decisions.

Lees Simpel

Lees Simpel is an Amsterdam-based company that uses AI to simplify complex letters for people with low literacy skills. It was born from an AI hackathon, where founder Hester Benedictus‘s concept was developed into a prototype app.

The Lees Simpel app now has over 38,000 users and simplified 85,000 letters. It helps individuals, particularly those in vulnerable groups, better understand critical communications from local authorities and healthcare providers.

Supported by the SIDN Fund, Lees Simpel exemplifies AI for Good. The company aims to expand the app’s capabilities, adding features like text-to-voice and translation, and hopes to partner with organisations to further improve written communication at its source.

Eight innovative startups and scale-ups from Amsterdam are set to showcase their cutting-edge technologies at CES 2025, the world’s largest tech fair. Joining other Dutch companies, these ventures will present their solutions to a global audience in Las Vegas from January 7–10, 2025. 

The Dutch delegation, accompanied by Minister Dirk Beljaarts of Economic Affairs, aims to highlight the nation’s strength in technological innovation. It aligns with the Netherlands’ national strategy to drive growth in key sectors like energy, cybersecurity, and healthcare.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has evolved beyond a gadget-focused event, becoming a major platform for innovations that shape the future. For Dutch startups and scale-ups, CES 2025 is a valuable opportunity to connect with international investors and customers, providing critical exposure for companies striving to scale globally.

Among the 50 Dutch participants are 8 Amsterdam-based companies, each offering breakthrough technologies ranging from AI-powered performance management tools to sustainable audio devices. Get to know them more here.

270 Degrees

270 Degrees offers an innovative platform that enables businesses to integrate interactive 3D designs seamlessly into their websites. Through its API-based solution, the company allows real-time manipulation of 3D models, making it ideal for e-commerce, architecture, and product design industries.

The platform’s user-friendly interface requires minimal effort to customise textures, colours, lighting, and animations. Additionally, 270 Degrees’ system is platform agnostic which works across various platforms like Shopify and WordPress. It also supports multiple 3D file formats, including CAD and GLB.

Breggz

Breggz is a commercial enterprise focused on producing high-quality, eco-friendly audio devices, specialising in custom-fitted, stylish, and sustainable hearables. The startup stands out by combining advanced 3D scanning and CAD technology to create custom-fitted earbuds that are stylish and environmentally friendly. 

Breggz was founded by Xander de Buisonjé, whose passion for technology and nature drives the company’s vision of creating eco-conscious audio products. The company appeals to ecomusicians—music lovers who care about high-quality sound and responsible, sustainable production methods.

It plans to expand its range of audio devices, aiming to eliminate single-use plastics from its product line entirely.

Bubl Cloud

Bubl Cloud differentiates itself from other cloud service providers through its privacy-first approach. Unlike many cloud providers, Bubl ensures that users maintain full ownership of their data, with no unauthorised access by third parties, including Bubl itself. The architecture supports personalised services while prioritising data security. 

Founded by Vincent Hogenes, Niek Temme, and Martijn Jochem Kalkwarf, Bubl’s leadership is driven by a shared vision of improving data privacy and personal data management. While individual founders remain relatively low-profile, their collective experience in technology and business is key to its growth and success.

MOOS

MOOS specialises in IT solutions that transform inventory management. Founded by Stijn Froeling and Marc Reunis, the startup offers a cutting-edge system that monitors shelves and racks in real time, streamlining operational efficiency and stock management.

Using patented sensor technology, MOOS eliminates manual inventory checks by constantly tracking the quantity and position of goods. It allows businesses to avoid stock shortages and improve overall productivity.

The startup stands out for its ability to automate inventory control, making it a game-changer for industries like retail and logistics, where effective stock management is crucial. 

Pandria

Pandria transforms HR technology by enhancing performance management through AI-powered feedback systems. Founded by Eva van der Brugge, the company focuses on improving growth conversations between employees and managers by integrating collaboration tools like Slack and Teams. 

The system allows feedback to be delivered organically, reducing the inefficiencies of formal performance appraisals. By bypassing rigid performance review schedules, it offers feedback when it arises, making the process more fluid. 

Pandria is particularly aimed at large organisations where traditional performance management methods are costly and ineffective. The solution helps companies foster a culture of ongoing feedback and career development, improving employee retention and satisfaction.

