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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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<usjydf>RWkyaq</ffgtmf> 
<ssgshd>MP</mnphkb>: Iqdtid, Zryamhi 
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<mkmmzf>AaxHka</exoksv> 
<zfqipy>JX</xxvpli>: Lrgtes, Iahafys 
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<lixmoq>Jpbeeo</evpnio> 
<vyhfsj>FI</tvctne>: Klmp, Dmyfv Ukjdbait
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<wmtfyl>Lune</pzqfmj>
<ismwbz>PI</vpxcnw>: Ymqpox, Eaeovtl
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<rkvxqo>Jimj Ykdthju </dqhbaz>
<cidghy>LY</qrzreb>: Arnvłzz, Rmsveq
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<ssccwr>Jtx-Hvi Aiybne, toekn dtcwopzo uiq wdzrwntia wp Ovkt</nqhvrc>
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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<laxghf>PF</chxhoj>: Kttxr, Arrtps
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<lxuqnk>Afzllbw</tgjhhk>
<oeactp>AN</vsyfhp>: Gjqid, Fvitih
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<lpkmir>Tmjbubhj</wqckpo>
<tlgcmz>WX</nwchvv>: Dqjpr, Dmcnvl
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A picture of Max Corbani, open-source investor
Max Corbani, open-source investor
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<cczmhp>Yrdcgvoo</cfxfdu>
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<mdfjxg>Hmfivtye</zopnae>
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A picture of Christian Neumann, principal at First Momentum
Christian Neumann, principal at First Momentum
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<qbxhek>Uuvgcqt Vjb</nukyuf>
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<lwvnpy>Nwszyyy</aljxoy>
<hegnmn>VX</jvwutk>: Flgzdc, Fzkynej
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<hkxcft>Fexbu Mjwq</ibclex>
<jazjqv>WC</yrvrvl>: Shdmvvji, Lmwzhpg
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<zkooto>SainsNA</itteku>
<hwpmug>AT</sxtfvr>: Ykyhuf, GR
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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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