Danish startup Teton has used Gefion, one of Europe’s most powerful supercomputers, to turbocharge the development of its AI “care companion” for hospital staff.  Teton installs cameras and sensors in hospital rooms to gather real-time data. This gets fed to an AI algorithm, creating a virtual “digital twin” of the room. The model monitors patient and staff behaviour such as movement, breathing, or posture changes. If it sees a problem, the system alerts nurses via an app.  To protect privacy, all processing takes place on-device and none is sent to the cloud. No personal data or raw video footage is stored. Instead, the video is immediately converted into 3D spatial representations and the original footage is deleted.  Teton’s goal is to help hospital staff spot early signs of health issues and respond faster to potential risks. The company also aims to ease the workload of nurses. By continuously monitoring patient rooms, the system could reduce the number of manual checks. It can also automatically generate care notes.  The 2025 Agenda The AI care companion has already been trialled at two Danish hospitals with promising results. The tool cut nightshift workloads by up to 25%, according to the company’s own research.  Teton’s founders, Mikkel Wad Thorsen and Esben Klint Thorius, have spent years training their AI model on real patient scenarios. They even hired actors and nurses to repeatedly act out scenes to improve their training data. However, these manual processes take a lot of time. That’s where Gefion, Denmark’s AI supercomputer, came in. Using the supercomputer, Teton was able to create over 1 million 3D scenes of hospital rooms. In each virtual room, a different scenario would play out. For example, a patient turning over in bed, a nurse checking vitals, or someone experiencing distress.  These scenes aren’t just static images, they’re dynamic environments that mimic how people and objects move and behave in real life. By generating so many of them, Teton can expose its AI to a huge variety of scenarios — far more than would be feasible manually. This helps the system learn how to recognise subtle patterns and respond appropriately in real clinical settings. “Gefion has made a huge difference to the rate at which we have been able to develop our AI model,” Thorsen told TNW. “Being able to unlock the geometric knowledge helps us to build in much better predictions and estimations of how a patient is doing,” he added.  Thorsen hopes the improvements will ultimately help hospitals deliver better patient care — and take the weight off care staff. Giving nurses a helping hand The EU currently has a shortage of 1.2 million doctors, nurses, and midwives. There is also a declining interest in nursing careers across more than half of the bloc’s 27 countries, according to OECD research. The nursing shortage is a worldwide issue, which has given rise to several startups trying to fill the gap with tech solutions. One of them is Stockholm-based Bemlo, which has created a platform for short-term hiring of nurses and doctors, allowing hospitals to quickly onboard new staff. Other efforts look to assist nurses more directly. US-based Diligent Robotics has built Moxi, a metre-tall mobile robot designed to help alleviate boring and repetitive tasks in healthcare facilities. Armed with supercomputing power and digital twins, Teton is betting AI can help ease the strain on stretched hospital employees. And now the startup is looking to fast-track the development of its algorithm. “With all of these new data points, we could significantly accelerate the iteration time and unlock a new scale for the next generation of our model,” said Thorsen. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

Swedish electric plane startup Heart Aerospace is relocating its headquarters from Gothenburg to Los Angeles in a move it says will “bolster product development.”  The company will lay off all of its 75 employees in Sweden, company spokesperson Christina Zander told TNW. “Recruitment in the US is ongoing,” she added.   Founded in 2018, Heart Aerospace is building a hybrid-electric 30-passenger airliner called the ES-30. The first working prototype of the plane, X1, is scheduled to take to the skies later this year.   Tobias Bengtsdahl, a partner at VC firm Antler, told TNW that Heart’s move to the US should serve as a “wake-up call” for Europe’s tech sector.  The 2025 Agenda “Europe’s over-regulation and lack of market appetite are actively driving innovation away,” said Bengtsdahl, who is based in Stockholm. “Every move like this reinforces the narrative that the US is the better place to build — that’s a problem for Europe.”  Heart has raised almost $200mn to date, from investors including Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures and the Swedish government. Founder Anders Forslund said the strategic move would help the company “focus our resources.” “Our customers, partners, and investors are increasingly based in the US,” said Forslund. “By consolidating our operations in Los Angeles, we can accelerate development, strengthen collaboration, and better position Heart Aerospace for the future.”  Signs of the move had been building for a while. In May 2024, Heart opened an R&D hub in Los Angeles. Last year, the company also chose the US to conduct its first test flight and secured a $4.1mn contract from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Heart Aerospace has already secured 250 orders and 191 letters of intent for the ES-30 from the likes of US carriers United Airlines and Mesa Airlines. Heart has also received letters of intent from Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Sweden’s Braathens Regional Airlines, and Icelandair for a total of 96 aircraft. While Heart is flying across the pond, Zander said the move doesn’t change the “fundamental partnerships” the company has built across Europe.  “Our Scandinavian investors and suppliers remain valued collaborators, and we continue to engage with them as we advance our technology,” she said. “The shift to the US is a strategic move to support prototype development, but our European relationships remain a vital part of Heart Aerospace’s broader ecosystem.” The problems — and solutions — of scaling tech businesses in Europe will be a hot topic TNW Conference. The event takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

Unprecedented power cuts swept across Portugal, Spain, and parts of France on Monday — instantly unravelling the tech-dependent lives of me and tens of millions of others.  At first, I wasn’t worried. Then the owner of my Lisbon apartment forwarded me a link: an article in The Sun newspaper titled “Spain & Portugal hit by huge power cuts…” I tried to open it, but the page wouldn’t load. After a few minutes of backup power, the mobile networks were dead. I walked down to my local café, hoping to get some more information. “We have no idea what’s going on — nothing is working,” the owner told me, gesturing to her dead till. She was only serving sandwiches and drinks, and like every other shop, could only accept cash. One of the shop’s customers approached me. “They’re saying it might be a Russian cyberattack,” he said, looking remarkably laid back. “Think of it as a free holiday,” he laughed.  I wasn’t laughing. I had no physical cash on me. That meant I couldn’t buy food, and without electricity, I couldn’t cook what I had in the fridge. I also know water networks rely on electric pumps. Plus, I had three young kids at home wondering whether Dad would ever fix the TV.   