PhoneCam

PhoneCam AI redefines safety with its innovative, AI-operated body camera—the most compact and affordable on the market. Designed for versatility, the PhoneCam can be used as a personal body camera, dashcam, bicycle camera, or for security purposes.

The compact design and low cost set PhoneCam apart, making it accessible for various uses, from personal safety to surveillance. Its AI-driven capabilities cater to consumers and professionals in the healthcare, personal security, and vehicle monitoring sectors.

Developed by SLIMDESIGN under the direction of Wouter Konings, PhoneCam aims to bring cutting-edge safety technology to a broader audience, with plans to expand into new markets and enhance its product offerings.

SunLED

SunLED pioneers the use of near-infrared (NIR) technology to transform everyday lighting, aiming to improve health and productivity. The forward-thinking company focuses on photobiomodulation, using NIR light to stimulate cellular activity, ease tension, and enhance well-being.

The lighting design harnesses the power of light to boost mitochondrial function. Clinical studies have shown promising results, including reduced heart rates and enhanced immune response. Founded by the Life Sciences team, its products are set to transform environments in homes, offices, and vehicles to offer a healthier lighting experience.

Vox AI

VoxAI remoulds the quick service restaurant (QSR) sector with AI-driven solutions, specifically enhancing drive-thru operations. Founded by Maurice Kroon in 2023, the startup’s technology automates order-taking with real-time speech capabilities, responding in less than 300 milliseconds. 

VoxAI also offers personalised meal recommendations and understands dietary preferences, aiming to improve customer experience. Targeting the US market, which has around 200,000 drive-thrus, it is set to make a significant impact with its cutting-edge solutions.

Despite being strategically situated between East and West, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania often fly under the radar of executives. However, they are steadily establishing themselves as fintech powerhouses. 

The Balkan states experienced major economic challenges upon regaining their independence in 1991. Yet, these challenges also presented new opportunities. The post-Soviet countries transitioned to market economies and quickly transformed their business environment. 

One advantage the Baltic states had was their lack of legacy banking infrastructure. Unlike many Western nations that had to transition from traditional banking systems to digital platforms, the Baltics “leapfrogged” directly into digital financial services. 

Today, the Baltic fintech ecosystem consists of over 500 companies addressing digital payments, cryptocurrency, insurtech, and many more. Estonia’s Wise (formerly TransferWise), Lithuania’s Vinted and Revolut have all achieved “unicorn” valuations of over $1B (€0.92M).

Each of the states has its achievements. Estonia, for example, has the highest number of unicorns per capita worldwide. Latvia just won an anti-money laundering (AML) crackdown, making it a wise choice for compliance expertise. Meanwhile, Lithuania has increased its number of fintech firms from a handful to over 270. 

Each of the states has a unique approach to fintech. Let’s get to know some disruptors in this industry. 

Montonio

Founder(s): Henrik Rank, Karel Nappus, Karl Kristjan Kalluste, Kristofer Turmen, Markus Lember, Rasmus Õisma

Founded: 2018

Funding: €14.5M

Hiring: Yes, check out job opportunities here

Founded by a team of entrepreneurs, Montonio is an all-in-one payment platform for European online merchants. It offers a variety of local payment methods, including card payments, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, all at low costs.

Montonio simplifies refund processes and shipping management for its client base. It provides a “buy now, pay later” option, allowing customers to split purchases into instalments with zero fees or interest. Merchants, however, will receive full payment upfront. 

Its dashboard allows merchants to access real-time data on payments, shipping, and refunds. 

Through its platform, Montonio promises to put an end to overcharging. It also wants to eliminate payment complexities through its self-serve API integration.

Xolo

Founder(s): Avo Alender, Erik Mell, Erko Hansar, Urmo Pärg

Founded: 2015

Funding: €11M

Hiring: Yes, check out job opportunities here

Fintech company Xolo reduced business administration time to near zero by merging invoicing, compliance, and banking into a single app. Catering to entrepreneurs, it targets 40 million professionals worldwide who run their businesses independently. 

Xolo’s platform accommodates company formation, banking, accounting, and other services. This makes it the quickest and easiest way to launch and run a one-person freelancing business in Europe. 

Although based in Tallinn, Xolo’s largest user base lies in Germany, Spain, France, the UK, Ukraine, and Turkey. 

Its typical customers are professionals who need a strong, straightforward platform for business operations. This includes software developers, management consultants, designers, and others. 

Led by CEO Mikko Teerenhovi, Xolo now has 140,000 signups and €7.2M in annualised revenue (ARR).

