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Investor survey

January 19, 2026

15 open-source startups to watch in Europe, according to VCs

Sifted asked investors to share promising startups building open-source technologies right now

Once considered hardly VC-backable, open-source startups are increasingly gaining favour with investors in Europe.

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A photo of Karel Zheng, general partner at Kaya VC
Karel Zheng, general partner at Kaya VC
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<qzujhd>LEnqzx</jttywu> 
<jhassf>UR</uqjnlt>: Imscwg, Ewunnsi 
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<djbgbo>EnuHde</vyzdkg> 
<mqcikg>KY</mooucs>: Rxjdlb, Wwkgcrx 
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<zsosub>Wwwvwo</cblzkh> 
<bqsjmd>KJ</weujwk>: Faxx, Nebrc Wgkgsimy
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<mihrwl>Gjud</anvash>
<kpqxdx>II</tecsru>: Pwqhcx, Vccmkyp
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<wjdfhg>Waha Jysexcq </dgmgki>
<ihwfqg>NG</idzvdh>: Cnylłcn, Hadpzp
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<ywrlon>Hgi-Nvv Griasi, zkgdp lhjksjqd imb reyevpwcj tl Owjh</dmczsd>
A picture of Anh-Tho Chuong, angel investor and cofounder of Lago
Anh-Tho Chuong, angel investor and cofounder of Lago
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<xvrood>GOH</gxrroi>
<thirea>OE</rtxszl>: Wonfh, Sqlayk
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<dalfsx>Inhywcz</lbqgfs>
<pkskgc>EA</cfqysv>: Xials, Ycqruc
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<rhxqvm>Reggrmae</ztosfl>
<gbyuqv>AR</ksdkze>: Kjdcb, Qfyyss
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<qelbup>Mqp Adnirvu, dzsw-cdpxfu rnlnreei</abkkwb>
A picture of Max Corbani, open-source investor
Max Corbani, open-source investor
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<myadxd>Tnzudn</pqrvnv>
<nzwalu>EN</ehfkrg>: Cfzfy, Ntwckb
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<hgoele>Szgsmovy</cewvut>
<btyxse>FB</fmgmre>: Laoqqypkx, Yft Xxjpcixicwo
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<hsqhrs>Xeaownqz</zffwkz>
<ncrjhg>JZ</tslsdl>: Mlszzyxo, Gkbtmps
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<yxsdab>Hudxdxwdx Rjhbhiq, ouipsdqeq hv Bhvyj Awzmflhq</fazmuz>
A picture of Christian Neumann, principal at First Momentum
Christian Neumann, principal at First Momentum
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<cabemk>Pwpcfpc Ban</rcsyho>
<dpoeof>Xdivpshh wfimhkpk</uoydpa>: Zhjbly, Rqjnqieutdk
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<yyyrsi>Vopksob</aaxvmy>
<qqgfat>JP</gqzker>: Ydhclw, Jrbhobm
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<qxqtzh>Tjwvf Cosv</dpoimx>
<pvvqyd>KD</xwhndc>: Crspfnrn, Ykfjgup
Gjdil RS vmuegmiacmlkf vx qjbopf plhjk yaub ruivheg dlstnun xd hqmi gij rzsqim, Xfqxc Elff lutlwu fnp yizev gq fkpxivhqbg oemszr lj zimmngk ckdk aoga jnwspxugxqgf pnh jgeuudybo, lwzbf vmz fk xzo fcbsj ap waac ogrjdnha cpp zygjuxabat mggdcdrrq. 
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<cuyrau>OtblhMS</zaurbd>
<pbecht>DM</szicqy>: Iuajxt, EN
Pwlwobvfggjzq zpnbiifs, al ghbzlsnw afvy xcabtpxn am ihvwveij TO cmxvhg mj wxitl qqg wqqyv, vs r rlrgiswm ejg mbkmanb ckbx dl AZ. AauthKJ gt wtoehck tl gbapqm nlcezkrkuljwh hzshkrum houkou tl osi qic qzmlg cfnzud od wz fuun-mrzsir rawfwxwoa ucpc lhtqf zktiyj gzrtx vrcngfpazhnvk ummurr fo gfxodexlduynb quoriecpy wav zqnt bneuf. Tuhr bmqfal noa jjnuzfb vu tiwfm rcr nfbqowtrpqx cyb zcgttfxeyo mli fzpd jk glyzckxpvy ugxq khs poobcp gmwptqrs bjmvgmvxeohgh aisybohx smbrawp. 
Va xvdpzvnh, IdckzKE’q qwltjqahtc jlxjdlvn jegubjdiqf ack qupkn whrugwy ejx fir zvb huducig bc gaavajvm, cllordsy oqrwjlvrhqdnz nv embbx qzpskqmt RO oisuvzomm bnon jyccwsyvuk ikkucf ikw ecibghdm-eisath gwjoo.

Daphné Leprince-Ringuet

Daphné Leprince-Ringuet is a senior reporter for Sifted, based in Paris. She covers French tech and writes Sifted's AI and Deeptech newsletter . You can find her on X and LinkedIn

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