So far this year UK startups have raised a record €17.2bn from VC funds, more than the €14bn in all of 2020.
But which are the country's most exciting startups and scaleups? Which are the ones to watch in 2021?
Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of more than 100 exciting companies we think you need to know about, with an added 'Sifted take' on some to provide an extra layer of insight.
It's a mixture of the big and the small, the well known and the under the radar. But all are making waves. Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!
(P.S The data is from European Startups, with valuation estimates from Dealroom. If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at [email protected]).
Key
Year founded
Amount raised
Last funding round
Valuation
Employees
Cutover
Cloud-based workplace management software
enterprise software /
cutover.comLondon, UK
2013
€50m
SERIES B
€62-93m
50-100

Visionable
Video platform for healthcare workers
health / media
visionable.comLondon, UK
2019
€18m
SERIES A
€29-43m
50-100
Koru Kids
Platform to match nannies and families
marketplace & ecommerce / recruitment
korukids.co.ukLondon, UK
2017
€17m
SERIES A
€48-72m
100-500
Sifted Take
As any parent of young children will know, the pandemic has made the challenging task of childcare next to impossible. Often overlooked, the childcare industry is an "essential infrastructure", Koru Kids' cofounder Carrell says.
The childcare startup has had to adapt from its core service — after-school care, to full-time support. And it's not doing bad at all — having received 100k applications from nannies in 2019.
Koru Kids
Platform to match nannies and families
marketplace & ecommerce / recruitment
korukids.co.ukLondon, UK
2017
€17m
SERIES A
€48-72m
100-500
Sifted Take
As any parent of young children will know, the pandemic has made the challenging task of childcare next to impossible. Often overlooked, the childcare industry is an "essential infrastructure", Koru Kids' cofounder Carrell says.
The childcare startup has had to adapt from its core service — after-school care, to full-time support. And it's not doing bad at all — having received 100k applications from nannies in 2019.

Qatalog
Virtual workspace platform using SaaS
saas / enterprise software
qatalog.comLondon, UK
2019
€17m
SERIES A
€55-82m
10-50
Sifted Take
Going virtual has been a challenge for almost everyone but Qatalog, the startup that brings together SaaS tools from Slack to Asana to form a 'virtual workspace'. In October 2020, it raised $15m in its Series A round led by Atomico. It tailors workspaces to companies, supporting them in the creation of workflows and silos. It plans to use the money to build its London team.
2019
€17m
SERIES A
€55-82m
10-50
Sifted Take
Going virtual has been a challenge for almost everyone but Qatalog, the startup that brings together SaaS tools from Slack to Asana to form a 'virtual workspace'. In October 2020, it raised $15m in its Series A round led by Atomico. It tailors workspaces to companies, supporting them in the creation of workflows and silos. It plans to use the money to build its London team.

Yapily
Enterprise connectivity platform that allows companies to share financial data and access payment infrastructure
banking / payments
yapily.comLondon, UK
2017
€63m
SERIES B
€185-278m
50-100
Sifted Take
Yapily is a London-based open finance infrastructure provider which connects companies to banks using a secure open API. During the pandemic it has seen customer growth surge 3.5x as online shopping became even more entrenched into the global economy than before.
In July 2021, the startup raised $51m in its Series B funding round led by Sapphire Ventures. Read more: 21 fintechs to watch in 2021, according to top founders

Yapily
Enterprise connectivity platform that allows companies to share financial data and access payment infrastructure
banking / payments
yapily.comLondon, UK
2017
€63m
SERIES B
€185-278m
50-100
Sifted Take
Yapily is a London-based open finance infrastructure provider which connects companies to banks using a secure open API. During the pandemic it has seen customer growth surge 3.5x as online shopping became even more entrenched into the global economy than before.
In July 2021, the startup raised $51m in its Series B funding round led by Sapphire Ventures. Read more: 21 fintechs to watch in 2021, according to top founders

Sifted Take
Set out to change the restaurant kitchen, Karakuri's robotics is focused on food prep. In a post-Covid-19 world where we're back at restaurants, its lack of compromise on hygiene and safety surely grants it a secure place in the increasingly saturated robot market. And its set to provide services for big catering companies and grocery businesses too. Watch out for the results of its DK-One robot trial in restaurants — when it finally goes ahead. Brunch with Sifted: Karakuri’s robot chef
2018
€16m
EARLY VC
€43m
10-50
Sifted Take
Set out to change the restaurant kitchen, Karakuri's robotics is focused on food prep. In a post-Covid-19 world where we're back at restaurants, its lack of compromise on hygiene and safety surely grants it a secure place in the increasingly saturated robot market. And its set to provide services for big catering companies and grocery businesses too. Watch out for the results of its DK-One robot trial in restaurants — when it finally goes ahead. Brunch with Sifted: Karakuri’s robot chef

