Berlin-based NetBird, a company that develops an open-source network security platform, announced on Tuesday that it has raised €4M in Seed funding.

The round was co-led by InReach Ventures and existing investor Nauta, with participation from Antler and a grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The German company plans to use the funds to accelerate its product development and expand its footprint globally.

Talking about the expansion plans to Silicon Canals, Mikhail Bragin, co-founder of Netbird, says, “NetBird’s expansion plans focus on strengthening its market position in Europe, including the Netherlands. Despite having a global user base, the priority is to establish a deeper regional presence, build partnerships, and tailor solutions to meet the needs of European businesses, particularly SMEs, which are key drivers of the economy in the Netherlands.”

Additionally, the company plans to double down on hiring efforts with the latest capital injection.

Explaining the job criteria and expectations, he says, “The focus is now on hiring individuals who combine deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of marketing and growth strategies, particularly in the secure networking and Zero Trust space, to drive adoption and scale the business effectively.

Birth of NetBird

Misha Bragin and Maycon Santos, a couple of engineers passionate about network security and open-source development, founded NetBird.

They began their journey in Brazil at PSafe, a cybersecurity startup later bought by CyberLabs.

After moving to Berlin, they joined a founder residency program by Antler, a leading early-stage venture capital firm in Europe.

During this time, they came together to work on a side project about end-to-end encryption and secure data transfer, which eventually turned into NetBird.

NetBird is a software company developing an open-source, zero-trust network security platform that’s easy and affordable for teams of all sizes and budgets.

The company’s mission is based on a fundamental belief: secure private networking is a basic right for every modern organisation.

What is Zero Trust Security?

The shift to hybrid work has transformed network security from perimeter-based defences to Zero Trust architectures.

This approach, based on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” assures continuous authentication for all users and devices, mitigating remote access risks.

A zero-trust architecture (ZTA) is a design that focuses on safety by ensuring strict access controls, verifying devices and users, and keeping systems separate.

Citing an example, Bragin explains, “Imagine a hotel where guests can freely wander around, check out other rooms, and even take things that aren’t theirs. It’s chaotic, insecure, and a nightmare for the hotel owner to manage. This represents traditional private networks, where once someone gains access, they can do whatever they want.”

“In contrast, a Zero Trust “hotel” provides guests with a key card that only allows access to their assigned room for a limited time. This means guests cannot enter other rooms or areas they are not authorised to access. Similarly, in IT, users can only access specific resources they need for a limited time, minimising the risk of security breaches from compromised credentials,” he continues.

“Furthermore, we establish dedicated corridors for each guest, leading only to their room. This is like a direct encrypted tunnel (peer-to-peer connection) that ensures privacy and security,” he adds.

Why NetBird over traditional VPN?

At the heart of its NetBird’s technology is a zero-configuration business VPN that integrates a peer-to-peer, WireGuard-based network with an intuitive access control system.

• Decentralised Connectivity: Unlike traditional VPNs that connect clients to a central server, NetBird creates direct connections between machines for better performance and scalability.
• End-to-End Encryption: NetBird uses WireGuard for end-to-end encryption, ensuring safe communication between devices, protected from third parties, including NetBird itself.
• User-Friendly Access Control: NetBird integrates easily with identity providers like Okta, Microsoft, and Google, simplifying user onboarding and offboarding while enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Reduced Attack Surface: NetBird keeps infrastructure hidden from the public, removing the need for open ports. This provides a more secure network compared to traditional VPNs, which often expose gateways that can be targeted by attackers.

Make advanced network security accessible to everyone

According to Bragin, implementing Zero Trust can be difficult and costly, especially when working with older systems. Vendors often offer no clear value proposition, leaving SMEs uncertain about the return on investment.

“NetBird simplifies Zero Trust adoption with a user-friendly design requiring minimal configuration. It eliminates the need for opening ports, complex firewall rules, or VPN gateways, reducing the technical barriers. It takes less than 5 minutes to get started.”

Additionally, NetBird works with existing solutions, making migration easier. The platform also connects with identity providers, SIEM, and EDR systems. It operates across cloud, on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud setups, making it adaptable to any infrastructure.

Business model and revenue projection

NetBird’s business model is a freemium subscription model offering a free plan for small teams and paid plans ($5 or $12/user/month) with scalable features for organisations, targeting secure connectivity and Zero Trust network security.

For enterprise customers, NetBird provides licensing and dedicated support for self-hosted installations.

“Over the next 2 to 3 years, NetBird aims to significantly expand its go-to-market efforts, targeting both existing and new customers, to achieve substantial revenue growth and scale its market presence,” reveals Bragin.

The investors

Nauta is a pan-European VC firm investing in early-stage B2B software companies with offices in London and Barcelona.

With over half a billion assets under management and a team of 24 people, Nauta is one of Europe’s largest B2B-focused VCs.

As a sector-agnostic investor, Nauta’s main areas of interest include B2B SaaS solutions with strong network effects, vertically focused enterprise tech transforming large industries, as well as leveraging deep-tech applications to solve challenges faced by large enterprises.

Nauta has led investments in over 80 companies, including Brandwatch, Danelfin, Techspert, Holded, MishiPay, Wecover, AppFollow, ifeel, and Cledara.

“The rise of remote working and distributed infrastructure has driven significant change to the security requirements for businesses of all kinds. Many have turned to VPNs as a solution to secure their employees’ access to confidential or protected information, but many VPNs are inefficient, costly, and act as a single point of failure for even the largest companies. NetBird solves these challenges by combining a Mesh-VPN architecture with Zero Trust Network Access Controls, providing a solution that is more efficient, cheaper, and more secure than a traditional VPN,” says Carles Ferrer, General Partner at Nauta, commented.

InReach Ventures is an AI-powered venture capital firm focused on early-stage European startups.

The VC develops and uses its proprietary software and AI to discover, evaluate, and support investments, primarily in the areas of consumer internet, SaaS, and marketplaces.

“NetBird’s approach redefines what’s possible in network security,” says Amanda Jones Floyd, Partner at InReach Ventures. “While traditional solutions force companies to choose between security and simplicity, NetBird proves you can have both and do it brilliantly. The way that NetBird has managed to break down complex network security into a beautifully simple, user-friendly product is inspiring. That’s why we’re not just investing in their technology but in their vision and the extraordinary team making it happen.”

Amid numerous funding rounds, acquisitions, and innovation announcements, it’s easy to overlook some of the quieter, yet equally important stories that made waves this week. To help you stay in the loop, we at Silicon Canals have rounded up a list of news that we missed as part of our “In Other News This Week” segment.

Do give it a read

AMPECO raises €24.5M funding led by Revaia

Based out of Sofia, AMPECO is a software company that offers a white-label and hardware-agnostic EV charging management platform bundled with white-label EV driver apps. The company raised $26M (approximately €24.5M) in Series B funding, led by Revaia, with continued support from existing investors Cavalry Ventures, BMW i Ventures, and LAUNCHub Ventures. (Read more)

Sulmara secures €17.8M funding for its survey and inspection services

Glasgow-based Sulmara is an independent provider of survey and inspection services to the offshore wind and energy markets. The company secured $18.9M (approximately €17.8M) in funding from BGF, a growth capital investor in the UK and Ireland. 

The company will use the funds to support its continued growth trajectory, including further investment in new technologies such as uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), next-generation geophysical sensors, and advanced data products. (Read more)

Biolevate secures €6M funding

Biolevate is a company that uses AI to help new therapies reach the market faster. The company’s proprietary AI driven-platform ELISE is designed to support medical writers by optimising the creation and management of research and compliance documents, leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computer Vision and Graph Neural Networks (GNN). The company raised €6M in a seed funding round led by EQT Ventures, with participation from bpifrance and prominent angel investors. (Read more)

Reefilla secures €4.5M to make energy transition easy

Torino, Italy-based Reefilla aims to make the energy transition easy through its mobile energy storage solutions that use second-life batteries. The company’s product — Fillee is a mobile energy storage device that recharges electric cars and powers electric tools without emissions or noise. It stores clean energy from the grid or solar panels, providing accessible power anywhere, thanks to its compact and portable design. The company secured €4.5M in funding from CDP Venture Capital SGR (Green Transition Fund – PNRR), HCapital Partners, Azimut Libera Impresa via the ALIcrowd III fund, and Motor Valley Accelerator by CDP Venture Capital & Plug and Play Tech Center. (Read more)

Kapsera secures €4.2M in funding  

Kapsera is an agrifood tech company based in Bordeaux that specialises in natural microencapsulation solutions using microfluidic technology. The company’s biosolutions utilise natural active ingredients like probiotics, vitamins, and pheromones, encapsulated in alginate-based microcapsules. 

