Our growing reliance on technology at home and in the workplace has raised the profile of e-waste. This consists of discarded electrical devices including laptops, smartphones, televisions, computer servers, washing machines, medical equipment, games consoles and much more.The amount of e-waste produced this decade could reach as much as 5 million metric tonnes, according to recent research published in Nature. This is around 1,000 times more e-waste than was produced in 2023.According to the study, the boom in artificial intelligence will significantly contribute to this e-waste problem, because AI requires lots of computing power and storage. It will, among other things, lead to more turnover of computer servers used in the data centres that support the extra computational needs of AI systems.This rising tide of e-waste, coupled with the limited lifetimes of hi-tech devices, could affect global sustainability goals.E-waste contain toxic and hazardous substances such as mercury, which can pose serious risks to human health and the environment. E-waste is among the fastest-growing types of solid waste globally: more than 5 billion mobile phones are thrown away each year, according to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment forum.In 2022, e-waste reached a record 62 million tonnes an 82% increase since 2010 and accounted for 70% of total global waste. However, less than 20% is formally recycled.Data centres and transmission networks are responsible for more than 1% of global energy use, and 0.6% of global carbon emissions. According to a recent McKinsey report, by 2030, the power consumption of AI applications in the US will rise from 4% to 12% of the total power demand today.Meeting these demands could require investments exceeding US$500 billion (395 billion) for data centre infrastructure. It is already forcing big tech companies to find novel solutions to satisfy this hunger for energy, such as purchasing electricity from nuclear power providers.The environmental impacts of e-waste are considerable. The toxic chemicals in electronic and electrical hardware can contaminate soil and water. In some parts of the world, e-waste is burned to extract valuable materials, generating air pollution. Even the processes to formally recycle materials pose challenges because of the hazardous materials in waste.Processing e-waste in India.PradeepGaurs / ShutterstockSome factors underlying the rise in e-waste, such as growing energy consumption in data centres, could also hamper efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The rising tide of waste itself could set back progress on sustainability goals, especially those seeking to balance economic development with protecting the environment.Theres particular concern over the effects of e-waste on human health. Discarded devices can contain cancer-causing chemicals such as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Exposure to e-waste has also been linked to low birthweight and reproductive problems in adults. Children are particularly vulnerable, because their development can be affected by toxic substances in the environment.The economic impacts of e-waste are also significant. The costs of cleaning it up will rise, and because comparatively little e-waste undergoes formal recycling, it can lead to the loss of economically valuable resources such as gold, platinum and other critical materials used in technology.Sources and trendsThe Nature study on the effects of AI on e-waste used material flow analysis to project the growth in demand for hardware. The researchers came up with four scenarios to predict the future growth of e-waste: limited, conservative, moderate and aggressive.A three-year lifespan was assumed for computer servers in data centres, based on historical information. The amount of e-waste was calculated by estimating the numbers of servers being discarded each year. This enabled the projection of cumulative volumes of e-waste for each scenario up to 2030. The results suggest that between 1.2 and 5.0 million tonnes of waste will have been produced between 2020 and 2030.The substantial increase in waste technology underscores the need for intervention strategies. The study backs circular economy approaches to tackle the problem a model of production and consumption that keeps materials and products in use, preventing them turning into waste.This could involve extending server lifespans, re-using components, optimising AI operations through advanced algorithms (to reduce the computational power needed), and improving the efficiency of computer chips. The study estimates such solutions could reduce e-waste by between 16% and 86%, depending on how they are applied.Integrating green design into electronic products could also benefit the environment. This could include installing more biodegradable parts into hardware, substituting toxic components with less harmful ones, and improving the lifespans of products.Raising awareness among the public is also vital. We will need to switch from a culture of use it and throw it away to one where we think twice about whether we actually need new technology.Donating devices to others when we are finished with them, and encouraging the use of certified e-waste recycling centres, where this technology should be disposed, can also help. Local and national governments play essential roles in managing e-waste by creating policies, regulations and strategies to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.Governments are tasked with setting standards for e-waste collection and recycling. These help ensure that e-waste is disposed of safely and efficiently. The development of recycling technologies is an area where government investment is crucial, as innovative solutions can improve safety and efficiency.Some e-waste will always exist, as technological advancement is crucial to improving our quality of life. But doing everything possible to reduce how much we generate, and mitigating the impact of the e-waste that is produced, will be vital for protecting the environment, the economy and our health.Alina Maria Vaduva, Director of the Business Advice Centre for Post Graduate Students at UEL, Ambassador of the Centre for Innovation, Management and Enterprise, University of East London and Kirk Chang, Professor of Management and Technology, University of East LondonThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Story by The Conversation An independent news and commentary website produced by academics and journalists. An independent news and commentary website produced by academics and journalists. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Artificial intelligence (AI) makes important decisions that affect our everyday lives. These decisions are implemented by firms and institutions in the name of efficiency. They can help determine who gets into college, who lands a job, who receives medical treatment and who qualifies for government assistance.As AI takes on these roles, there is a growing risk of unfair decisions or the perception of them by those people affected. For example, in college admissions or hiring, these automated decisions can unintentionally favour certain groups of people or those with certain backgrounds, while equally qualified but underrepresented applicants get overlooked.Or, when used by governments in benefit systems, AI may allocate resources in ways that worsen social inequality, leaving some people with less than they deserve and a sense of unfair treatment.Together with an international team of researchers, we examined how unfair resource distribution whether handled by AI or a human influences peoples willingness to act against unfairness. The results have been published in the journal Cognition.With AI becoming more embedded in daily life, governments are stepping in to protect citizens from biased or opaque AI systems. Examples of these efforts include the White Houses AI Bill of Rights, and the European parliaments AI Act. These reflect a shared concern: people may feel wronged by AIs decisions.So how does experiencing unfairness from an AI system affect how people treat one another afterwards?AI-induced indifferenceOur paper in Cognition looked at peoples willingness to act against unfairness after experiencing unfair treatment by an AI. The behaviour we examined applied to subsequent, unrelated interactions by these individuals. A willingness to act in such situations, often called prosocial punishment, is seen as crucial for upholding social norms.For example, whistleblowers may report unethical practices despite the risks, or consumers may boycott companies that they believe are acting in harmful ways. People who engage in these acts of prosocial punishment often do so to address injustices that affect others, which helps reinforce community standards.We asked this question: could experiencing unfairness from AI, instead of a person, affect peoples willingness to stand up to human wrongdoers later on? For instance, if an AI unfairly assigns a shift or denies a benefit, does it make people less likely to report unethical behaviour by a co-worker afterwards?Across a series of experiments, we found that people treated unfairly by an AI were less likely to punish human wrongdoers afterwards than participants who had been treated unfairly by a human. They showed a kind of desensitisation to others bad behaviour. We called this effect AI-induced indifference, to capture the idea that unfair treatment by AI can weaken peoples sense of accountability to others. This makes them less likely to address injustices in their community.Reasons for inactionThis may be because people place less blame on AI for unfair treatment, and thus they feel less driven to act against injustice. This effect is consistent even when participants encountered only unfair behaviour by others or both fair and unfair behaviour. To look at whether the relationship we had uncovered was affected by familiarity with AI, we carried out the same experiments again, after the release of ChatGPT in 2022. We got the same results with the later series of tests as we had with the earlier ones.These results suggest that peoples responses to unfairness depend not only on whether they were treated fairly but also on who treated them unfairly an AI or a human.In short, unfair treatment by an AI system can affect how people respond to each other, making them less attentive to each others unfair actions. This highlights AIs potential ripple effects in human society, extending beyond an individuals experience of a single unfair decision.When AI systems act unfairly, the consequences extend to future interactions, influencing how people treat each other, even in situations unrelated to AI. We would suggest that developers of AI systems should focus on minimising biases in AI training data to prevent these important spillover effects.Policymakers should also establish standards for transparency, requiring companies to disclose where AI might make unfair decisions. This would help users understand the limitations of AI systems, and how to challenge unfair outcomes. Increased awareness of these effects could also encourage people to stay alert to unfairness, especially after interacting with AI.Feelings of outrage and blame for unfair treatment are essential for spotting injustice and holding wrongdoers accountable. By addressing AIs unintended social effects, leaders can ensure AI supports rather than undermines the ethical and social standards needed for a society built on justice.Chiara Longoni, Associate Professor, Marketing and Social Science, Bocconi University; Ellie Kyung, Associate Professor, Marketing Division, Babson College, and Luca Cian, Killgallon Ohio Art Professor of Business Administration, Darden School of Business, University of VirginiaThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Story by The Conversation An independent news and commentary website produced by academics and journalists. An independent news and commentary website produced by academics and journalists. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Businesses are already being radically transformed by artificial intelligence (AI). Tools now exist that offer instantaneous, high-quality results in improving certain operations without the burden of high costs or delays. In fact, generative AI could completely upend the traditional ways that we measure success in business.Generative AI refers to programs that produce high-quality text, images, ideas and even complex software code in response to prompts (questions or instructions) from a user. Applications powered by data-driven algorithms enable users to quickly create high-quality content, redefining traditional measures of success.A small caf can generate aesthetically pleasing menus in a few clicks through apps like Jasper.AI. Online retailers can use generative AI chatbots such as botco.ai to provide 24/7 support, answering queries and offering advice.Businesses with an online presence can use generative AI to analyse social media posts in order to understand customer sentiment. AI empowers businesses by automating tasks like writing marketing copy, crafting social media posts and generating blog articles. Additionally, AI can handle routine customer inquiries, data entry and scheduling, freeing up valuable time for strategic initiatives.Platforms such as GPT-4, GeminiAI and Co-Pilot are either free or affordable, making it easier for even small firms to benefit from high-end capabilities once reserved only for bigger firms with bigger budgets.Generative AI tools can produce content in close to real time, and deliver results without forcing firms to compromise on quality. In fact, the AI tools get better at what they do as theyre exposed to more data.Businesses operating a family of models known as as a service models, can make particular use of generative AI. In one of these, known as content-as-a-service (CAAS), firms provide other organisations with quick access to quality written content and visuals. Once exclusively the domain of humans, these tasks can now be done by AI. Firms operating a software-as-a-service (SAAS) model can also leverage AI given that some programs now generate complex computer code.Old measures of successHistorically, project management and business success was largely defined through a simple formula:Cost x Time = Quality.Often touted as the iron triangle from the perspective of operational efficiency, this equation implies that, in order to attain a degree of quality, firms must balance cost with the time spent to achieve that level of quality.For example, requesting that something be both delivered quickly and at a high quality typically incurs higher costs. Proper planning and scheduling help ensure competitive pricing and reliable quality.Delivering results faster often translates to investing more resources, such as labour or specialised equipment, adding to overall costs. Conversely, delivering lower cost solutions would often come at the expense of quality.Generative AI can analyse social media posts in order to understand customer sentiment.Kaspars GrinvaldsA related trade off is that of speed versus accuracy. If something needs to be done quickly, accuracy is often compromised.AI has upended this thinking, as firms can now achieve both speed and accuracy at the same time by leveraging AI. This can enhance productivity and drive innovation without losing out on quality.Likewise, through generative AI, smaller companies with fewer resources are able to rub shoulders and compete with larger firms using AI-powered tools. They can do this by streamlining operations, creating cost-effective marketing content and delivering personalised customer experiences.This can make existing businesses more efficient, competitive and creative. It can also lower the barriers to entry into markets for prospective small and medium-sized business owners.Prospects for survivalMany generative AI tools are cloud-based, reducing the need for significant infrastructure costs. They are also user friendly, requiring no specialised expertise. This means that organisations no longer require specialised talent to drive competitiveness within their organisations.The UK governments recent autumn budget included a number of tax rises that will hit businesses, especially some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that dont have the financial buffers to weather severe economic challenges.Companies may either put recruitment budgets on hold, or scale them back. Against the background of such a challenging economic environment, SMEs are using generative AI to transform efficiency and productivity as well as improve accessibility and reduce costs.Generative AI has reconfigured the Cost x Time = Quality formula and has enabled firms to do things both quickly and accurately without a trade off. For SMEs, it has torn down competitive barriers and the prospects for survival during economic upheaval.As generative AI continues to develop, companies must be open to embracing change and rethinking how they perceive everything they once held true. Otherwise, theyll have the wrong horse, for the wrong course.Kamran Mahroof, Associate Professor, Supply Chain Analytics, University of Bradford and Sankar Sivarajah, Professor of Technology Management and Circular Economy, Kingston UniversityThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Story by The Conversation An independent news and commentary website produced by academics and journalists. An independent news and commentary website produced by academics and journalists. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Across Europe, skills shortages are emerging as a key challenge. The Council of the European Union says this is driven by demographic change, demand for new skillsets, and poor working conditions in some sectors.Adding to that, a recent report highlighted that around 42% of Europeans lack basic digital skills, including 37% of those in the workforce.The rapid advancement of AI is adding more pressure. While AI offers the EU a shot in the arm to strengthen the blocs innovation and competitiveness, there is still a gap between the skills required, and the skills available.5 jobs to discover this weekIn the Netherlands, new analysis from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) has found that the growth of the labour force will decline sharply in the coming decades. It says that in the Dutch labour force, there are more vacancies than those unemployed, and that this trend is set to continue.Germany is also experiencing a similar fate, with Indeeds Jobs & Hiring Trends Report for 2025 finding that demand for labour continues to cool, particularly among professional groups with top salaries. The report also found that in the medium term, Germany is heading for a shortage of skilled workers.Read the case studyIn France, Indeed says the picture is broadly similar. In 2025, wage and purchasing power gains are expected to remain limited while the French unemployment rate will remain close to its current levels, it notes in its report.The unemployment rate in France is hovering around 7.4% thanks to a mismatch between supply and demand for workers, in part fuelled by the skills deficit.On a macro level, these sluggish European labour markets arent a great sign, and it is clear that there is much work needed to be done to fix the wider issues around skills gaps. But on a micro, or personal level, software engineers and tech professionals have a lot of scope.Top skills and programming languagesIf you have the right skills, particularly around artificial intelligence and software development, then opportunity knocks.Stack Overflows most recent developer survey found that the most popular programming roles are for full-stack, back-end, and front-end developers. These were followed by desktop or enterprise developers, and mobile and embedded applications. For its community of developers, JavaScript retained its long running spot in first place followed by SQ, HTML/CSS, Python, and TypeScript.On the other hand, GitHubs recent Octoverse report found that on its platform, JavaScript has been knocked off its previous perch by Python. This is a language with many uses, notably in the in-demand fields of data science and machine learning, thanks to its simplicity and extensive libraries.GitHub says this is, the first large-scale change weve seen in the top two languages since 2019and it speaks to the rise in Python thats accompanied the generative AI boom weve seen over the past two years.3 more roles to discoverThe rise of cloud computing, IoT, and AR/VR technologies has also created demand for languages that can efficiently handle these environments. Think Kotlin, which is gaining traction as the preferred language for Android development. Go (Golang) is popular for building scalable network servers and concurrent systems due to its performance and simplicity.Older languages are seeing a resurgence too. According to data from Developer Nation, Java, for example, gained over eight million new developers from 2021 to 2023. It may be more than 20 years old, but its recent rise in popularity is due to its use and versatility across cloud and IoT.C++ remains popular according to the TIOBE Index, where it is currently in second position. This is attributed to its performance and scalability, particularly in domains like embedded systems, game development, and financial trading software.However, not everyone is happy with C++, notably the US government, which issued a report this year urging programmers to move to memory-safe programming languages. This has led Rusts user base to triple recently. The memory safe language is particularly appealing for systems programming due to its focus on safety and performance, and as a result it can offer a strong alternative to C++.As the big programming languages battle it out for supremacy, there are always the underdogs waiting in the wings. In its 2024 report, GitHub put a spotlight on the fastest-growing languages. These ones-to-watch include Go, HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language), Kotlin, Dart, Trust, Luna, TSQL, and Blade.Ready to find your next software job? Check out The Next Web Job Board Story by Kirstie McDermott Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Content created by Amply and TNWAlso tagged with

Finnish startup Ourahas closed its Series D funding round at $200mn, bringing the smart ring makers valuation to a cosy $5.2bn.Ouras smart ring uses 20 biometric markers to track sleep, physical activity, and stress resilience. The device displays this data on an app that gives you a personalised readiness score. We tested the wearable earlier this year and were genuinely impressed.Founded in 2013, Ourasecured its first funding on Kickstarter, the crowdfunding site, in 2016. Counting this new tranche of capital, the tech startup has raised $550mn since inception.Weve made significant progress in advancing our mission to make health a daily practice and will use this funding to unlock new opportunities, with AI development at the centre of our strategy, said Tom Hale, Ouras CEO.Read the case studyIn 2022, Ourabecame a unicorn and sold its millionth ring. Two years on, the company claims to have recently sold its 2.5 millionth device and to have made $500mn in sales this year alone.We know that Ourahas the potential to change lives at scale, and were excited to continue leading the market in innovation while pursuing opportunities that extend beyond the ring, said Hale.Oura said it signed partnerships with key retailers such as Amazon and Target this year. The ring is especially popular with celebrities including Prince Harry, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Aniston. Even the Pentagon made a $96mn order in October to put the devices in (or should I say on) the hands of soldiers.While sales of smartwatches flatlined this year, smart rings are surging in popularity. Global smart ring sales are set to almost double from an estimated 1.7mn by the end of 2024 to 3.2mn in 2028, market intelligence firm IDC. For many users, theyre seen as a more convenient option to smartwatches like the AppleWatch but still contain many of the same features. Smart rings also tend to move less and fit better against the skin.Smart ring makers sold 880,000 units in 2023, said IDC. The OuraRing made up 80% of these sales, soaring above competitors like Ultrahuman and Samsung. By those figures, Oura genuinely does seem to be the current lord of the (smart) rings. Sorry, I couldnt help myself.Fidelity Management led the funding round, which also saw the participation of Dexcom, a German provider of glucose monitoring sensors for diabetes patients. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Every year, millions of businesses are created around the world. In order for these big ideas to turn into successful startups, most of them will inevitably come up against the challenges of fundraising.While there is no magic formula, there are variables that founders can hone in on when engaging with potential investors. TNW sat down with San Francisco-based VC Plug and Play early-stage investor Letizia Royo-Villanova during the Red Bull Basement global final in Tokyo to get her insights.The one thing that really needs to stand out, according to Royo-Villanova, is the drive and authenticity of the founder. Maybe theyve experienced a problem, or know someone that has experienced that problem, and so they really want to solve it. Not because of making money of course thats a plus but because they actually care about solving that problem.In addition to said passion, the ability to sell is another key skill. Founders are constantly required to sell their ideas to investors, to clients and also to talent. The best founders will have the best talent in their team, Royo-Villanova states.Read the case studyWhile direct industry experience is valuable, its not always essential. There are great entrepreneurs out there that dont necessarily have that experience. They are kind of born with that drive of founding a company.However, having insight into the customer and understanding the market are non-negotiables: You really need to understand the pain point and the industry. That is going to facilitate a lot of doors opening in the future, the VC adds.Lastly, personality and rapport matter. I do think that you feel it in the first half hour, Royo-Villanova says, referring to understanding whether a founder is someone the VC is going to want to spend time with. If you end up investing in a founder, you are going to have a lot of meetings with that person. So if you dont feel the vibe, you dont want to invest in them.Mistakes founders make when pitchingEven though a founder may have the best idea imaginable, creating an impactful pitch is essential in order to get investors on board. (Not everyone has the good fortune to survive a disastrous pitch like the one Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang famously gave Don Valentine of Sequoia in 1993.)One of the most common mistakes Royo-Villanova sees is founders spending too much time on describing the general problem as opposed to focusing on their specific solution. If its a climate or sustainability startup, the VC explains, and they spend 15 minutes talking about how theres a climate issue, I dont need to hear that. They could tell me in one or two sentences. Then we can concentrate on more important things.And while solo entrepreneurs may well succeed, the VC is more likely to consider funding a founder team of two or more. Building a startup is hard enough, and if you