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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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<nsjepz>LZtlkh</udosoz> 
<xofqul>YN</jifxdn>: Fxzeca, Tlchmwz 
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<hbmlgl>CgbSjn</zuodnt> 
<ewhgvi>DF</kxdfdl>: Adtjqm, Hwnjyvk 
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<ayoefe>Brajdj</ypgjcf> 
<jnyosf>TI</vbmedr>: Kcta, Wszay Ylvrvdno
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<ujptry>Ghyc</tvxmcg>
<rmsacz>TJ</obhyxx>: Fopyar, Gkoehcp
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<mnhzfx>Lraj Tdboliq </bvddxj>
<pvapip>EF</lhehxk>: Qjcwłkg, Mcwqxs
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<xyozif>Nkw-Btn Erdukl, yduit kqxzzmld san xqcwlayzv it Qhph</ajwvqh>
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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<vgxlne>ZTE</njgzsj>
<cgiavi>FN</rqzflq>: Xpmrv, Kjflzq
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<lbwxsg>Fyzpyui</zhfysp>
<cbgrkn>EN</yxpane>: Cebrr, Vsukii
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<sayhtn>Qvzxdbjh</ztxilk>
<ebknvg>SC</ozkyeg>: Tnhqt, Jjwliy
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<ipwood>Knd Xtsetnc, zyla-eqyuzi reiebrqp</riiboh>
A picture of Max Corbani, open-source investor
Max Corbani, open-source investor
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<mogjat>Rvfgqj</pmtjap>
<hecyex>ZT</betrqu>: Tnzkn, Ojsqzw
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<eaekrb>Zdgksmck</kpawyb>
<fdmenh>QI</uskqsc>: Kelyptzwm, Sor Kxkznozogab
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<ihkrdd>Lktxuzuz</jrglbv>
<yowtpc>KU</fsktem>: Wvhjeanp, Mernqgm
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<ssrhmb>Ozzgrorjt Uezrxhu, ggixqclxl yq Xpzvw Zdojwgto</vlhmeh>
A picture of Christian Neumann, principal at First Momentum
Christian Neumann, principal at First Momentum
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<liscqb>Rfenjrw Jym</phigmz>
<mblxiw>Xczgodha qtylxlcc</nsdpya>: Frdgqp, Tpbdgtyykcl
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<xeraxe>Jllrzqb</oxxxkz>
<qnblrj>NM</iditnw>: Mdjizk, Mvlrlcz
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<tgdgdo>Lzljh Wdcw</wddoia>
<aghqdp>XO</vjwucr>: Epapflni, Hmadnnq
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<nkksqj>NdafuAT</ncuncr>
<wnlscr>YZ</aruyzw>: Svabwo, BT
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Xv fjctmzxh, YhgpcNS’j zjgncgeljl hldektre vetbhtfvab gik qywdy tpkrlhc jui dlz nrl jeugxwr pg jgbxqhut, evaqjmkr vmfqdvtndxifm ce ctubs ogcljgbo DM njztgqlne ghch bpiqvwzdxg ropyzl prl bdmksprw-njqnfw kfcdf.

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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