Tuum

Founder(s): Jan Lakspere, Ove Kreison, Rivo Uibo, Vilve Vene

Founded: 2019

Funding: €45M

Hiring: Yes, check out job opportunities here

Formerly known as Modularbank, Tuum is a cloud-based banking platform. Founded by a team of banking and technology experts, the company offers a suite of banking services for businesses. 

Tuum is designed to easily integrate with existing financial infrastructures. With it, both traditional banks and fintech companies can improve and add their digital offerings. Tuum’s platform is cloud-native, which means it can run on all major cloud providers and private clouds.

Tuum, which raised €4M in a round of late seed funding in December 2020, is headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia. Its CEO Vilve Vene employs over 60 people across several offices in Berlin and Malaga as well.

4finance

Founder(s): Aigars Kesenfelds

Founded: 2008

Funding: $734.2M (€679M)

Hiring: Yes, check out job opportunities here

4finance is a fintech company specialising in online and mobile consumer lending. Established in 2008, the company became the largest consumer lending group across 11 countries in Europe. 

Its lending products include single-payment loans, instalment loans, and lines of credit. The company assesses credit risk using advanced analytics to provide specific lending solutions. 

The unique approach led to the company issuing over €8B in loans to a broad customer base. Leading brands like Vivus, SMSCredit, and Zaplo are included in its customer portfolio. 

The company’s group offices are located in Riga and London. However, it oversees operations in countries such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Spain, and Sweden.

4finance also services its customers through TBI Bank, an EU-licensed banking operation that provides consumer and SME lending in Bulgaria and Romania.

kevin‍.

Founder(s): Pavel Sokolovas, Tadas Tamosiunas

Founded: 2018

Funding: $79.4M (€73.4M) 

Hiring: Yes, check out job opportunities here

Headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, kevin. is a fintech company that offers advanced account-to-account payment infrastructure. Led by entrepreneur Tadas Tamošiūnas, it has become a big player in the payments industry.

kevin.’s technology eliminates the need for credit cards by connecting directly to users’ bank accounts. The platform supports traditional cards, pay-by-link, point-of-sale (POS) systems, direct debit, and online payments.

kevin. benefits both merchants and consumers with its efficient and cost-effective transactions. Businesses of all sizes can also use kevin.’s customisable and scalable payments solution. 

The company has raised $65M (€60.11M) in Series A funding from investors like Accel and Eurazeo. This financial backing has enabled kevin. to hire over 300 employees across Europe. It is optimistic in positioning itself on a trajectory towards achieving unicorn status.

Mintos

Founder(s): Martins Sulte, Martins Valters

Founded: 2015

Funding: €14.2M

Hiring: Yes, check out job opportunities here

Mintos is a global marketplace for investing in loans based in Riga, Latvia. The company was founded by entrepreneurs Martins Sulte and Martins Valters in 2015.

Mintos has created a platform that connects retail investors with loan opportunities. The company serves over 500,000 investors within the European Union. It also manages assets worth over €600M.

Regulated under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) in the European Union, Mintos is a unique way to build wealth. It implements environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria in its practices. The company also maintains high standards of anti-corruption and anti-bribery measures.

Mintos encourages existing customers and the broader public to become shareholders. Ultimately, it aims to become the leading choice for every individual seeking long-term wealth building. 

Profitus

Founder(s): Viktorija Vanagė

Founded: 2017

Funding: Undisclosed

Hiring: Yes, check out job opportunities here

Profitus is a real estate investment platform based in Vilnius, Lithuania, with a new approach to real estate financing. Launched in mid-2018, it aims to democratise real estate investments by allowing users to start investing with as little as €50.

The platform bridges investors with real estate developers seeking financing. Investors can browse through real estate projects on the platform and choose the ones that align with their goals. The investment is secured by the pledged assets of the project owner, which further secures the transaction.

In 2019, Profitus participated in a trial within the Vilnius-based Realbox Proptech sandbox. The project allowed it to expand its network of investors and customers. Profitus has also raised €300,000 in seed funding to further develop its platform.

Evarvest 

Founder(s): Stephanie Brennan

Founded: 2018

Funding: €239.5K

Hiring: Yes, check out job opportunities here

Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, Evarvest is a fintech startup that seeks to change how individuals invest in the stock market. Founded in early 2018, Evarvest makes global stock exchanges accessible by providing a simple, commission-free investment platform.