do it by yourself, what if you suddenly have a bad week or a bad month? You need that other person to hold you up, she says. Furthermore, teams with complementary skills are more likely to drive success in the future.Common pitfalls when running an early-stage startupOf course, beyond the pitch, there is also the small matter of actually running the business. Specifically, when it comes to fundraising, Royo-Villanova believes that a major misstep is taking money from any available investor without considering strategic alignment.The money is going to run out, but the support from the people that invest in you shouldnt, she says. The right VC can offer help with recruitment, sales, or industry network connections. Pivoting back to the question of talent, hiring decisions is a critical area when it comes to running the business. Founders often try to save money by hiring cheaper talent, but Royo-Villanova says this can backfire further down the road. Its about finding the right fit for your company and building a culture from day one, she says. Finally, an inability to pivot is another potentially fatal flaw. If you have an idea, talk to potential customers from day one, understand if this is something that is actually a problem and that they are going to prioritise and that they are going to pay for and if not, its ok to pivot. If youre going to fail, fail fast and its not even failing, its just changing to something else.Focus on education and supportive regulation could drive European innovationWith all the concerns and recent discourse around the innovation gap between the US and Europe, we could not help but ask the California-based VC what she feels are the most significant areas holding Europe back.One of the main issues she identifies as a lack of early exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship. I dont feel I was aware of the world of innovation or venture capital as much as probably some students in the US, Royo-Villanova (who hails from Spain) says. If you start from a very young age to introduce that culture of innovation and explain how important it is, its going to help a lot in the future.Regulation and corporate attitudes also play a role. European corporations can often exhibit a risk-averse mindset, in contrast with a more dynamic and entrepreneurial culture from their North American counterparts. Moreover, complex regulatory frameworks can stifle startups from scaling quickly something initiatives such as the recently launched EU Inc hope to overcome.Founders seeking to build successful startups need to embody passion and an ability to sell, as well as customer insight, while avoiding common pitfalls including neglecting strategic fundraising and failing to pivot quickly. Meanwhile, Europes innovation ecosystem would benefit from early education, a shift in corporate attitudes, and streamlining regulations.Addressing all these challenges together could unlock tremendous opportunities for European startups to create a virtuous cycle of innovation and investments, and spawn more winners on the global stage. Story by Linnea Ahlgren Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has an Ma in international relations and covers quantum, AI, and the ev (show all) Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has an Ma in international relations and covers quantum, AI, and the evolving concept of 'technological sovereignty'. Dabbles in gaming and fitness wearables. But first, coffee. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb have transformed travel. Theyve made it easier for tourists to access personalised, private accommodations and for property owners to monetise their spaces.With global tourism now on track for a full recovery post-COVID, Hostaway has secured a cool $365mn at a $925mn valuation as it looks to cash-in on the boom in short-term rentals. Hostaway is a property management system (PMS) and software marketplace for the short-term rental industry. It will use the cash to enhance its dynamic pricing tools, further integrate AI, and expand its presence in new markets, focusing on France, Italy, and Spain.Expanding into different geographies and investing in innovative AI applications is something weve been hyper-focused on for over a year now, said co-founder and CEO Marcus Rder in a blog post. With this new strategic investment, well be doubling down on these efforts and much more.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!The company said it was the first PMS to integrate ChatGPT into its platform. Going forward, it plans to add or improve upon AI-powered personalised messaging, content creation, and language translation.Rder co-founded Hostaway in Finland in 2015, alongside Mikko Nurminen (CFO) and Saber Kordestanchi (COO), at a time when companies like Airbnb were really starting to disrupt a travel industry dominated by hotel chains and guest lodges.The founders saw that while short-term rental platforms were easy for customers to use, managing stuff like bookings, pricing, and communication was a bit of a headache for property owners. They launched Hostaway to help property managers automate and manage short-term stays across multiple platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo.The idea is that by automating tasks and putting the data on a single platform, Hostaway can save property managers time on admin, freeing them up to focus on customer service critical in a review-based industry. The platform also recently adopted dynamic pricing tools to optimise rates, potentially increasing revenue.Hostaway has emerged as a category leader with a differentiated product addressing the distinct needs of short-term rental property managers, a dynamic and growing industry, said Raph Osnoss, managing director at General Atlantic, a New York-based growth equity firm that led the funding round.Hostaway also raised $170mn last year in its first big funding round. The company claims its platform is used by customers in over 90 countries. While Hostaway is officially based in Toronto, Canada, it employs a fully remote workforce of over 230 employees across 44 countries.Hostaway is one of a cohort of tech startups raising big money to make things easier for the hospitality industry. One of them is UK-based Lighthouse, which raised $370mn in November to expand its data intelligence platform for hotels. Another is Amsterdam-based Mews whichraised$110mn in Marchat a valuation of over $1.2bn, becoming the first Dutch unicorn of the year. Then in September, it baggedanother $100mn, to further develop and expand its PMS software. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Munich-based startup Vaeridion has secured 14mn to develop an electric aircraft that it hopes will whisk passengers on short-haul routes around Europe by 2030. The microliner looks like a regular plane and it takes off from a runway the only difference is that it will be powered by batteries, Vaeridions co-founder and CEO, Ivor van Dartel, told TNW in an interview last month. For operators and passengers, the experience will be essentially the same.Berlin-based climate tech VC World Fund led the Series A investment, with participation from Project A Ventures, Vsquared Ventures, Schwarz Holding, InnovationQuarter, and angel investor Andreas Kupke.Our new funding will significantly accelerate development efforts, paving the way for certification-conforming prototype flights to take off in 2027, followed by a first commercial flight by 2030, said Van Dartel.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!The news comes just a month after Vaeridion became the first general aviation manufacturer to secure a pre-application contract (PAC) with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), in a big step towards commercial flight.Vaeridions head of engineering, Markus Kochs Kmper, called it a huge milestone in the development of its microliner. This initiative allows us to de-risk our core technology and the path to certifying our electric aircraft prior to submitting a type certificate application, he told TNW at the time.Van Dartel and Sebastian Seemann both former Airbus and ZF engineers co-founded Vaeridion in 2021. Their vision was to build an electric plane to replace jet-fueled aircraft on regional flights.Preliminary tests put the range of the microliner at about 500km, said the company. In 2022, almost a third of flights in the EU covered this distance or less, according to Eurocontrol.Vaeridions design is similar to existing regional aircraft, which could reduce development and manufacturing costs compared to more experimental electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) models that often require intricate propulsion systems and vertical lift capabilities.The company has already signed up its first customers: Dutch private jet operator ASL Group, German business airline Aero-Dienst, and Danish companies Copenhagen AirTaxi and Copenhagen Helicopter. Aero-Dienst and Vaeridion are also working together on the potential roll-out of an electric plane ambulance service for Germanys ADAC, Europes largest automobile association. Our partnerships and market-focused strategy reflect our commitment to not only decarbonising short-haul flights across Europe but also to setting a new standard for sustainable and energy-efficient aviation at a competitive price point, said Van Dartel.Vaeridion estimates that a trip in the microliner will cost between 150300. The aircraft will initially serve business passengers before expanding into consumer travel, the company said. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

According to the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome, the Netherlands ecosystem is now ranked number 13 in the world placing it ahead of both Paris and Berlin. In 2023, Dutch startups raised $2.2bn.While there have been fewer startup deals this year, overall investment is up, according to figures from the Dutch Startup Association. And for some startups and scaleups, 2024 was truly a monumental year.Picnic raises one of Europes largest roundsHaving grown its business 40% in 2023 following international expansion across France and Germany, Dutch online supermarket Picnic kicked off the year in style as it announced a 355mn funding round in January. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation participated in the round, which brought the companys total raised to 1.3bn. Founded in 2015, Picnic, its fully automated fulfilment centres, and delivery algorithms have defied the mass collapse of online grocery delivery startups that befell the likes of Getir and Flink after the pandemic. In 2018, the year before hitting 1,000,000 shoppers in the Netherlands, the companys CTO Daniel Gebler took the stage at TNW Conference to talk about the tech that is disrupting the everywhere commerce space.Gebler also closed the year with a bang, as he was named CxO of the year by Computable.nl.Read the case studyDataSnipper reaches unicorn statusIts Series B $100mn raise in February saw Amsterdam-headquartered auditing platform DataSnipper valued at $1bn, aka achieving the mythical status of unicorn. The round was led by Index Ventures and the funds are helping DataSnipper, which already counts Hilton, Siemens, and Frontier Airlines among its clients, to expand across more verticals including forensic accountants and tax advisors. DataSnipper was founded by Maarten Alblas, Jonas Ruyter, and Kai Bakker in 2017. In 2023, the company appointed a new CEO in Vidya Peters (on the featured image along with the founding team). Peters was previously Chief Operating Officer at payment solution provider Marqeta, helping the company go public in 2021. She sees the long term objective of DataSnipper as connecting unstructured data across industries, and believes there is tremendous opportunity for growth and expansion globally.Mews becomes a unicorn, 100mn fund by Carbon EquityMarch was a month of celebration for current and former TNW Spaces member startups. Hotel management software provider Mews hit a 1.1bn valuation after a 101mn raise, led by Swedish investment company Kinnevik.The good news for Mews, founded in 2012 by former hotelier Richard Valter, did not stop there. In September, the company bagged another 90mn from Vista Credit Partners. Having already purchased nine other startups in the sector, the funds will allow Mews to continue its buying spree, consolidating its place as a market leader in redefining the hospitality industry with its cloud offerings.Meanwhile, leading climate fund investment startup Carbon Equity raised 100mn for its Climate Tech Portfolio Fund II exceeding an initial target of 75mn and more than doubling its first fund from 2022. Founded only in 2021, Carbon Equity has quickly become a force to be reckoned with for investments in curated clean tech solutions.In October, Wired dubbed Carbon Equity one of the hottest startups in Amsterdam, and at the beginning of December, co-founder Jacqueline van den Ende was awarded the title of Changemaker of the Year by Change Inc, rounding off a momentous year. Lets hope climate tech investment continues to thrive in 2025.First ever tech fund by Dutch Ministry of DefenceIt is perhaps an unfortunate sign of the times we live in, but there is no denying that defence tech startups from Ukrainian drone developers to German AI darling Helsing are on a roll. In October, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced a 100mn fund to provide early-stage financing to the countrys startups, scaleups, and SMEs that meet specific innovation needs.The fund will invest up to 5mn per company. It will focus on dual-use technologies, meaning tech that can be used both for civilian and military purposes. It is expected to open in 2025, so keep your eyes peeled for the first investments.We cant wait to see what 2025 will bring as Amsterdam celebrates its 750th anniversary and TNW Conference returns to NDSM island in June. Join us as we bring together the whole Dutch tech ecosystem and discover what is truly next in tech! Story by Linnea Ahlgren Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has an Ma in international relations and covers quantum, AI, and the ev (show all) Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has an Ma in international relations and covers quantum, AI, and the evolving concept of 'technological sovereignty'. Dabbles in gaming and fitness wearables. But first, coffee. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Its been a great year for the Dutch startup ecosystem.Venture capitalists have, so far, invested $3.5bn into Netherlands-based early-stage companies, according to Dealroom data. That makes 2024 Dutch techs second-best funding year ever, surpassed only by 2021.Dutch startups have raised almost 50% more ($1.1bn) cash this year than in 2023 and there are still two weeks to go. Its a striking uptick, especially considering the rather muted funding environment in broader Europe, which is on course for its worst year since 2020.The Netherlands stands to be Europes fourth best-funded ecosystem for 2024. It ranks two places higher than last year, beating out Sweden and Switzerland. Unsurprisingly, the UK will clinch the top spot, with $17bn raised so far. Germany is second at $7.9bn, while France is coming in at a close third with $7.7bn.So, with that in mind, here are the 10 largest funding rounds that made 2024 such a lucrative year for the Dutch startup ecosystem. (Disclaimer: For this list, we count all early-stage companies headquartered in the Netherlands, not necessarily founded there).1. Nebius $700MThis was a whopper. The startup, which builds full-stack AI infrastructure for tech firms, secured the equity in December in a deal led by Nvidia, Accel, and other blue-chip investors.2. Picnic $388mnThe Dutch online supermarket unicorn bagged the funding in January to fuel its international expansion, as it looks to become a profitable grocery delivery service (which has proven bloody difficult for most).3. Nearfield Instruments $147mnThe Rotterdam-based company makes advanced tools for inspecting computer chips during manufacturing, adding to the Netherlands wealth of semiconductor success stories.4. Mews $110mnCha-ching! We have a new unicorn in the house. More accurately, in our house, seeing as Mews is based at TNW City in Amsterdam. The startup, which provides acloud-based property management system (PMS) for the hospitality industry, raised $110mn in March at a valuation of over $1.2bn. Then in September, it bagged another $100mn.Now thats great Mews.5. DataSnipper $100mnCha-ching, again! DataSnipper, which makes AI-powered accounting tools, raised $100mn in February at a $1bn valuation making it the Netherlands second newly minted unicorn for 2024.6. Citryll 89mnThe biotech company is developing treatments for inflammatory diseases. It will use the Series B funding to bring its lead product, CIT-013, into Phase 2a clinical trials.7. Cradle $73MFounded in 2022, Cradle uses generative AI to design and optimise proteins, aiming to reduce the time and cost associated with protein engineering. The Amsterdam-based startup wants to put its software into the hands of a million scientists.8. Axelera AI $68mnThe Eindhoven-based startup is developing chips, known as AI processing units (AIPUs), that enable computer vision and generative AI in devices like robots and drones. Thefunding round was led by Samsungs venture arm. For a chip startup, thats not a bad investor to have onboard.9. Payt $58mnPayt Softwares AI-powered platform streamlines the debt collection process through automated invoicing. Not exactly sexy tech, but the startups product is used by over 13,000 businesses in the Netherlands alone so it must be doing something right. 10. Vico Therapeutics $56mnFounded in 2019, Vico is developing therapies for severe neurological diseases.The company is the third health tech startup on this list and for good reason the Netherlands has established itself as one of the worlds leading hubs for biotech and life sciences.Overall, the Dutch startup ecosystem has proven its resilience and strength in 2024, achieving remarkable growth despite broader challenges in the European funding environment. Standoutperformances come from the sectors of biotech, AI, and semiconductors. As we look ahead, these funding successes position the countrys startups for even greater global impact going into 2025. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Microsoft probably needs no introduction. But in case you are not familiar with the Microsoft for Startups program, it is an initiative that provides free licences and Azure credits to selected software entrepreneurs over the course of three years.Needless to say, its general manager, Hans Yang, is somewhat of an expert when it comes to identifying the ideas that will make it to market and that particular drive he calls founder energy.With some founders, it is immediate you can see it right off the bat, Yang tells TNW during an interview at the Red Bull Basement global final where he is acting as a judge. A lot of times you can see the hustle, and you can see them describe their vision clearly and articulately.However, Yang adds that he thinks there are just as many cases of brilliant technical minds where all of the insight and depth is more contained inside their head. They can express that in a product, or in application or service, but they dont necessarily know how to express that to the outside world yet, and I think there is room for that kind of founder too.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!And how does one go about unlocking a founder like that? Its honestly just access, Yang says. Of course theres access to technology and tools, but I think its also about access to expertise to the right experts and mentors.Which is why competitions like Red Bull Basement, where finalists are offered workshops on how to craft a compelling pitch and business model, and other initiatives (such as the TNW Soonicorn summit) matter. As Microsoft for Startups, we can go and give them credits, which gives them access to cloud compute and AI workloads, and can offset some of the cost, Yang says.But we dont necessarily have the opportunity to tell them hey, when you pitch to an investor, make sure youre leading with the size of the problem and the potential market opportunity that youre going after, and how youve looked at the competition and you believe that your solution is better because it is faster, more efficient, more capable, etc.Europes startup ecosystem just needs timeAlong with a mounting discourse around technological and digital sovereignty, the conversation in Europe has also revolved around how the continents startups are lagging behind its counterparts across the Atlantic.Initiatives like EU Inc, which wants to create a pan-European legal entity to help startups expand and raise funds more easily throughout the bloc, lament the discrepancy in maturity between the US and EU ecosystems.Even the reaffirmed Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in October this year that European companies face way too many national barriers that make it hard to work Europe-wide, and way too much regulatory burden.Yang, however, is optimistic. He believes that, given time and as alumni from successful startups return to build companies in their home countries (such as Frances AI darling Mistral, founded by former DeepMind and Meta employees) the European tech startup ecosystem will mature to the level of that of the US similarly to what has happened in Taiwan.There was a large movement to bring Taiwanese talent to the US, Yang, who is of Taiwanese descent, says. My parents both went to graduate school in the US, and they had many classmates who came from Taiwan, but then went back. And when you look at the semiconductor industry, much of that was built on the back of essentially boomerangs folks that went to the US, but then came back to their home country.When the Draghi report on the future of EU competitiveness was released in October this year, it named an innovation gap as one of the main culprits to the blocs trailing other areas. On a mission to close said gap, the EU has named its very first Commissioner for Startups, tasked with driving ambition to put research and innovation, science, and technology at the centre of the EU economy. This includes creating a trusted network of deep tech investors across the continent. I wouldnt necessarily say that the European ecosystem is behind from an innovation perspective, Yang says. I think when you talk about size and scale, yes, its true, but only because theres been more cycles of venture investors investing in startups [in the US]. The ecosystem has just had more time to develop. So I think that Europe honestly just needs time to have the winners which then spawn the next generation of winners after that. Story by Linnea Ahlgren Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has an Ma in international relations and covers quantum, AI, and the ev (show all) Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has an Ma in international relations and covers quantum, AI, and the evolving concept of 'technological sovereignty'. Dabbles in gaming and fitness wearables. But first, coffee. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Boston Dynamics robot dog Spot has become somewhat of an internet sensation, no doubt thanks to its (perhaps disturbingly) killer dance moves or displays of super-strength.But Spot is far from the only robodog on the block. One of its competitors is ANYmal, an autonomous quadruped thats impressively good at everything from parkour to climbing ladders.Apart from doing tricks, ANYmal also has a real job. It does routine inspections in some of the toughest places on Earth. Think old nuclear power plants, abandoned mines, and offshore oil rigs.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!Cameras, sensors and gas detectors act as the robodogs eyes and nose spotting obstacles, and potential safety hazards, and even sniffing out gas leaks. With its AI brain, it plans safe paths and knows where its been.ANYmal is so good at its job, that some of the worlds biggest industrial companies the likes of BP, Equinor, and Petrobas have adopted it as part of their workforce.ANYmals human master is ANYbotics, a company spun out from ETH Zurich in 2016. The startup has just raised $60mn to build more inspection robots and make them smarter.Currently, close to 200 ANYmals are deployed at worksites across the world. As of last year, the company reported having more than $150mn in pre-orders.This additional funding allows us to scale globally, enhance our AI-driven capabilities, and continue to deliver unmatched value to our customers across industries, said Dr. Pter Fankhauser, the companys co-founder and CEO.ANYbotics recently opened an office in Silicon Valley to tackle the American market. This will put it into closer competition with Spot, which also does its fair share of industrial inspections.The company said it is investing in software and hardware development, including new, built-in GPUs intended to make ANYmal faster at processing information, detecting anomalies and overall making it better at its job. ANYbotics trains its robot using AI computing from Nvidia.This latest funding brings ANYbotics total raised to over $130mn. The round was led by Qualcomm Ventures and Supernova Invest, with participation from TDK Ventures and other new investors. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Baller League a new six-a-side football league that has attracted support from legends like Ronaldinho, Gary Lineker, and Luis Figo has raised $25mn from EQT Ventures as it looks to initiate a new era for the beautiful game.German entrepreneur Felix Starck co-founded the Baller League last year alongside former players Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. The founders wanted to change the way younger audiences engage, view, and interact with the worlds most popular sport. The league, which is now expanding from Germany to the UK and the US, comprises shorter 30-minute matches that are available to stream on popular digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Amazons live-streaming service Twitch.Sport is no longer as easy as just saying look, were here now, come and watch us, said Starck. Thats just not how sport works any more. It needs to be exciting, and it needs to be authentic. Those are the two words that we always use at Baller League.Alongside some of the games biggest names, influencers Darren Jason Watkins Jr (KSI) and Olajide Olatunji (IShowSpeed) are also working with Baller League. The pair have a whopping 58 million YouTube subscribers between them.