These solutions help clients address environmental challenges, meet consumer demands for food quality, and comply with regulations. The company raised €4.2M in a funding round led by Banque des Territoires on behalf of the French government as part of France 2030, alongside The Yield Lab Europe and Kapsera’s historical shareholders, including Demeter Investment Managers via its Agrinnovation fund. (Read more)

Doctorflix secures €4.1M funding for its medical training

Berlin-based Doctorflix aims to change medical training through its learning platform. The company connects medical professionals and institutions globally to improve patient care. The German company raised €4.1M led by Haufe Group Ventures to drive the scaling of the learning platform and the expansion to new specialist areas and target groups such as nursing staff and assistant staff. (Read more)

darwin raises €1.5M in funding

Paris-based darwin helps ESG players easily integrate biodiversity intelligence into their products. The company’s modular platform uses AI to support complete nature strategy design for consultants and software providers. The company raised €1.5M in a funding round led by Asterion Ventures and supported by leading business angels to strengthen its tech and product team and expand platform’s reach. (Read more)

Ziknes raises €1M for its robot-based 3D printing

Valencia-based Ziknes, a company specialised in industrial robot-based 3D printing secured €1M in funding with participation from notable investment funds, including Akka, First Drop, Demium VC, Mango Startup Studio, as well as financial backing from IVF and ENISA. The company offers advanced large-format 3D printing technology, providing an integrated solution combining specialised machinery and software, all developed in-house by its team. (Read more)

OpenUp partners with Urban Sports Club

Amsterdam-based OpenUp, specialists in mental well-being, has partnered with Urban Sports Club, known for their flexible sports memberships, to help companies and employees with a balanced approach to physical and mental health. (Read more)

Biotangents raises funding to revolutionise dairy farming

Founded as a spin-off of the University of Edinburgh, Biotangents is developing next-generation molecular diagnostics for the animal health sector, specifically livestock, to further animal welfare, productivity, sustainability, and food security.  The company has raised £2.3M funding led by St Andrews-based Eos Advisory, which included British Business Investments through their Regional Angels Programme, and existing investors Kelvin Capital and Scottish Enterprise. (Read more)

Assai Software Services acquires Viewport.ai

Based out of Culemborg, the Netherlands, Assai Software Services, a document management and control solutions (DMS) provider has acquired Viewport.ai, a provider of advanced search and data discrepancy solutions. This acquisition will enhance Assai’s product portfolio, enabling the company to better assist organizations in managing complex engineering projects and operations with increased flexibility, efficiency, and confidence. (Read more)

Circly secures six-figure investment

St. Pölten, Austria-based Circly is a greentech startup that specialises in the development and operation of an AI-supported planning tool for production and trade. The company has secured a six-figure investment in the form of a convertible loan from PlanRadar founders Ibrahim Imam and Sander van de Rijdt. At the same time, Sander van de Rijdt is appointed as a new member of the Board of Circly.

Miracle Design and Play secures multi-million-pound investment

Based out of Northants, England, Miracle Design and Play provide a complete solution for children’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms, covering design, installation, inspection, and maintenance. The company has secured a multi-million-pound investment from BGF the UK and Ireland’s leading growth capital investor to accelerate its mission to design and install world-class play areas for kids across the UK. (Read more)

Volter secures funding to accelerate its commercial solar projects

Based out of London, Volter creates an operating system for commercial solar projects, helping real estate owners and solar installers manage rooftop solar systems profitably. The platform simplifies billing, monitoring, reporting, and customer engagement, enabling users to boost revenue and achieve sustainability goals. The company raised $𝟯.𝟮M led by Transition, with participation from Seedcamp and Neptunia Invest. (Read more).

Recovr gets admission to Cegid Data Labs

Burssels-based Recovr simplifies the invoice management and debt recovery process for businesses. The company has recently announced its admission to the Cegid Data Labs at STATION F to launch its services in France more efficiently. (Read more)

Everyman Health secures funding for its Men health platform

Zurich-based Everyman Health science-backed end-to-end treatment options for men of all ages. The company recently raised CHF 2.4M  in an oversubscribed seed round from various investors, Calm/Storm, LEAD, Joyned Capital, Dr Fiona Pathiraja-Møller (founder of Crista Galli Ventures), Pieter Zwart (founder of Coolblue), Sjoerd van Berkel (founder of FitForMe). The funding will help the company cement its position by adding new verticals and continuing to drive digital innovation for even more accessible treatments. (Read more)

PocDoc secures funding to make diagnostic testing accessible

Cambridge-based PocDoc is on a mission to make diagnostic testing for Cardio, Metabolic, and Renal disease as accessible as possible. 

It is an app-based technology platform that combines proprietary, patented Microfluidic Assay (MFA) technology and cloud-based AI diagnostics to deliver end-to-end digital pathways for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of major diseases. 

The company raised £5M from leading investors MMC Ventures, Molten VC,  KHP Ventures, and Simplyhealth Ventures. (Read more)

Barton Blakeley Technologies secures funding to remove industrial CO2 emissions

Barton Blakeley Technologies is an Applied Sciences Organisation based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.

The company has created a process that permanently removes industrial CO2 emissions and turns them into clean energy and low-cost synthetic silica. Recently, the company raised £2.4M funding led by Elbow Beach Capital to deploy its first system tothe  industry.

Within the next four years, each system deployed will be permanently removing 1 kilo-tonne of carbon per year from the atmosphere, the equivalent of 200 commercial aircraft flights from London to Washington DC. (Read more)

OpenTrade secures €3.7M led by AlbionVC

Based out of London, OpenTrade allows companies that use stablecoins to earn interest on their digital dollar balances, usually between 3 per cent and 6 per cent APR. These balances are backed by high-quality assets like U.S. Treasury Bills. Recently the company raised $4M in a Seed extension round led by AlbionVC, with participation from existing investors like CMCC Global. (Read more)

Vinter secures €1.4M funding for its AI-powered recruitment platform

Vinter is an AI-powered recruitment platform that enables organisations to streamline recruitment with its advanced software solution, enabling the quick identification of quality candidates while reducing costs. The platform emphasises inclusivity, offering tools for a personalised, bias-free interview process that evaluates candidates through questionnaires, tasks, and videos. Recently, the company secured  €1.4M in funding from Netherlands-based ALCORA. The funding will make recruitment processes faster, more transparent, and more efficient. (Read more)

Darmstadt, Germany-based etalytics, a company specialised in AI-driven energy intelligence, on Tuesday announced that it has secured €8M funding in a Series A funding round led by Alstin Capital.

Other investors, including ebm-papst as co-lead and TF H IV Technologiefonds Hessen GmbH & Co. KG (a fund managed by Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen mbH (BM H)), also participated in the round.

Fund utilisation

The funding will enable the German company to accelerate its expansion and the adoption of sustainable energy solutions across critical sectors such as data centres, healthcare, automotive, and more, particularly in systems like cooling, heating, and ventilation.

Additionally, the company will use the funds to enhance its flagship product etaONE.

Partnership with ebm-papst

In addition to the investment, etalytics has partnered with ebm-papst, a company specialised in energy-efficient technology.

Klaus Geißdörfer, CEO of the ebm-papst group, says, “With our strategic investment in etalytics, we are taking another important step towards a more climate-friendly future. With the help of our efficient EC fans, we have already been able to reduce the CO2e footprint in numerous

customer applications. By combining our fan technology with etalytics’ AI systems, we will reduce our customers’ energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions even further.”

This collaboration will boost etalytics’ market reach and drive innovation in research and development, accelerating the deployment of advanced energy solutions across various industries.

etalytics: Help businesses optimising energy

Founded in 2020 and led by Dr. Niklas Panten, etalytics specialises in AI-driven solutions that help businesses globally optimise energy consumption, reduce costs, and minimise their environmental impact.

The company’s flagship product — etaONE, offers real-time insights and predictive analytics, enabling industries—including data centres, chemical, pharmaceutical, and automotive—to implement effective control strategies and make informed energy decisions.

Explaining the USP of etalytics’s solution to Silicon Canals, Dr. Niklas Panten, CEO and co-founder, says, “etalytics enhances its AI-driven energy management solutions with a unique hybrid approach that combines AI and physical model predictive control through digital twin technology. This integration allows for extremely robust analysis and optimisation of critical infrastructure, distinguishing etaONE in the market.”

According to Panten, the hybrid model enables precise simulations and real-time adjustments, ensuring operational safety and energy optimisation are maintained without interrupting essential services.

In addition to predicting and optimising energy use, etaONE adapts easily to changing conditions, making energy management more reliable and effective.

By mirroring real-world infrastructure, the company’s digital twins provide actionable insights that enhance operational efficiency and asset longevity.

Moreover, etaONE fully supports ISO 50.001 standards for energy management.

“We try to align our solutions with international standards like ISO 50.001, ISO 27.001, or SOC2. Tailoring our technology to industry-specific requirements, we employ experts and form partnerships with local compliance specialists to ensure our software meets all legal mandates,” says Panten.

Going beyond energy management

Etalytics’ AI technology, while primarily focused on energy management, has significant potential to impact a broad array of sectors and operational areas, says Panten.

