In a remarkable year for the European startup ecosystem, several companies reached unicorn status, reflecting the growing investment landscape across various sectors. Tekever, Lovable, Isar Aerospace, Tines, Zama, Mubi, Quantum Systems, Fuse Energy, Verdiva Bio have all jumped into the elite startup ranks. All three of these companies are now worth more than $1 billion each! The funding rounds these companies have won reflect their truly game-changing potential. They show the increasing appetites of investors for cutting-edge technologies.
In May, Portuguese dual-use drone startup Tekever raised €55 million, its very first funding round. This latest, highly accretive round of financing vaulted its overall valuation past £1 billion. This was the first time this valuation had been made public, a major milestone for the company. Tekever Tech is committed to continue to invest £400 million into the UK, developing AI-driven defence solutions. This investment will allow them to do even more and increase their capacity and reach into the market.
Lovable’s Rapid Rise
Lovable, a Stockholm-based Swedish AI startup registered in Wilmington, Delaware that just entered the news ecosystem after achieving unicorn status in record time. In July, the company raised $200 million in a Series A funding round led by Accel. That successful round catapulted their valuation to a stunning $1.8 billion. The majority of Lovable’s people are located in Stockholm. Fast growing, the company will use this new capital to become the world’s fastest global expanding company.
CEO and co-founder Hjalmar Nilsonne had some big news to share. This funding will allow Lovable to grow its footprint, going not just from Stockholm to London but across the Atlantic to the United States. This tactical step comes as part of Microsoft’s continued efforts to stake a bigger claim in the quickly changing world of AI.
Lovable’s quick ascension is bringing to light the increasing demand for AI solutions. From agriculture to construction, these innovations are increasing efficiency and productivity today. Investors are especially interested in startups that have made the case for scalability and a showstopper technology.
Diverse Innovations Across Europe
The other highlight is Isar Aerospace, a German space-tech startup. In June, it secured a big €150 million ($170 million) convertible bond deal with investor Eldridge Industries. This agreement represented its thrilling journey to unicorn stature. This latest commitment funding will enable Isar Aerospace to accelerate the development of its small satellite launch services. This will help boost its competitiveness in the global aerospace market.
Second, Tines, also Dublin-based, announcing hitting unicorn status in mid-February 2025 after raising a $125 million Series C round. This brought its valuation to $1.125 billion. Following up on this successful round, Tines revealed an incredible feat. They’re now doing more than a billion client actions weekly across their automations. The company’s relentless focus on creating innovative and intelligent, AI-powered workflows has clearly hit a nerve with customers looking for simplicity and automation.
In France, Zama announced a €54 million ($57 million) Series B round that vaulted its valuation above $1 billion. The startup has deep expertise in cryptographic technology, which has investors clamoring for the next cutting-edge solution to problems in data privacy and security.
Expanding Horizons
By increasing the funding round to $100 million, Mubi became one of the rarest startups in the world – reaching the notorious unicorn club. Sequoia Capital led the investment in June, increasing the company’s valuation to $1 billion. Mubi’s unique approach to film curation and streaming has captured a dedicated audience globally.
In May 2025, Quantum Systems became the first unicorn in Germany. In 2019, they landed €160 million in a Series C funding round to add gas to their global expansion ambitions. The Orlando-based company specializes in dual-use drone technology, serving both the commercial and defense sectors.
British renewable energy startup Fuse Energy recently closed an impressive funding round. The new investment is said to value the company at more than $1 billion. This investment is indicative of the growing global trend towards sustainable energy solutions.
Just recently in January 2025, Verdiva Bio—a London-based biotech startup—landed strong $410 million funding. This funding was their first announced round and indicates the enormous growth potential of these areas. This monumental investment houses Verdiva Bio’s team with the tools and collaborative expertise to continue leading discovery in transformative biotechnological innovations.
