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One of Europe's biggest tech events kicks off this week — and if you managed to win the Hunger Games of nabbing a Slush ticket, you're the envy of all those who missed out. The event has grown exponentially over the years and now boasts a fair few successful alumni; Mimi Billing looks at what 21 previous team members are up to now. 

In funding news, climate tech BeZero — which rates the quality of carbon offsetting options, including a free tier of access — has raised a $50m Series B to develop its product, find new partnerships and expand further into Europe and Asia. Online fraud prevention company Red Points also has cause for celebration, after it bagged €20m of fresh cash. 

Also from the Sifted newsroom:

• 2022's most active SaaS investors

• Are remote-only roles coming to an end?

• How digital nomads avoid the taxman 

🤩 The stars of Slush. Along with some of the most coveted tickets in tech, Slush boasts many successful alumni to its name. Some of those who began at the student-led event caught the tech bug and moved on to become founders, CEOs and C-suite execs, making waves in the ecosystem.

Here's what 21 previous Slush-ers are up to now. 

Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG) is part of one of the world’s largest pension plans. Partner with them and get access to long-term capital, plus the expertise and resources of a global investor with a proven track record.

💻 2022's most active SaaS investors. Despite being the second largest area of investment for VCs in Europe, the software sector hasn't been immune to the downturn, seeing a 42% decline in quarterly funding in Q3 this year. That said, many VCs are still keen on the industry — here are the most active investors still putting their cash into SaaS. 

🏡 Rolling back on remote-only roles. Fully remote roles have grown exponentially during the last few years, but it's looking like they may not become the default work option that many expected — there’s been a 35% drop in the number of European startups advertising the jobs in the last 12 months. So, what's going on?

💰 The perks of being a digital nomad. Digital nomads get up when they want, except on Wednesdays when they get rudely awakened by the taxman... or do they? Alongside enjoying the sun, sea and spreadsheets, some have unlocked an extra benefit of the lifestyle by cutting their tax bill to zero using "tax optimisation” services. It might be legal, but is it ethical — and how does it all actually work? 

Our latest mythbusting video, in partnership with TrueLayer, exposes the truth behind unused subscriptions. With the cost of living continuing to rise, how can companies keep their subscribers active as well as loyal?

💪 Fresh cash for fraud prevention. Red Points, an online fraud prevention company tackling brand impersonation, has just raised a €20m round led by Iris Capital. The startup uses AI to trawl the internet for pirating, impersonation and counterfeits. It sells its service to brands, which then use it to find and report fakes. 

🔥 Carbon offset rater drums up $50m. As more companies buy carbon offsets to try and compensate for their own emissions, startups that rate the quality of different offsetting options are also on the up. One such company, BeZero, has just raised a $50m Series B from investors like US-based Quantum Energy Partners and EDF's VC arm EDF Pulse Ventures. 

Sharing the good, the bad and the ugly. Ditching the secrecy for radical transparency? Being open and honest isn’t always easy when it comes to admitting mistakes. Find out on November 23 how to navigate these challenging conversations. Register to attend.

Buckle up for a financial storm. The economic downturn is in full swing with a recession just over the horizon — which may lead to more financial fraud. How can consumers protect themselves? Find out on December 7.

💔 How to give compassionate leave. Life is unpredictable, and the way a company responds when an employee suffers the loss of a loved one is important for workplace wellbeing. Dan Garrett, founder and CEO of death tech Farewill, offers his advice on how employers can support their teams through times of grief.

🤺 Pacifying potential boardroom wars. One side effect of the downturn is that founders and investors are at risk of coming into conflict — especially when many of them have never experienced anything like this before. As the experts highlight, there are a few things that both parties need to consider as market chaos continues. 

🕵️‍♀️ How Sifted revealed Spotify founder's secret startup. On the latest episode of Startup Europe — the Sifted Podcast, our super-sleuth Nordic correspondent Mimi Billing shares how she got to the bottom of Daniel's Ek's low-key new healthtech company. 

🌎 Can startups change the world? We've got plenty of problems that need solutions in the world — and many tech innovations that claim to fix them. James Routledge, founder of Sanctus, explores if founding a startup is really the best way to make an impact. 

💅 The importance of a founder brand. Tessa Clarke, founder of Olio, quickly discovered the key to success: identifying her own professional brand as a founder. Here's why it's so crucial, especially in the early days — and how to find the right image for you. 

😇 Working with angels. They can seem like they're sent from above, but finding the right angel investor isn't as easy as simply picking the first person who offers you cash. Partner at SyndicateRoom Miruna-Ioana Girtu, who has worked with more than 100 angels herself, lays out how founders can get the most out of the deal. 

Running or working at an early-stage startup isn't always easy. And when it feels like you're driving the train while building the tracks, who do you turn to for support?

Every Wednesday morning Sifted's Startup Life newsletter brings you a dose of sage wisdom from across European tech, dropping everything you need to manage and grow a successful business straight into your inbox. 

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• Receive tips from the experts, on everything from avoiding boardroom conflict to raising a successful round.

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Sadia Nowshin

Editorial Assistant

Get in touch with her at
sadia@sifted.eu

She tweets from 

@sadianowshin_

Tom Nugent

Digital Editor

Get in touch with him at

tom@sifted.eu

He tweets from

@TJNugent92

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