At etalytics, the team focuses on optimising energy systems to improve energy supply quality and the efficiency of energy management teams.

Beyond the core areas, the company is also engaged in predictive maintenance and environmental monitoring, assisting businesses in complying with environmental regulations.

“Our engagement extends into advanced research projects aimed at resource efficiency. One such project explores predictive process quality analytics to reduce energy demand and CO2 emissions, minimising scrap during production phases. This not only aids in sustainable manufacturing but also boosts overall resource management,” he says.

“Furthermore, the flexibility of our platform allows for its application in other data- and physical model-driven analysis and control optimisation scenarios, such as refining production processes,” he adds.

Business model and revenue growth

Etalytics employs a streamlined business model centred around its SaaS offerings.

“Clients can access the etaONE platform on-premises or hosted in the cloud, tailored to their specific needs. We also provide various add-ons like our etaMIND AI services for enhanced control optimisation. This flexible model equips clients with advanced tools for effective energy management and optimisation,” reveals Panten.  

On the revenue growth, the German company is aiming to increase its ARR tenfold over the next two years.  

“Based on our plans to significantly expand services following successful proof of value with major enterprises, etalytics is projecting to increase its annual recurring revenue (ARR) tenfold over the next two years. This ambitious growth target reflects the strong market validation and demand for our solutions, indicating a very optimistic outlook for rapid expansion and increased market penetration,” concludes Panten.

Currently, etalytics works with various companies in data centres, chemical, pharmaceutical, and automotive industries. Some of the notable clients include Equinix, Digital Realty, NTTData, and Volkswagen.

As per the company’s claims, the customers have seen significant, to some extent up to 50 per cent, reduction in power consumption for cooling, heating, and ventilation systems, which translates into considerable cost savings and reduced carbon footprints.

The investor

Alstin Capital is an independent early-stage venture capital fund based in Munich. Its investment activities focus on fast-growing (B2B) technology companies in the DACH region and Europe, primarily in the Seed and Series A phases.

Dr. Andreas Schenk, Principal at Alstin Capital, says, “etalytics provided the much-needed solution for sustainable, effective, and future-oriented energy management in the industry. We were particularly impressed by the fact that the AI-based software analyses all components in an operation and independently adapts to external conditions (temperature, energy prices). It was also crucial for us that the complex reporting requirements of the Energy Efficiency Act for data centres are considered. We are very proud to accompany and support the experienced etalytics team on this journey.”

Great Place To Work, a research and consultancy agency,  recently announced the 22nd edition of its annual list of the 40 Best Workplaces in the Netherlands across four categories – Multinational, Large, Medium, and Small. 

Great Place To Work Netherlands evaluates organisations based on the level of trust, pride, and enjoyment experienced by their employees while working. 

According to the agency, an organisation that scores 70 per cent or higher on the Trust Index can claim the title of Great Place To Work-Certified for one year.

In 2023-2024, 407 organisations took part in the Trust Index. Out of these, 241 competed for the title of Best Workplace 2024, and 40 were recognised on the final list.

We have compiled a list of 20 Dutch Medium and Small companies that have secured their place in the Best Workplaces in the Netherlands. All of them are hiring, too!  

Mobilee

Location: Utrecht

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Mobilee helps organisations to change by making practical translations about digital solutions. It does this for insurers, educational institutions, healthcare institutions, government agencies, and business service providers, among others. 

This is about the perfect customer experience, operational excellence, agile organisation, data 

as a strategic raw material, and information management. 

BlueBricks

Location: Alphen aan den Rijn

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Blue Bricks is a project consultancy firm that identifies clients’ objectives and helps them achieve their goals with just a few system adjustments and organisational changes.

Bizzomate

Location: Dordrecht

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Bizzomate is a specialist in software solutions for digitising and optimising business processes. 

With the low-code software development platform Mendix, Bizzomate helps companies modernise their systems, automate processes and improve customer contact. 

ICM education & training

Location: Utrecht

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

ICM helps individuals, teams, and organisations realise their ambitions by offering more than 250 courses and training courses, developing tailor-made learning solutions for organisations, organising events and workshops throughout the year.  With more than 190 courses and training, ICM is among the top 5 training institutes in the Netherlands. 

Alzheimer Netherlands

Location: Amersfoort

Hiring: Yes| Apply here (Volunteer Vacancies)

Alzheimer Nederland tackles the challenge of dementia by collaborating with individuals affected by the condition, such as caregivers, volunteers, researchers, and donors.

The organisation aims for a future without dementia and strives to improve the quality of life for those impacted. As the largest private funder of dementia research and a leading patient advocacy group, Alzheimer Nederland represents the interests of the dementia community across various sectors, including regional, political, and media platforms.

TRES

Location: Heereveen

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

TRES is a digital agency for strategy, marketing, and technology. The Dutch company helps clients with digital applications to offer a higher level of service — the best online experience for the customer with the best efficiency for the organisation. 

Yaworks

Location: Amsterdam

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

YaWorks is an Amsterdam company specialising in digital infrastructure.  YaWorks helps companies build a strong IT organisation and a reliable technology framework. This enables them to innovate faster, launch products and services quickly, enhance customer experiences, and succeed in their industries.

TalentCare

Location: Bussum

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

TalentCare aims to support healthcare providers and organisations by fostering a meaningful work environment. The organisation focuses on the professional development of healthcare providers through its Academy, making sure that they are engaged in their roles.

Factton

Location: Rotterdam

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Fakton addresses complex financial, strategic, and development issues in real estate, space, and energy. Operating nationwide from the WTC Rotterdam, Fakton is guided by its core values: Curious, Connecting, Decisive, and Energetic.

Tensing

Location: Rotterdam

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Tensing is a GIS (Geographic Information System) consulting firm in the Netherlands, specialising in Esri and Safe Software’s FME technology. The company offers consulting, project management, and GIS development services with a focus on innovation and client engagement.

AethiQs

Location: Rotterdam

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

AethiQs provides consultation services and solutions to socially relevant organisations. It plans strategies and concepts to meet company goals.

Summiteers

Location: Utrecht

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Summiteers is a consultancy company known for its expertise in guiding organisations toward achieving their visions and strategic objectives. With a core focus on addressing complex organisational challenges, the Dutch company specialises in providing invaluable insights and structured solutions that drive positive and enduring transformations.

Cruiseonline

Location: Rotterdam

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

CruiseOnline.com is an international cruise booking platform that makes it easy to compare all cruise lines and find the right itinerary and cabin. 

Whyellow

Location: Eindhoven

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Whyellow develops smart IT solutions for unique challenges, from mobile apps to back-end systems, with high-code and low-code, based on the latest technologies.

NextWave-Infinium

Location: Amsterdam

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

NextWave partners with financial services companies to enhance strategies, leverage data, and automate operations. The company helps financial services leaders implement effective strategies to accelerate growth and improve efficiency.

Relatics

Location: Zuid Holland

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Relatics is a provider of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) software applications for construction projects. The tool gives professionals access to all project information and offers a complete overview of the growing number of dependencies between all disciplines in today’s projects.

Webflight

Location: Amsterdam

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Webflight specialises in enhancing business processes through the application of smart technology. It utilises the Mendix low-code platform to develop applications six times faster than traditional methods. The Amsterdam-based startup focuses on companies with complex procurement processes, large workforces, and a requirement for integrated supplier system solutions.

Handpicked

Location: Breda

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Republiq

Location: Amsterdam

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

Republiq is a consulting firm that deals with real estate issues in the public domain. The organisation aims to support as many parties as possible in improving their financial and social returns on real estate.  Republiq helps the customer make informed decisions that work for them. 

ELIX Group

Location: Leusden

Hiring: Yes| Apply here

ELIX Group develops optimal energy systems through smart energy solutions. With extensive in-house knowledge and expertise, we manage every aspect of the process. From consulting to construction and maintenance, we cover it all—offering charging stations and dynamic energy contracts. This approach makes business sustainability profitable, straightforward, and enjoyable.

Amsterdam-based NORBr, a Payment Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provider, announced on Monday that it has raised €3M in funding led by Alstin Capital. Previous round lead investor Portfolion also participated in the round.

The company will use the funds to support expanding its omnichannel solutions, including advanced features for managing payment terminals, operational efficiency (payops), and compliance.

The Dutch company will also use the funds to support targeted hires in key areas to expand platform capabilities and enhance client support.

“We’re committed to growing the business while keeping the team lean, which means being intentional about hiring. We prioritise people who focus on automation and scalability instead of manual execution. With the rise of AI, we see a major opportunity to grow efficiently while staying agile,” says Nabil Naimy, CEO of NORBr, to Silicon Canals.

“That said, not everything can or should be automated. Providing personalised support and advice remains central to our approach. That’s why we’re hiring business-focused roles like customer success specialists, technical support experts, and copywriters to deliver premium service and help clients maximise the value of our infrastructure,” adds Naimy.