The 2025 Agenda Trying to keep calm and cool in the 30-degree heat, I left the store searching for an ATM. The first one was completely dead. The next had power, but only let me check my balance. Cash machines need internet to connect to banking servers and authorise withdrawals — without it, they’re just glowing boxes of false hope. “I took the train to Lisbon this morning, but now I can’t get home,” said a man in his 30s who was also trying to withdraw cash to take a taxi. We chatted for a few minutes, speculating on the potential causes of the blackout. “I heard on the radio that it might be something to do with the weather,” he said, referencing a now-debunked claim that the outage was caused by “induced atmospheric vibration” from extreme temperature or pressure shifts disturbing power lines. I wondered whether this was a technical fault or something more malicious.  I walked on in search of more concrete information. Eventually, I found it at the local hospital, the only place I could find with electricity and WiFi, thanks to its backup diesel generators. Scanning the headlines, I was met with some good news. Officials said there was no sign of a cyberattack. Despite all my Hollywood-fuelled fears, Europe wasn’t being invaded and there was definitely no zombie apocalypse.  The bad news, however, was that no one had any idea when power would be restored. Some sources said a few hours. Others said a week, maybe longer. I headed home empty-handed and with few assurances — and no way to fix the TV. As the sun set, I was worried. “Now I get why people build doomsday bunkers,” I said to my wife.  Offline and unprepared The blackout of April 28 was the largest in European history. Over 60 million people were left without power. Mobile networks were knocked out. Card machines and ATMs went dark. Airports closed, trains were left stranded on the tracks, and with the traffic light disabled, congestion piled up. Some people were trapped in elevators and underground metro systems for hours. In Spain, at least five people are thought to have died due to the incident.     In a matter of minutes, modern European life, so dependent on electricity, data, and instant connectivity, ground to a halt. While power was restored to most of Spain and Portugal by midnight on Monday, the incident has raised serious questions about Europe’s infrastructure, security, and resilience. For me, it’s also sparked a more personal reckoning with my tech dependence, and just how unprepared I am for when the systems I rely on go dark. I’ve always seen myself as pretty self-reliant. I grew up in South Africa, where (planned) blackouts were part of life and unpredictability came baked into the day. I used to camp, forage, and cook meals over open fires. I like making things with my hands. I thought I had a good handle on surviving without the grid. But like most, especially in the west, I’ve become deeply tethered to technology. When the blackout hit, all those systems collapsed — and so did the illusion of my independence. My fridge was full, but I couldn’t cook. My phone had a charge, but no signal. My apps were blind. My digital wallet might as well have been Monopoly money.   It wasn’t just the gadgets that failed — it was the mental safety net they’d built. No news, no way to contact family, no idea how big the outage was. I realised I’d outsourced most of my decision-making to invisible infrastructures.  The kids were calm, oblivious to the potential risks. We played board games by candlelight and watched the sun set over a city lit only by headlights and moonlight. But in my head, I was calculating: how long would the tap water run? Did we have enough food that didn’t need cooking? What if this lasted longer? What if it happened again? The blackout only lasted a day. But the aftershocks — at least for me — haven’t stopped. I’m now thinking about storing cash at home, keeping extra water, buying a gas stove, and a radio. Maybe even moving to the countryside where I could grow my own food. The blackout was a wake-up call. Not to prep for the end of the world, but to reckon with just how much I’d handed over to systems I don’t control — and barely understand.  Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

Last year, NN Group and Rubio Impact Ventures launched the NN Social Innovation Startup Award providing grants and mentoring to startups to tackle mental, physical, and financial well-being challenges with tech-backed solutions. Over 360 startups applied. Based on the success of the first edition, NN Group and Rubio Impact Ventures will be hosting a second edition of the NN Social Innovation Startup Award at TNW2025 on June 19, 2025 in Amsterdam. The winning startups will receive a grant and year-long coaching opportunities—with tailored resources, networking, and support (Psst the application deadline is April 30th, so apply now!). Bringing our world together with tech-driven social impact “I truly believe that social innovation could be our new strategic asset,” explains Tamara Obradov, partner at Rubio Impact Ventures and one of the program’s architects. “It’s a critical pillar alongside the green and digital transitions. We first had the digital transition, then the green transition and now, to bring this polarized-world together, we need the social innovators and system shapers.” Over the last decade, climate-tech solutions have received attention from VCs thanks to the Green Deal and national efforts to curb climate change by providing incentives and drivers for change. Alongside this, grew the realization that sustainability is not only good for the planet but also good for business, providing cost-saving alternatives. However, social impact solutions have not received the same level of attention from VCs. REGISTER “People often associate impact with climate,” says Obradov. “But rarely do we talk about how we help people transition toward the future. That’s where social innovation comes in. We need to invest in climate and food systems—but we also need to help society adapt.” Today, it’s estimated that more than 84 million people in the EU are struggling with mental health problems. Many businesses received a wake-up call during the pandemic which fostered the rise in mental health-focused apps but, the number of people suffering from mental health issues is increasing and, not just amongst workers, but youth and the elderly as well. Lonneke Roza, Head of Community Investment at NN Group, believes: “If we were to focus on building a world where technology helps underserved communities gain access to technological solutions that can provide life-changing physical, mental, and financial support, we could not only unlock potential for individuals but society as a whole.” Ensuring everyone is heard Assistive technology company Whispp was one of the three grant winners from the first edition of the NN Social Innovation Startup Award. CEO Joris Casterman’s drive to found the company was rooted in the challenges he faced growing up with a severe stutter. With Whispp, he developed an assistive voice call app that uses AI to convert whispered speech and vocal cord impaired speech. Participating in the award was a game-changer helping Castermans meet more like-minded VCs and benefit from a year of coaching opportunities. “I met a lot of impact investors, in addition to Rubio, who I’m still in contact with. What you see is that, along with questions about your revenue and growth model, you also get questions about how you measure your impact.” This made it clear to Castermans that, for these VCs, impact was just as important as profit. In addition to more funding opportunities, the coaching his team received was invaluable. “We had great sparring sessions on our strategy and even worked with a coach to develop our management team’s collaboration and leadership goals,” Castermans says. “We couldn’t have done that on our own—it helped us