Fintech 

European fintechs taking on Klarna

It's no secret that Sweden's Klarna is the European champion of buy now pay later (BNPL). Valued at $11bn, it stands as Europe's second most highly valued fintech behind Checkout.com.

However, in recent months a boom in 'checkout credit' has paved the way for other fintechs to ride the BNPL wave, with startups seeing "very strong growth" that look set to outlive the pandemic. But who are they?

 Sponsored by Globalization Partners 

Is this the end of the water cooler?

In our newest report with Globalization Partners, we analyse what’s next for the startup workplace.

Should startups hire a permanently remote workforce? What will happen to Europe’s freelance economy? How long will Covid-19’s shadow stretch?

Read our future of work report to find out.

 Deeptech 

Meet the startups prolonging life

Over the past two centuries, global life expectancy has increased from less than 30 years to approximately 72 years. Now, an emerging ecosystem of European biotech startups and VCs think that they can use technology to extend our lives further.

There are heaps of innovations being developed in the space, from biomarkers for drug testing and diagnostics to machine learning for DNA analysis. Some, however, do not buy into the theory of ‘curing ageing’.

So can we prolong life? Mimi Billing finds out.

 News 

The messaging startup winning from the WhatsApp debacle

Element, a UK-based secure messaging platform used by governments and the private sector, has reported a staggering fivefold increase of users this month.

This comes after WhatsApp's controversial new data policy — which involved handing over user data to Facebook — had people packing their bags and running.

It’s “the perfect example of the risks of a centralised system,” says Element’s cofounder Matthew Hodgson. So what makes a decentralised system better?

Sifted's Freya Pratty talks to Hodgson.

 Sponsored by Microsoft for Startups 

How Latvian startup Nordigen is pushing fintech forward

Fintech startup Nordigen has made a bold move that no other fintech has ever taken, it’s offering its application programming interface (API) — which lets users access bank account information — for free. Now it believes others will follow suit.

Find out why it's doing it here.

Sifted Suggests 

🇷🇴 Romania's VC landscape. Startups in Romania had a good 2020. The number of startups securing rounds in the country rose to 59, up from 39 in 2019. Get more insights on Romania here.

🇳🇴 Norwegian tech in 2020. Kjetil Holmefjord, partner at Oslo-based early-stage startup accelerator StartupLab, reviews the Norwegian funding landscape throughout the past year. What startups had the largest funding rounds? Which sectors were invested in most? Who’s investing in Norway? Find out here.

🇬🇧 London’s startup talent exodus. Despite London’s tech hub status drying up amid the remote working boom, Pitchbook explores why this isn’t really all that bad for the British capital.

🎓 Why should students work in a startup? From having the freedom to try out several career paths to building a great network, here's why fresh graduates should kick off their careers in a startup, according to Maddyness.

🅰️ So you want to raise a Series A? Cherry Ventures’ Sophia Bendz prepares you for the challenge in this handy piece.

🎉 Sign up to Sifted's new fintech newsletter 🎉

Have you heard the news? Sifted is launching a new must-read newsletter covering all things fintech, from digital banks to blockchain.

Sign up now to make sure you don't miss the very first edition.

In case you missed it 

🌱 The Y Combinator for impact? Swedish impact investor Norrsken Foundation is launching an eight-week impact accelerator this year. How will it help the impact startup sector?

📦 Amazon is a minor ecommerce player across much of Europe — here’s why.

🧠 From a chip in your brain to a headset on your head, here are the European startups going up against Elon Musk's Neuralink.

Events [digital only]
 

🤝 Sifted Talks: How to manage culture when your startup goes remote | Online | 28 Jan 
2020 was the year that startups went remote. And it’s looking like this will carry over into 2021. But how can you continue to keep the team together — apart? Amy Lewin will quiz people pros from Seedcamp, GitLab and Buffer. In partnership with TripActions.
Sign up now.

 🚗 How blockchain can transform the future of the automotive industry | Online | 27 Jan
What is it about blockchain technology and AI that can help advance the automotive industry? Join the European BlockChain Convention for a deep dive analysis and find out.

📣 How to get press coverage for your business | Online | 28 Jan
Don't miss out on the chance to discover top tips, resources and insights on getting your startup press coverage. Featuring a star panel including Sifted's Amy Lewin.

👋 Silicon Allee Meetup | Online | 2 Feb
Calling founders, investors and startup fanatics, meet new people in European tech at this open networking event hosted by Berlin-based startup community builder Silicon Allee.

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