Unmind
Workplace mental health platform
health / enterprise software
unmind.comLondon, UK
2016
€57m
SERIES B
€171-256m
100-500
Sifted Take
Unmind is a workplace mental health platform that includes services such as teletherapy. Its USP is the Unmind Index — a clinically backed assessment that helps users understand their mental health, and anonymises and aggregates the data to help employers understand trends within their team.
Currently, the company counts major businesses such as Uber, British Airways and Samsung amongst others, and serves over 2 million users. In May 2021, Unmind raised a Series B funding round led by EQT Ventures that made it Europe’s best-funded mental health startup. Read more: [Mental health startups boom as pandemic anxieties worsen] (https://sifted.eu/articles/mental-health-startups-are-in-high-demand-these-days/)
2016
€57m
SERIES B
€171-256m
100-500
Sifted Take
Unmind is a workplace mental health platform that includes services such as teletherapy. Its USP is the Unmind Index — a clinically backed assessment that helps users understand their mental health, and anonymises and aggregates the data to help employers understand trends within their team.
Currently, the company counts major businesses such as Uber, British Airways and Samsung amongst others, and serves over 2 million users. In May 2021, Unmind raised a Series B funding round led by EQT Ventures that made it Europe’s best-funded mental health startup. Read more: [Mental health startups boom as pandemic anxieties worsen] (https://sifted.eu/articles/mental-health-startups-are-in-high-demand-these-days/)

CharlieHR
Human resources platform for small businesses
recruitment / enterprise software
charliehr.comLondon, UK
2015
€1m
SERIES A
€5-7m
10-50
Sifted Take
CharlieHR advises on the legislative aspects of recruitment and is backed by Connect Ventures.

CharlieHR
Human resources platform for small businesses
recruitment / enterprise software
charliehr.comLondon, UK
2015
€1m
SERIES A
€5-7m
10-50
Sifted Take
CharlieHR advises on the legislative aspects of recruitment and is backed by Connect Ventures.
Allplants
Making and delivering vegan meals
food / logistics & delivery
allplants.comLondon, UK
2016
€14m
SEED
€17-25m
50-100
Sifted Take
The vegan meal delivery startup allplants has benefited not only from the pandemic, but from a huge boom in veganism and flexitarianism in 2020. In March, its customers increased by 400%.
Based on a record-breaking Veganuary alone (according to the Vegan Society), 2021 could well be another successful year for the company.
2016
€14m
SEED
€17-25m
50-100
Sifted Take
The vegan meal delivery startup allplants has benefited not only from the pandemic, but from a huge boom in veganism and flexitarianism in 2020. In March, its customers increased by 400%.
Based on a record-breaking Veganuary alone (according to the Vegan Society), 2021 could well be another successful year for the company.

Infogrid
Optimising building management and efficiency
energy / IoT
infogrid.ioLondon, UK
2018
€14m
SERIES A
€56-85m
10-50
Papier
Online stationery store
fashion / accessories
papier.comWesterham, UK
2015
€14m
SERIES B
€41-61m
100-500
Sifted Take
With its high-street equivalent Paperchase recently going into administration, the online stationery brand Papier experienced a 300% demand and a 6% boost in overall revenue — and still its eager to broaden its reach further by exploring new payment and delivery options that could push them further.
2015
€14m
SERIES B
€41-61m
100-500
Sifted Take
With its high-street equivalent Paperchase recently going into administration, the online stationery brand Papier experienced a 300% demand and a 6% boost in overall revenue — and still its eager to broaden its reach further by exploring new payment and delivery options that could push them further.
Sifted Take
Thriva is focused on preventative health, and believes blood test kits can keep you out of hospital by identifying problems before they spiral. It predominantly operates on a subscription service where customers pay £24-69 per year to receive four test kits a year in order to check in with their health: from their iron profile, cholesterol, crucial vitamin levels or susceptibility to diabetes. It's seen rapid growth and in 2020 raised €12m.
Read more: No doctor required
Thriva founder Hamish Grierson tackles “the elephant in the room”
2015
€14m
SERIES A
€19-29m
50-100
Sifted Take
Thriva is focused on preventative health, and believes blood test kits can keep you out of hospital by identifying problems before they spiral. It predominantly operates on a subscription service where customers pay £24-69 per year to receive four test kits a year in order to check in with their health: from their iron profile, cholesterol, crucial vitamin levels or susceptibility to diabetes. It's seen rapid growth and in 2020 raised €12m.
Read more: No doctor required
Thriva founder Hamish Grierson tackles “the elephant in the room”

Beacon
Supply chain finance firm that provides real-time data of cargo delivery
logistics / saas
beacon.comLondon, UK
2018
€14m
SERIES A
€55-82m
50-100
Sifted Take
In another attempt to digitise the logistics industry, the digital forwarder startup Beacon operates across ocean, air, trucks and supply chain finance — and its main focus is improving cash flow. In its Series A round of June 2020, it earned the interest of Jeff Bezos and 8VC, raising $15m.

