New VC Funds
- Belgian deeptech VC imec.xpand closes its new €150M fund. The firm will focus on early and growth-stage hardware-based nanotechnology innovation.
- A16z’s partner focused on Crypto launches a new $1.5B fund to invest in Web3 projects. The announced Haun Ventures plans to put one-third of the fund into early-stage startups while reserving the rest for growth-stage companies.
- One of the most active foodtech and agtech investors AgFunder closes its 4th $60M fund. The firm is planning to back seed and series A startups throughout the globe.
CEE Startup Funding Rounds
- Bulgarian e-commerce fulfillment and shipping platform euShipments raises €7.5M to further expand in CEE and Western Europe. The round was led by BlackPeak Capital.
- Ukrainian Orderly Protocol project for decentralized exchange based on NEAR Protocol receives funding from SID Venture Partners.
- Bulgarian marketing automation and revenue operations platform Releva picks up $870k investment to further develop its core product. The round was led by New Vision 3 Fund and supported by HR Capital, Verto Invest, as well as a number of business angels.
- Estonia welcomes its 10th unicorn! Digital customer service startup for the finance industry Glia picks up its series D at the $45M mark. The round was led by NY-based PE and VC group Insight Partners, with the participation of Wildcat Capital Management, and RingCentral Ventures.
- Romanian marketing and management platform for live streamers and brands Aggero nabs $2M in funding for hiring new team members and product development. The round was led by LAUNCHub Ventures and was joined by GapMinder, SCM Advisors together with Klaas Kersting and Phil Mohr.
- Polish WP2 Investments announces its third bid in local startups by backing telehealth provider for marijuana-based treatment Centrum Medycyny Konopnej.
- Polish-American cybersecurity startup Secfense raises $2M to help organizations big and small enter the passwordless World. The round was funded through Tera Ventures, Presto Ventures, and RKKVC.
- The tech media in SEE - The Recursive picks up €450k to further connect and cover the ecosystem’s key news, events and people.
- Estonian label-printing startup Wisby raises €400k in funding in a bid to digitize the industry. The round was led by Icebreaker.vc.
Open Calls For Startups
- One of the most-known names in venture capital Sequoia Capital launches accelerator in Europe Sequoia’s Arc. They are looking for regional seed-stage founders to provide them with 8-week program together with a $1M upfront investment.
- CEE’s largest public company - oil refiner and petrol retailer PKN ORLEN is recruiting for its Skylight Accelerator program. They seek startups innovating within a broad range of groups’ interests including Industry 4.0, Energy, Automation, Digital and more. The applications are open till the 31st of March.
- 3rd edition of Cassini Hackathons for tourism innovation is launched. The accelerator helps to put ideas into the testing phase and provides networking opportunities, cash prizes as well as mentoring sessions. The applications are open across 10 locations in various European countries until the 5th of May.
- Polish KPT ScaleUP accelerator is looking for industry 4.0 startups requiring initial funding (up to 200k PLN), and mentorship throughout its 6-month long program. The applications are open for local companies and will last until the 3rd of May.
- EIT Food is searching for innovative agtech startups from CEE and SEE looking to pilot their products and services among real farmers. All participants will get a grant of €3k and have a chance to not only test their idea but also have exposure to EIT’s partners and gain visibility through the institute’s network. The applications are open till the 29th of April.
Other CEE Ecosystem News
- Czech-based Lighthouse Ventures celebrates its first €16M exit. Industrial inspection and QA startup PEKAT VISION gets acquired by Datalogic for €16M.
- The new legal regime for big tech in Europe: the EU will stop the tech giants from anti-competitive and gatekeeping of smaller companies under a threat of draconian fines (from %10 to 20% of annual turnover). Find out more here.
- Google starts testing a new third-party billing option for its marketplace amidst increasing oversight from the European Union. Find out more here.
- Former Director of Techstars London Eamonn Carey joins Tera Ventures as its new partner to help the firm’s portfolio with expansion into the UK and US. Find out more here.
- Czech-based Lighthouse Ventures celebrates its first €16M exit. Industrial inspection and QA startup PEKAT VISION gets acquired by Datalogic for €16M.
Related Posts:
VC & Startup News From CEE, March, 12-18 2022 (by Ilya Mikhalchyk-Kananenka, Community Builder, Vestbee)
VC & Startup News, March 5-11, 2022 (by Ilya Mikhalchyk-Kananenka, Community Builder, Vestbee)
VC & Startup Weekly News From CEE, February 26- March 4, 2022 (Ilya Mikhalchyk-Kananenka, Community Builder, Vestbee)
