https://graftandgrit.com/2026-08-21https://graftandgrit.com/share-home.svg https://graftandgrit.com/news/solinide-secures-4m-revolutionize-deda5bbd/2026-08-21https://graftandgrit.com/share-solinide-secures-4m-revolutionize-deda5bbd.svgA person writing with a blue marker on a whiteboard, close-up view in an office setting...Solinide Photonics, a Swedish deeptech company, has raised €4 million in seed funding to commercialize its silicon nitride photonic integrated circuit technology for AI data centers. https://graftandgrit.com/news/velatir-raises-5m-drive-db893f00/2026-08-21https://graftandgrit.com/share-velatir-raises-5m-drive-db893f00.svgBusiness card, contact, business cards, business, on a white background, white background...Danish AI infrastructure startup Velatir has secured €5m in seed funding to accelerate AI adoption across Europe (Source: Sifted) https://graftandgrit.com/news/lithuanian-ai-startup-guideless-07f18b16/2026-08-21https://graftandgrit.com/share-lithuanian-ai-startup-guideless-07f18b16.svgPhotographer reviewing camera while setting up a shot in a studio. Entrepreneurship professional...Guideless, an AI-powered software training platform, has raised €1 million to further develop its technology and expand internationally. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/callosum-secures-100m-seed-63917722/2026-08-21https://graftandgrit.com/share-callosum-secures-100m-seed-63917722.svgA woman sewing fabric using a sewing machine in a studio setting. Entrepreneurship equipmentUK AI startup Callosum raises $100M in seed round to develop software infrastructure for AI workloads on different chips and models (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/paralo-secures-270k-funding/2026-08-20https://graftandgrit.com/share-paralo-secures-270k-funding.svgCode, coding, computer, data, developing, development. Entrepreneurship technologyUK-based golf technology startup Paralo has raised £270,000 in pre-seed funding to develop its operating system for golf clubs and connected product for golfers (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/velatir-secures-5m-seed/2026-08-20https://graftandgrit.com/share-velatir-secures-5m-seed.svgModel: @Austindistel https: www.instagram.com austindistel Photographer: @breeandstephen https...Danish AI startup Velatir raises €5 million in seed funding to expand its AI infrastructure platform across Europe (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/medly-ai-secures-8m/2026-08-20https://graftandgrit.com/share-medly-ai-secures-8m.svgAsian man in a modern office setting seated at a desk with laptop and camera equipment...Medly AI, a UK-based edtech startup, has raised $8 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered exam preparation platform in the UK and international markets. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/singular-photonics-secures-funding/2026-08-20https://graftandgrit.com/share-singular-photonics-secures-funding.svgBooks on black wooden shelf. Entrepreneurship close upSingular Photonics raises $2.15 million to develop next-generation image sensors based on single-photon avalanche diode technology (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/flip-raises-25m-expand/2026-08-20https://graftandgrit.com/share-flip-raises-25m-expand.svgThree young adults discussing and collaborating in a modern office setting. EntrepreneurshipEmployee experience platform Flip has secured $25 million in new funding to expand its AI-powered technology for frontline workers. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/prevalent-ai-secures-22m/2026-08-20https://graftandgrit.com/share-prevalent-ai-secures-22m.svgFacade, building, architecture, modern, window, structure. Entrepreneurship modernPrevalent AI, an enterprise AI company, has secured a $22 million growth investment from Integrity Growth Partners to scale its AI-powered data platform. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/deepl-partners-us-legal/2026-08-20https://graftandgrit.com/share-deepl-partners-us-legal.svgTwo women brainstorming in an office, using a whiteboard for project planning. EntrepreneurshipDeepL, a leading AI text translation and writing tool provider, has struck a deal with US-based AI startup Harvey to carry out legal document translation. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/economad-secures-400k-empower/2026-08-19https://graftandgrit.com/share-economad-secures-400k-empower.svgAdvertising, christmas, model, woman, girl, santa costume. EntrepreneurshipUK-based EcoNomad Solutions raises £400K to help small livestock farms reduce methane emissions and energy costs through its BioNomad system, which converts organic waste into renewable energy and... https://graftandgrit.com/news/oakley-capital-takes-majority/2026-08-19https://graftandgrit.com/share-oakley-capital-takes-majority.svgDo Something Great. EntrepreneurshipPrivate equity investor Oakley Capital acquires majority stake in Graphwise, a key player in the enterprise AI data platforms market, in one of Bulgaria's largest software sales. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/research-careers-evolve-beyond/2026-08-19https://graftandgrit.com/share-research-careers-evolve-beyond.svgMale at a coffee shop smiling at the phone while working on the computer. EntrepreneurshipThe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fellowship programme has transformed research careers over 30 years, enabling thousands of researchers to pursue diverse paths beyond academia. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/nebius-aims-raise-billion/2026-08-19https://graftandgrit.com/share-nebius-aims-raise-billion.svgBird, cherry blossoms, free background, flower, flowers, free. Entrepreneurship backgroundThe Amsterdam-based AI infrastructure provider is seeking to finance the cost of compute and data centre build-out. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/spots-meet-founders-vcs-0ea229f2/2026-08-19https://graftandgrit.com/share-spots-meet-founders-vcs-0ea229f2.svgOpen book with 'Building Your Business Plan' text, pencils, and U.S. Mail bag on a wooden desk...Discover the top locations in Berlin's Mitte neighborhood where founders and venture capitalists (VCs) frequently meet and network. (Source: Sifted) https://graftandgrit.com/news/fintech-scaleups-urged-engage-b55b3347/2026-08-19https://graftandgrit.com/share-fintech-scaleups-urged-engage-b55b3347.svgIvy, plant, nature, blooms, flora, flowers background. Entrepreneurship backgroundEurope's fintech scaleups are advised to maintain open communication with regulators to ensure compliance as they scale rapidly. (Source: Sifted) https://graftandgrit.com/news/europe-sustainability-ambitions-face-d12106b8/2026-08-19https://graftandgrit.com/share-europe-sustainability-ambitions-face-d12106b8.svgBusiness professionals engage in a collaborative meeting in a bright Lagos office...A recent roundtable discussion highlighted the challenges Europe faces in financing its sustainability ambitions, including a lack of capital availability for growth-stage companies and a... https://graftandgrit.com/news/european-unicorns-spinning-out-e7e216da/2026-08-19https://graftandgrit.com/share-european-unicorns-spinning-out-e7e216da.svgWoman, write, notepad, girl, female, hand. Entrepreneurship BusinessAlumni founders from European unicorns are launching new startups in stealth mode, leveraging their experience and networks to build innovative businesses. (Source: Sifted) https://graftandgrit.com/news/litilit-secures-8m-loan/2026-08-18https://graftandgrit.com/share-litilit-secures-8m-loan.svgTwo photographers working on a creative studio photoshoot. Entrepreneurship professional photographyLithuanian startup LITILIT receives €8M from ILTE to advance its modular femtosecond laser systems, aiming to simplify industrial adoption and expand applications in mass manufacturing. https://graftandgrit.com/news/klarna-experiences-senior-executive/2026-08-18https://graftandgrit.com/share-klarna-experiences-senior-executive.svgTwo businessmen in discussion over coffee and laptop in modern office setting. EntrepreneurshipTwo of Klarna's longest-serving executives, Chief Financial Officer Niclas Neglén and Chief Marketing Officer David Sandström, are set to leave the Swedish fintech early next year. (Source: Sifted) https://graftandgrit.com/news/computomics-raises-3m-scale/2026-08-18https://graftandgrit.com/share-computomics-raises-3m-scale.svgThree men engaging in a business discussion with a whiteboard presentation in a modern office...A German agritech company has secured funding to expand its climate-smart breeding platform across commercial breeding programs. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/bootstrapped-profitable-taimi-hily/2026-08-18https://graftandgrit.com/share-bootstrapped-profitable-taimi-hily.svgArchitecture, geometry, modern, circle, reflection, shape. Entrepreneurship modernTaimi and Hily, two mobile dating apps, are preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) after achieving profitability through bootstrapping. Founded by Jake Vygnan and his Kyiv co-founders, the... https://graftandgrit.com/news/berlin-startup-attuned-offers/2026-08-18https://graftandgrit.com/share-berlin-startup-attuned-offers.svgBeard, business, business people, cafe, coffee shop, communication. Entrepreneurship BusinessAttuned, a Berlin-based startup, is addressing the gap between needing clinical treatment and feeling fine by offering human connection through its platform. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/european-tech-weekly-recap/2026-08-18https://graftandgrit.com/share-european-tech-weekly-recap.svgPhotographer capturing a portrait in a well-lit indoor studio setting. Entrepreneurship...The European tech scene saw significant investments and exits in the past week, with over €763 million invested across 35+ deals and over 10 exits and M&A transactions. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/amber-raises-7m-expand/2026-08-18https://graftandgrit.com/share-amber-raises-7m-expand.svgWoman, job, traditional, vietnam, hanoi, asia. Entrepreneurship industryAmber, an AI platform for small and medium-sized businesses, has secured €7 million in Series A funding to expand across Europe and further develop its technology. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/astute-launches-b2b-media/2026-08-18https://graftandgrit.com/share-astute-launches-b2b-media.svgFacade, window, architecture, glass, building, office building. Entrepreneurship modernAstute, a platform for B2B companies to manage partnerships with creators, raises $1.2 million and launches its new platform. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/softbank-invests-200m-swiss/2026-08-17https://graftandgrit.com/share-softbank-invests-200m-swiss.svgClose-up of hands stacking gold coins, symbolizing financial growth and savings...SoftBank has invested $200 million in Swiss robotics startup Gravis Robotics, in what has been billed as a record investment. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/monzo-chairman-gary-hoffman/2026-08-17https://graftandgrit.com/share-monzo-chairman-gary-hoffman.svgA fashionable man in a plaid blazer holds a vintage camera, seated indoors. Entrepreneurship...Gary Hoffman, chairman of Monzo's board, will leave the role next month after nearly eight years. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Karen Peacock, a Monzo non-executive director. https://graftandgrit.com/news/nebex-launches-100m-initiative/2026-08-17https://graftandgrit.com/share-nebex-launches-100m-initiative.svgA close-up view of hands reviewing a business strategy report with graphs. Entrepreneurship close upNebex, a commercial exchange connecting space companies with sovereign buyers and capital, has launched a €100 million Industrial Return Initiative in France. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/defence-tech-investor-builder/2026-08-17https://graftandgrit.com/share-defence-tech-investor-builder.svgTwo African businessmen in formal suits have a discussion on a city street in Dakar, Senegal...Gallos Technologies, a defence tech investor and builder, has raised $50 million in a funding round led by Ventura Capital and Aberdeen Investments. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/msca-backed-qubric-expands-0ce2f0/2026-08-17https://graftandgrit.com/share-msca-backed-qubric-expands-0ce2f0.svgBuilding, architecture, landmark, tourist attraction, facade, exterior. Entrepreneurship modernEurope's first Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network dedicated to quantum error correction, QuBriC, has expanded to include fault-tolerant quantum computing scaleup Alice & Bob. https://graftandgrit.com/news/europe-hardware-renaissance-role-d8b429/2026-08-17https://graftandgrit.com/share-europe-hardware-renaissance-role-d8b429.svgBridge, tree, path, entrepreneurship, landscape, nature. EntrepreneurshipThe EU Industrial Accelerator Act aims to boost domestic manufacturing, but its success depends on early-stage tools like CAD ROOMS, which supports distributed engineering teams. Founder Christina... https://graftandgrit.com/news/metal-morph-secures-700k-7c85d3/2026-08-17https://graftandgrit.com/share-metal-morph-secures-700k-7c85d3.svgFly, insect, flower, petals, beautiful