#european-startups

#european-startups

The problem Finperks is solving is structural. The prepaid market is large and growing but operationally fragmented: a bank that wants to offer brand-funded cashback to retain customers, or an HR platform looking to distribute Germany's €50-per-month tax-free employee benefit known as the Sachbezug, currently has to navigate multiple providers across multiple functions.

According to Dealroom's 2024 European Tech report, mentions of "AI" in European startup pitch decks increased by over 200% between 2022 and 2024. VC funding for AI-adjacent startups surged, even as overall funding in Europe contracted. The signal was unmistakable: if you want capital, you need to speak the language of artificial intelligence.

Finding an investor is never as simple as sending out a deck and waiting. It usually happens after a long stretch of figuring out who might care about what you are building, why your idea matters, and whether the timing is right. Most founders eventually discover that fundraising is part strategy, part patience, and part culture. Europe's startup scene is wide and diverse, so the path you choose depends on how well you understand the market around you.

"Make Europe's tech ecosystem great again" might not fit on a Trump campaign badge, but it's something he might unintentionally be delivering on.

Lightyear announces a $23 million Series B investment round to enhance retail investing in the UK and unveils new AI-driven market intelligence tools.

The recent changes at TechCrunch are not about retreat. They are about realignment and reinforcement, aimed at building a stronger, globally focused media platform.

Supporting super-early stage entrepreneurs in Europe is gaining momentum, highlighted by EWOR's €60 million fund offering significant capital and extensive mentorship.