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October 27, 2025

An M&A goldrush is coming for European AI. Startups beware

AI companies are looking scoop up rival talent earlier in their journeys than ever before

Tom Nugent and Martin Coulter

4 min read

As global demand for AI talent ratchets up, tales of deep-pocketed US tech companies paying megabucks for top researchers — or scooping up smaller startups altogether — have become commonplace.

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Tom Nugent

Tom Nugent is Sifted’s managing editor. He covers robotics, chips and university spinouts. Follow him on X and LinkedIn

Martin Coulter

Martin Coulter is Sifted's news editor, based in London. You can follow him on LinkedIn and X

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