professionalize and prepare for our next phase.” This year, Whispp is set to launch two powerful new features: A virtual microphone for video conferencing, enabling people with voice impairments to be heard clearly in online meetings; A live conversation mode designed to work in noisy or crowded environments—facilitating spontaneous, in-person communication. These tools will ensure everyone’s ideas are heard. Everyone can be part of special moments with their loved ones. And everyone’s voice is heard. It’s a powerful example of how technology can create life-changing impact. Inspired by the community he’s found through the NN Social Innovation Startup Award, Castermans sees even greater potential on the horizon. “There are several really interesting accessibility companies. We could build an accessibility subgroup or coalition. This could also become a source for the world to find cool and innovative solutions in the assistive technology domain. The risk of being a startup is that you often do your own thing. But there are so many instances in which you should collaborate and team up!” A chance for VCs and corporates to scale impact Last year, a fundraising wall and booklet were created exhibiting the top 100 impact startups that took part. It was made to be easily accessible allowing VCs to sort startups by theme, country, phase, etc. “Any investor that wants to participate is more than welcome to reach out to us,” Obradov says. And for corporates? While many have the vision and the resources to drive social innovation, what they often lack is access to startups. But together, corporates and VCs can build a powerful initiative. “NN Group’s partnership with Rubio is a great example. Each brings their strength—corporates with their themes and reach, VCs with their innovation pipeline. I would like to invite more corporates to join up with venture capital firms and see how they can support innovation at scale.” Putting the social back in social impact Our biggest social challenges won’t be solved by one startup, one investor, or one institution. It requires collective effort. “I absolutely believe this could be what brings this fractured world together. And these innovators could be these agents of unity for people and society to transition to a new future,” says Obradov. Ready to be part of the future of impact innovation? Startups: Apply to be part of the NN Social Impact Innovation Award by April 30, 2025! Investors & Corporates: Join the movement and connect with Europe’s leading social innovators Story by Andrea Hak Andrea Hak is a writer and editor specialising in emerging technology trends and their impact on society. With a keen eye for innovation, sh (show all) Andrea Hak is a writer and editor specialising in emerging technology trends and their impact on society. With a keen eye for innovation, she explores how advancements in tech are transforming industries, influencing culture, and shaping the future. Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Content provided by TNW, NN Group, and Rubio Impact Ventures Also tagged with

A Tinder Swindler survivor has launched a tool to fight the scams that upended her life.  Pernilla Sjöholm, who starred in Netflix’s hit documentary The Tinder Swindler, cofounded the platform — called IDfier — alongside computer scientist Suejb Memeti.  Released globally today, IDfier provides a human-to-human identity verification system. The platform promises a simple yet secure way to check who you’re interacting with. Users verify themselves by first scanning their passport, driver’s license, or ID card with their phone camera. If the document has an NFC (near-field communication), IDfier will also scan the chip for additional security. The user then completes a quick head movement to prove they’re a real person — rather than a photo, video, or deepfake. The 2025 Agenda Once verified, they can send other people a request to do the same. Both of them can then choose which information to share, from their name and age to their contact number. All their data is encrypted and stored across disparate servers. IDfier was built to blend this security with precision. According to the platform, the tech is 99.9% accurate in detecting real users and blocking impersonation attempts.  The team envisions the system securing endless online services, from e-commerce and email to social media and, of course, dating apps such as Tinder. Sjöholm (pronounced “Shuh-holm”) matched with conman Simon Leviev there in 2018. Posing as the jet-setting son of a wealthy diamond merchant, Leviev cultivated a close friendship with Sjöholm. They took lavish trips together across Europe, enjoying extravagant experiences. He claimed they were funded by his family’s fortune, but they were actually financed by other women scammed. Months after matching, Leviev said that “enemies” had placed life in danger — and he desperately needed cash. Sjöholm, a former sales worker from Sweden, was ultimately swindled out of tens of thousands of euros, leaving her bankrupt. TNW travelled to her hometown of Stockholm to hear her story — and her plans for IDfier. From the Tinder Swindler to IDfier On a sunny afternoon in a canal-side cafe, Sjöholm told TNW that she lost even more emotionally than she did financially. “In my eyes, it shouldn’t just be viewed as a fraud or a scam; it should be viewed as emotional abuse towards a victim,” she said. “When you experience fraud, you feel very embarrassed, you feel a lot of shame, and there’s so much hatred towards victims. I think people try to make themselves feel better by thinking that it doesn’t happen to smart people and wouldn’t happen to them. Actually, someone who says that is more likely to become a target.” The Tinder Swindler brought her experience of fraud to a global audience. Released in 2022, the show became Netflix’s most-watched documentary of all time. Sjöholm used her new-found fame to advocate for fraud awareness and financial security. She has since married and had twins, which led her to reflect on her line of work. Over time, she became frustrated by the limitations of solely supporting people after they had been scammed.  She also grew alarmed by the rapid advances in deepfakes. “We don’t even know if we’re interacting with a human today,” she said. “Before, it was more common to take someone else’s identity. Now, it’s more common to use synthetic identities. It’s so so easy today.” As Sjöholm explored new proactive directions, she was contacted by Memeti, a senior lecturer at Sweden’s Blekinge Institute of Technology. He asked if she would be interested in a solution that was preventative rather than reactive. Sjöholm believed the concept could have prevented her own entrapment. “What tool did I have to really check his identity? I didn’t have one,” she said. “I could have one now.” Sjöholm will discuss the future of fraud at TNW Conference in June. Credit: Kalle Sund Hellman The business case Sjöholm agreed to join the company as co-founder and COO, with Memeti taking the role of CEO. The duo has also received financial support from VC firms Visive Invest and Almi Invest. The latter is ultimately owned by the Swedish government, giving IDfier a powerful endorsement. To monetise the product, the platform has been made available as a subscription service on the App Store and Google Play. Prices start at $2 a month, with discounts for annual subscriptions and multi-user accounts, including a family plan starting at $7 a month for up to five people. The price point aims  to tap into a potentially enormous market. The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) estimates that scams cost consumers over $1 trillion each year — a figure that exceeds the GDP of most nations. Most of them involve fake identities or information, yet there’s currently no universally accepted form of consumer digital ID verification. “Fifty-to-sixty percent of scams involve fake identities,” Sjöholm said. “What if we could bring that down to 5%? We could have an enormous impact on the world economy.” Identity fraud also has deep social impacts. Suicidal ideation is alarmingly common — and the perpetrators can be victims as well. Law enforcement agencies have discovered a growing number of people being trafficked and forced to commit identity fraud. “If we could target the scammers in this way and not make it such a profitable industry, we would literally save lives,” Sjöholm said. Often, the targets of the scams are young people. In the long term, Sjöholm wants to give them IDfier for free.  