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!KSI and IShowSpeed are set to lead the leagues newly set up UK and US chapters, respectively. Ronaldinho, Lineker, Figo and other prominent ex-players like John Terry, Alan Shearer and Freddie Ljungberg will serve as team presidents.The Baller League live-streamed its first matches from a repurposed aeroplane hangar in Cologne. It has rapidly amassed nearly one million followers across digital platforms. This has made it Germanys top Twitch channel and one of the global top five.Baller League UK is set to debut on 3 March 2025, with games held every Monday through 19 May. Matches will be live-streamed, with YouTuber Chunkz hosting a weekly show. Twelve teams will compete, with the top four advancing to the playoffs where they will battle it out to decide the season champion.The Baller League drafts players from various backgrounds, including former academy players, free agents, and recently retired professionals or semi-professionals. Player trials will take place in London and Manchester.Baller League is confident that the fast-paced gameplay will resonate with fans worldwide, many of whom grew up playing small-sided football on playgrounds and streets.Baller League is bringing a loved sport back to its roots, said Ashley Lundstrm, Partner at EQT Ventures, the Swedish venture capital firm that led the funding round.Baller League is part of a new cohort of upstarts that are using influencers and social media to reach global, mainly younger, audiences. Earlier this year, former FC Barcelona defender Gerard Piqu raised 60mn for Kings League, a seven-a-side football competition.As upstarts like Baller League and Kings League garner more fans, it remains to be seen how footballs establishment will react. The old guard may innovate within their own structures to retain younger audiences, a bit like how traditional banks responded to the rise of digital-savvy challenger banks like Revolut.Either way, this new era,, looks to be here to stay. Let the games begin. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Rome-based venture capital firm Scientifica has launched a 200mn fund to support startups in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and other frontier technologies. The fund, set to launch early next year, will provide early-stage companies with both financial backing and access to advanced lab spaces.Scientificas fund isbased on a Zero CapEx model. Startups can use Scientificas 4,000 m of laboratories and a network of 70 certified labs in Italy without incurring upfront costs.The aim is to reduce barriers to innovation by giving early-stage access to cutting-edge tools and facilities. Themodel reflects a growing trend of venture capital firms supporting both funding and infrastructure for startups, particularly in deep tech.Scientifica Fund is the tangible expression of a strategy that integrates research, venture capital, and industry to accelerate technological innovation and create sustainable value, said managing partner Riccardo DAlessandri, pictured above.Scientifica already has three offices in Europe: two in Italy and another in London. It also recently expanded to Silicon Valley. Led by prominent entrepreneur and investor Jon Lunetta, the new hub aims to connect European startups with resources in the American tech ecosystem.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!With high-level international collaborations, we are ready to position Italy as a central player in the global innovation ecosystem, said DAlessandri.One of Scientificas key focus areas is in quantum computing startups. These companies are working on technologies that leverage quantum mechanics to process information in ways classical computers cannot. Scientificas recently partnered with Quantum Italia, Italys first VC focused entirely on quantum tech. Beyond quantum, Scientifica looks to back a range of technologies from AI and advanced materials to biotech and 3D printing. Among its current portfolio of 16 startups are Green Independence, a startup developing an artificial solar leaf with a built-in wastewater purification system, and Recornea, which is working on an implant to treat a severe eye condition called keratoconus. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

From bricklaying robots to zero-carbon cement, startups are shaking up construction in a high-tech bid to build better, greener structures.One of these early-stage ventures is Finland-based Aisti. Founded in 2019, the company has come up with a way to make acoustic tiles that are carbon-negative. Acoustic panels are a common construction material used to reduce noise and improve sound quality in buildings.Aisti has raised 29mn in a mix of VC and debt funding to build its first industrial-scale factory in Kitee, a small town about four hours northeastof Helsinki.The startup plans to bring the tiles to market in the second half of 2026 and has already signed multiple offtake agreements with customers in the construction industry, it said.Watch Back NowBuildings alone are responsible for almost 40% of global emissions, so decarbonising construction is a critical piece of the sustainability puzzle.Most acoustic tiles today are made from fibreglass, mineral wool or polyurethane, a type of plastic. Aistis panels, however, are made from wood fibres, which are sourced from sustainable timber or waste paper.Our production process is very resource-effective, founder and CEO Mikko Paananen told TNW. If every single acoustic tile in the world were manufactured with our technology, the need for wood fibres would be 700,000 tons annually which represents only the production of one medium-sized pulp mill.Aisti mixes the wood fibres with water and foaming chemicals similar to what is used in toothpaste. This forms a foam that is then moulded into squares and dried to make the finished tile.The wood fibres stick together with natural hydrogen bonds, so no additional binders are needed making the material very light, explained Paananen, adding that the company will be able to make the panels at a similar pricepoint to conventional mineral wool tiles.Aistis patented material can also be adapted for use as thermal insulation, packaging materials, and composites.We aim to first serve the Nordic market, meeting the growing demand for more natural building solutions in the region, said Paananen. Were thrilled to have strong support from investors and other partners as we embark on this next growth phase and bring our product to market.Technology for the built environment is set to attract $24bn in VC investment in 2024 as the sector outperforms key tech verticals like climate tech and fintech, according to the State of Built World Tech report released this week.Aistis funding round attracted notable early-stage investors including Voima Ventures, Maki.vc, and Valve Ventures. Part of the funding includes non-equity financing, including a 5mn loan from Norion Bank, a 7mn public grant from the South Savo ELY Centre and a 8.5mn capital loan from the Finnish Climate Fund.We are proud to support Aisti in its mission to revolutionize acoustic solutions with sustainable, high-performance materials, said Pirkka Palomki, partner at Maki.vc, a Helsinki-based deep tech fund. This funding milestone marks not only the start of an exciting growth phase but also a transformative step for the construction industry as a whole. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

At TNW, we are all about supporting and elevating startups and entrepreneurs who are doing epic stuff with tech. When Red Bull reached out to talk about their innovation competition, my first thought was what on Earth do we have in common with an energy drink company that has people jumping off cliffs and surfing really large waves? Apart from fuelling in different ways founders and developers across the world, of course. (Although, I guess, building a company could be considered an extreme sport.)Next generation of innovationTurns out, when it comes to supporting young minds that could change the world with their ideas quite a lot. Red Bull Basement is the beverage giants recurring innovation competition that, in the companys words, empowers the next generation of innovators to develop and launch outstanding ideas and disrupt todays status quo. The 2024 edition took place across 39 countries, and received over 110,000 submissions.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!The local winners were all flown out to Tokyo for a global final across three days over the past week. They got to take part in workshops on business modelling, utilising AI as a founder, creating a successful pitch, forming strategic partnerships, brand development, media relations, etc.Sophia Lick from Germany built an app to help athletes with their mental training. Credit: Suguru Saito / Red Bull Content PoolThe top 10 got to pitch their ideas to the panel of global judges and an auditorium of a few hundred people on the 45th floor, in front of a backdrop of Tokyo lit up at night. The prize for the global winner was an all-expenses-paid three-week trip to San Francisco to be mentored by Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play VC.Building something bigger than oneselfPart of the appeal for us as a media organisation was of course access to the judges, including Head of Microsoft for Startups Hans Yang, Plug and Play early-stage investor Letizia Royo-Villanova, and digital economy business mentor Jun Yuh, to pick their brains on how they identify winning startups and exceptional founders (and I did, all of which will follow in another article). However, what really moved me was the ingenuity, drive, and enthusiasm of the next generation of entrepreneurs. Ideas included a bone conduction device to help people with Parkinsons walk more securely built by Cambridge student Jonathan Fisher, whose father suffers from the disease. I figured, if something is important enough, you should try, even if the odds are against you, because you never know what will happen, Fisher told TNW.Another device built by Stanford students in the US wants to give the visually impaired their sight back. There were also water-saving AI-supported gadgets from Greece and Egypt, wild-fire warning systems from South Africa, AI tools to help students connect with mentors and scholarship opportunities from Ireland and Spain or democratise access to high-level sports coaching from Belgium. Other innovations included early illness detection from Kosovo, brain fitness tracking from the Czech Republic, and an athlete mental training app from Germany just to name a few.Soi Gamayon beat over 110,000 submitted innovations to become the Red Bull Basement 2024 global winner with AgriConnect. Credit: Jason Hayako / Red Bull Content PoolThe winner of the global final was Soi Gamayon from the Philippines with his AgriConnect startup. The AI-powered app, inspired by watching his uncles struggle farming rice, allows farmers to monitor their crops, build resilience, and increase their yield.My purpose is really to build something bigger than myself, said Gamayon. Im doing this for Filipino farmers. This wasnt just about competing or winning. Its about sharing moments and memories with people who are like-minded. I share this with all the other teams who are here.Dutch finalist looking for the positive side of techThe Dutch finalist, fresh out of graduate studies in Strategic Management at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, was Bram van Peursem, with an app called Hubster. He made it all the way to the top 10.Based on his own experience of losing hours of precious time to mindless social media scrolling while managing his own schedule as a student, Van Peursem designed Hubster to help people transform their phone usage from a time sink into motivation to act on the things they hope to achieve in life. Hubster, still under development, will let you enter the interests and ambitions that are currently most important to you. Van Peursem gives the examples of running a marathon, understanding more about tech stocks, and learning German. As you embark on a scrolling session that will surely end half an hour later with the yucky feeling of but I was only going to check the app will instead prompt you with notifications such as Its currently great weather for a 5k recovery run, AMD just announced a chip update, read more about it here and link to an article, or Nutzen sie ihre zeit so optimal? with your language learning app of choice.The Netherlands Bram van Peursem wants his app to make people use tech for good in their lives. Credit: Jason Hayako / Red Bull Content PoolIt is really focused on making tech positive, van Peursem told TNW. Because I think we often forget that our phone is a tool which has all the information in the world, very accessible in your pocket, but nobody uses it like that.The desire to build something has been there from the start. I have always wanted to be a founder, van Peursem, both of whose parents are entrepreneurs, says. Ive always had these ideas but I never really acted on them. And that was also the thing I was most scared about I want to be an entrepreneur, but what if I never act on it? So Im really grateful to Red Bull and Microsoft for this opportunity [to make the idea concrete].Personally, I always feel honoured to tell the stories of people who have ideas and work hard to bring them to reality, striving to impact the world in positive ways. Us journalists only observe and write about it entrepreneurs are the ones actually building stuff. Mostly just fuelled by pure drive and passion, but sometimes like when running a startup bootcamp marathon by copious amounts of caffeine. Story by Linnea Ahlgren Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has an Ma in international relations and covers quantum, AI, and the ev (show all) Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has an Ma in international relations and covers quantum, AI, and the evolving concept of 'technological sovereignty'. Dabbles in gaming and fitness wearables. But first, coffee. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Amsterdam-based startup CarbonX has secured 4mn to industrialise a new anode material that could help Europe reduce its reliance on China for graphite, a substance which makes up half the weight of a typical lithium-ion battery.Netherlands-based VC Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam led the round. Its an extension on CarbonXs 10mn capital injection announced in February, capping off the funding round at a cosy 14mn.Graphite is the go-to material for lithium-ion battery anodes, which is the negative electrode responsible for storing and releasing electrons during the charging and discharging process. Its found in batteries that power everything from EVs to smartphones. The EU imports almost 100% of its graphite from China, which recently imposed restrictions on exports of the carbon-based material amid rising political tensions between Bejing and the West.Watch Back NowA resilient battery supply chain is crucial for global electrification, said CarbonXs co-founder Rutger van Raalten. Yet, we dont see sufficient alternatives for locally sourcing critical raw materials such as graphite.CarbonX wants to offer European and American battery makers a way to source a graphite alternative that is not just locally-made, but greener and better performing.Spun out from Delft University of Technology in 2014, the company has developed an emulsion feedstock technology that takes carbon black a fine, black powder made mostly of pure carbon and processes it into a material with a complex 3D porous structure.Similar to graphite, this hexagonal formation creates spaces where lithium ions can insert themselves during charging. However, CarbonX says that its material has even more little crevices for the lithium ions to hide. That equals faster charging and longer-lasting batteries.CarbonXs unique 3D porous network structure improves electron and lithium-ion transfer, while it is still highly compressible to achieve high energy densities, explained Daniela Sordi, CTO and co-founder of CarbonX.CarbonXs feedstock technology purportedly consumes much less energy compared to synthetic or natural graphite production. This equals lower costs and less carbon emissions, it said.The companys carbon anode material is currently undergoing late-stage qualifications with several top 10 global battery cell manufacturers. It expects to secure its first offtake agreements halfway into 2025.Graphite demand is expected to rise by 20-25 times between 2020 to 2040, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).To cater to this enormous market pull, CarbonX plans to scale up quickly. CarbonX is currently planning its first high-capacity facility at an existing carbon black factory in the Port of Rotterdam. Its tech can plug-in to existing carbon black factories, using their current equipment, so theres no need to build new plants.The company is also undergoing a feasibility study for a 20,000 ton per annum production line in both Europe and US, it said.The founders of CarbonX found an answer to the developing Chinese export ban on graphite, commented Jesse In t Velt, investment manager of Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

In 2018, Elon Musk put a Tesla in space. Like many of the billionaires antics, it was a publicity stunt. However, it pointed to an undeniable truth: the future of space travel is electric.Most spacecraft today like cars and trucks back on Earth burn chemicals to get around. But space agencies like NASA, ESA, and Frances CNES have been experimenting with electric thrusters for decades, in a bid for a cleaner, more efficient way to propel satellites. A few startups have spun out from this work. One of them is Paris-headquartered ION-X. It hopes to build the most efficient propulsion system ever put in space.ION-X has developed a so-called electrohydrodynamic (EHD) electrospray thruster. It works by applying a high-voltage electric field to an ionic liquid fuel. (Ionic liquid is made up of organic salts that are liquid at room temperature). The electric charge breaks up the fuel into tiny charged particles that eject from the back of the thruster at high speeds propelling the satellite through space.Today, ION-X announced it has raised 13mn in funding as it looks to break out from the lab and industrialise its technology. This adds to 4mn in seed capital, raised back in 2022.This funding round is a decisive step for ION-X, said Thomas Hiriart, the companys CEO. We are deeply convinced that our propulsion solutions can revolutionize the space mobility market, contribute to sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective space missions, and carve out a significant commercial position in a market eager for reliable thrusters.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!World-renowned engineer Jacques Girak founded ION-X in 2021 following decades of research into electrospray propulsion systems at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and CNES. Girak co-founded the company with Yves Matton, a partner at the early-stage deep-tech venture firm Technofounders, which has also invested in Ion-X.Unlike chemical thrusters, which burn fuel to produce thrust, or ion thrusters that use xenon, ION-Xs system is far more energy-efficient and compact. Its better at precisely manoeuvring satellites, the startup claims. The ionic liquid fuel is also non-toxic and nonflammable, and thus safer. However, its less powerful than combustion-based systems, so its better suited to smaller satellites, like those in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) which is, nevertheless, a booming market.ION-X is set to demonstrate its technology in orbit for the first time early next year. Its thrusters will propel a satellite by Danish company Space Inventor as part of a larger ESA mission. The company is also building a production facility near Paris. Here it hopes to produce 200 ion thrusters per year by 2028. The fundinground was led by aerospace-focused VC Expansion and Technofounders.The European Innovation Council (EIC) also joined in, as did the le-de-France Region, through its Reindustrialisation Fund. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

A police force in the UK is using Bluetooth tracking wristbands for people with dementia in a high-tech bid to keep them safe.Starting this month, Avon and Somerset Police will start giving out Bluetooth wristbands for free to families. Its part of a broader initiative to protect dementia patients, who often suffer from extreme memory loss and confusion as a result of the incurable condition.The wristbands are fitted with Tile, a popular tracking device similar to the Apple Airtag. Once the tag is attached to a patient, caregivers can track their location via a smartphone app. If the person strays too far, the app sends out an alert.The Tile tags Bluetooth range is typically limited to a few hundred metres. However, the device can make a virtual handshake with other smartphones running the Tile app, to create a crowdsourced tracking network. Life360, the US firm that makes Tile, claims over 76 million people use its app globally.Dementia is a growing problem globally, with over 55 million people currently living with the condition, according to the World Health Organisation.Watch Back NowThe scheme was launched by Inspector Stuart King in 2015, following a rise in missing person incidents involving people living with the disease.The introduction of Bluetooth-enabled devices from Life360 and Tile is a significant step forward in safeguarding those living with dementia, said Inspector King.These discreet and user-friendly devices not only offer reassurance to families but can be a critical tool in emergencies, enabling quick response and timely assistance, he said.Tile also incorporates QR code functionality. When the QR code on the back of the device is scanned, it allows the next of kin or carer to be contacted directly via phone or text.Unlike GPS devices which need regular charging, the battery on the Bluetooth wristbands should last for about three years.The initiative comes amid a boom in health tech, as startups develop high-tech solutions everything from machines that help detect cancer to algorithms that fastrack the discovery of new drugs. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Scientists in the UK have successfully created the worlds first carbon-14 diamond battery, which could power low-energy devices like satellite communication equipment for over 5,000 years.The battery is made of the radioactive isotope carbon-14, encased in a thin layer of synthetic diamond. As the carbon-14 decays it emits electrons. The diamond acts like a semiconductor, converting these electrons into electricity. Since carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,700 years, scientists expect the battery to last for millennia.The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the University of Bristol led the development, partly due to the formers work on fusion energy. However, the potential applications are wide-ranging.Diamond batteries could power pacemakers, hearing aids, watches, computer chips any low-power device in environments where frequent battery replacement isnt feasible.I WANT THE BEST DEALEngineers could also use the batteries to power the communication equipment of spacecraft like Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object in space. NASA launched the satellite in 1977 and it is still sending data back to Earth. However, its power is expected to last only until 2036.The computer aboard Voyager 1 is also nuclear-powered, except its battery uses the isotope Plutonium-238, which has a half-life of only 87.7 years. If equipped with a carbon-14 diamond battery, the probe could have communicated its findings back home for thousands of years.Voyager 1 is currently floating in space 15 billion miles away from Earth. Credit: NASA/JPL-CaltechDiamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power, said the UKAEAs Sarah Clark.Shortwave radiation from the decaying carbon-14 doesnt pose a risk it is fully absorbed by the diamond casing, the researchers said. The battery can also be recycled at the end of its life if anyone is still around by then!The diamond part of the battery was grown at UKAEAs Culham Campus near Oxford, using a purpose-built plasma deposition rig. The carbon-14 was extracted from graphite blocks, a readily available byproduct of nuclear fission reactors.While still early days, Tom Scott, Materials Prof at the University of Bristol, said they were exploring industrial partnerships for potential commercialisation in the future.Scott led the team that began the first diamond battery experiments back in 2016. He even spun out a company, Arkenlight, off the back of this research.The decade ahead is about improving power performance and upscaling production, said Scott. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Just two weeks since raising $125mn in funding, British scaleup Tokamak Energy has secured backing from the US and UK to upgrade its ST40 fusion energy plant.The US Department of Energy (DOE), the UKs Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and Tokamak Energy will jointly sponsor a $52mn upgrade to the fusion facility in Oxfordshire.Fusion has the potential to be a clean and sustainable energy source, transforming how we power our country, and countries around the world, said Kerry McCarthy, Minister for Climate at DESNZ.This strategic partnership is therefore crucial to develop this new and exciting technology, and bring it into use quicker, he said.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!The ST40 is a spherical tokamak, a circular-shaped fusion reactor that uses giant magnets to confine superhot plasma and create the conditions needed to fuse atoms.In 2022, the ST40 became the first privately owned fusion reactor to reach 100 million C six times as hot as the core of our closest star. The machine is under constant development as Tokamak Energy races to build something commercially viable.This latest upgrade includes coating the inside of the ST40 with lithium. Research suggests the element can help the walls of fusion reactors better withstand extreme temperatures.But the new project is not just a fusion reactor makeover. It represents a huge leverage opportunity for advancing fusion science and technology as a whole, said the DOEs Dr Geraldine Richmond.Under the agreement, researchers at universities and national laboratories in both countries will also be able to benefit from the research carried out at the ST40 tokamak.The project is slated to commence next year. The $52mn in funding will be divided equally among all three partners.Tokamak Energy has already raised $335mn in pursuit of fusion power, making it Europes most well-funded private fusion energy venture.Spun out from the UKs Atomic Energy Authority in 2009, the company is pursing a type of tokamak that is more compact than traditional doughnut-shaped reactors like the ITER fusion plant under construction in France. According to the company, this shape allows better confinement of the super-hot plasma where fusion occurs, making the reactor smaller, cheaper, and easier to build.Last year, Tokamak announced plans to build a second prototype spherical tokamak the ST80-HTS by 2026 to demonstrate the full potential of high-temperature superconducting magnets.The next step is to build its first grid-connected fusion power plant, which it hopes to pull off somewhere in the 2030s. Its grand vision is for fleets of modular reactors each with a power output of 500MW enough to power approximately 85,000 homes. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Google Deepmind researchers have built an AI weather forecasting tool that makes faster and more accurate predictions than the best system available today.Dubbed GenCast, the new model outperformed the ENS forecast, widely regarded as the world leader, 97% of the time for predictions up to 15 days in advance. It was tested on over 1,320 weather scenarios, including tropical cyclones and heatwaves.Outperforming ENS marks something of an inflection point in the advance of AI for weather prediction, Ilan Price, a research scientist at Google DeepMind, told the Guardian. At least in the short term, these models are going to accompany and be alongside existing, traditional approaches.GenCast is a diffusion machine learning model, similar to those used in generative AI for tasks like image or text creation. However, its uniquely adapted for weather prediction, trained on four decades of data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) the agency behind ENS.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!During the experiments, researchers asked GenCast to generate a forecast for 2019. They then compared the results to the actual weather during that year as well as ENS predictions. GenCast creates an ensemble of 50+ different predictions, each showing a possible future scenario. This data helps authorities prepare for extreme weather events like hurricanes or wind farm operators better predict power output days in advance.The fancy name for this technique is probabilistic ensemble forecasting. Its already the gold standard in traditional forecast systems. However, GenCast is taking things up a notch. The system can spit out predictions in far less time: 8 minutes, compared to hours for traditional models.Thats because models like ENS run on massive supercomputers that have to crunch through millions of equations to make a prediction. By contrast, GenCast runs on a single Google Cloud TPU, a chip designed for machine learning. Thats because the AI has been trained, its learnt the data it doesnt have to go through it every single time it needs to make a forecast.GenCast improves upon Deepminds GraphCast model unveiled last year. Other tech firms are also developing their own AI weather forecasters. Nvidia released FourCastNet in 2022, while Huawei launched its Pangu-Weather model in 2023.So will AI replace traditional forecasting soon? Probably not. Models like GenCast still rely on data from traditional weather systems and models to train and calibrate their predictions. However, AI can certainly enhance current methods.The greatest value comes from a hybrid approach, combining human assessment, traditional physics-based models and AI-based weather forecasting, Steven Ramsdale, chief forecaster at the UKs Met Office, told the Financial Times. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