The company helps users invest in the brands they know, love, and trust without the complexities associated with stock trading. Even before its official launch, Evarvest already has over 28,000 users on its waitlist. 

Now, it integrates more than 30 of the world’s stock exchanges and offers users access to over 9,000 stocks. Currently, Evarvest is focused on securing its financial brokerage license and finalising its investment platform.

Despite being a relatively young company, Evarvest obtained accolades within the fintech sector. The startup has been recognized in the Barclays Rise Vilnius 2018 Fintech Week Pitch Competition and the FintechInn Conference 2018 Pitch Battle.

With a female head of state and prime minister, Estonia stands as a beacon of gender equality. The stance also extends to its startup ecosystem, where many female founders are making waves. 

In the last several years, Estonia has seen an increase in the number of female founders. In 2020, women made up 10 per cent of startup founders in the country. By 2023, this figure had risen to 17 per cent. The number is 2 per cent higher than the European average of 15 per cent. 

The highest concentration of female startup founders in Estonia lies in the health industry, with 30 per cent of startup founders in this sector being women. Following closely is the education technology industry, where 24 per cent of founders are women. In third place is communication services, with 21 per cent female founders.

In addition to that, women also make up a huge chunk of the workforce in Estonian startups. Women hold 40 per cent of startup jobs in the country, a substantially higher amount than the global average of around 27 per cent. Moreover, approximately 10 per cent of them hold managerial positions in their workplace.

With that said, here are some of the female-founded startups in Estonia making waves locally and internationally.

Jobbatical

Founder(s): Allan Mäeots, Karoli Hindriks, Ronald Hindriks

Founded: 2014

Funding: $19.7M (€18.17M)

Hiring: Yes, check out vacancies here

Jobbatical is a platform that handles the immigration and relocation processes for global teams. Started as a cross-border recruitment platform, Jobbatical now focuses on employee relocation.

The platform puts a strong emphasis on reducing bureaucratic hurdles. Its service automates paperwork and immigration processes, which saves time and reduces errors.  The company also adopts new approaches that help employees settle into new locations smoothly.

Co-founder Karoli Hindriks has been named one of the most influential women in the European startup and VC space. She is also known for her advocacy for gender diversity, having founded many companies and spoken for TED on various occasions. 

Haut.AI

Founder(s): Anastasia Georgievskaya, Konstantin Kiselev

Founded: 2018

Funding: €2M

Hiring: Yes, check out vacancies here

Haut.AI offers a SaaS tool for tracking and analysing skin health using AI technology. The platform is used by skincare brands to create personalised product recommendations. 

Its AI was trained using millions of annotated images to provide accurate skin health assessments. Top skincare brands can build skin analysis apps to better understand the needs of their customer base. The tool is available as an application programming interface (API) and software development kit (SDK) for integration into other applications and platforms.

CEO Anastasia Georgievskaya has a background in biophysics and bioengineering. Her vision is to make high-quality skincare accessible and scientifically backed. While Haut.AI currently operates in 32 countries, she plans to establish a US branch after further research. 

Certific

Founder(s): Jack Kreindler, Liis Narusk

Founded: 2020

Funding: Undisclosed

Hiring: No

Based in Tallinn, Certific offers a clinical communication and data capture platform. One of its core missions is to address inefficiencies in healthcare. It automates time-consuming tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on patient care. 

Certific is led by chief executive Liis Narusk, an entrepreneur with a background in banking innovation. It was also co-founded alongside Taavet Hinrikus, the chairman and former CEO of Wise (formerly TransferWise) and physician Jack Kreindler. 

The company was initially focused on remote testing services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it aims to minimise paperwork and streamline patient interactions through automated solutions. Certific claims that its digital system can reduce the number of phone calls to clinics and free up staff.

The platform has entered the Irish market as part of its expansion to English-speaking markets. It also has plans to enter the US and Canada in the long run. 

FoodDocs

Founder(s): Karin Repp, Katrin Liivat

Founded: 2017

Funding: $2.7M (€2.49M)

Hiring: No

Founded in 2017, FoodDocs is a digital platform for creating and maintaining food safety management systems. It helps businesses remain compliant with food safety regulations, all while reducing costs and training time. The company’s customer base consists of over 7,000 businesses across 59 countries.

FoodDocs’ product offering includes a smart recipe book. It is a tool for organising recipes with allergen information and preparation instructions. Its allergy matrix is automatically updated to allow quick access for customers’ safety. 