On the product side, the company is investing in automation, particularly in quality testing and development. It’s seeking experienced developers and product owners to streamline workflows and enhance its platform to support this.

NORBr: Addressing the classic “build or buy” dilemma

Led by Nabil Naimy, NORBr offers flexible, no-code solutions supporting diverse payment methods, to advance operational efficiency and streamline compliance.

The Dutch company aims to address the substantial development costs and long timelines that create barriers for operators aiming to modernise or launch payment solutions.

“Our team has over a decade of experience developing payment platforms. Creating a payment service provider (PSP) involves significant investments in R&D, operations, and compliance, and many operators struggle with technical debt and managing their roadmaps,” says Naimy.

“When launching or upgrading a platform, they encounter the “build or buy” dilemma. Building takes years and millions of dollars, while buying means selecting between stable but rigid legacy systems or newer providers that may lack reliability,” he continues.

And here’s where NORBr comes into play!

The platform integrates seamlessly with payment service providers (PSPs) and acquirers, allowing clients to manage diverse payment channels with ease.

The company’s Mapper tool enables merchants to connect with multiple PSPs and integrate new partners in days instead of months.

Consequently, it removes the need for additional technical resources, enabling quick onboarding of new payment providers across both in-store and online channels.

The company’s adaptable routing capabilities offer faster market access and increased resilience in managing payment flows.

Payments industry, challenges, and NORBr’s solution

The payments industry is generally complex and interconnected, with payment operators playing a vital role.

They help connect consumers, merchants, banks, card networks, acquirers, and regulators, all while navigating technology, compliance, and changing user needs.

However, in the past 20 years, the workload for payment operators has increased due to stricter regulations like anti-money laundering (AML) laws, data protection measures like GDPR, and standards such as PCI DSS.

These requirements add complexity and require more resources to manage effectively, along with fraud prevention and customer support advancements.

“What was once a straightforward process is now a highly complex ecosystem that demands advanced tools, robust processes, and specialised teams to meet growing expectations for security, efficiency, and reliability,” he states.

“Our solution provides clients with a ready-to-distribute payment platform designed not only to meet merchants’ current expectations but also to anticipate future needs. With broad payment method coverage, advanced features, and a flexible architecture, our platform helps clients stay ahead of industry trends. It supports rapid adaptation to new technologies and changing consumer behaviours while reducing operational overhead, allowing clients to focus on growth and differentiation in a competitive market,” he adds.

NORBr’s business model, revenue & growth projection, and more

NORBr provides Payment Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) through a subscription-based model that simplifies the building, maintenance, and scaling of payment platforms.

Clients pay a monthly fee that covers activation, maintenance, updates, and 24/7 monitoring and support, eliminating the need for large upfront investments.

“For about the cost of two full-time employees, they gain access to a fully functional, multi-tenant payment platform that efficiently handles high transaction volumes and offers robust reporting tools for quick data analysis,” adds Naimy.

Additionally, the platform is flexible, allowing easy integration of new payment providers. Existing provider connections enable integration in seconds, while new providers take only a few weeks.

“Our 24/7 monitoring and alerting systems ensure any potential issues are identified and resolved promptly, providing peace of mind and uninterrupted service. This combination of cost control, adaptability, and reliable support empowers clients to focus on growth and meet market demands,” he explains.

Talking about the revenue and growth projections for the next 2 to 3 years, Naimy says, “We’ve proven our model works, and we’re confident we can grow profitably. By staying focused and continuing to deliver for our clients, we’re on track to reach €10M in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by the end of 2027.”

“We’re also working on exciting new products that will open up new opportunities and further drive our growth,” he adds.

Supporting a wide range of industries and markets

The Amsterdam-based company currently serves a growing roster of clients, including prominent luxury brands, health-focused companies like Welltech, and financial service providers such as Equals Money and OnRamp.

“Our technology powers several payment platforms across Europe, the UK, and Asia, supporting a wide range of industries and markets. Operating under a white-label model, our payment infrastructure enables clients to maintain their unique brand identity and competitive edge. Many of our clients value this discretion, preferring to keep their operational advantages confidential,” states Naimy.

According to Naimy, these clients rely on NORBr’s advanced infrastructure for seamless payment processing, data insights, omnichannel, and API-first capabilities.

“We handle the complexities—from integration to processing and reporting—so our clients can focus on scaling their business,” he adds. “In just two years of commercial activity, our infrastructure has scaled rapidly, processing millions of transactions annually. This growth reflects the reliability, scalability, and adaptability of our platform in meeting the needs of sophisticated clients.”

The investor

Alstin Capital is a Munich-based early-stage venture capital fund focused on B2B software. The VC invests in fast-growing Seed and Series A B2B software companies across Europe.

Andreas Schenk, Principal at Alstin Capital, says, “We are thrilled to support such an experienced team in building the next generation of payment infrastructure. This is evident in their enterprise-level technology and impressive customer base. The no-code, omnichannel solution offers two key advantages: Firstly, it enables the fast and secure integration of new payment service providers worldwide, both in physical and online retail. Secondly, NORBr’s infrastructure facilitates the modernisation of legacy systems. We couldn’t be happier to have such a talented team in our portfolio.”

With a slew of tech announcements dominating the headlines recently, it’s been easy to overlook some equally important stories happening elsewhere.

But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered!

To make sure you stay informed, we’ve compiled a list of noteworthy stories that may have flown under the radar this week.

Scroll down to find out the news that deserve your attention this week.

Odoo secures €500M from CapitalG and others

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium-based Odoo, an integrated software company for enterprises, has secured €500M million at a $5B valuation led by CapitalG and Sequoia Capital with participation from BlackRock, Mubadala Investment Company, HarbourVest Partners, AVP, and Alkeon. As part of the transaction, investors existing, Summit Partners, Noshaq, and Wallonie Entreprendre will sell a portion of their shares. (Read more)

TEKEVER secures funding from the NATO Innovation Fund and others

TEKEVER, a European company in the AI-enabled Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sector has secured investment from NATO Innovation Fund along with Baillie Gifford. Other investors include the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), Crescent Cove, Iberis Semper, and Cedrus Capital. This investment will accelerate the company’s growth by enabling investment in R&D to support product innovation – across current UAS and new product lines. (Read more)

Norwegian company Kilter secures investment from Pymwymic

Kilter, a Norwegian agtech startup focused on precision agriculture, has raised €9M in Series A funding, co-led by Pymwymic and Nufarm. Existing investor SBG Invest joined new investors Natural Ventures and ProAgInvest. This funding will help Kilter improve its technology, expand to new crops, and enter markets like Australia and New Zealand. (Read more)

Zeotap secures funding from SignalFire and Salica Investments

Berlin-based Zeotap, the enterprise Customer Data Platform, announced $25M (€24M) in new investment from existing and new investors, including SignalFire and Salica Investments. The company will use the funds to strengthen its AI-powered capabilities, market reach, and much more. (Read more)

Rabobank boosts Findest & Partinc’s seed round to €2.7M

Findest and Partinc have announced an extended seed funding round, with Rabobank Startup & Scale-up Team increasing their investment from €2.2M to €2.7M. This additional funding will support the mission to drive 10,000 innovations. The deal was finalised at Slush, Helsinki, an event for startups and innovation enthusiasts. (Read more)

Apaleo secures €20M for its property management platform

Apaleo is the API-first property management platform empowering hotel & apartment groups to create a seamless experience for guests & staff. Recently, the company raised €20M in a growth equity investment round led by PSG Equity to accelerate international expansion. (Read more)

Arenametrix raises €8M funding

Based out of Paris, Arenametrix offers Data and CRM solutions for the cultural and sports sectors. The company offers an omnichannel platform that optimises the fan experience across every stage of its journey. The French company raised €8M, including €6 in equity, led by Réflexion Capital, with the support of its long-standing investor Newfund, which is also participating in the deal. (Read more)

Anymaster raises €350K in round led by Oxean

Anymaster, a marketplace that connects clients with local service providers, has raised €350,000 in funding led by Oxean and also announced the launch in Athens. Customers can use Anymaster to find trusted professionals such as plumbers, electricians, or other skilled workers. (Read more)

Orange Quantum Systems launches OrangeQS Max

Dutch quantum technology company Orange Quantum Systems has launched the OrangeQS Max. OrangeQS Max is a full-stack test system that can characterise quantum chips with 100+ qubits and tunable couplers via an automated approach, available at the press of a button. It is designed to accelerate the development of quantum computers by making it possible to test new, more powerful quantum chips with a fraction of the R&D resources normally required for such testing. (Read more)

Nicoda secures €48.4M funding

London-based Nivoda, a digital marketplace focused on the diamond industry, has raised €48.4M in its latest funding round led by Northzone. Existing investors, including Avenir, Headline, Abstract Ventures, and Canaan Partners, participated in the round. The UK company plans to expand its operations beyond diamonds, introducing a marketplace for gemstones and jewelry. (Read more)

