Finnish startup IXI has secured $36.5 million to develop autofocus prescription glasses using eye-tracking and liquid crystal lenses, aimed at revolutionizing vision correction. Emerging from stealth, IXI plans to leverage these funds for product development and market launch, targeting both consumers and healthcare providers.

EWOR, a Germany-based founder fellowship, has secured €60 million to aid early-stage entrepreneurs, diverging from traditional accelerators. Backed by prominent investors, EWOR offers a unique model combining capital and mentorship with a 0.1% acceptance rate, focusing on transformative global solutions.

Münster-based startup eeden secures €18 million in Series A funding to enhance its textile recycling technology, aiming to address industry challenges with high-performance circular materials. Led by Forbion, the investment will support the construction of a demonstration plant and foster commercial partnerships as new EU regulations promote sustainability in the textile industry.

Swiss cleantech firm DePoly has secured $23 million to open a 500-tonne-per-year PET recycling plant in Monthey by summer 2025. This move aims to scale their unique chemical recycling tech, setting them apart from traditional methods, and marks a crucial step towards a sustainable, circular plastics market.

The O.S.I.R.I.S project, funded by Innovate UK, aims to revolutionize offshore wind operations with robotics, targeting full autonomy by 2027. In collaboration with BOW, ORE Catapult, and ACUA Ocean, the initiative seeks to cut costs and enhance safety in the UK's leading renewable energy sector.

Pistachio, an AI-driven cybersecurity training firm from Oslo, secures $7 million in Series A funding, boosting total funding to $10.5 million. The capital will fuel expansion in Europe and North America, addressing human error in cybersecurity with innovative training solutions.

London's Nscale aims to raise $2.7 billion to expand its AI infrastructure, leveraging Nvidia chips and eyeing a $2 billion partnership with ByteDance, despite their skepticism on the figure. The startup, under a year old, is growing rapidly with new data centers planned in the UK and Norway, amidst a European AI investment boom.

Navro, a London fintech, secured $41M in Series B funding to expand into the U.S., Hong Kong, Dubai, and India, aiming for $2B in payment volumes by 2025. The move contrasts with a broader decline in U.K. fintech investments.

My NEXT Raise has launched an AI-powered platform to simplify fundraising for startup founders, offering tools like financial modeling and a pitch deck creator. The platform also connects founders with investors, bolstered by partnerships with firms like Fuelfinance and Ceemo, enhancing efficiency and support in the fundraising process.

Dutch startup iwell secures €27 million to expand its smart battery storage solutions across Europe, aiming to tackle grid congestion in markets like Germany and the UK. Led by Meridiam, Invest-NL, and others, the funding will enhance iwell's software and AI capabilities, supporting energy independence and affordability.

The UNDP has teamed up with Trigger Asset Management to boost investments in startups targeting the Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative, named 'Origin,' includes training programs and a platform to connect these startups with investors, aiming to close the investment gap and enhance their social and environmental impact.

Upheaval Games has launched The Dreamer Portal, a free web-based tool for crafting 3D game content from text or voice prompts, aiming to transform game development. The platform integrates AI technologies to streamline asset creation, intending to boost innovation and efficiency in the industry.

Startup M&A activity surged in Q1 2025, reaching $71 billion, the highest since 2021, with a 26% rise in venture-backed deals over the previous year. Notable transactions include SoftBank's acquisition of Ampere Computing and Google's pending $32 billion deal for Wiz.

Public funds in Europe are driving tech innovation, with 30 funds investing in 172 startups in Q1 2025. Leading the charge are Bpifrance in healthtech and EIC in deeptech, showcasing a focus on advancing technologies.

Astrape Networks, an Eindhoven-based startup, has raised €7.9 million in seed funding to enhance data center networking with optical and electronic switching technology. The funding, co-led by PhotonVentures and others, will help Astrape tackle data traffic congestion, boost server efficiency, and reduce energy consumption, crucial for Europe's AI and cloud computing expansion.

Vinted, the secondhand marketplace, has launched Vinted Ventures, a venture capital arm to back re-commerce startups globally. Following its first profitable year in 2024, Vinted aims to invest €500,000 to €10 million in Series A to C rounds, focusing on shipping, payments, and tech solutions.

Tripp has launched Kōkua AI, a mental wellness app providing personalized emotional support, achieving nearly 3 million VR downloads as of April 29, 2025. The app emphasizes user data control, with plans to expand onto mobile platforms, aiming to revolutionize mental health support.

Azalea Vision has raised €9 million in its €15 million Series A round to advance smart contact lenses with adaptive optics. They plan FDA trials and aim to secure an additional €6 million.

Pakistan faces a growing challenge with 20 million tons of waste annually, of which a significant portion is plastic, yet only 3% is recycled. Startups and partnerships are crucial for improving this scenario, with ventures like Second Life Pakistan leading innovative recycling efforts and forming alliances with major companies to boost plastic circularity.