With a 50/50 gender split in its team, co-founder Katrin Liivat continues to advocate for gender equality. According to her, women who understand what they’re capable of achieving will realise that the sky’s the limit. 

Fyma

Founder(s): Karen Burns, Taavi Tammiste

Founded: 2019

Funding: $4.2M (€3.87M)

Hiring: No

Fyma (For Your Motion Analytics) is a platform that uses computer vision technology to create empirical data on urban movement. The company started with a project for the Tallinn City Council, and it has since expanded to London and New York. 

Fyma’s technology is used for analysing video feeds to offer real-time insights into urban environments. This is mostly beneficial for commercial real estate developers, asset managers, and city planners. The platform works with any IP camera; therefore, no hardware upgrades are required from the client’s end.

The company’s CEO Karen Burns is passionate about gender parity. She uses her platform to encourage more women to get into STEM and management roles. 

Grünfin 

Founder(s): Alvar Lumberg, Karin Nemec, Triin Hertmann

Founded: 2020

Funding: €4M

Hiring: No

Grünfin is a sustainable investing platform focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. It offers personalised investment portfolios aligned with users’ values. 

With it, users can invest in climate change, equality, or health efforts. Its other offerings allow businesses to offer sustainable investment benefits to their employees.

The company is led by CEO Karin Nemec, an impact-focused investment manager. Grünfin is also co-founded by investor Triin Hertmann, who took part in scaling companies like Skype and Wise. Drawing on her 20 years of experience in the finance and tech industries, she is vocal about the biases women face in these male-dominated spaces. 

Single.Earth

Founder(s): Andrus Aaslaid, Merit Valdsalu

Founded: 2019

Funding: $7.9M (€7.28M)

Hiring: Yes, check out vacancies here

Fintech startup Single.Earth uses blockchain technology to tokenise forests, wetlands, and other natural resources. Its approach allows landowners to generate profit through carbon and biodiversity credits. 

Building a digital twin of nature reveals how much area of ecological significance absorbs CO2. The tokens derived from conservation can be used as an investment instrument or compensate for the CO2 footprint. This allows landowners to combat climate change by selling their credits. Single.Earth is under the leadership of co-founder Merit Valdsalu and head of Sales Maarika Truu, both of whom are seasoned entrepreneurs. By providing a financial incentive for preserving natural environments, they aim to support global sustainability goals.

Semiconductors are an integral part of every electronic device, from smartphones and laptops to electric cars. Over the past years, Europe has been a leading semiconductor manufacturer, with the continent hosting multiple startups and factories.

Geopolitical tensions have forced European semiconductor startups to redefine their strategy this year as they lost the Chinese market. They now aim to enter new markets in Asia and the Middle East. 

Amid these challenges, the global semiconductor market continues to grow, with sales exceeding $500 billion in 2022. With the European Chips Act, Europe aims to double the region’s global semiconductor market share by 2030.

These growing European semiconductor startups are proof of the region’s commitment to innovation and competitiveness in the semiconductor industry.

Pragmatic

Founder(s): Scott White

Year founded: 2007

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

UK-based Pragmatic manufactures ultra-thin microcircuits for mass-market objects and packaging. The semiconductor startup is transforming the industry with its ultra-low-cost, flexible integrated circuit (FlexIC) technology. 

The FlexIC is thinner than human hair and embedded in objects that can be used for various applications. Pragmatic uses its large-scale manufacturing facility in Durham to produce these products. 

The company plans to build at least eight manufacturing facilities in the UK over the next five years. Each facility can produce billions of chips and accelerate electronics production in multiple sectors.

Novelda

Founder(s): Dag T. Wisland, Eirik Næss-Ulseth, Tor Sverre Lande, and Einar Nygård

Year founded: 2004

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Based in Norway, Novelda specialises in nanoscale Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radar technology. Its sensors offer the world’s most accurate, intelligent, and reliable human presence detection.

Novelda’s XeThru sensor technology can be used for human vital sign monitoring, personal security, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation. In 2024, The Wall Street Journal named its innovation one of the top 16 gadgets.

Axelera AI

Founder(s): Cyril Vancura, Fabrizio Del Maffeo, Evangelos Eleftheriou, and Valery Vavilov

Year founded: 2021

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

The Dutch semiconductor startup Axelera AI focuses on creating next-generation AI hardware and software for edge computing. Its platform has the advantage of being less expensive and energy-consuming than current solutions. 