The future of identity fraud prevention Sjöholm’s plan partly stems from her experience giving talks in schools. She recalls one in which she asked the students how many of them interacted with strangers online. “Ninety-five percent of these kids raised their hands,” she said. “And you could just see the teacher’s face drop. It’s a really scary situation.” Sjöholm is also campaigning for changes to EU laws. “I want it to be illegal to have a fake identity — to pretend to be someone else. Why is that even legal? If you create a different type of persona, that should be a separate criminal case itself.” At TNW Conference on June 19, Sjöholm will share more of her views on the future of scams and fraud prevention in a talk with the CTO of Monzo and the head of AI at Rabobank. The event brings her back to Amsterdam — the city where she first encountered the Tinder Swindler in person. “It’s where I met my fraudster for the first time in real life,” she said. “For me to return with a new power… that makes it a special place to come back to.” If you want to watch Pernilla’s talk or anything else on the packed agenda for TNW Conference, we have a special offer for you: use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off your ticket. Story by Thomas Macaulay Managing editor Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he e (show all) Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse). Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

The European Space Agency (ESA) has blasted its Biomass satellite into space aboard a Vega-C rocket. The launch took place at 11:15 (CEST) today from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.  Now in orbit, the first-of-its-kind satellite will deploy a radar antenna that looks like a giant space umbrella. Developed by US defence contractor L3 Harris, the antenna is so intricate that it will take nine days to unfold in orbit. The umbrella’s job is to direct radar pulses from a P-band radar instrument mounted on the satellite’s body down to the forests below. This type of radar uses long wavelengths that can slice through thick canopies to reach the woody structures underneath, where most of a forest’s carbon is stored. Built by Airbus, it’s the first P-band radar ever launched into space. When the radar signals hit Earth’s surface, they bounce back. The umbrella-shaped antenna catches the returning signals and redirects them to the satellite. From there, the onboard systems process the data to create detailed 3D maps of global biomass. Think of it as an MRI scan — but for forests. By revealing the structure of the world’s biomass — comprising a complex mesh of leaves, stems, branches, and trunks — the probe aims to capture the most detailed measurements of forest carbon ever recorded from space. That could be a game-changer for climate science.  Forests — often called the planet’s “green lungs” — pull around 8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere every year. But when trees are cut down or damaged, they release that stored carbon back into the air, accelerating climate change. Tracking how carbon moves in and out of forests is critical to help scientists understand and predict the future of our climate.  The satellite is designed to estimate biomass, height, and carbon content with unmatched precision. That could help scientists better monitor deforestation and forest growth while revealing the role of biomass in the carbon cycle. Beyond forests, the probe can also map subsurface geology in deserts, ice sheet structures, and forest floor topography, offering a new perspective on Earth’s ecosystems.  Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Dutch neobank Bunq today launched a crypto trading service for over 300 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. The service launches today and is available to Bunq users in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium. It’s offered via Kraken, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.   Bunq plans to “gradually expand” the offering to the rest of the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, and the US.  “Our users across the world have long waited for a simple, safe, and straightforward way to invest in digital assets,” said Ali Niknam, the bank’s founder and CEO.  Niknam — who will reveal his growth strategy at TNW Conference on June 20 — founded Bunq in 2012. The Dutch unicorn company has grown to become Europe’s second-largest neobank, with over 17 million registered users, behind only Revolut’s 50 million users. The 2025 Agenda The launch of its first crypto offering follows a period of strong growth for Bunq. The company reported €85.3mn in profits for 2024, marking its second consecutive year of profitability and a 65% jump from the previous year. It has also recently applied for banking licences in the UK and the US. With its expansion into crypto trading, however, Bunq is entering a crowded market. The platform will compete with heavyweights, including Revolut — the continent’s leading neobank and most valuable fintech. Revolut has been offering crypto trading since 2017, allowing users to buy, hold, and exchange digital assets within its app.  Neobanks typically make money off crypto by charging transaction fees on trades or conversions. While the crypto market has been notoriously volatile in recent years, it’s widely predicted to grow substantially over the next decade. If you want to watch Ali Niknam’s talk or anything else on the packed agenda for TNW Conference, we have a special offer for you. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off your ticket. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

Poland is set to power up its first full-stack quantum computer this year, following a deal with Helsinki-based startup IQM. IQM, Europe’s best-funded quantum hardware company, will install the machine at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology (WUST) in Poland.  Named “Spark,” the device is a superconducting quantum computer. This means that it uses superconducting circuits to create and manipulate quantum bits or “qubits” on quantum processors. Machines like Spark can only function at temperatures near absolute zero, making them some of the coldest places in the known universe.  “This is the first quantum computer in our country and Eastern Europe using low-temperature superconducting qubit technology,” said Professor Wojciech Bożejko, head of WUST’s faculty of ICT.  