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You can't escape it: generative AI is the talk of the tech town right now. But given it's far from brand new technology, why is everyone suddenly all over it?

The latest episode of the Sifted Podcast delves in to the reasons behind the hype — plus we discuss the EU policy changes to watch for in 2023 and why Europe should hang its head in shame over nuclear fusion. 

From the Sifted newsroom:

• How to spend your seed funding
• Which quantum computing startup bagged £30m?
• Could psychedelic therapy apps trigger a dystopian future?

— Sadia, editorial assistant & Tom, digital editor

💰 The funds of funds to watch in Europe. No, you're not seeing double: funds of funds are vehicles that invest in multiple VC funds, so investors get access to competitive funds and better returns.

And the number of options across Europe is growing: here's a break down of all the ones you need to know about. 

Managing your digital operations as a VC is no easy feat, especially if fraudsters get in the way. And with scam techniques rapidly changing, it’s crucial you understand the best ways to uncover fraud patterns. Join our free upcoming webinar where the experts will explore preventative measures you can use to keep your operations safe.

🍄 Psychedelic therapy apps: necessary innovation or pathway to a dystopian future? Startups that are revolutionising healthcare with psychedelic therapy apps hope to tackle life-altering conditions like depression and alcoholism, and they've managed to pique investor attention recently — but is the "appification" of it an innovation to be celebrated, or a slippery slope to more sinister ends? 

🚀 Solar sails sent to space in historic launch. Paris-based startup Gama has sent a solar sail on board a SpaceX flight, in a first for European tech. The solar-powered sails, which are deployed once in orbit and use light rather than wind to power ahead, are designed to help spacecraft travel further with less fuel and could mark a new era for space travel.

🗣 Is tech the answer to Iberia's shadow of dictatorship? Spain and Portugal endured two of Europe’s longest dictatorships in the 20th century. Sergio Massano, partner at Antler, questions if the region's startup ecosystem could be the key to recovering from the lingering effects once and for all. 

💻 Oxford Ionics closes chunky Series A round. Quantum computers have the potential to surpass the ability of the world's biggest supercomputers when it comes to solving complex problems, and startups are racing to develop the tech. Oxford Ionics is one of them, and it's just raised £30m in a round led by Oxford Science Enterprises and Braavos Investment Advisers, with VC 2xN and the founder of British chip manufacturer ARM also on the cap table. 

January 31 | The unicorn model — what’s working and what’s not?
VCs are seeking a rarer breed of scaleup, one that’s robust to market turbulence. So how can startups find their path to profitability without losing growth opportunities? We’ll be joined by experts from Rohlik, Seedcamp and UiPath, who’ll share their top tips for navigating the current market.
Register for free.

🌱 Seed funding 101: how to raise in 2023. New year, new cash: if you're planning an early-stage raise this year, you might have a couple of questions on your mind. When's the right time to raise? How much should you aim for? Who should I try and tempt to take part? Here's what you need to know before you get started. 

🧐 How to spend your seed funding? So you've done all the hard work and charmed investors out of their cheques — now what? Knowing what to spend that seed money on can be quite the dilemma, so we asked a few fellow founders and expert investors to share their advice and experience. 

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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