In a week where global venture capital activity remained cautious, female founders across Europe defied the odds by securing nearly $92M in funding between April 7 and 13, 2025. This achievement stands out against the backdrop of a challenging fundraising environment, particularly for women-led startups..
This trend is further highlighted by the recent success of solo female GP Clandice du Fretay, who closed a new fund aimed at backing European startups. Her initiative underscores female entrepreneurs’ growing influence and determination in the European tech landscape. This week’s funding milestones reflect a broader shift towards inclusivity and recognition of female-led ventures.
Here’s a closer look at the standout companies that secured funding this week:
Sekoia.io (France)
Founder/s: Freddy Milesi, Thérèse Favet
Founded year: 2022
Recent funding: €26M
The cybersecurity platform Sekoia.io offers advanced threat detection and response solutions. Their platform integrates seamlessly with existing security infrastructures, providing real-time analytics and automated responses to potential threats. By leveraging machine learning and behavioural analysis, Sekoia.io enhances organisations’ ability to preemptively identify and mitigate cyber risks.
In their latest funding round, Sekoia.io secured €26 million from Revaia, with participation from UNEXO and support from existing investors Bright Pixel Capital, Omnes Capital, and Bpifrance. The investment will enable the company to expand its research and development efforts and accelerate its international growth. It also supports the enhancement of their platform’s capabilities, ensuring they remain at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation.
UP Catalyst (Estonia)
Founder/s: Gary Urb, Kätlin Kaare
Founded year: 2019
Recent funding: €18M
UP Catalyst is a pioneering Estonian climate tech startup specialising in the production of sustainable carbon materials derived directly from CO2 emissions. Their innovative approach transforms waste CO2 into valuable materials like graphite and carbon nanotubes, essential for electric vehicle batteries and other applications. This not only addresses environmental concerns but also reduces reliance on imported raw materials.
The company recently received €18 million in venture debt financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to expand its production of carbon-neutral graphite and carbon nanotubes derived from industrial CO2 emissions.
Different Dog (UK)
Founder/s: Charlie Thurstan, Alex Thurstan
Founded year: 2017
Recent funding: £10M
A fresh dog food subscription service Different Dog provides personalised meal plans using hand-cooked, human-grade ingredients tailored to each dog’s specific needs. Their commitment to quality and nutrition has garnered a loyal customer base seeking healthier options for their pets.
The company, founded by a husband and wife duo, raised £10 million in funding to expand its operations, including moving to a new facility in Telford. This expansion will increase their capacity to serve more customers and invest in marketing and talent acquisition to drive further growth.
Miss Moneypenny Technologies (Germany)
Founder/s: Anna Bojic, Vinh Hoi Le Chau, Marc Lampe
Founded year: 2022
Recent funding: $8M
German startup Miss Moneypenny Technologies is focused on developing AI-driven personal assistant solutions for businesses. They launched Wallet Studio, which transforms what’s possible with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, enabling businesses to use them as communication and access tools for seamless customer connection.
The company secured $8 million in funding led by European venture capital firm Earlybird, with participation from existing investor b2venture, a European early-stage investor. The investment will support product development and the scaling of their operations to meet growing demand.
NOWOS (Netherlands)
Founder/s: Ambre Eppler, Prins Doornekamp, Jan Bartels, Steven Bradshaw
Founded year: 2019
Recent funding: €6M
NOWOS is a Dutch company specialising in the refurbishment and recycling of lithium-ion batteries. They offer sustainable solutions to extend battery life and reduce electronic waste, contributing to a circular economy. Their services cater to various industries, including e-mobility and energy storage.
The company raised a €6 million equity funding round, led by Impact Venture Fund Shift4Good, with participation from Dutch investors Fair Capital Impact Fund and Goeie Grutten Impact Fund. NOWOS plans to open repair hubs in Poland (2025) and Germany (2026) to support growing European demand. The company will also invest in developing a Battery Passport system and scaling repair protocols for more battery types and use cases.
TIRmed Pharma (Sweden)
Founder/s: Anna-Lena Spetz
Founded year: 2018
Recent funding: €4.3M
Swedish biotech company startup TIRmed Pharma develops innovative treatments for inflammatory skin conditions, notably atopic dermatitis (eczema). Their lead product is a non-steroidal, topical cream formulated with a chemically stabilised, single-stranded oligonucleotide called TIR-01. This compound modulates immune responses by inhibiting mast cell degranulation and dendritic cell activation, reducing inflammation and itch without broadly suppressing the immune system.