Researchers at WUST will use Spark for computer science research. “The system will offer students in Poland direct access to the actual quantum computer for practical programming in quantum computing,” said Bożejko. “Our goal is to conduct research and educate IT specialists.” The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!Getting scientists quantum-ready Spark only has 5-qubits — the lower end of the scale — and doesn’t have the computing power to outperform classical computers. However, it still provides an important testbed to familiarise researchers with quantum mechanics and prepare them for quantum utility. That’s the point at which quantum computers provide practical advantages over classical computers in solving specific real-world problems. IQM — whose CEO is speaking at TNW Conference on June 19 — is targeting quantum utility as early as next year, through some much larger machines with many more qubits than Spark. It’s also developed an entire business based around getting scientists and corporations ready for quantum utility right now. Founded in 2018, IQM has raised $210mn to date, making it Europe’s second best-funded quantum computing company after Quantinuum. According to Bloomberg, the startup is also in talks to raise over $200mn in fresh capital, which would bring its total funding to over $400mn. Located in Finland’s thriving quantum startup ecosystem, IQM has built over 30 full-stack quantum computers to date at its facility in Espoo, west of the capital, Helsinki. This site also houses Europe’s only private quantum chip factory.   If you want to catch the talk from IQM CEO and co-founder Jan Goetz at TNW Conference — or anything else on the packed agenda — we have a special offer for TNW readers. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off your ticket. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

Researchers at Toshiba Europe have used quantum key distribution (QKD) cryptography to send messages a record 254km using a traditional fibre optic cable network. It’s the first time scientists have achieved a coherent quantum communication using existing telecomms infrastructure. The breakthrough marks a step closer to ultra-secure quantum encryption, which could fend off hacks from even the most advanced classical and quantum computers of the future.   QKD is a form of communication that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to securely share encryption keys between two parties. It transmits information in the form of light. These photons carry qubits, the basic units of quantum information.  Crucially, it is impossible to “listen in” on a quantum message without disturbing the quantum states. It would instantly alert both parties to eavesdropping. This makes the technology “untappable.” Quantum communication typically relies on expensive lasers and cryogenic cooling equipment. The researchers, however, were able to send quantum messages via fibre optic cable, potentially bringing the technology closer to practical applications in telecoms.    The 2025 Agenda In the test, conducted last year, the team established a quantum communications network spanning 254km of existing commercial optical fibre in Germany. The network connected telecom data centres in Frankfurt and Kehl via a relay node in Kirchfeld.  The system managed to send quantum messages twice the distance of the record set in previous QKD research, without cryogenic cooling. While the data transmission was slow — 110 bits per second — it still represents an important stepping stone. The findings were published in Nature this week. “This work opens the door to practical quantum networks without needing exotic hardware,” Mirko Pittaluga, one of the paper’s lead authors, told IEEE Spectrum. “It lowers the entry barrier for industry adoption.”  Today, confidential information is transmitted online using encryption keys that would take classical computers an impractically long time to break. Quantum computers, however, are a different story.  By exploiting quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement, quantum computers can process many more possibilities at once. As these machines get more powerful, they could potentially hack the most secure classical encryptions in a matter of minutes. They could also break all internet encryption on what is known as Q-Day. No wonder global governments are scrambling to develop their own quantum cryptography infrastructure.  The Next in Tech is one of three key themes at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

As our favourite Dutch holiday approaches, TNW is celebrating the tech titans shaping the future in the Netherlands. Our beloved home country is the proud parent of a prodigious brood of digital talent. It’s given birth to cultivated meat, raised Booking.com to become the world’s largest online travel agency, and watched with joy as ASML grew into Europe’s most valuable tech company. The family also includes a gifted group of startups and scaleups. In recent years, economic headwinds, geopolitical turbulence, and questionable government policies have blown some of their progress off course, but Dutch tech continues to punch well above its weight. Just last month, the Netherlands ranked 10th in a global index of tech competitiveness — ahead of every G7 country. The country also boasts an illustrious list of tech luminaries. Many of them will be at TNW Conference — and so could you. In our spirit of patriotism (and, perhaps, a bit of Dutch courage), we’re offering a ludicrously generous discount on tickets to mark Koningsdag — aka King’s Day, an orange-infused celebration of the monarch’s birthday. The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! You can find all the details on the offer at the bottom of this article. But first, we want to introduce you to eight Dutch tech leaders who will grace the stages of TNW Conference on June 19 and 20. 1. Peter Wennink A legend of Dutch tech, Peter Wennink led chip giant ASML to become the most valuable tech firm in Europe. Over his 25-year career at the Veldhoven-based business — including over a decade as CEO — ASML earned acclaim as the world’s only supplier and producer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines. These systems are essential for manufacturing the world’s most advanced chips. They’ve become a crucial force behind countless innovations, from iPhones and MacBooks to autonomous vehicles and Nvidia GPUs. On the TNW stage, Wennink will speak in an exclusive session titled “Gods of Industry: The Battle for Deep Tech Dominance.” He’ll be joined by Young Sohn, the founding managing partner of Walden Catalyst Ventures, a VC fund dedicated to deep tech. The duo will give a glimpse into a future that is hard for most of us to even imagine. “It’s difficult for mankind to foresee the impact of exponentiality because it often yields something seemingly impossible,” Wennink told TNW. “But that’s exactly what science and deep tech will create, making the impossible possible.” 2. Vidya Peters As the CEO of Dutch unicorn DataSnipper, Vidya Peters has overseen the scaleup’s rise to become the fastest-growing tech company in the Netherlands for two years. Under her leadership, DataSnipper has become a global force in audit and finance automation. Over 500,000 professionals across more than 125 countries now use its software. After honing her expertise in Silicon Valley, Peters has also become a powerful advocate for European tech. Rather than merely mimicking US tech, she urges startups and scaleups to embrace the continent’s strengths. A key one is sustainable, long-term growth. “Five years ago, it wasn’t very fashionable to be profitable,” Peters told TNW. “But I think this is where the European sensibility is a strength, because European companies have always taken this approach, and now it’s hugely valued in the current economic climate.” Peters has also guided DataSnipper’s adoption of artificial intelligence. At TNW Conference, she’ll share her learnings in a session titled “AI’s Big Glow-Up: Generating Ideas, Innovation, and Impact.” Vidya Peters, the CEO of DataSnipper, flanked by the company’s three founders. Credit: DataSnipper 3. Daan Klein Douwel Joining Peters in her session will be Daan Klein Douwel, the head of data and AI at one of the biggest companies in the Netherlands: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Klein Douwel drives the company’s efforts to leverage the power of AI and data. KLM has applied these technologies to numerous applications, from automating responses to customer enquiries to predicting hand luggage amounts and cutting food waste. Klein Douwel will take the TNW stage to share practical insights on deploying AI. 4. Robert Doornbos In Max Verstappen, the Netherlands boasts the reigning four-time Formula 1 World Champion. In Robert Doornbos, TNW boasts one of the drivers who paved the path for Verstappen’s rise. A former F1 and Indycar driver, Doornbos was a driver for Jordan and Red Bull Racing — Max Verstappen’s team. He was also Minardi’s last-ever race driver. Today, he’s a renowned F1 analyst. His career in motorsports has given him unique insights into vehicle technology. He’ll join TNW Conference to explore the future of mobility in a talk titled “The Road Ahead: Driving Innovation and Sustainability.” 