The company has introduced two chips (AI processing units) and a software and hardware platform (Metis AI). The company’s technology combines hardware and software to shrink AI processing from a whole server to just one chip.

Last year, the startup aimed for a US expansion with a €46.25 million investment received in June. The company’s rapid growth earned it a spot on the list of The Tech Tour Growth50 Europe 2024.

Xunison

Founder(s): Peter Milenkovic, Ryan O’Donovan, and Guojun Qin

Year founded: 2016

Hiring: No

Irish tech firm Xunison develops both hardware and software from the ground up. The company aims to be the leading all-in-one broadband delivery and in-home service provider for the telecommunications and ISP markets.

The company’s products include cloud-based management platforms, consumer apps (the Xunison app), smart devices, and other connected services, such as 5G devices. One of its main targets is smart home users. 

Raw Charging

Founder(s): Bruce Galiford

Year founded: 2018

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Raw Charging is a leading supplier of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for businesses and drivers. The UK-based company evaluates the location before installing the correct EV technology, offering better solutions than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. 

One of its biggest clients is Merlin Ent., which ordered 38 charging bays across LEGOLAND Windsor Resort this April. In addition to Merlin Ent., Raw Charging has worked with numerous companies in the hospitality, leisure, and retail sectors.

Sencure

Founder(s): Jurryt Vellinga

Year founded: 2021

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Dutch-based Sencure provides medical devices for monitoring and diagnostic purposes. It develops innovative chip technology to improve vital signs monitoring solutions for remote, in-hospital, or health tracking in wearables. 

The company uses electrophysiology, analysing bioelectrical data from the heart, brain, respiratory system, and muscles, combining them with posture and movement data, to monitor patient health.

Sencure secured €5 million in a July 2023 funding round. It used the funding to commercialise its flagship health monitoring product, the SNCE-800 chip, which comes with exceptional power efficiency. 

A4Cell

Founder(s): Alberto Hernandez, Jaume Esteve Tintó, José Antonio Plaza, and Juan Pablo Agusil

Year founded: 2018

Hiring: No

Arrays for Cell Nanodevices (A4Cell) is a Spanish biotech startup offering innovative monitoring and drug discovery tools. The company has developed a new technology called SPAchip (Suspended Planar Array Chips) to track living single cells.

This product aligns with the rising trend of ditching animal testing for drug research and leaning into cell-based methods. SPAchip technology is a game-changer because it provides valuable information without disturbing living cells.

A4Cell’s latest funding round was in October 2023. It secured €3.0 million from CDTI, BeAble Capital, and Dreavent.

Energy Dome

Founder(s): Claudio Spadacini, Dario Rizzi, and Francesco Oppici

Year founded: 2019

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Energy Dome is a Spanish startup that develops a proprietary CO2 battery to dispatch solar and wind power. The battery is a long-duration energy storage device that revolutionises renewable energy technology. 

The company said that with CO2 battery technology, it is possible to store large amounts of energy for long periods anywhere without site dependency. The product is the startup’s way of realising the decarbonisation movement for a better future. This year, it is gearing up to complete the 200 MWh CO2 battery project by the end of 2024.

The world is shifting to green energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and halt climate risks. Thus, developing new technologies for these energy sources is important to accelerate the transition. 

Many European startups developing nuclear technology have entered the market. Old nuclear technology has many shortcomings that these startups see as a chance to create innovative approaches. The nuclear startup sector has grown substantially these past few years, backed by numerous investments and an army of scientists and engineers.

Europe is where many startups are thriving, as it has an excellent growth environment. Here is a list of thriving nuclear startups to anticipate in 2024.

Thorizon

Founder(s): Sander de Groot and Lucas Pool

Year founded: 2018

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

The Amsterdam-based nuclear energy startup Thorizon is developing a reactor that runs on molten salt. The company claims its technology is safe, smart, and circular and does not waste energy. The reactor will supply reliable power to 250.000 households or provide high-temperature, clean steam to industry. 

Thorizon has partnered with various companies, including Orano, CEA, Oakridge, and Differ, to develop a sustainable nuclear facility.

This March, the Dutch company received a €10 million grant from the French government. Thorizon was selected for inclusion in France’s nuclear innovation programme, French 2030.