The company secured €4.3 million in funding from Sciety to advance its clinical trials and accelerate the development of its lead drug candidates. This investment will support its mission to bring effective treatments to patients suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions.
QurieGen (Netherlands)
Founder/s: Kinga Matuła, Wilhelm Huck
Founded year: 2022
Recent funding: €2.2M
QurieGen is a Dutch biotech company focused on developing targeted therapies for cancer treatment. Their research aims to identify and exploit specific genetic mutations in tumours to create more effective and personalised treatments. QurieGen aims to revolutionise this process using its proprietary QuRIE-seq™ technology to decode cellular responses at a single-cell level, enabling faster, more precise, and cost-effective drug development.
The company secured €2.2 million in pre-seed funding to develop its advanced AI-based technology. The project has been backed by investors from the CEE region: Tensor Ventures, Lighthouse Ventures, BSV Ventures, Moondust Ventures, and 22 Hor Invest, along with renowned US venture capital investor Tim Draper of Draper Associates.
Klaro (France)
Founder/s: Gabrielle Sergent, Cyprien Boutard-Geze
Founded year: 2018
Recent funding: €2M
Klaro is the first aid simulator in France, capable of simulating more than 1,500 national, local, and regional aid programs, as well as their exact amounts. It allows companies to maximise their employees’ purchasing power by providing them with an additional source of income. Each employee can find the aid they are eligible for in just a few clicks without effort or paperwork. It will assist them until the aid is paid into their bank accounts.
The company raised €2 million from Malakoff HumanisA, AG2R LA MONDIALE, and Asterion Ventures to enhance its platform’s capabilities and expand its user base. The funding will also support partnerships and integrations with other financial service providers.
Nanovery (UK)
Founder/s: Jurek Kozyra, Roma Galloway
Founded year: 2018
Recent funding: £1.85M
Nanovery, a Newcastle-based deep-tech startup, has developed a nanorobot platform to detect chronic illnesses like prostate cancer, liver disease, and severe conditions such as acute liver and kidney toxicity. Its new nanorobot advancements include technologies that will be applicable for detection across sectors, including, but not limited to, the life sciences, pre-clinical drug development, agriculture bio, and food safety.
The company recently secured over £1.85 million in funding, including a £750K grant from Innovate UK and investments from Northstar Ventures, Prostate Cancer Research, JR Holding ASI, and angel investors. This capital will support the development of their nanorobot platform and accelerate the commercialisation of their diagnostic solutions.
nettle (UK)
Founder/s: Jack Miller, Katya Lait
Founded year: 2022
Recent funding: €2.2M
London-based startup nettle is pioneering an AI-powered solution that could reshape how insurers assess and manage risk. It uses cutting-edge AI to free engineers from paperwork and slash risk assessment turnaround times by 5x. By automating time-consuming manual tasks and enabling remote pre-site analysis, nettle allows risk engineers to focus on what they do best, which is evaluating risk and supporting underwriting decisions.
nettle has secured £1.45 million in pre-seed funding to transform the way insurers manage risk assessments. The round was led by Project A, a prominent early-stage VC with offices in Berlin and London, and joined by top angel investors from the insurance and AI industries.
RideLogix (UK)
Founder/s: Lili Kyuchuk-Pakyuz, Serhat Kyuchuk-Pakyuz
Founded year: 2023
Recent funding: £500K
Yet another UK-based company in this list is RideLogix. The startup specialises in transportation logistics solutions. They offer software platforms that optimise route planning and fleet management for businesses, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.
The company recently raised £500K in funding from Bethnal Green Ventures to enhance its technology and expand its market reach.
MYndspan (UK)
Founder/s: Caitlin Baltzer, Jane Huhtala
Founded year: 2020
Recent funding: NA
MYndspan, headquartered in London, is revolutionising brain health assessment through non-invasive Magnetoencephalography (MEG) scans. Their platform combines MEG imaging with gamified cognitive tests to provide comprehensive insights into brain function, aiding in the early detection of conditions like concussion and PTSD.
The company received a strategic investment from EMOTIV, a global leader in neurotechnology and wearable EEG. EMOTIV joined as a key backer in MYndspan’s crowd funding campaign.
Our thoughts
These companies exemplify the innovation and resilience of female-led startups across Europe. Their recent funding successes not only highlight their individual achievements but also signal a broader shift towards greater inclusivity and support for diverse entrepreneurs in the tech and healthcare sectors.