Precis’ Post

Investment volume in European tech continues to decline 💡 Last week, we tracked more than 85 tech funding deals worth over €487 million, and around 20 exits, M&A transactions, and rumours; all alongside a host of related news stories across Europe. 📉 With just under half a billion raised, the week behind us continues February's trend of ever-decreasing investment volumes. ⬇️ Fintech funding saw a drop, posting only €18 million raised over six deals. 💰 However, Berlin-based Monite arrived as a beacon of hope as it welcomed $6 million in funding via Peter Thiel's Valar Ventures LLC and existing investor Third Prime. 🤔 What do February's declining numbers mean for the European tech ecosystem? Geographically, who received the most money this month? A traditional favourite, how are fintech investments doing compared to other industries? 👉 These and many other answers on the state of European tech will be available in our upcoming monthly report. https://buff.ly/3uLJYSR

"Europe is less hard-working, less ambitious, more regulated, and more risk-averse than the US" - Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. Is this true? Only partially, the data tells a different story: - European startup ecosystem grew 2x faster than the US (2015-2022) - 1 in 5 US Unicorn founders are European - Europe is leading development in Climate Tech and Fintech Yet, fragmentation holds us back. Our diversity is our strength, but our complex landscape stifles collaboration and investment. That's why I'm excited to back the 'EU Inc' petition for a standardized pan-European corporate structure. This could be our game-changer, enabling: - Seamless cross-border scaling - Unified stock options - Streamlined pan-European investments https://www.eu-inc.org/ Resource from Forbes: https://lnkd.in/d5cTEvca

Europe's Tech Investment Landscape: Navigating Challenges & Spotting Opportunities Despite facing a post-pandemic hangover, Europe's startup ecosystem is showing resilience and signs of revival, according to a comprehensive report by global law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. 🌍💰 In 2023, VC investment in European startups reached $61.8 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, albeit amid a significant correction in global investment trends. Despite this, Europe remains the only region to exceed 2019 levels, showcasing its enduring potential for growth and innovation. 🚀💼 Climate tech emerged as the new darling of European investors, overtaking fintech, while AI secured a record-high share of total investments, soaring to 17%. However, the emergence of new unicorns slowed, signaling a cautious market sentiment. The report highlights a shift in investor behavior, with greater emphasis on control and risk management, leading to founders facing stricter terms and conditions. Yet, this challenging landscape has spurred innovation in alternative financing methods, such as convertible debt, SAFEs, and ASAs, reflecting the adaptability of European founders. 💡💸 While mega-rounds saw a decline, the IPO market witnessed a resurgence with notable listings like ARM's $55 billion IPO, indicating a renewed investor appetite for public offerings. Additionally, M&A activity displayed promising "green shoots," hinting at consolidation and strategic acquisitions. In the U.K., VCs face mounting pressure to deliver returns, driving demand for secondaries and fueling M&A activity. Conversely, France experiences a shift towards investor-friendly terms, contrasting with the U.K.'s founder-friendly landscape. In Germany, increased demand for liquidity is poised to invigorate the tech M&A pipeline. 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪 Amidst these dynamics, opportunities abound for savvy investors and forward-thinking founders to navigate Europe's evolving tech investment landscape and capitalize on emerging trends. 🌱💼 ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #fund and increase the international pool of #investors?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   ▶ For inquiries and pitch decks please use this link https://lnkd.in/gjC_EuTE #TechInvestment #EuropeanStartups #VentureCapital #Innovation #AI #ClimateTech #StartupEcosystem #InvestmentTrends #Founders #VCInvesting #MergersAndAcquisitions #Resilience #Opportunity

Interesting commentary on US VC investment in the UK tech sector. Certainly mirrors what I am seeing on the ground and in my own client base. Cross border investment is never without challenges, be it cultural, regulatory or otherwise but it's good to see the UK taking advantage of the huge financial firepower available across the pond. https://lnkd.in/eEWBQki6

Last week, we witnessed a record-breaking investment into a UK AI tech company, with Wayve securing a monumental $1 billion in its Series C fundraise. This investment, supported by SoftBank, Nvidia, and Microsoft, signifies a new era for AI and tech industries in the UK and Europe. In the fintech realm, Abound and Iwoca have raised £800 million and £270 million, respectively. Meanwhile, Scotland’s tech ventures are also on the rise, with 31 deals amounting to £224 million, contributing to the UK’s total Q1 investment of £2.42 billion. For those planning to raise in 2024 and beyond, read Alexander Wood's insights 👇 https://ow.ly/m3A050RFE62 #startups #entrepreneurs #UKTech #Investment #Innovation #Fintech #AI