Beacon
Supply chain finance firm that provides real-time data of cargo delivery
logistics / saas
beacon.comLondon, UK
2018
€14m
SERIES A
€55-82m
50-100
Sifted Take
In another attempt to digitise the logistics industry, the digital forwarder startup Beacon operates across ocean, air, trucks and supply chain finance — and its main focus is improving cash flow. In its Series A round of June 2020, it earned the interest of Jeff Bezos and 8VC, raising $15m.

SenSat
Visual and spatial data to simulate reality
real estate / AI
sensat.co.ukLondon, UK
2015
€13m
SERIES A
€36-54m
50-100
Sifted Take
This startup makes 'digital twins' of real world locations, whether it be entire cities or construction projects. The possibilities are wild — with talks of Mirrorworld which could replicate our entire physical reality. But for now, its focused on construction. Makes sense. It's last round was a Series A that raised €9m, led by Tencent and Sistema Venture Capital.
2015
€13m
SERIES A
€36-54m
50-100
Sifted Take
This startup makes 'digital twins' of real world locations, whether it be entire cities or construction projects. The possibilities are wild — with talks of Mirrorworld which could replicate our entire physical reality. But for now, its focused on construction. Makes sense. It's last round was a Series A that raised €9m, led by Tencent and Sistema Venture Capital.
Flatfair
Deposit-free renting
fintech; real estate / mortgages & lending
flatfair.co.ukLondon, UK
2016
€12m
SERIES A
€40-60m
50-100
Sifted Take
Flatfair is a platform that allows landlords to offer 'deposit-free' renting to tenants who would otherwise struggle to pay for expensive deposits often well above their monthly rent. Tenants are given a 'trust score' which landlords can view before accepting new tenants, which includes independent adjudication over end-of-contract disputes.
2016
€12m
SERIES A
€40-60m
50-100
Sifted Take
Flatfair is a platform that allows landlords to offer 'deposit-free' renting to tenants who would otherwise struggle to pay for expensive deposits often well above their monthly rent. Tenants are given a 'trust score' which landlords can view before accepting new tenants, which includes independent adjudication over end-of-contract disputes.

Faculty
Providing organisations with strategy, skills and the right software to enable AI
AI / enterprise software
faculty.aiLondon, UK
2014
€47m
SERIES A
€38-58m
100-500
Sifted Take
One of the most fast-growing on this list, AI company Faculty develops machine learning systems for governments and businesses. Indeed, the UK Government contracted the startup to forecast the availability of ventilators needed during the pandemic.
Read more: Skype cofounder gifts cryptocurrency to AI startup Faculty

Faculty
Providing organisations with strategy, skills and the right software to enable AI
AI / enterprise software
faculty.aiLondon, UK
2014
€47m
SERIES A
€38-58m
100-500
Sifted Take
One of the most fast-growing on this list, AI company Faculty develops machine learning systems for governments and businesses. Indeed, the UK Government contracted the startup to forecast the availability of ventilators needed during the pandemic.
Read more: Skype cofounder gifts cryptocurrency to AI startup Faculty
Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Develops nanopore sequencing products to analyse molecules electronically
biotech / health
nanoporetech.comOxford, UK
2005
€957m
SERIES H
€2bn
100-500
Sifted Take
Oxford University spin-out Oxford Nanopore develops and sells devices which analyse DNA, RNA, proteins and small molecules. That's useful not just in medicine, but also agriculture and science more broadly.
In May 2020, it won a $56m contract to help the UK government roll out a novel coronavirus test.
Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Develops nanopore sequencing products to analyse molecules electronically
biotech / health
nanoporetech.comOxford, UK
2005
€957m
SERIES H
€2bn
100-500
Sifted Take
Oxford University spin-out Oxford Nanopore develops and sells devices which analyse DNA, RNA, proteins and small molecules. That's useful not just in medicine, but also agriculture and science more broadly.
In May 2020, it won a $56m contract to help the UK government roll out a novel coronavirus test.

Sifted Take
Numan are out to tackle the health epidemic for men: according to their survey, three out of four men do not actually visit a clinic when there's something wrong. Maybe a healthtech app is the solution.
Its main competitor, though, is Manual — a wellbeing platform for men. Regardless, Numan raised €11m in its first disclosed funding Series A round, led by Vostok New Ventures, Novator and Anthemis Exponential Ventures.
Mentech startup Numan raises €11m to help more men tackle their health issues
2018
€11m
SERIES A
€44-66m
10-50
Sifted Take
Numan are out to tackle the health epidemic for men: according to their survey, three out of four men do not actually visit a clinic when there's something wrong. Maybe a healthtech app is the solution.
Its main competitor, though, is Manual — a wellbeing platform for men. Regardless, Numan raised €11m in its first disclosed funding Series A round, led by Vostok New Ventures, Novator and Anthemis Exponential Ventures.
Mentech startup Numan raises €11m to help more men tackle their health issues
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