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Hi Sifted Reader,

The Atomico State of European Tech report has dropped, and it's bigger than ever — with more than 400 charts to spool through. Grab a glass of mulled wine, plonk yourself down in front of the fireplace and dive in. But on the off chance you don't have several hours spare, we've done you a favour and picked out the highlights. Plus...

VC review platform Landscape launches a scout programme — of sorts
Investors are betting big on AI in healthcare
Fancy a pair of 3D-printed or metaverse-appropriate trainers?

\Venture Capital

The state of European tech 2021: 21 things you should know

Overall investment in European startups is up 300% on 2020 — and is likely to hit more than $120bn by the end of the year. Europe's also starting to take planet-focused businesses seriously, and is making gains on the US.

But, while Atomico's report is full of good news, it lays bare the bad as well — the gender funding gap is widening (!!) and very few ethnic minority founders are being invited to the party.

We've distilled over 400 charts into one neat little article.

\A message from our sponsor Mambu

Why are fintechs such ‘investor darlings’?

Fintechs have attracted significant investment since the mid-90s — and the industry is showing no signs of slowing down. Find out why during Mambu’s digital summit.

Register here.

\Venture Capital

VC review site Landscape launches a "scout-as-a-service" platform

VC scout programmes could be a thing of the past as a new scouting platform from VC review site Landscape drops.

Scouts can share deals with a whole marketplace of VCs — giving them (and the startup they've scouted) more chance of a successful match.

Amy Lewin finds out how it works and what it means for the world of early-stage startups.

\For Members Healthtech

European AI healthtechs cash in as investors bet big on sector

Funding for startups using AI in healthcare has nearly doubled in the past 12 months and hefty nine-figure rounds are becoming a common occurrence in Europe.

Pandemic-driven digitalisation and increasingly favourable regulation in Europe have laid the foundations for the sector to flourish, but which companies have investors chomping at the bit?

Here are the tech startups using AI to shake up healthcare.

Want to read more in-depth articles like this and attend exclusive member events? Sign up to Sifted Membership to get full access.

\For Members Consumer

Sneakers are now 3D-printed and metaverse-ready

Sneakers are very popular right now. Sales at Nike and Puma have skyrocketed and the second-hand market is booming too.

But it's not just the trainer behemoths having a moment in the footwear department. Startups are getting in on the action as well — making sneakers you can don in the metaverse and 3D-printed shoes that can be remoulded time and time again.

Freya Pratty dives into the increasingly futuristic world of trainers.

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\Sponsored by EIT Community

Five startups redesigning the future of living

Cop26 thrust climate change into the limelight, and it's clear we'll need to alter how we live if we want to build a sustainable future.

From vertical farms and sustainable manufacturing to digital events and efficient car parking, European entrepreneurs are tackling some key issues.

Here's how five European startups are shaking things up.

News That Matters

🛍️ Forget speedy grocery, here's green grocery. The sector isn't known for being great for the planet, but Dutch startup Pieter Pot wants to change that. It runs a zero-waste, circular economy grocery delivery service, is building infrastructure for others to do the same and has just snapped up €9m.

👋 Felix Capital has two new partners. But they're not totally new faces at the London-based VC firm. Susan Lin has been with Felix for the past three years as an investor, and Julien Codorniou joins from Meta (that's Facebook in old money) — although he's been an advisor and LP for the firm since its launch in 2015.

🚕 Taxi company Bolt steps up its speedy grocery offering. The scaleup already ships groceries in seven European countries but has its sights set on further expansion in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia in 2022. It comes a few months on from a $600m raise, as the company looks to take on competitors like Rohlik, Getir and Gorillas.

💊 BenevolentAI signs Europe's largest SPAC deal. The London drug discovery scaleup has agreed a merger that will allow it to raise €390m and go public in Amsterdam with a €1.5bn valuation. The news comes on the back of a bumper year for European SPACs.

🦄 Fintech Lydia becomes a unicorn. The Paris-based money management app has just raised $100m in a new round led by Dragoneer and Echo Street. It says it'll use the funds to expand into new geographies and increase its headcount.

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🤖 Big tech can't be involved in ethical AI. While VCs are beginning to take startups that use AI seriously on the European tech scene, major conversations are happening about the ethics behind machines making decisions for us. Here's a piece from ex-Google employee Timnit Gebru, who argues Silicon Valley needs to be entirely separate from AI research.

Amy Lewin
Deputy Editor

Get in touch with her at amy@sifted.eu
Or tweeting @amyrlewin

Kai Nicol-Schwarz
Editorial Lead (Membership)

Get in touch with him at k ai @sifted.eu
Or @NicolSchwarzK

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Landscape launches a scout marketplace 👀

\Venture Capital

The state of European tech 2021: 21 things you should know

\A message from our sponsor Mambu

Why are fintechs such ‘investor darlings’?

\Venture Capital

VC review site Landscape launches a "scout-as-a-service" platform

\For Members Healthtech

European AI healthtechs cash in as investors bet big on sector

\For Members Consumer

Sneakers are now 3D-printed and metaverse-ready

\Sponsored by EIT Community

Five startups redesigning the future of living

News That Matters

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