Taito.ai secures funding to improve employee performance

Helsinki-based Taito.ai uses AI to improve how teams manage their growth and facilitate better personal development by automating the employee performance management lifecycle. Recently, the company raised $2.7M in seed funding round led by Accel, with participation from Illusian’s angel investors, including Eléonore Crespo, (Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Pigment), Robert Gentz (Co-founder and Co-CEO of Zalando), Miki Kuusi (Founder and CEO of Wolt) and Ilkka Paananen (Co-Founder and CEO of Supercell). (Read more)

Scaleup Flanders join hands with PMV

Scaleup Flanders, a program dedicated to accelerating the growth of tech-driven scale-ups, has announced a strategic partnership with PMV (Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen). This collaboration aims to provide Flemish scaleups with robust support in financing and growth, positioning them for success both locally and internationally. (Read more)

Echion secured funding from Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital

Based out of Cambridge, UK, Echion supplies niobium-based anode materials. Recently, the company secured £10M investment from Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital and existing investor BGF. This funding will enable Echion to accelerate the speed at which its network of partnered cell manufacturers can produce commercially available cells which utilise Echion’s innovative niobium-based XNO anode material. (Read more)

CellPoint Digital secures funding

CellPoint Digital, a provider of payment solutions to the airline and travel industries and a global pioneer of Payment Orchestration, has secured $30 million in funding from Toscafund and Penta Capital. The funding will accelerate the launch of CellPoint Digital’s revolutionary Offer Order Service Delivery (OOSD) payment orchestration platform, purpose-built to power the Travel industry’s transformation toward modern airline retailing. (Read more)

Solteo secures €1.5M to help renewable energy installers

Paris-based Solteo, an all-in-one platform to streamline project management, from technical studies to execution, has secured €1.5M funding from Kima Ventures, Axeleo Capital (AXC), Campus Fund, and business angels from the solar and tech ecosystems. (Read more)

ValueCo raises €1.5M funding

Paris-based ValueCo is developing a SaaS solution to collect proprietary ESG ratings from investors and provide market analyses to asset managers, institutional investors, and corporates. The company raised  €1.5M in a funding round to accelerate its growth. (Read more)

Upfund raises funding to revolutionise professional real estate

Upfund helps users save time by providing a simple map with all the information they need. The platform offers reliable, up-to-date data on offices, shops, and business spaces. The company has raised €1.3M funding to strengthen GeoAI to analyse complex data in real-time, optimise real estate decisions with ultra-precise geospatial insights. (Read more)

Fermioniq introduces Ava

Dutch quantum computing startup Fermioniq has introduced Ava, the first third-party tensor network simulator available on the NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform. This allows CUDA-Q users to utilise Ava’s powerful emulation capabilities to run quantum programs via the cloud alongside real quantum hardware. (Read more)

Konsileo raises funding for its expansion

Konsileo is an FCA-authorised chartered insurance broker. The company has raised £8M in funding to accelerate its expansion across the UK. The company specialises in mid-market advised sales for small, medium, and mid-corporate businesses, from construction and logistics firms to farms to recycling plants. (Read more)

MannyAI secures €1.5M funding

London-based MannyAI, a fashion technology startup, has raised €1.5 million in a funding round that includes a €240,000 Innovate UK grant and a €1.26 million pre-seed investment led by Dreamcraft Ventures. The investment will help MannyAI enhance its AI technology platform. (Read more)

Cytomos raised funding for its unique cell analysis technology

Cytomos, an Edinburgh-based biotechnology company, has raised £5M to scale up production of its unique cell analysis technology. The oversubscribed funding round was led by existing investors Archangels with participation from Old College Capital, Scottish Enterprise and British Business Bank. (Read more)

Septeo onboards two new investors

French software group Septeo has announced the addition of Téthys Invest, the investment holding company of the Bettencourt-Meyers family, and GIC, a leading global investor, as key shareholders. They join founder and CEO Hugues Galambrun, the management team, and long-time partner Hg, a leading European software investor, which remains a major stakeholder. With a 2024 turnover of €420 million and 3,100 employees, Septeo serves sectors such as LegalTech, PropTech, and HospitalityTech across Europe, North Africa, and North America. (Read more)

Popp AI secures funding to transform recruitment

London-based Popp AI transforms recruitment with conversational AI, allowing open interactions with candidates at scale. It analyses responses, ranks candidates by fit, and offers actionable insights for hiring teams. The company raised €4.3M in a seed funding round led by Emerge and SuperSeed Ventures. (Read more)

Ubitium secures funding to launch universal RISC-V processor

German hardware startup Ubitium has secured a $3.7M seed funding round to launch a universal RISC-V processor that eliminates the need for specialized chips, enabling advanced AI at no additional cost. The funding round was led by Runa Capital, Inflection, and KBC Focus Fund. (Read more)

Pervas ID secured funding led by Parkwalk Advisors

Based out of Cambridge, UK, Pervas ID designs and supplies next-generation passive RFID tag reading solutions for automating inventory tracking, stock taking, and asset management processes. The company raised £3.25M in a funding round led by Parkwalk Advisors, with the support of two Maven North East managed funds. (Read more)

EZ Easy Telecom raises funding

EZ Easy Telecom, a Spanish telecom company under the brands Likes Telecom and EZ Telecom, focuses on white-label mobile and fibre solutions for rural areas. The company recently raised €1,000,000 in its second financing round. In this latest round, it received €500,000 from Faraday Venture Partners and another €500,000 from Fondo Bolsa Social, a fund dedicated to social impact projects. (Read more)

Freqens raises funding in pre-seed round

Based out of Paris, Freqens is a data platform providing companies with real-time market insights to help them benchmark and optimise their purchasing performance. The French company raised €3M in a pre-seed funding round from Seedcamp, Kima Ventures, Zebox, Motier Ventures, Financière Saint James, and prestigious business angels, including Mark Ransford, Alexandre Berriche, and Roxanne Varza. (Read more)

e.battery systems secures funding and acquires kumkeo GmbH 

e.battery systems has finished its Series A financing round, which began in 2023, raising a total of €11M. Both current and new investors participated, with significant contributions from lead investors Udo Filzmaier and Heinz Senger-Weiss. Additionally, the company also acquired kumkeo GmbH. (Read more)

EYE2DRIVE secures funding led by RobotIT

EYE2DRIVE, a company specialising in the development of advanced digital imaging solutions, has closed a €1.5M financing round led by RoboIT.  The company’s patented HDR technology adjusts light sensitivity based on the environment, enabling smarter image capture. (Read more)

Liquid Wind secures €44M funding for its eFuel production facilities

Liquid Wind is a leading developer of eFuel production facilities with a vision to reduce the world’s dependency on fossil fuels. Liquid Wind has a solid pipeline of facility projects in development to reach 10 projects by 2027. The company raised €44M in Series C financing led by Uniper, HYCAP Fund I SCSp, and Samsung Ventures. (Read more)

Cardo AI secures funding from Blackstone Innovations Investments and others

Cardo AI is a next-generation asset-based finance and private credit technology platform. It has secured $15M in a Series A funding round co-led by Blackstone Innovations Investments, Blackstone’s early-stage strategic investment arm, FINTOP Capital, and JAM FINTOP. (Read more)

Dote raised funding for its AI-driven products for parents

Manchester-based Dote is a technology brand that offers AI-driven products for parents, including pushchairs, strollers, a smart baby monitor, and a car seat. The company raised £1.15M in a seed funding round to help support the development of its product range and technology. (Read more)

Tewke raises funding to tackle energy waste in homes,

London-based climate tech company Tewke has raised $3.4M in seed funding. The funds will help launch its main product, Tap, and improve the product and platform further. Tewke aims to tackle energy waste in homes, where up to 60 per cent of energy can be lost. (Read more)

Konsileo secures funding for its commercial insurance platform

Based out of the UK, Konsileo focuses on providing commercial insurance for small to mid-sized businesses in various industries, including construction, logistics, agriculture, and recycling. Recently, the company raised £8M in a funding round led by Committed Capital, with support from ACF Investors and Growth Lending. (Read more)

BiocSol secures €5.2M funding

BiocSol, a UCLouvain spin-off specialising in sustainable crop protection, has raised €5.2M in its first seed capital raising led by Agri Investment Fund and VIVES IUF. The company develops innovative, next-generation microbial extract-based biopesticides that are more stable, effective and enable farmers to sustainably protect their crops. (Read more)

Emerging economies, home to over 85 per cent of the world’s population, face unique challenges due to inflation and currency devaluation.

For many individuals, accessing reliable financial tools to protect their wealth and secure their future has been an uphill battle.

As these economies grapple with instability, the demand for stable, dependable currencies like the U.S. dollar has never been higher.

Meet Qash, a Dutch financial inclusion startup

Enter Qash, an Amsterdam-based startup that aims to transform financial inclusion for people in such markets.

