Mobility 

Death by drowning

Hundreds of e-scooters meet a watery end in European cities' canals and rivers every year. 

But now one scooter startup has a novel idea about how to save them: a drowning button.

Mimi Billing finds out if it's genius — or just a PR stunt. 

🌍 Around the (tech) world in 12 hours 🌍
 

This September, join Tech Nation on a 40,000km journey from your laptop. Discover different tech ecosystems as leading tech figures host insightful panels and presentations, from Australia to the US.

Get your free ticket now. [Sponsored post]

 Healthtech 

Germany: the promised land

Despite being the world's second largest healthcare market, Germany has been something of a no-go for many healthtech businesses, with unhelpful rules stifling digital innovation. 

But now, with sweeping new legislation coming into play, it could become the favourite playground for healthtech startups. 

Mimi Billing finds out how Swedish healthcare scaleup Kry has a headstart in the market.

⚡ 1000 top SaaS execs, one (virtual) event ⚡ 

This September, get up close with Europe’s pioneering SaaS leaders at the B2B Rocks #REBOUND conference by Axeleo, and learn how to make the most of the economic recovery from B2B experts.

See the list of speakers here. [Sponsored post.]

 Future of work 

The next Daniel Ek?

Way back in 2008, European VC firm Creandum invested in a promising new startup called Spotify. At 25, the company's founder Daniel was the youngest the firm had ever backed. 

Now, Ek has been stripped of his title. Creandum has backed 23-year-old Dennis Müller, founder of productivity app Amie.

What's got the VC giant so excited? Miriam Partington finds out. 

 Fintech 

Totally untrustworthy? 

Fundraising, revenue and employee happiness aside, Europe's fintechs have another challenge to deal with: plenty of consumers just don't trust them.

Why?

Andrew Wilde explains.

News that matters

🛍️ Spending spree. Supermetrics, the Finnish marketing tech startup, has raised a €40m Series B, led by Highland Europe, along with Ilkka Paananen, the founder of Supercell. This is Highland's ninth announced round since lockdowns began. Amy Lewin looks at where the VC firm is splashing its cash.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Great Scot! Mark Logan, former COO of Edinburgh-based tech giant Skyscanner, has taken a look at how Scotland's tech scene can help the country's economic recovery from Covid-19. It's an extensive review, covering education, funding and infrastructure.

🇩🇰 Copenhagen-based VC firm Seed Capital is raising a new fund. It's closed €67m so far, and is aiming for €135m.

If you're a fan of our 'News that matters' and 'Sifted Suggests' sections, check out our newsfeed here, where we collect all of these gems — and more.

Sifted Suggests 

🚲 A map of where micromobility operators are live in Europe. We reckon it's missing a few, but this is pretty cool.

💀 Startup deaths, analysed. CB Insights has released its latest update on why (mostly US-based) startups met their end. Bye bye Bodega and Stay Alfred.

🖕 ‘F*ck the algorithm’? Politico looks at five ways in which algorithms already rule our lives.

🤸‍♀️ Share the fun 🤸‍♀️

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