5. Jacqueline van den Ende Jacqueline van den Ende is playing a powerful role in fostering impactful companies. She’s the co-founder and CEO of Carbon Equity, an investment platform that unlocks private capital to solve one of the world’s greatest challenges: climate change. Earlier this month, the platform announced that it had raised €105mn for its Climate Tech Portfolio Fund III. “Despite the current geopolitical uncertainty, we have raised over €100mn within a year for innovative climate solutions. I’m proud of that,” van den Ende said.  “It also confirms that the momentum for investing in climate technology continues. The energy transition is already in full swing — not driven by idealism, but simply because sustainable solutions are economically smarter.” She’ll explore the challenges and opportunities for venture capital in a conference session titled “Off with Their Heads: Death to the VC & Building Smarter Investment Models.” 6. Marc Wesselink Joining van den Ende in her session will be Marc Wesselink, the co-founder of Venturerock, an all-in-one investment and venture-building platform. A serial entrepreneur, Wesselink has launched 12 companies. He’s also failed with four, gaining valuable insights about the startup world. In addition to his role at Venturerock, Wesselink is a founding partner at Startupbootcamp, responsible for its alumni portfolio. He’s now using those experiences to build a new way to fund global startups and scaleups. Wesselink will take the stage at TNW Conference to explain how Europe can challenge the old-school VC playbook and explore alternative funding models. 7. Jeroen van Glabbeek As the CEO and founder of CM.com, Jeroen van Glabbeek has built a global leader in cloud software for conversational commerce. Van Glabbeek has an ambitious goal: to create the world’s best platform for mobile messaging, payments, voice, apps, and security. His company recently introduced the next step of this mission: HALO — an agentic AI tool for automating business tasks, boosting productivity, and scaling businesses. He’ll speak at TNW Conference in a session titled “Death of the Unicorn: Can Europe Learn to Love Rapid Growth?” The discussion will highlight real-world success stories that prove scaling within Europe is possible — and what’s holding the continent back. Van Glabbeek will also be joining the Assembly — an exclusive, invite-only gathering of policymakers and business leaders at TNW Conference. 8. Monika Tomczak-Gorlikowska Monika Tomczak-Gorlikowska is one of Europe’s leading experts on data privacy. A licensed attorney who practised data privacy law for over 20 years, Tomczak-Gorlikowska has served as a legal counsel for the EU and Shell. She’s now the Chief Privacy Officer at Prosus Group — a global consumer internet group and one of the largest technology investors in the world.  She’ll join TNW Conference for a session titled “Innovation at Scale: The Future of Global Enterprise.” Alongside Shez Partovi, the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at Philips, she’ll share actionable strategies to drive sustainable growth, adapt to emerging trends, and thrive in a competitive marketplace. To find out more about TNW Conference, check out our full speaker list, agenda, tickets page, and media hub.  Still here? Then you’ve earned yourself a big discount on tickets to TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19 and 20 in Amsterdam. Use the code ORANJEBOVEN at the checkout to get 40% off your pass. Story by Thomas Macaulay Managing editor Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he e (show all) Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse). Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

Five standout scaleups from Southern Europe have reached the finals of TECH5 — the “Champions League of Technology.” They’ll now face off with rivals from across Europe to be crowned the continent’s hottest scaleup. Southern Europe’s digital scene is still maturing — but growth is accelerating. Deep talent pools and academic strength are now backed by rising support from investors and policymakers. These developments have strengthened the foundations for building scaleups. Our contingent from Southern Europe was scouted from seven countries: Andorra, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain. Each of them experienced substantial growth in their tech sectors last year.  Spain’s sector was projected to grow by 5.8%, Andorra’s by 12%, and Malta’s by 18%. Portugal, meanwhile, saw its startup ecosystem expand by 16%, with deals up 24% and investment skyrocketing by 148%. The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!In Cyprus, a tech boom boosted the economy by €7bn, while Greece’s startups attracted over €555mn in investment — 15% more than in the previous year.  Across the region, scaleups are now emerging in growing numbers. Yet only five of them could make it into TECH5. After analysing their growth, impact, and future potential, our judges selected a first-rate quintet. In no particular order, here they are. 1. Multiverse Computing Spain’s Multiverse Computing blends two of today’s hottest technologies: AI and quantum computing. The scaleup applies quantum and quantum-inspired AI to solve complex problems across industries. Founded in 2019, it first gained attention with Singularity, a platform applying quantum algorithms to numerous optimisation and AI challenges, such as managing electricity grids and investment portfolios. More recently, the company has been tackling the huge energy demands of AI. Its solution, CompactifAI, delivers compressed versions of leading LLMs. Last month, the scaleup announced an 80% compression of two Meta Llama models with minimal precision loss. “Multiverse Computing aims to be the global leader offering compressed AI models for industries to benefit from cost and energy-efficient AI,” Multiverse Computing told TNW. Investors are backing the vision. In an oversubscribed round last year, the company raised €25mn and tripled its valuation to €100mn. More funding followed, including €67mn from the Spanish government. President Pedro Sánchez praised Multiverse Computing as a successful use of EU funds. 2. 