Blykalla

Founder(s): Janne Wallenius and Peter Szakalos

Year founded: 2013

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Bykalla is a Swedish nuclear power company founded in 2013. The company focuses on developing small modular lead-cooled reactors to provide clean energy. The reactors use corrosion-tolerant steel alloys, which are claimed to allow a more cost-effective and faster deployment than their traditional counterparts. 

The startup aims to license its nuclear technology in Sweden and plans to deliver its nuclear reactors globally, with Southeast Asia as its primary target market. 

In a funding round this April, Bykalla secured a €6.87 million investment. Norrsken Launcher and Nucleation Capital led the round.

Transmutex

Founder(s): Federico Carminati, Jean-Pierre Revol, and Franklin Servan-Schreiber

Year founded: 2019

Hiring: No

The Swiss startup Transmutex offers lower-cost, safer, and intrinsically non-proliferate nuclear energy. The company’s technology pairs a particle accelerator with a subcritical fuel assembly. This new technology can halt the nuclear reaction in just two milliseconds, faster than traditional ones. 

Most nuclear reactors use uranium, which is unsustainable due to shortages and waste management challenges. Transmutex collaborated with top-tier governmental institutions to expedite a pioneering facility that addresses these challenges. 

The Swiss company secured a €20.2 million investment in a Series A2 round this February. The investors include One Ventures, HCVC, AlleyCorp, House of Ventures, and Tiny Supercomputer Investment Co.

Marvel Fusion 

Founder(s): Karl Georg Schlesinger and Pasha Shabalin

Year founded: 2019

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Marvel Fusion is a provider of quantum-enhanced and laser-induced clean fusion energy solutions. The German startup aims to offer laser-driven fusion technology that combines intensity and repetition rates to produce energy.

The company uses indirect laser fusion to convert laser energy into X-rays that probe into the fuel source capsule. Marvel Fusion also plans to use hydrogen-boron 11 as a fuel source to produce less waste than the common deuterium-tritium fuel.

Its technology is still in the early stages of development, specifically computer simulation. The goal is to have a physics facility within five years and a prototype power plant within a decade. 

Seaborg Technologies

Founder(s): Andreas Viggand, Ask Emil Jensen, Eirik Eide Pettersen, Esben Klinkby, Navid Samandari, and Troels Schönfeldt

Year founded: 2014

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Denmark-based startup Seaborg Technologies was founded by a team of physicists. Its mission is to curb carbon emissions and end energy poverty. 

The company develops molten-star reactors to provide nuclear power solutions, citing their safety profile and technical potential. Its main focus for product development is material corrosion control and extending the reactor’s operational life to reach commercialisation.

Copenhagen Atomics

Founder(s): Thomas Pedersen, Aslak Stubsgaard, Peter Szabo, Thomas Steenberg, Olga Schweitzer, and Yulia Hartman-Haigh

Year founded: 2014

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Copenhagen Atomics was founded in Denmark by scientists and engineers from the Technical University of Denmark. The company is developing thorium-based molten salt reactors that are safer and more efficient than conventional reactors.

It manufactures products such as portable pumped molten salt loops, salt ingots, check valves, and U-clamps. The Danish company claims to be the only supplier of commercial molten test loops for nuclear reactor components and technologies. 

The startup aims to commercialise its reactors before 2030. 

Newcleo

Founder(s): Stefano Buono

Year founded: 2021

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

The UK-based startup Newcleo is one of the best nuclear companies in Europe. It offers everything from reactor design to MOX fuel manufacturing. Since its founding in 2021, the company has grown rapidly and has about 700 employees.

One of its products is a lead-cooled reactor, submitted to the UK government this April as the first of its kind for a decade, Newcleo is Europe’s only nuclear unicorn and is on a mission to raise €1 billion in equity this year.

Due to its strategic location and high-quality workforce, Belgium has become a great hub for growing startups. Brussels, in particular, has seen the birth of many thriving startups. 

However, analysis by openthebox showed that women are still struggling to compete within the Belgian tech industry. Among 300 Belgian startups, only 10 per cent are founded by women. 

To address this gap, the Belgian government has private organisations that have initiated various initiatives, grants and schemes to support women entrepreneurs. These include the Brussels Government’s Women in Business initiative and ScaleupVlaanderen, a support program for female digital entrepreneurs.

Many female entrepreneurs have succeeded in growing their businesses in Belgium. These Belgian startups founded by women are rapidly growing in 2024. 