Founded by Boris Spiwak and Gerson Lynch, the financial inclusion startup offers offshore savings and investment products for individuals in unstable economies.

As the Dutch startup emerged out of stealth, we at Silicon Canals had the opportunity to interview Boris Spiwak, co-founder of Qash.

In this edition of our “New Kid on the Block,” Boris discussed the inspiration behind founding this company, their challenges, strategies to educate the audience about blockchain technology, and more.

Experienced economic instability

The two founders were inspired to build Qash by their own lived experiences.

Boris (co-founder and CEO) was born and raised in Venezuela where he witnessed some of the worst hyperinflation in history. Gerson (co-founder and CTO) is from Suriname, where he too endured the macro-political instability.

The founders met during Antler’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program in Amsterdam, which ran from May to July 2024. And the duo decided to solve the pain points they’ve experienced first-hand.

“Millions of people across Latin America struggle to hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. We knew that in much of the region, demand for US dollars outstrips supply, and USD financial services are inaccessible to most people. We realised new technologies, like banking-as-a-service and blockchain, made it possible to democratise offshore and USD banking in emerging markets,” says Boris.

Antler provided initial investment to support Boris and Gerson as they founded the business. 

“There was a strong founder-market fit, with Boris and Gerson having personal experience of the problem they were trying to address. They were obsessed with solving this issue and having a positive impact on people in developing economies. They both have strong personal networks in South America and very credible backgrounds as engineers and business leaders,” says RJ Schuurs, Partner at Antler.

Besides investments, Antler worked with Qash to refine their GTM (Go-To-Market) and product roadmap.

“We recommended they start with a stablecoin offering, enabling them to go to market immediately while simultaneously working on securing a US banking partner and growing their user base,” adds RJ Schuurs.

The company aims to bridge the gap between the instability of local currencies and the strength of the U.S. dollar — a tool that, until now, has been mostly out of reach for everyday people in volatile economies.

Challenges

According to Boris, the biggest challenge has been to find a banking-as-a-service partner in the United States.

“For this reason, we decided to pivot to blockchain technology to offer digital-dollar accounts. This has allowed us to launch our product more quickly, generate revenue, and prove our go-to-market model,” says Boris.

“Nevertheless, we aim to introduce a U.S. dollar account at a U.S. bank with full FDIC insurance. To that end, we are finalising our due diligence process with a U.S. BaaS partner. We expect to introduce this product in Q3 2025,” he explains.

Launching in Colombia

The company’s first product, launching in Colombia, is built on blockchain technology and features a Qash-branded Visa credit card in partnership with Rain, a global issuer with the Visa network.

“We chose Colombia due to macro-political factors and founder expertise. The country is currently led by a far left-wing government that has intimidated savers and private businesses, leading to record capital outflows and currency devaluation. A simmering political crisis has led many people to look for a ‘Plan B’ in the form of savings and investment opportunities abroad,” details Boris.

The company’s Visa credit card will enable users to save, spend, and invest in digital dollars using stablecoins and will be the first card of its kind in the region. 

Currently, Qash employs four people and is actively hiring marketing and customer support roles in Colombia.

Gaining trust and educating users

The Dutch company has partnered with the biggest hotel company in Colombia – Dann and Spiwak Hotels – with 14 properties across 9 cities.

The company will run a series of in-person and virtual events focused on financial education to educate the target audience about blockchain technology and digital coins.

The first is scheduled for Saturday, November 23rd, at Hotel Spiwak in Cali, with Dr. Leopoldo Fergusson, an economist from the Universidad de los Andes.

“In terms of the product, we’ve partnered with best-in-class companies, like Visa (blockchain credit cards), Persona (KYC, identity verification, and transaction monitoring), and Portal (blockchain wallets-as-a-service), to build our mobile app. The nature of self-custodial wallets means we do not have access to our users’ keys, wallets, or funds,” says Boris.

Qash’s business model

The Dutch startup charges an FX fee (foreign exchange fee) equal to between 1 per cent and 2 per cent of every transaction (onramping, offramping, credit card usage, etc.).

“Next year we will introduce premium account features – including the ability to invest in tokenised treasuries, ETFs, and other securities, and the ability to receive remittances from the United States – and will charge a monthly Premium Account maintenance fee to unlock these features,” he adds.

Meeting regulatory requirements

Qash has been registered as a Money Services Business with FinCEN in the United States and has built a rigorous compliance function to ensure AML, BSA, and other regulatory requirements.

“We’ve partnered with Persona (KYC, identity verification, and transaction monitoring) and Portal (blockchain wallets-as-a-service), to build our mobile app. The nature of self-custodial wallets means we do not have access to our users’ keys, wallets, or funds,” concludes Boris. 

Lyon, France-based Eden AI, an AI integration platform, announced on Thursday that it has secured €3M in a seed round led by Galion.exe.

Other investors, including 50 Partners and several prominent business angels, including Olivier Pomel (Co-Founder of Datadog), Sébastien Pahl (Co-Founder of Docker), and Alix de Sagazan (Co-Founder of ABTasty), also participated.

The French company will use the funding to accelerate product development, grow its engineering team, and expand its partner ecosystem.

The funds will be used to improve AI workflow capabilities and create monitoring and analytics tools. This will help users track the performance, usage, and costs of all AI services through a central dashboard.

Bridging the gap between AI models and business needs

Founded in 2021 by Taha Zemmouri and Samy Melaine, Eden AI began with a unified API that combined multiple AI models for easy business use.

“With Eden AI, we essentially cover two types of companies. Either SaaS software publishers integrating AI into their product, or more conventional companies automating in-house processes using AI,” says Taha Zemmouri, Co-Founder and CEO of Eden AI to Silicon Canals.

The company’s API provides access to services like natural language processing, computer vision, and generative AI through a single interface.

The French company enables businesses that lack the expertise, resources, and integration know-how to translate complex AI models into intuitive tools to address their unique business needs.

Explaining the use cases, Zemmouri says, “We have a platform that enables our customers to respond to a very wide range of use cases, and we are surprised to discover what our customers manage to put into practice with AI. These range from companies reducing their administrative workload by using AI to extract information from documents to companies setting up chatbots for support, to consumer SaaS applications that include image and text generation.”

Helping SMEs adopt AI seamlessly

With Eden AI, users can easily build complex AI workflows, monitor costs, and manage AI solutions.

“We focus on making AI accessible, cost-effective, and user-friendly for businesses of all sizes, including smaller businesses and startups. Our platform allows users to compare and select AI models based on their specific needs, including cost considerations,” states Zemmouri on engaging smaller businesses/startups.

By combining AI with practical tools for deployment and monitoring, the French company offers a unique proposition that simplifies the AI integration process.

“Our intuitive interface simplifies the integration and management of AI technologies, ensuring that even teams with limited technical expertise can adopt and benefit from AI. By reducing dependency on one provider and offering transparent cost control, Eden AI enables startups to harness the power of AI in a way that aligns with their budget and operational goals,” adds Zemmouri.

AI tech, business model, and more

Eden AI’s comprehensive end-to-end platform enables businesses to access over 70 AI technologies and 100 AI models from providers, including Google, AWS, and OpenAI.

The company has attracted thousands of users worldwide, including notable companies like Atos (Eviden) and the Council of Europe.

Explaining the company’s business model, Zemmouri says, “The Eden AI generates revenue through two main streams. First, users can buy AI credits at the same cost as the original AI providers, with no additional markup. This pay-as-you-go model is ideal for smaller or simpler AI needs.”

“For more advanced requirements, users can subscribe to monthly licenses, which represent the core of our business model. We offer several license options at various price levels to suit the different needs of our users, from startups to larger enterprises,” he adds.

Zemmouri also added that they want to be in the best position for a future Series A financing round.

Hiring

Taha Zemmouri explains that the company is looking for candidates who focus on three main areas:

• Creating an excellent user experience through great design.
• Building a strong platform that can handle many users.
• Offering advanced AI features.

The investor

Galion.exe is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in innovative startups.

With a team of experienced investors and entrepreneurs, Galion.exe provides financial backing, strategic guidance, and industry expertise to help visionary companies grow and succeed.

Kevin Kuipers, Co-Founder of Galion.exe, says, “Eden AI has demonstrated exceptional innovation in making AI accessible to businesses of all sizes. Their platform’s ability to integrate multiple AI models into existing workflows in a frictionless and intuitive manner is a game-changer for the industry.”

50 Partners is a startup accelerator and venture capital firm co-founded in 2012 by 50 successful entrepreneurs.

It offers early-stage startup mentorship, funding, and strategic advice in the long term, focusing on high-growth potential ventures in the tech, healthcare, impact, and Web3 industries to build tomorrow’s success stories.

Jérôme Masurel, CEO of 50 Partners, says, “We see immense potential in Eden AI’s mission to bridge the gap between advanced AI models and business needs. Its comprehensive platform not only simplifies AI integration but also opens up new opportunities for efficiency and productivity in various industries.” 