1000farmacie One of three Italian scaleups in TECH5, 1000Farmacie is the country’s leading e-pharmacy. Through a network of independent pharmacies, the scaleup offers a diverse range of health and wellbeing products. The platform supports customers throughout the purchasing process, from finding the best prices to providing consultations and delivering over 100,000 products. Founded in 2020, the Milan-based business brings pharmacies online with minimal effort, enabling them to quickly sell their products. Last year, the company took second place in the Sifted 50: Southern Europe Leaderboard — a ranking of the top 50 startups in the region with the strongest revenue growth over the past three financial years — after hitting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 333.10%. “Our ambition at 1000Farmacie is to revolutionise healthcare access in Italy by making it more convenient and patient-centric,” the company told TNW. “We believe technology can bridge gaps and improve lives.” 3. Coverflex Portugal’s Coverflex wants to improve how companies compensate their people. The Braga-based scaleup offers an all-in-one platform for managing every employee benefit, from expenses and insurance to meal allowances and childcare. By simplifying the process, the system can increase retention, boost productivity, and cut admin costs. Companies can customise the benefits they offer, while employees manage everything through one card and app.  Founded in 2019, Coverflex has worked with over 11,000, including Revolut, Volvo, and Santander. According to the scaleup, clients save an average of €1,000 per employee. The company has raised over €20mn, including €15mn in Series A funding in 2023. CEO Miguel Amaro said the round confirmed that “our focus on adapting human resources processes to the current demand for a more personalised compensation experience is more than relevant today.” 4. Smartness Italy’s Smartness aims to turn hotels, B&Bs, and rentals into “revenue powerhouses.” The company provides a suite of tools to boost earnings, including market analysis and guest communication. Its standout feature is dynamic pricing, which algorithmically adjusts rates in real time based on market trends. To calculate optimal prices, Smartness analyses thousands of data points, including booking history, market trends, and future demand. The algorithm then establishes the best pricing strategy. Rates are synchronised across sales channels, ensuring consistent pricing without manual updates. The result is faster, smarter pricing to fuel growth. Founded in 2020, the company was known as Smartpricing before rebranding as Smartness in 2024. That year, it surpassed 4,000 clients in 41 countries, raised over €15mn, and grew to a team of 100. 5. Up2You Milan-based Up2You provides tailor-made sustainability solutions for companies. Founded in 2020, the scaleup has built a platform that helps organisations reduce their carbon emissions. Businesses are guided through the full sustainability journey, from analysis and planning to training and communication. Tools include CliMax for emissions management, Choral for data collection and sustainability reporting, and PlaNet for training and staff engagement. UP2You also supports clients in achieving global sustainability certifications, including B Corp, ISO, and Ecovadis. The company frames sustainability as both an ethical imperative and a competitive edge. Over 450 companies have joined its platform, including Italian bank Banco Azzoaglio. “The calculation of our carbon footprint generated unexpected results in terms of collaboration and enthusiasm,” said bank president Erica Azzoaglio. “It significantly boosted internal awareness of sustainability issues and will shape our strategic objectives.” What’s next for the scaleups from Southern Europe? The Southern European scaleups will compete for the TECH5 title with rivals from six other regions. At TNW Conference in June, we’ll crown the grand champion as Europe’s hottest scaleup.  The challengers from France, Benelux, the Nordics, and DACH have also all been chosen. Contenders from two more European regions will be announced in the next fortnight.  Next week, we reveal the finalists from the next region to enter the tournament: the Baltics. TECH5 is part of a packed programme for TNW Conference, taking place on June 19 and 20 in Amsterdam. Tickets are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout for 30% off. Story by Thomas Macaulay Managing editor Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he e (show all) Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse). Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

In the global race to become the next big tech hotspot, many countries pour billions into nurturing homegrown talent, courting VCs, and crafting startup-friendly policies. While some struggle to gain momentum, others seem to leap forward—fast. So, what sets apart these rapid risers? What’s the secret to ecosystem transformation? Look no further than Bulgaria—a country that’s quietly but confidently building one of Europe’s most exciting tech stories. The key ingredients For years, Bulgaria has been a magnet for global tech firms thanks to its flat 10% tax rate, highly skilled workforce, and cost efficiency. Industry giants like SAP, Microsoft, Oracle, and VMware have long operated sizable IT hubs in the country, capitalizing on Bulgaria’s deep technical talent pool. The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!It also leads Europe in one particularly important metric: women in tech. Nearly 29% of ICT roles in Bulgaria are held by women—almost double the EU average—broadening the country’s available talent base and setting a powerful example for inclusivity in the sector. In 2019/2020, fDi Intelligence ranked Sofia the world’s most cost-effective city for fintech—putting Bulgaria firmly on the radar of global investors. However, in the last few years, new initiatives have aimed at boosting the country’s homegrown tech companies. From Telerik to Bulgaria’s first homegrown unicorn One of Bulgaria’s first big successes was Telerik, a software company producing tools for developers. Although it was acquired by Progress for $262.5 million in 2014, before it could reach unicorn status, this success created a springboard for a slew of new companies. In 2022, the country welcomed its first homegrown unicorn Payhawk, a spend management platform. According to StartupBlink’s 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, the country now ranks 37th worldwide for startup creation—a promising climb. Bulgarian startups attracted over €264 million in investments in 2023, marking a fourfold increase compared to five years prior—a clear signal that international and regional confidence in the ecosystem is rapidly rising. Investment into emerging technologies in particular has been significant. According to The Recursive’s State of AI Innovation in CEE report, over €1 billion was invested in Bulgarian and Bulgarian-founded deep tech and AI startups from 2018 – 2023. “Founders here are more mature now in how they think about business,” says Peter Tsatchev, Principal at VC firm LAUNCHub Ventures. “What we’re seeing is a generation of entrepreneurs building with a global mindset from day one. They’re creating products that can compete with startups out of London or New York. There is a trend that a lot of young folks from the region study abroad and then come back starting with the mindset of building a global company.” Tsatchev says access to capital is no longer the main challenge. Bulgaria has 15 VC firms managing around €500 million in assets, the next step is getting more people into the founder pipeline. “What we need are more success stories. When people see someone from their network build a global company, it becomes real. That ripple effect—along with education [in entrepreneurship] and awareness—is how we’ll see the next wave of startups emerge.” The secret sauce: The #BreakingGrounds initiative However, homegrown success stories alone weren’t enough to put Bulgaria on the global tech map. What the country truly needed was a bold rebrand—one that