VC Angle Weekly Briefing #2: EU approves €150B in defense loans & Grammarly banks $1B
VC Angle Weekly Update #2
Hey — welcome to the second edition of VC Angle.
As always, we’re keeping tabs on what matters across 🇪🇺 European tech — from major raises and policy shifts to standout roles and useful reads. If something broke last week and it’s worth your time, it’s probably below.
Scroll on for the latest news, fundraising rounds, open roles, and more.
📰 General
Europe launches unified startup strategy
The EU wants startups to scale faster. A new policy package includes an optional legal regime, easier visas, and a pan-European growth fund. A €10bn one.
TSMC sets up design center in Germany
The chip giant will build a design hub in Dresden. It’s part of Europe’s push for semiconductor independence.
Everyone seems to be reporting higher EV sales, with one major exception. Tesla.
Builder.ai accused of faking clients and demos
A Sifted report claims Builder.ai inflated partnerships and staged product use. The startup was once worth $1B.
Longer fundraising cycles, fewer exits, and thin operator talent make scaling harder than it looks. More capital is not the only answer.
EU approves €150B in defense loans
Member states signed off on a joint borrowing plan to boost defense, including loans with favorable terms for dual-use tech and startups.
Finland to lead EU quantum defense project
A new program will explore battlefield uses of quantum tech, with Finland heading the initiative backed by the EU.
Europe’s software sector hits a critical point
A McKinsey report says Europe has over 280 software companies generating more than €100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) with these companies taking an average of 15 years to reach that threshold—five years longer than their U.S. counterparts.
💶 Fundraising and M&A News
Main Fundraising Picks
🇺🇦 Grammarly raises $1B growth financing
The Ukrainian decacorn secured funding from General Catalyst to scale its AI-driven productivity platform and explore strategic acquisitions.
🇮🇪 EasyGo secures £300M Scottish EV infrastructure contract
Ireland’s EasyGo lands a 20-year deal to install and run nearly 1,000 chargers across northern Scotland.
🇬🇧 Mubi raises $100M Series round
Sequoia backs the London-based indie streamer at a $1B valuation to scale original content and global reach.
🇵🇹 Bloq.it raises €28M Series B
Portuguese smart locker startup lands one of the country’s biggest Series B rounds to scale across Europe and pursue M&A.
🇳🇱 SkyNRG raises €250M to scale SAF production
Amsterdam-based SkyNRG will use the funds to expand its sustainable aviation fuel footprint across the Netherlands, Sweden, and the U.S.
🇫🇮 Volare raises €26M to scale insect-based protein tech
Finnish startup Volare turns food waste into protein, oil, and fertilizer using black soldier flies.
🇧🇬 EnduroSat raises €43M to scale satellite production
Sofia-based EnduroSat expands modular high-power satellites for commercial and government use with backing from CEECAT, Morphosis, and others.
Other Fundraising News
🇳🇱 Twindo raises €1M
🇵🇹 Gazelle Wind Power raises €11.4M
🇬🇧 Ankar AI raises £3M
🇫🇷 kyron.bio raises €5.5M
🇸🇪 Endra raises €3M
🇬🇧 Hormona raises €6.7M
🇮🇪 VIOTAS raises €10M
🇬🇧 Persi raises £660k pre-seed
🇳🇴 NoMy raises €1.25M
🇫🇮 Inven raises €11.2M
Funds Raising Funds
🇫🇷 Cathay Innovation raises €1bn AI-focused fund. Now EU’s largest AI fund
🇬🇧 Revolut backer Schroders Capital closes $600M fund to double down Gen AI investments
🇬🇧 C5 Capital closing in on a €750M nuclear energy fund
🇬🇧🇳🇱 EIF backs Keen Venture Partners with €40M for European defence tech fund
🔗 What We’re Reading
The Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley
Do unicorn founders drop out of college? Not often. By Ilya Strebulaev
Most Emerging Managers Regret Their First Fund Structure - Here’s How to Get It Right (or Fix It)
💼 Open Roles
TFH Holland → Head of Investments in Bussum. Apply here.
Redstone → Intern in Berlin. Apply here.
Flower → Fund & Investment Manager in Stockholm. Apply here.
APEX → Investment Associate in Lisbon. Apply here.
CVX Ventures → Venture Analyst in Copenhagen. Apply here.
Eurazeo → VC Analyst Intern in Paris. Apply here.
Bitpanda → Marketing Manager in London. Apply here.
i5 invest → M&A Director in Vienna. Apply here.
Mistral AI → Information & Security Officer in Paris/hybrid. Apply here.
📍 Upcoming Events
🇫🇷 Viva Technology — June 11 to 14. See more.
🇬🇧 Infosecurity London — June 3 to 5 See more.
🇩🇪 Ecosummit Berlin— June 3 & 4. See more.
🇫🇮 Arctic15 Helsinki — June 4 & 5. See more.
🇲🇩 Moldova Digital Summit — June 5 to 7. See more.
🏴 Eurostar conference Edinburgh —June 3 to 6. See more.
👋 That’s a wrap for this week.
If you’ve got a round, role, or resource others should see, reply to this or ping us at hello@patrons.vc or send me a message on LinkedIn.
If you found this useful, send it to a founder or friend who’d appreciate it.