Stockholm-based Kodiak Hub, the one-stop-shop supplier relationship management (SRM) platform, announced on Wednesday that it has secured €6M in funding from B2B SaaS investment firm Oxx. 

The Swedish company will use the funds to accelerate its global expansion, particularly into the US.

Talking about the expansion plan to Silicon Canals, Malin Schmidt, founder and CEO of Kodiak Hub says, “Our expansion plans are both ambitious and strategic, with the Netherlands being a key focus for steady and consistent growth. The region has been instrumental in our journey so far, and we’re committed to strengthening our presence there by fostering long-term partnerships and continuing to support the dynamic procurement and supply chain ecosystem.” 

Additionally, the company is planning to grow its team in commercial and data analytics roles across Europe, including in the Netherlands.

“These roles are critical to enhancing our ability to support procurement teams with greater insights, speed, and efficiency,” she adds.

The company will also use the capital to further develop its product, focusing on its new AI-driven data analytics tool. 

Addressing the fundamental flaws in global supply chains

Founded by Malin Schmidt, Kodiak Hub (formerly Kodiak Rating) is a Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) platform that helps strategic buyers and CPOs at mid-sized and large businesses onboard and assess suppliers to enhance performance.

Malin Schmidt explains the story behind founding Kodiak Hub, saying, “I founded Kodiak Hub to address the fundamental flaws I saw in global supply chains. Too often, business success was achieved at the expense of workers enduring unsafe conditions in distant factories, while decision-makers did not have enough insights to make buying decisions.”

“With years of experience in industrial operations, engineering, and research into modularity and industrial architecture, I’ve witnessed the good, bad, and ugly of manufacturing and supply chains. Poor quality, waste of resources, and unsafe working conditions harm efficiency, and fragmented processes lead to costly disruptions. Addressing these challenges requires collaborative innovation and a commitment to shared value—benefiting not just shareholders, but stakeholders, including people and the planet,” she adds.

 According to Schmidt, Kodiak Hub is built on three guiding principles: 

• Transforming supply chains
• User-friendly software
• Fostering a thriving culture

Creating strong and regional supply chains

Kodiak Hub offers a cloud-based solution that helps procurement leaders create strong and regional supply chains.

Recognising the need for reliable information for multi-billion-euro decisions, Kodiak Hub provides a 360-degree complete risk overview, turning complex data into clear and useful insights.

As per the company’s claims, over 75 per cent of its revenue comes from international markets, particularly Germany and the UK.

“Our business model is rooted in the SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) approach, which I find to be incredibly effective and innovative. SaaS allows companies to access state-of-the-art solutions in a cost-efficient way by sharing the investment in the software across customers and over time through a licensing model,” adds Schmidt.

Platform of choice for procurement leaders

Kodiak Hub has rapidly gained traction, becoming the platform of choice for more than 80 procurement leaders in manufacturing and other high-stakes industries.  

They use Kodiak Hub to strengthen supply chain resilience, improve supplier performance, reduce risks, and handle complicated compliance requirements.

“The response from our target users has been overwhelmingly positive, and the numbers reflect the tangible impact Kodiak Hub is delivering,” she adds.

According to Schmidt, more than 250,000 suppliers across 20+ industries are being actively managed on the company’s platform, spanning 176 countries.

“Our users are experiencing significant improvements in efficiency and cost savings. On average, they report saving 7-10 per cent on their total spending—a substantial boost to their bottom line.

In addition to financial savings, the platform also helps automate Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) tasks and processes, saving users approximately 10 hours per week. 

As per the company’s claims, supplier engagement has significantly improved, with a 90 per cent increase in interactions.

Moreover, the supplier onboarding process, which is essential yet often slow, is now 80 per cent faster compared to older methods, enabling businesses to grow more quickly and smoothly, claims Schmidt.

Navigated challenges in the supply chain industry as a female leader

In 2023, Malin Schmidt was named one of Sweden’s most important Female Founders 2023 by Di Digital.

Talking about navigating challenges in the supply chain industry, which is traditionally male-dominated, she says, “Navigating a career in Operations, Production, and Quality Assurance has provided me with unique insights into an industry where women leaders are still underrepresented.”

“Unlike some of the stereotypes or expectations placed on women leaders—whether that’s working in lifestyle, Femtech, or Health—I’ve focused on areas like production methods, management systems, and industrial innovation,” she continues.

However, Malin Schmidt’s major challenge was to break the bias of leadership shape in this industry.

“I don’t fit the mould of a “British boy band”-type CEO or the conventional archetype in this field, but I’ve leaned into my authenticity and skills to drive change and build credibility,” she adds.

“My advice is to embrace your distinctiveness and leverage it as a strength. Invest deeply in your expertise, build strong networks, and never shy away from tough decisions or challenges. Leadership isn’t about fitting a mould—it’s about creating solutions, fostering collaboration, and driving progress,” she concludes.

The investor

Oxx is a venture capital firm that partners with the most promising European B2B software companies at the scale-up stage.

As a specialist SaaS investor, Oxx provides each entrepreneur with a support system of unique specialist expertise and network, and a culture of unfaltering partnership and absolute conviction.

Ingrid Bonde Åkerlind, Principal, at Oxx, says, “As companies face increased pressure to meet regulatory and sustainability requirements, Kodiak Hub’s sophisticated analytics and AI-driven insights are uniquely positioned to enable procurement leaders to take a proactive approach in managing supplier quality, risk, and compliance. At Oxx, we seek out companies with the potential to lead new categories, and Kodiak Hub is a shining example of that ambition. Malin and her team have crafted a ‘data cockpit’ for strategic procurement leaders, essential in today’s landscape, and we are thrilled to partner with them on their journey to redefine Supplier Relationship Management.”

It’s easy to overlook some equally important stories in a world buzzing with tech innovations. While important acquisitions, massive funding, and groundbreaking tech developments often steal the spotlight, other news can slip through the cracks. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here’s a roundup of news we have missed amidst the buzz this week.

Finst secures funding and acquires strategic assets from Anycoin Direct

Finst, a Dutch crypto platform announced that it has raised capital at a €70M valuation and acquired strategic assets from industry peer Anycoin Direct, a cryptocurrency provider in Europe. Post-acquisition, all Dutch and Belgian customers of Anycoin Direct can migrate their account to Finst without any costs and instantly invest in 240+ crypto in EUR with the lowest trading fees in The Netherlands. (Read more)

SeQura closes €410M in debt and equity funding

Barcelona-based SeQura, a fintech firm has closed over €410M in debt and equity funding, led by Citi and supported by M&G, Chenavari, and a convertible loan from Svea Bank. SeQura offers payment technology and digital shopping solutions, assisting merchants in acquiring and retaining customers while enabling shoppers to achieve their goals through smart shopping. (Read more)

Tessl gets €118M funding led by Index Ventures

London-based Tessl, an AI Native software development company, has secured $125M in funding led by Index Ventures with participation from Accel, and GV. The company will use the funds to build the platform and accelerate hiring in AI research, engineering, product, design, and developer relations. (Read more)

OpenAirlines gets €45M from Eiffel Investment Group

Based out of Toulouse, OpenAirlines provides sustainable aviation software, dedicated to helping airlines reduce their environmental footprint and improve operational efficiency. The company raised €45M from Eiffel Investment Group with the backing of Mirova. (Read more)

Tourlane gets €25M funding

Tourlane is a Berlin-based online travel expert that combines the knowledge of local experts with AI to plan personalised travel experiences. The company raised €25M in a Series D funding round led by Sequoia Capital. (Read more)

Klim raises funding for farmers and food companies

Berlin-based startup Klim provides solutions to help farmers and food companies transition global food supply chains toward regenerative practices. The company raised $22M in Series A funding, marking Germany’s largest Series A round in AgriTech this year. Led by BNP Paribas, the round also includes participation from Earthshot Ventures, Rabobank, AgFunder, Norinchukin Bank, Achmea, Ananda Impact Ventures, and Elevator Ventures. (Read more)

LocalStack raises funding for local cloud development and testing

Based out of Zurich, LocalStack is a platform for local cloud development and testing, enabling developers to run a complete cloud environment on their laptops. The company raised $25M million in Series A funding led by Notable Capital, with participation from existing investors CRV and Heavybit. (Read more)

Fleek raises €19.3M funding

Based out of London, Fleek is an online platform that connects wholesalers and retailers in the second-hand clothing market. The company has raised $20.4M ($14.8M in Series A and $5.6M in seed announcing for the first time today) to continue expanding its platform. (Read more)

Polar secures €18M to help brands make smarter decisions,

Polar is the first-party data platform that helps brands make smarter decisions, gain automated insights, and drive direct revenue growth. Recently, the company raised $18M in a Series A funding round led by Chalfen Ventures, including participation from our existing investors, Point Nine and Frst. (Read more)