German startup FibreCoat has bagged 20mn in Series B funding as it looks to bring its super-resistant materials to the burgeoning space industry.FibreCoat spunout from RWTH Aachen University in 2020. The startup has developed a patented process for coating fibres with metals and plastics during the spinning stage. This creates fibres that are lightweight and conductive, yet strong and durable at a fraction of conventional costs. These can then be spun together to form reinforced composites.So far, FibreCoat has focused on securing clients in the automotive, construction, and defence industries, where the materials are particularly useful for radiation shielding and weight reduction applications. Now the company is setting its sights on upward.Spacecraft require materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, radiation, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) without adding unnecessary weight. Space is a rapidly growing sector, and launchers and satellites increasingly need coated fibres to endure harsh conditions, said Dr. Robert Brull, CEO of FibreCoat.I WANT THE BEST DEALLuxembourg-based NewSpace Capital co-led the funding round, bringing vital expertise as the startup looks to cash in on the expanding space ecosystem, projected to reach $1.8trn by 2035.Space and terrestrial supply chains are converging, said Bogdan Gogulan, managing partner at NewSpace Capital, adding that FibreCoat has the potential to address critical challenges across a swathe of industries.FibreCoat will use the fresh funds to ramp up R&D and scale production as it looks to commercialise its fibre coating technology.The startup is far from the only spinout access story to emerge from RWTH Aachen in recent years.One of the fastest growing is Cylib. The startup is currently constructing what is set to be Europes largest EV battery recycling plant.Cylibs founders Dr Lilian Schwich, Paul Sabarny, and Dr Gideon Schwich launched the company after a decade of battery recycling research at RWTH Aachen. The partners claim their method uses 30% less energy than competitors.Another big player is Black Semiconductor, which raised 254.4mn back in June. Thats a massive raise for any startup, let alone a European one. Even more impressive is that the company is only four years old.Brothers Daniel and Sebastian Schall launched Black Semiconductor in 2020. The startup is developing a new type of chip-connecting technology using the wonder material graphene. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

A Spanish government-appointed committee of experts has recommended that smartphones sold in the country carry health warning labels. The advice comes amid mounting concern about the effects of smartphone use, particularly among young people.The experts published their findings in a 250-page report, seen by newspaper El Pas. The document details ways the government could crack down on what the panel calls a public health epidemic.Proposals include banning digital devices for kids under three and restricting their use for those between three and six, except in rare cases. The report also advises rolling out so-called dumbphones for teens up to 16 and discouraging social media use entirely for children under 12.The experts also took aim at educational apps with instant gratification mechanics. They recommend their removal from schools to avoid negative impacts on learning. Schools should focus on analogue teaching for younger students and limit digital tools in early education, they said.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!On the public health front, the panel pushes for recognising tech-related mental health issues like addiction and anxiety as pressing health concerns. It suggests adding screenings for digital overuse into routine doctor visits.The report calls for mandatory health warnings on digital devices, detailing potential risks like overuse and exposure to harmful content similar to the ones on cigarette packets, but presumably not as extreme. Similar warnings should pop up on screens when certain apps or platforms are accessed.The sweeping recommendations aim to reframe how Spain approaches tech and its youngest users.Around half of children in Spain own a smartphone by the time they turn 11. In the UK, this figure is around 90%. The majority of these kids also use social media.Studies have linked excessive use of apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to an increase in cases of depression, anxiety, and diet-related issues among youth.In France, a government-commissioned study said in April that children should not be allowed to use smartphones until they are 13. Meanwhile, Australia made headlines recently for banning social media entirely for under 16s, in a groundbreaking, but controversial, move.In Spain, the government introduced draft legislation in June that, if passed, would include default parental controls on smartphones, a national campaign to educate children and teens on social media use, and raising the minimum age you can open a social media account from 14 to 16.While Spains digital safeguards for kids sound great on paper, rolling them out wont be easy.For starters, good luck getting kids to fess up their real age online. Even harder though might be convincing greedy tech companies to add warnings and default controls that would no doubt affect their revenue.Big ideas, sure, but execution might take a little longer than that next TikTok scroll. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Microsofts cloud ambitions just hit a major snag in the UK. The tech giant is facing a 1bn ($1.27 billion) lawsuit over how it licenses software to customers using rival cloud platforms.Filed in the UKs Competition Appeal Tribunal by Scott+Scott, the lawsuit accuses Microsoft of punishing businesses for choosing competitors like Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Alibaba over its Azure platform.Heres the gist: if youre using Microsofts Windows Server but prefer another cloud provider, youre allegedly stuck with higher costs. Maria Luisa Stasi, the lead claimant, argues this forces UK businesses into Azures arms and stifles competition. Backed by litigation funder LCM Funding, the case claims Microsofts pricing practices exploit its dominance in operating systems.Put simply, Microsoft is punishing UK businesses and organisations for using Google, Amazon and Alibaba for cloud computing by forcing them to pay more money for Windows Server, Stasi, who is head of law and policy for digital rights advocacy group Article19, told CNBC.I WANT THE BEST DEALBy doing so, Microsoft is trying to force customers into using its cloud computing service Azure and restricting competition in the sector.AWS and Google have already flagged Microsofts licensing policies to UK regulators, spurring an ongoing investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the public cloud sector.Microsoft, for its part, insists the industry is fiercely competitive and points to Googles growing cloud muscle as proof.Microsoft has not yet responded to our request for comment.Big tech under the microscopeMicrosofts legal headaches arent just about the cloud. In June, the EU accused the tech giant of illegally linking its chat and video app Teams with its Office product, giving it an unfair advantage over rivals such as Slack. Microsoft could face a fine equal to 10% of its annual revenue for the alleged breach of the blocs Digital Markets Act (DMA). Regulators in the UK and the EU are tightening the noose on other big tech companies too.For instance, in September the EUs Court of Justice, in two separate cases, ruled in favour of back taxes and fines against Apple and Google totalling a whopping 15.4bn.The court found that Apple had benefitted from substantially and artificially lowered tax in Ireland since 1991. Google, on the other hand, was found guilty of favouring its shopping service in internet searches and thereby abusing its market dominance in Europe.With this latest lawsuit, Microsofts cloud dominance may face a reckoning. Whether the case delivers real change or just more legal bills remains to be seen. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

UK startup PhysicsX, founded by former Formula 1 engineering whizz Robin Dr. Rob Tuluie, has unveiled an AI tool that could fast-track the time it takes to design a new aircraft from months to just a few days.Dubbed LGM-Aero, the software creates new designs for aeroplanes. Using advanced algorithms trained on more than 25 million geometries, the model predicts lift, drag, stability, structural stress and other attributes for each shape. It then tailors the design according to what you want your plane to do.PhysicsX said the AI is the first-ever Large Geometry Model (LGM) for aerospace engineering. A barebones version of the model, Ai.rplane, is also accessible free of charge.This is a first step in transforming the way engineering is practised in advanced industries [like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing], said Tuluie, founder and chairman of PhysicsX.I WANT THE BEST DEALOver time, we will bring new capabilities to LGM-Aero and Ai.rplane, allowing users to select powertrains, add controls and further content to reach mature designs in days rather than months or years, he said. Tuluie wasnt always an entrepreneur. For the first half of his life, he worked alongside Nobel Prize winners as an astrophysicist. Then, at 41, he entered the F1 scene where he devised designs that helped Renault, and later Mercedes, win four Formula One world championships between them.In 2019, Tuluie founded PhysicsX alongside Jacomo Corbo, a Harvard-educated engineer who ran McKinseys AI lab. Together, the duo have assembled a 50-strong team of some of the worlds top minds in data science, AI, and machine learning.PhysicsX, based in London, emerged from stealth in November 2023 with 30mn in funding. The company is on a mission to reimagine simulation for science and engineering using AI in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing.PhysicsX says it is looking to help engineers better anticipate design bottlenecks, such as the drag of a new aeroplane or car design before they set out on building a physical prototype saving them time and money. Its software acts like a supercharged wind tunnel for ideas.In the same way that large language models understand text, Ai.rplane has a vast knowledge of the shapes and structures that are important to aerospace engineering, explained Corbo.The technology can optimise across multiple types of physics in seconds, many orders of magnitude faster than numerical simulation, and at the same level of accuracy.Corbo called LGM-Aero an important stepping stone towards developing physics foundation models. These are AI systems designed to simulate and solve complex physical problems by learning patterns from data and physical laws.Applying AI to complex scientific problems is gaining traction. In 2020, Google Deepminds Alphafold model famously cracked a puzzle in protein biology that had confounded scientists for centuries. The discovery has accelerated research in drug discovery, molecular biology, and bioengineering.Other companies, like Dutch scaleup VSParticle, are using algorithms to fastrack the discovery and synthesis of potentially game-changing materials.While the applications of AI in science may differ from discipline to discipline, the benefits are shared: artificial intelligence can supercharge scientific discovery by analysing data, simulating complex systems, and uncovering insights faster than humans ever could.So AI isnt all about asking ChatGPT what to eat for dinner? No, dear reader, its a actually pretty big deal. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