flowers, blossom. Entrepreneurship backgroundUK-based water technology startup Metal Morph has raised £700,000 in pre-seed funding to advance its technology for recovering industrial resources from water and wastewater treatment processes. https://graftandgrit.com/news/millow-secures-2m-expand-1eddaf/2026-08-17https://graftandgrit.com/share-millow-secures-2m-expand-1eddaf.svgColorful workshop showcasing handmade sandals and shoe manufacturing equipment. Entrepreneurship...Swedish foodtech company Millow has raised €2 million to expand its production capacity and strengthen its commercial operations in the Nordic foodservice market. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/uber-expands-robotaxi-partnership-3c35d5/2026-08-16https://graftandgrit.com/share-uber-expands-robotaxi-partnership-3c35d5.svgCarrot, cutting, isolated, concept, slide, food. Entrepreneurship conceptUber and Pony.ai collaborate to deploy self-driving taxis across four European cities, marking a significant step in the commercialization of autonomous vehicles in the region. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/fintech-giants-klarna-zilch-1d597b/2026-08-16https://graftandgrit.com/share-fintech-giants-klarna-zilch-1d597b.svgRaisting satellite, reception, signal, ground station, earth station, telecommunication...Klarna and Zilch, two major fintech companies, have introduced new membership packages to compete with traditional credit card firms. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/germany-tech-sector-sees-70884d/2026-08-16https://graftandgrit.com/share-germany-tech-sector-sees-70884d.svgAi generated, moon, planet, concept, art, artwork. Entrepreneurship conceptGermany has emerged as Europe's second-largest technology funding market, with companies raising €6.3 billion across 267 deals in the first half of 2026. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/duolingo-expands-creative-capabilities-d75aee/2026-08-16https://graftandgrit.com/share-duolingo-expands-creative-capabilities-d75aee.svgGerbera, flower, blossom, free background, bloom, free. Entrepreneurship backgroundDuolingo has acquired Animade, a London-based animation and motion design studio, to enhance its product innovation and creative initiatives. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/monzo-business-bank-sees-534a1c/2026-08-16https://graftandgrit.com/share-monzo-business-bank-sees-534a1c.svgFour women working together on beaded jewelry in a workshop. Entrepreneurship equipmentMonzo's business bank has reached one million customers, with the new CEO being a 'huge advocate' of the service. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/neura-robotics-expands-physical-5f5654/2026-08-16https://graftandgrit.com/share-neura-robotics-expands-physical-5f5654.svgSide view of anonymous diverse business partners with coffee talking about job while admiring...German robotics company NEURA Robotics acquires the ACTIVE Shuttle driverless transport system from Bosch Rexroth to expand its Physical AI ecosystem. (Source: Tech.eu) https://graftandgrit.com/news/guardian-labs-develops-ai-f5967c/2026-08-16https://graftandgrit.com/share-guardian-labs-develops-ai-f5967c.svgA person presents a startup idea on a whiteboard in an office setting, emphasizing...Guardian Labs, a startup founded by Rita Barbosa, has created an AI-powered phone scam detection system called Guardião. The system uses local AI models to analyze incoming calls and messages... https://graftandgrit.com/news/lovable-secures-400m-funding-031d89/2026-08-16https://graftandgrit.com/share-lovable-secures-400m-funding-031d89.svgFour diverse women engaged in a business meeting with laptops and presentations in an office...This week's European tech funding roundup includes Lovable's $400M raise, Duolingo's acquisition of Animade, and Isembard's founder calling the startup a politician's 'wet dream.' Other highlights... https://graftandgrit.com/stages/2026-08-21 https://graftandgrit.com/funding/2026-08-20 https://graftandgrit.com/running/2026-08-20 https://graftandgrit.com/ecosystems/2026-08-20 https://graftandgrit.com/topics/seed/2026-08-21 https://graftandgrit.com/topics/sec-funding/2026-08-20 https://graftandgrit.com/topics/sec-running/2026-08-20 https://graftandgrit.com/about/ https://graftandgrit.com/sources-and-methods/ https://graftandgrit.com/corrections/