💶 Strategic Investments Propel Tech Innovation in Central and Eastern Europe 📰 This article captures a significant development for Central and Eastern Europe’s (CEE) tech ecosystem, as the IFC - International Finance Corporation invests €15 million in Cogito Fund II to support early-stage tech enterprises. As part of a larger €125 million initiative, this investment will drive fintech and climate-tech innovation across CEE markets, offering crucial financial resources to startups at a pivotal growth stage. Managed by Cogito Capital Partners in Poland, the fund addresses an investment gap in Series A and B rounds, aiming to strengthen a regional economy ripe for technological advancement. This support from IFC, especially amid challenging global fundraising conditions, underscores a growing commitment to building a dynamic CEE tech ecosystem. Insight from other regional players like Bek Ventures and Maki.vc further reveals a strong momentum in CEE’s tech landscape, positioning it as a global contender in fields like AI and deep tech. 🔎 Read the complete article from Complex Discovery OÜ's digital residency beat at https://lnkd.in/gzYi4YG6. #AI #CEE #Fintech #ClimateTech #Investment

💸 Unlocking Innovation: Building an Angel Investor Paradise in the UK 💸 Join the conversation on scrapping barriers, closing knowledge gaps, and fuelling innovation with insights from industry experts Sarah King and AIN's Mike Lebus 📚 Read more in this insightful article by Amelia Isaacs Digital Frontier ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/ej6P6dtt #investors #investing #innovate 🚀

#BaldertonCapital's $1.3B Boost to European Tech #InvestmentSurge In a significant move to bolster the European tech landscape, Balderton Capital has launched $1.3 billion in new funds. This includes a $615 million Early Stage Fund IX and a $685 million Growth Fund II, marking a strategic investment push from seed to IPO stages. Balderton, known for its successful track record with companies like Revolut and Dream Games, aims to support Europe’s most ambitious entrepreneurs in sectors spanning AI, fintech, and B2B SaaS. With over 275 investments across Europe since 2000, Balderton is not just investing capital but also providing invaluable support through its platform of experts and a robust community of tech executives. Interestingly, it also offers unique initiatives like the Founder Wellbeing and Performance platform to help founders thrive. This move underscores Europe's growing role as a hub for innovation. How do you think this will impact the tech ecosystem in Europe? #BaldertonCapital #EuropeanTech #VentureCapital #Innovation #TechInvestment #Saasverse

Angel investors play a pivotal role in Europe's startup ecosystem, with over 40,000 actively contributing to the growth of innovative companies, according to Janne Jormalainen, president of EBAN - European Business Angel Network. While this number lags behind the US, it is steadily increasing each year. A significant trend is the shift towards syndicates and funds, which allows angels to diversify their portfolios and reduce risk. 📌 EBAN 2022 Statistics: ▪ Leading Countries: UK, followed by Germany and France. ▪ Top Sectors: Fintech and B2B SaaS. ▪ Emerging Focus: AI and defense tech. 📌 Challenges: ▪ Lack of Unified Market: Different investing rules and tax systems across countries. ▪ Untapped Capital: Pension and life insurance funds could significantly transform the economy if redirected into startups. Reflecting on this, it’s clear that the business angel community is not only growing but becoming increasingly professional and strategic in its investments. Yet, for this momentum to truly benefit Europe’s economy, there is a pressing need for tax incentives and harmonized regulations that encourage more investment. Unlocking even a fraction of Europe’s dormant capital could drive substantial economic development and innovation. This insight was shared by Zosia Wanat, senior reporter at Sifted.

Day 2 at London Tech Week: Navigating the UK's Investment Landscape Today, our team had the privilege of attending the insightful session "Navigating the UK's Investment Landscape" at London Tech Week. This session provided invaluable perspectives on the current and future investment opportunities within the UK tech ecosystem. The session was chaired by the knowledgeable Stephen Mooney from GEPD, and featured an impressive panel of experts: 1️⃣ Eduard Steimle, Director of Investor Relations EMEA at Techstars 2️⃣ Shosh Shetty, Founding Partner at Thim Ventures 3️⃣ Jebran Raashed, Investment Associate at Octopus Ventures 4️⃣ Gulsah Gulser from QUIN AI Their discussions shed light on the critical aspects of investment strategies, the importance of fostering strong investor relations, and the unique opportunities that the UK market offers to tech startups and scale-ups. Key takeaways included the significance of: 1️⃣ Understanding the evolving investment landscape and regulatory environment. 2️⃣ Building robust relationships with investors to drive growth. 3️⃣ Leveraging local resources and networks to gain a competitive edge. We are grateful for the insights shared by these industry leaders and are excited to apply these learnings to enhance our strategic initiatives. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore and innovate throughout London Tech Week! #LondonTechWeek #Day2 #Investment #TechStartups #Innovation #UKTech #InvestorRelationsv #GrowBeyondTech #InsightBridge