Finnish gaming startup raises €17M

BIT ODD is a Finnish gaming company dedicated to delivering a mobile gaming experience by prioritizing gameplay. The company raised €17M in a funding round led by Griffin Gaming Partners, with participation from Makers Fund, Index Ventures, and others. (Read more)

Gazelle Wind Power Limited secures €11.4M

Based out of Dublin, Gazelle Wind Power Limited is accelerating the commercialisation of the floating offshore wind market with its next-generation platform. The company has secured €11.4M in a funding round led by Indico Capital Partners to further accelerate the development of Nau Azul, Gazelle’s 2MW grid-connected demonstrator in Aguçadoura, Portugal. (Read more)

mediaire bags €12M to advance AI-driven diagnostic solutions

Berlin-based mediaire develops AI-driven diagnostic solutions for MRI imaging to enhance radiologists’ efficiency and accuracy. The company has secured €12M led by LBO France with participation from IBB Ventures and the Swiss family office Wille Finance. (Read more)

Qminder secures €3M funding

London-based Qminder is a customer service flow management platform dedicated to improving customer service experiences in physical locations. Recently, the company raised €3M in a seed funding round led by Practica Capital to accelerate the development of its platform. (Read more)

London’s Reward acquires Hospitality Data Insights (HDI)

London-based Reward, a customer engagement and commerce media platform, announced the acquisition of Hospitality Data Insights (HDI), a data insights company and trusted partner. The acquisition will enhance commerce media offering, delivering deeper consumer insights for the retail sectors. (Read more)

NitroVolt raises €3.5M to build first on-site container-sized demonstration unit

NitroVolt provides a clean, environmentally friendly, and locally focused ammonia production system that empowers individual farmers to meet their nitrogen-based fertilizer needs. Recently, the company raised €3.5M in Seed Funding from BackingMinds, EIFO, EQT Foundation, Satgana, and DivisionM. The funding will be used to build the first on-site container-sized demonstration unit, producing green ammonia from air, water, and clean electricity. (Read more)

Oslo’s Atlas.co secures funding led by Pale Blue Dot

Oslo-based Atlas.co has secured $2M in its pre-seed funding round led by climate-focused VC fund Pale Blue Dot, high-profile investors Ben Lang (early employee and ex-community lead at Notion), and Andreas Klinger (ex-CTO and founding team at Product Hunt). The company provides browser-based GIS software that allows teams to create, analyse, and share geospatial data. (Read more)

Mollie enters Italy

Mollie, a rapidly growing financial services provider in Europe, has announced its entry into Italy, marking a key step in simplifying payments and money management for businesses. Italian companies will access a streamlined platform for payment processing, reconciliation, and fraud prevention. (Read more)

Bolt hits €2BN in annual revenue

Markus Villig, Bolt founder and CEO, on 20VC, the technology podcast hosted by entrepreneur Harry Stebbings, announced the global shared mobility platform has hit €2BN in annual revenue. Bolt operates in over 50 countries and 600 cities and provides shared mobility services including ride-hailing, scooter and e-bike rental, and car rental to over 200 million lifetime customers. (Read more)

Eatable Adventures announces its support to entrepreneurs and startups

Eatable Adventures, a Foodtech accelerator, announces that it will support entrepreneurs and startups as part of the CERN Venture Connect (CVC) Programme. This strategic cooperation aims to foster innovation by providing early-stage companies access to cutting-edge technology, mentorship, and resources within the scientific community.

Monster League Studios secures funding

Monster League Studios, the company behind the Mokens League gaming platform, has raised $2M in a new round of funding to expand its Web3 gaming ecosystem, develop new games, and support the recently launched sale of the $MOKA utility token. (Read more)

Techshop SGR closes first fund at €53M

The Techshop SGR is an asset management company specialised in Venture Capital. It has announced the first closing of the Techshop I fund at €53M, exceeding the funding target. Additionally, 40 per cent of the resources have already been invested. Among the new investors is Cdp Venture Capital through the Digital Transition Fund, which uses resources allocated by Nextgeneration EU. (Read more)

Salesfire gets funding to help e-commerce stores to increase sales

Based out of the UK Salesfire helps e-commerce stores to increase sales. Recently, the company has raised a further £2.75M from NPIF II – Mercia Equity Finance. The company will use the funds to incorporate its AI-powered technology into its platform and create over ten new jobs in the next two years. (Read more)

Ligence secures €3M funding to transform echocardiography through AI

Ligence is a health technology company focused on transforming echocardiography with AI-driven solutions. The company’s software automates image analysis, providing cardiologists with precise measurements and automated reporting, all supported by a vendor-neutral cardiac viewer for better clinical decision-making. The company raised €3M led by Simpact Ventures, a Polish venture capital investment fund focused on social impact technologies. (Read more)

Female-founders led tozero gets €11M finding

Led by two female founders — Sarah Fleischer and Dr. Ksenija Milicevic Neumann, tozero is a battery recycling company that recovers 80 per cent of lithium from end-of-life batteries Recently, the Munich-based startup secured €11M in a series A round led by NordicNinja, with participation by automotive giant Honda, In-Q-Tel (IQT) and global infrastructure engineering giant JGC Group.  (Read more)

Ooodles Group gets funding for its Device-as-a-Service leases

Ooodles Group is a UK-based fintech offering SMEs flexible, hassle-free Device-as-a-Service leases for IT hardware. Recently, the company raised a $2.7M funding extension from āltitude VC, Europe’s first SME tech fund, with participation from existing investors and Traditum, a Private Investment Office with principals from IT and banking. (Read more) 

Folks Finance raises funding at $75M valuation

Folks Finance is a DeFi platform that offers cross-chain lending, borrowing, staking, and trading. The company raised $3.2M in a Series A round, bringing its valuation to $75M. The funding round was led by Borderless Capital, with participation from Algorand Ventures, Mapleblock Capital, Sovo Ventures, and others. (Read more)

Meet My Mama secures €3M funding

Based out of Paris, Meet My Mama is a training school designed to empower mothers globally to turn their cooking passion into a career in the catering industry. The company raised €3M in funding to strengthen our impact over the coming years. (Read more)

CyberUpgrade secures €2.5M

CyberUpgrade develops tools and solutions to automate cybersecurity compliance. The company raised €2.5M in seed funding from Superhero Capital, Specialist VC, NGL Ventures, and angel investors Marios S. Kalochoritis and Sergei Anikin. (Read more)

FASST raises €27M for its digital distribution platforms

FASST is a French insurtech company specialising in digital distribution platforms for insurers, mutual insurers, and brokers to develop their sales in provident, health, retirement savings, and property and casualty insurance. Recently, the company raised €27M in funding from Revaia, alongside Bpifrance via its Large Venture fund. (Read more)

SRTD biotech raises seven figure funding

Based out of Jülich, Germany, SRTD biotech aims to develop highly efficient RNA-based drugs active only in diseased cells, based on a proprietary platform technology. The company raised seven figures in a seed financing round led by HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds, alongside renowned business angels, to accelerate the development of novel RNA therapeutics. (Read more)

Biorce gets €3.5M for drug development and clinical trails

Biorce is a medtech company that aims to revolutionise drug development and clinical trials through artificial intelligence (AI). The Barcelona-based company raised €3.5M in funding to enhance its proprietary platform – Jarvis. (Read more)

Biolux Technology secures funding from redalpine and Revere Partners

Biolux Technology specialises in light-accelerated orthodontics, using its flagship product, OrthoPulse, to safely speed up tooth movement and reduce treatment time and discomfort. The company raised CHF4M investment in its seed fund stage from leading European VC redalpine and Revere Partners. (Read more)

Feld.energy raises funding led by HV Capital

Feld.energy, based in Munich, enables farmers to utilise their land for both agriculture and photovoltaic power generation, allowing them to earn up to €4,000 per hectare. The company raised €1.7M in a pre-seed funding round led by HV Capital, with participation from Angel Invest, CoInvest (Marc Diekmann), Karljo Seilern, Cord Amelung, Alex Mahr, Christian Hardenberg, Nikas Rickmann (MVST Ventures), Jan Rabe, and Colin Hanna. (Read more)

Money Walkie secures €4M to improve the pocket money experience for kids and teens

Paris-based Money Walkie is on a mission to improve the pocket money experience for kids and teens. Recently, the French company raised €4M and is inviting the public to invest in its mission to promote financial independence for children. (Read more)

Coopah secures funding for its running app

Coopah is an AI-powered running app designed to help users achieve their goals and reduce the 58 per cent of new runners who quit within the first month. The company raised £1.5M in funding backed by pro-athlete Alistair Brownlee MBE and sports agent Ricky Simms. (Read more)

mbd.xyz secures funding to advance machine learning recommendation

London-based mbd is a Web3 social platform developer specialised in the research and development of machine learning recommendation systems. The company raised $3M co-led by Mask Network and Polymorphic Capital with participation from a16z crypto CSX, Forward Research, Social Graph Ventures, and WAGMI. (Read more)