would reposition it not just as a hub for outsourcing, but as a serious contender for deep tech innovation. “The biggest challenge was lack of visibility a nd recognition,” explains Boyko Takov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Agency (BSMEPA). “Despite having strong tech talent and success stories, many still saw the country as outsourcing hub rather than as a place for high-growth startups.” Boyko Takov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) In his view, state involvement is an essential part of building a globally competitive tech ecosystem. “Without institutional backing, scaling an ecosystem internationally is nearly impossible. Public-private collaboration allows for consistent investment in visibility, structured support for startups, and positioning on the global stage. Governments must act as enablers, not just funders.” BSMEPA has been playing a strategic role in orchestrating ecosystem-wide efforts—coordinating stakeholders, securing international exposure, and aligning public and private forces behind a unified vision. In 2023, BSMEPA teamed up with regional tech PR agency, Storytelling Studio, powered by The Recursive to launch #BreakingGrounds—an ambitious initiative to reshape Bulgaria’s international reputation and establish it as a European deep tech leader by 2027. The mission? To elevate Bulgaria’s presence on the global stage by showcasing its top tech talent and startups on Europe’s top tech stages. “2024 was a pivotal year for #BreakingGrounds,” says Teodor Antonio Georgiev, Co-Founder & Head at Storytelling Studio. “Through our delegations at events like Web Summit, Slush, VivaTech, and Bits & Pretzels, we engaged over 350,000 global investors and innovators. More than 100 Bulgarian companies participated—and the initiative helped generate over €16 million in investments and deals.” Teodor Antonio Georgiev, Co-Founder & Head at Storytelling Studio Digital identity regtech startup Evrotrust, raised €3.3M in 2024. Konstantin Bezuhanov, CEO, said, “Being selected to pitch at the opening ceremony of Bits & Pretzels was an extraordinary opportunity for Evrotrust to showcase our innovation to a global audience of investors and industry leaders. This wouldn’t have been possible without the strategic guidance and support from the #BreakingGrounds team, who ensured we were positioned on the right platform at the right time. Their expertise in navigating top tech events and creating high-impact visibility has been instrumental in our strategy for international exposure.” Konstantin Bezuhanov, CEO Evrotrust What’s next for #BreakingGrounds? In 2025, #BreakingGrounds is yet again embarking on a whirlwind tour of tech conferences with the best of the best in Bulgarian tech with visits to ViennaUP, Reflect Festival, GITEX Europe, We Make Future, Bits & Pretzels, How to Web, Slush, Web Summit, and of course, TNW2025! And there’s more on the horizon: a new regional delegation model will debut at ViennaUP, uniting Bulgaria with Hungary, Czechia, Latvia, and Austria under one Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) tech umbrella. “CEE countries are stronger together,” says Georgiev. “When we present the region as a unified tech powerhouse, we attract greater investment, media attention, and corporate interest.” While still early in its journey, Bulgaria is no longer just aspiring—it’s participating. The country’s startup ecosystem is becoming more visible, more networked, and more ambitious in how it presents itself to the world. With public and private actors increasingly aligned, there’s still ground to cover, but the intent—and potential—is clear. “Despite the fact that our political image on a broader level is not always where we want it to be, there is a clear commitment from the people within the government and institutions to support the development of our startup ecosystem. A perfect example of this is that the very first EU Commissioner for Startups in history is Bulgarian — Ekaterina Zaharieva. This sends a strong signal that Bulgaria is becoming a serious player in the European tech landscape,” Georgiev believes. Story by Andrea Hak Andrea Hak is a writer and editor specialising in emerging technology trends and their impact on society. With a keen eye for innovation, sh (show all) Andrea Hak is a writer and editor specialising in emerging technology trends and their impact on society. With a keen eye for innovation, she explores how advancements in tech are transforming industries, influencing culture, and shaping the future. Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Content brought to you by TNW, #BreakingGrounds and the Bulgarian SME Promotion Agency Also tagged with

German defence tech startup ARX Robotics has secured €31mn to ramp up production of its autonomous battlefield robots, which look like mini tanks — minus the guns.  ARX — backed by NATO’s Innovation Fund — will also use the fresh capital to advance its operating system, Mithras OS. The software is designed to modernise existing military vehicles through AI, sensor systems, and autonomous driving capabilities. The company estimates it can retrofit 50,000 NATO vehicles with the tech. The co-founder and CEO of ARX, Marc Wietfeld — who will speak at TNW Conference and the Assembly in June — wants his company to become the European leader in the segment. “The demand for modular, software-driven defence systems is growing rapidly — and we’re building the company that will define this category in Europe”, said Wietfeld. REGISTER Earlier this month, ARX announced plans to invest £45mn into a new UK facility, where it will build its autonomous ground vehicles. The company expects the plant to produce 1,800 war robots each year once up and running. ARX’s machines drive around on treads and can be fitted with equipment such as radar, mine-sweeping devices, or medical stretchers. The largest carries military payloads weighing up to 500kg — including injured soldiers — across the battlefield.  The robots are modular, built using off-the-shelf components made in Europe. They’re designed so soldiers can fix them on the battlefield within minutes, without tools. The vehicles move around autonomously, but military personnel can also control them remotely from a tablet. Rise of defence tech The armed forces of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and the UK have already conducted field tests of ARX’s technology. In February, the company delivered 30 of its war bots to Ukrainian Armed Forces units engaged in active combat. The European Defence Agency (EDA) also recently contracted ARX to participate in the first EU-wide defence innovation initiative. “ARX Robotics has fielded the largest Western UGV fleet to Ukraine and we look forward to continuing to support the company as it expands its reach across NATO nations,” said Chris O’Connor, partner at NATO Innovation Fund. HV Capital was the leading investor in the company’s new Series A funding round. Omnes Capital and existing investors NATO Innovation Fund and Project A also chipped in. ARX’s raise comes amid substantial increases in European defence spending in recent months.  In March 2025, EU leaders endorsed the “ReArm Europe” plan, aiming to mobilise up to £683bn (€800bn) over the next four years to enhance military capabilities. The UK government, meanwhile, has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP and wants to spend at least 10% of its defence budget on “innovative technologies.” If you want to watch Marc Wietfeld’s talk or anything else on the packed agenda for TNW Conference, we have a special offer for you. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off your ticket. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.