AmphiStar

Founder(s): Sophie Roelants and Bernd Everaert

Founded: 2021

Funding: €6M

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

AmphiStar is a biotech company co-founded by Sophie Roelants in 2021. As a Ghent University biotechnology graduate, Roelants has much experience with biosurfactants before starting with AmphiStar.

The startup is a spin-off of Ghent University and Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant. It focuses on producing microbial biosurfactants sourced from local agri-food industry waste. These biosurfactants can be used in home care, personal care, cosmetics, and textiles.

This April, the company announced €6M in funding from the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), Qbic III, and Flanders Future Tech Fund (FFTF). 

Citizenlab

Founder(s): Aline Muylaert, Koen Gremmelprez and Wietse Van Ransbeeck

Founded: 2015

Funding: $2.5M (€2.3M)

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Aline Muyleart co-founded Citizenlab—a civic engagement platform—with her fellow students when studying at Solvay Business School in 2015. The digital platform engages citizens in policy-making for local governments, reaching a diverse demographic beyond traditional methods.

The company has grown substantially, with more than 500 local governments collaborating on community engagement projects. The majority of its users are from Belgium, but it also has active customers from other countries like the Netherlands and the UK.

IzyCoffee

Founder(s): Bart Buyse and Larisa Buyse

Founded: 2018

Funding: €300K

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Larisa Buyse is the co-founder and product manager of IzyCoffee. Founded in 2018, the coffee chain specialises in espresso-based coffee drinks. 

By mid-2023, the team had grown to approximately 50 trained associates, including baristas, shop managers, and students from the IzyCoffee Barista Academy. Its 13 stores across Belgium currently offer speciality coffees that are usually only found in big cities.

This year, the company plans to expand further abroad, with the Netherlands, Germany, and France as its main interests.

Guud

Founder(s): Jan Deruyck and Morgane Leten

Founded: 2020

Funding: $1.7M (€1.6M)

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Motivated by Morgane Leten’s experience dealing with PCOS and a fertility expert, Guud was founded in 2021. Through personal experimentation, she discovered that lifestyle changes and specific supplements could positively impact her PCOS symptoms. 

The company offered a line of supplements made from natural ingredients without harmful additives. The products are scientifically formulated to support women’s health and menstrual cycles.

Anicells

Founder(s): Nathalie Cools

Founded: 2019

Funding: N/A

Hiring: No

Nathalie Cools founded Anicells as a spin-off company of the University of Antwerp and the Antwerp University Hospitals in 2019. It is an accelerator platform for cell therapy products.

Anicells provides support services for clinical development and access to GMP-compliant infrastructure for manufacturing cell therapy products. It has multiple sterile cell-processing cleanrooms featuring B and C classifications, including QC labs and hi-tech closed-system cell-purification devices.

DataStories

Founder(s): Guido Smits and Katya Vladislavleva

Founded: 2011

Funding: €2.2M

Hiring: No

Katya Vladislavleva is the co-founder and CEO of DataStories, a self-service prescriptive analytics software company. Founded in 2011, the startup aims to help business experts and engineers understand what matters in their data.

The platform helps you make data-driven decisions. It can be consulted in several areas, including pharmaceutical, life sciences, chemistry, and sales performance.

Over the years, DataStories has worked with top European companies like Atlas Copco, Dow, Rectical, and Averis.

Moonbird

Founder(s): Stefanie Broes and Michael Broes

Founded: 2019

Funding: €1.5M

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Moonbird is a health and well-being company co-founded by Stefanie Broes in 2019. Broes was motivated to start the company after seeing friends and family members struggling with insomnia, stress, and anxiety attacks. 

With his brother, Michael, Moonbird developed a handheld device to help people with breathing exercises and better manage stress. The company also launched an app that allows users to track and monitor their progress in breathing exercises.

Stefanie Broes also recently won a ticket to Draper University’s Hero Training Programme in Silicon Valley.

Aphea.Bio

Founder(s): Isabel Vercauteren and Steven Vandenabeele

Founded: 2017

Funding: €70M

Hiring: Yes, check job opportunities here

Alphea.Bio is a leading R&D company dedicated to developing the next generation of natural microorganism-based biological products. 

The company was co-founded by Isabel Vercauteren in 2017. She has strong expertise in plant molecular biology, technology valuation, and business development. It also has over 50 scientists and industry experts within the company’s workforce. It aims to ensure a safe and healthy food chain and offers new solutions for agriculture issues. One of its products is a biostimulant seed treatment for boosting wheat yields.