How To | Funding | 13 Dec

The Sifted take on startup crowdfunding

Crowdfunding has become a go-to form of fundraising for companies — big and small. Here's what you need to know before you embark on your crowdfunding journey.

News | Venture Capital | 13 Dec

Atomico launches second angel programme

The European venture capital fund has given 15 new angels across Europe $100,000 each to invest in early-stage startups — and is honing in on female founders and sustainability.

Interview | Wellbeing | 13 Dec

All work and no play makes you a dull founder

French investor Jean de la Rochebrochard says creating a company isn’t about working infinite hours. His book ‘Human Machine’ reflects a maturing startup ecosystem’s introspection about work-life balance.

News | Public | 12 Dec

Labour activists using Tinder election bots to sway vote

The UK's general election is seeing dating-tech enter the fray, with left-wing activists running a Tinder bot to boost the Corbyn vote. But does it really work?

Interview | Venture Capital | 12 Dec

The Scot who helped turn Peter Thiel-backed startup Xero into a €7bn business

Gary Turner, a 51-year-old college drop out, has helped accounting software provider Xero to grow into a €7bn business.

Analysis | Fintech | 12 Dec

The startups killing Italy’s cash economy

Italy is still a predominantly cash economy, which presents a challenge to Europe's fintech startups such as Qonto and N26 trying to conquer the market. What's their plan?

Opinion | Venture Capital | 12 Dec

The rise of platform: Europe’s venture capitalists are stepping up support for their portfolio companies

With venture capital entering Europe at a record pace, the question is how can venture capitalists differentiate themselves to make sure they’re not missing out on the best investment opportunities.

News | Corporate Innovation | 11 Dec

Corporate innovation weekly: seaweed, electric shocks and the “crazy rules” theory of success

This is what Europe's biggest companies — from Volvo and Unilever to Roche and NatWest —  have been doing with startups and new technologies this week.

News | Manufacturing | 11 Dec

Sulapac raises €15m, begins mass rollout of biodegradable straws

A mojito-proof compostable straw will finally be rolled out to consumers and Sulapac has raised €15m to expand its plastic alternative to other categories, too.

Opinion | Venture Capital | 11 Dec

US venture capitalists: here are 10 tips if you want to make it in Europe

US venture capitalists are flooding into Europe to invest in startups. Here is a 10-point guide for them to winning in the old continent.

Analysis | Micromobility | 11 Dec

Electric scooters: not so “green” after all

Electric scooter operators all claim to be environmentally-friendly alternatives to the car — but how green are these businesses? We compare Europe's operators.

News | Venture Capital | 11 Dec

Much anticipated UK venture capital fund Ada Ventures finally launches with $34m for overlooked founders

But can it prove that its unconventional sourcing and selection strategy can generate big financial returns for its investors?

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News | Other | 10 Dec

60 seconds to make an impact: Japanese startup BionicM wins big in Hong Kong

The annual elevator pitch competition, known as EPiC, was hosted by the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) on November 8.

Interview | Investment | 10 Dec

Launching Europe’s “unicorn factory”

Jean-Eric Paquet has a €10bn war chest to turn the European Innovation Council into "the biggest deeptech equity fund in Europe.”

Analysis | Corporate Innovation | 10 Dec

“Forget the money, startups” says chief executive of German unicorn Otto Bock

The chief executive of Europe's 100-year-old unicorn tells founders to stop focusing on profit.

Interview | Healthtech | 10 Dec

With €2.7m Iceland’s star therapy startup is springing into Europe

“Leaving Iceland is something I should have done earlier,” says Kara Connect founder and chief executive Thorbjorg Helga. 

Interview | Corporate Innovation | 10 Dec

Startups: speak up. Corporates: listen

Five ways corporates and startups can improve a partnership

News | Data | 10 Dec

Polish-Chinese startup quietly tracking 1.1bn mobile phones raises $12m

Cosmose, a little-known startup based between Shanghai and Warsaw, boasts luxury brands such as LVMH, Richemont, Kering, Estée Lauder and L'Oréal as clients.

Analysis | Fintech | 9 Dec

European fintech weekly: After a last-minute fundraise, what lies ahead for Zopa and its lending peers

The story of one of the UK's oldest fintechs to date - and what could be next

Interview | Government | 9 Dec

Inside La French Tech

Government organisation French Tech Mission is leading the way in Europe with its support package for startups. But why does it bother — and is it working? Amy Lewin meets director Kat Borlongan to find out.

News | Artificial Intelligence | 6 Dec

DeepMind cofounder Mustafa Suleyman comes out of hiding

Mustafa Suleyman announced on Twitter that he will be joining Google in January after spending 10 years at DeepMind.

News | Venture Capital | 6 Dec

Octopus Ventures loses “trailblazing” associate

Juliette Souliman joined the major European venture firm last year. She is now leaving to start her own fintech fund.

Interview | Agriculture | 6 Dec

Plantix cofounder wants investors to open their eyes to agtech

With 1m users per month in India, Simone Strey runs the world’s largest agtech app. Yet, the cofounder and chief executive of Plantix says the work to help the world’s small-scale farmers is “never, ever done”.

Interview | Startup Life | 6 Dec

Formation: the Berlin-based company builder with a difference

It's free, run by volunteers, for underrepresented founders and named after a Beyoncé song. What's not to love about company builder Formation?

News | Startup Life | 6 Dec

What’s Europe done this month for diversity in tech?

A €21m Dutch fund to invest solely in female founders, female venture capital partners call for more female venture capital partners and a pan-European VC internship programme begins.

Opinion | Venture Capital | 5 Dec

Polish startups ensnared by toxic government money

State money is pouring into Polish startups, but entrepreneurs have ended up with toxic investors in their cap tables and financing tied to onerous conditions.

News | Agriculture | 5 Dec

Goodbye herbicide, hello weed-zapping farmbot

The UK’s Small Robot Company and RootWave partner to develop a non-chemical weed control

Analysis | Education | 5 Dec

Top European edtech startups to watch

As Duolingo hits unicorn status, we track down some of Europe's brightest edtech startups, from VR surgery simulations to cyber-security games.

Opinion | Venture Capital | 4 Dec

Technology is stagnating and the venture capital industry is to blame

There is more and more money in tech, but when was the last time you experienced the launch of a product that felt truly revolutionary? We think the venture capital industry is to blame.

Interview | Fintech | 4 Dec

Why these “three old French men” launched a fintech to help millennials save

A former Bank of America exec has cofounded a savings app for the next generation. The business model looks promising, but will millennials take interest?