PLD Space has secured an 11mn loan to help fund the development of a liftoff site for its partially reusable Miura 5 rocket, which is set to become Europes first privately developed satellite launcher unless one of its competitors gets there first.The loan will help the Spanish startup construct the launch facility, located at Europes primary spaceport in French Guiana and estimated to cost around 16mn overall. PLD Space launched its first, smaller rocket, Miura 1, from Spain last year. However, for a bigger orbital launcher like Miura 5, the company needs a facility with specific capabilities. These include a large launch pad, a comprehensive mission control centre, and access to a geographically optimal location for orbital trajectories.PLD Space plans to conduct test and flight campaigns for MIURA 5 from the site. The rockets maiden flight is scheduled for late 2025.Ral Torres and Ral Verd, university classmates, founded PLD Space in 2011 with a vision to create something akin to a European version of Elon Musks SpaceX. The company now employs over 250 people. It has raised 170mn in funding to date.I WANT THE BEST DEALThe companys ambitions extend beyond MIURA 5. It plans to develop Miura Next, a family of heavy-lift reusable rockets by the 2030s and the Lince capsule, Europes first private manned spacecraft.Europes space race is firing upMorgan Stanley predicts the space economy will grow from 355 billion in 2020 to over 1 trillion by 2030 and competition for the rewards is fierce.The USA remains a global leader, while China is emerging as a powerful challenger. Then theres Europe, which has historically lagged behind in the space race.Against this backdrop, companies like PLD Space are seen as crucial for ensuring Europe doesnt become too dependent on foreign powers and companies like SpaceX for access to space.PLD Space hopes to be the flagbearer for a new era of private European spaceflight. But its not alone. The company faces stiff competition from other startups with similar ambitions and similar timelines.Two of the most promising are Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) and Isar Aerospace, both from Germany. These startups are developing partially reuseable, orbital launchers with a similar carrying capacity to Miura 5 1000-1500kg.All three contenders are rushing to become the first private company to launch a European-built satellite launcher into orbit.RFA faced a setback in August when its rocket blew up during testing, pushing back its projected launch date to 2025 at the earliest. Meanwhile, Isar Aerospace commenced hot-fire tests of its Spectrum rocket in September, but with the year almost over it looks like the companys original 2024 launch date projection will slip away.Whoever gets there first, one things for sure: Europes private space race is heating up. And thats good for the continents celestial ambitions whichever way you slice it. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

British startup SatVu has secured 20mn (24mn) to fuel the development of its hyper-accurate thermal imaging satellites that act like a thermometer for the whole planet.The cash injection includes 10mn (12mn) in equity from Spanish VC Adara Ventures and British tech-focused fund Molten Ventures. The remainder comes from an insurance payout, the startup said.The funding will propel the launch of two new satellites in its HotSat constellation, which are scheduled to liftoff next year. The probes HotSat-2 and HotSat-3 will replace HotSat-1, SatVus first satellite, launched in 2023. When HotSat-1 launched it was fitted with the worlds highest-resolution, commercial thermal sensor.The camera, developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), could deliver thermal data at a 3.5-meter resolution. However, HotSat-1 suffered a major setback just six months into its mission when its sensor stopped functioning.I WANT THE BEST DEALThe satellite was working fantastically, the data was great and the customers were super-excited. To trip up now is deeply frustrating but weve proved the principle and that puts us in a really strong position for the future, Anthony Baker, SatVus founder and CEO, told BBC News at the time.With HotSat-2 and HotSat-3 and a fresh pot of funding SatVu looks to stage a comeback.Baker said the investment would help the startup accelerate its mission to deliver unparalleled thermal insights that empower industries and governments to take decisive climate action. The company eventually plans to deploy a constellation of at least eight thermal imaging probes.SatVus technology has been dubbed the worlds thermometer. It provides near real-time heat maps of the Earths surface. With applications spanning national security, infrastructure monitoring, and climate resilience, the startup claims its technology could guide more targeted climate action and policy decisions.Baker, a satellite expert, founded SatVu in 2016. Headquartered in London, the company mainly comprises a tight-knit team of Earth observation and aerospace specialists. SatVu has raised a total of 64mn (78mn) in funding to date.The latest investment is the first from Adara Ventures Energy Fund. The Madrid-based VC set up the fund this year to invest in cutting-edge technologies that accelerate the energy transition in Europe. The fund has a target size of 120mn. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Amsterdam-headquartered Nebius, which builds full-stack AI infrastructure for tech firms, has secured $700mn in a private equity deal led by Nvidia, Accel, and asset manager Orbis.The funding comes in the form of a private placement when a company sells stocks directly to a private investor instead of on the public market. The deal will see Nebius issue 33.3 million Class A shares at $21 apiece.Nebius, which is the rebranded European arm of Russias Google, Yandex, is investing more than $1bn across Europe by mid-2025 as it seeks to cash in on booming demand for AI computing power. It also recently announced plans to build its first GPU cluster in the US. We have demonstrated the scale of our ambitions, initiating an AI infrastructure build-out across two continents, said Arkady Volozh, founder and CEO of Nebius. This strategic financing gives us additional firepower to do it faster and on a larger scale.Nebius expansion strategy includes constructing new custom data centres and expanding existing facilities, like its data centre in Finland which we visited in October. It will also deploy additional capacity through colocation.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!Volozh aims for Nebius to be a Phoenix rising from the ashes of what remained of Yandex following the companys divestment from Russia earlier this year. The $5.4bn deal constituted the largest corporate exit from the country since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine over two years ago.Nebius core product is an AI-centric cloud platform for intense AI workloads. The company is also one of the launch partners for Nvidias fabled Blackwell GPUs, however, this investment does not guarantee that.The deal is not about the GPUs, Volozh told Bloomberg. But, of course, it shows our close relationship, which we hope will influence our pipeline.Investors are pouring huge sums of money into AI compute. The global AI infrastructure market size is projected to grow from $46.15bn in 2024 to $356.14bn by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. One competitor to Nebius, US firm CoreWeave, is preparing for an IPO that could put the company, founded in 2017, at a $35bn valuation. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Its been a tough year for air taxi startups. The UKs Vertical Aerospace is running short of cash, while Germanys Lillium faces bankruptcy. Targets for commercialisation keep getting extended. Investors are hesitant to commit.The reason for all the struggles is pretty simple. Building, certifying, and commercialising brand-new aircraft designs like electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) is complex, notoriously expensive, and depends on lengthy regulatory processes.Thats partly why German startup Vaeridion is pursuing a simpler, potentially cheaper, route to electric flight using an aircraft it calls the microliner.The microliner looks like a regular plane and it takes off from a runway theonly difference is that it will be powered by batteries, Vaeridions co-founder and CEO, Ivor van Dartel, told TNW. For operators and passengers, the experience will be essentially the same. Similar to what Tesla did for cars, but for planes.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!Today, Vaeridion announced that it has secured a Pre Application Contract (PAC) with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), in a big step towards commercial flight.Think of this contract as a dress rehearsal for aircraft certification. Before a company can officially apply for approval to fly its aircraft (called type certification), this contract lets it discuss the process with regulators, get feedback on its design and plans, and identify potential hurdles.EASAs pre-application service was launched last year. Vaeridion said that it is the first general aviation manufacturer to win a contract under the scheme.Vaeridions head of engineering, Markus Kochs Kmper, called it a huge milestone in the development of its microliner. This initiative allows us to de-risk our core technology and the path to certifying our electric aircraft prior to submitting a type certificate application, he told TNW.Van Dartel and Sebastian Seemann both former Airbus and ZF engineers co-founded Vaeridion in 2021. Their vision was to build an electric plane to replace jet-fueled aircraft on short-haul, regional flights.Preliminary tests put the range of the microliner at about 500km, said the company. In 2022, almost a third of flights in the EU covered this distance or less, according to Eurocontrol. And its double what most eVTOL startups are advertising.London to Amsterdam? Berlin to Munich? Madrid to Lisbon? No problem.The microliner fitted with a single propeller in its nose can achieve this range despite a rather modest load of batteries, which are located in the wings for better weight distribution. The planes design was inspired by gliders, which have an aerodynamic shape to minimise drag and boost efficiency.Vaeridions design is similar to existing regional aircraft, which could reduce development and manufacturing costs compared to more experimental eVTOL models that often require intricate propulsion systems and vertical lift capabilities.Vaeridion plans to fly its first prototype in 2027. The company aims to make this first iteration fully conform to EASAs type certificate requirements. This means it wont have to build a costly demonstrator plane as well. Vaeridion will make one prototype, get it certified, and then its ready for the first commercial flights, scheduled for 2030.By tapping into established aviation technologies and infrastructure, Vaeridions microliner could position it as a more achievable and scalable option for regional air travel than some of the more flamboyant designs out there. Nevertheless, it will still need to secure significant funding to fuel its growth, something which Van Dartel hints is on the horizon while being careful not to overshare.Vaeridion plans to build the planes from scratch and sell them directly to customers. The company also expects to generate ongoing revenue by periodically replacing the aircrafts batteries. Each upgrade will take advantage of newer battery chemistries, which means the range of the aircraft is set to increase over time.With an estimated seat price range of between 150300, the microliner is targeted at business people who want to travel in style and comfort. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Lithium-ion batteries have served us well, powering much of the modern world. However, todays tech everything from drones and EVs to the wretched Tesla cyber truck demands denser batteries that charge faster and take you further. This push is driving scientists to conjure up new battery chemistries or refine old ones. Naturally, it is also spawning a new generation of startups looking to scale the next, best battery. One of those is Molyon.Molyon recently spun out from 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge to commercialise a lithium-sulfur battery that it claims delivers twice the energy density of lithium-ion. Today, the startup secured $4.6mn to kickstart manufacturing at its first pilot facility.Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries not only store much more energy than lithium-ion, but they also dont rely on rare minerals like cobalt, nickel, and graphite. They could help technologies like electric vehicles, drones, and planes become far more efficient.Watch Back NowHowever, to date, Li-S batteries have yet to be commercialised because of one big problem. Sulfur from the batterys cathode tends to dissolve into the electrolyte causing the anode to corrode and the battery to fail after only a few cycles.The promise of lithium-sulfur batteries has been there for decades but until now it has not been possible to realise this potential because of the inherent chemistry challenges of working with sulfur, explained Dr Ismail Sami, co-founder and CEO of Molyon.To overcome this problem, Molyon has developed a cathode technology based on metallic molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a compound made up of sulfur and molybdenum, an abundant element found in the Earths crust. MoS2 remains stable and provides high energy density over hundreds of cycles potentially revolutionising the Li-S battery field.Sami co-founded Molyon in February of this year alongside his lab partner Dr Zhuangnan Li, who acts as the companys CTO. The pair met whilst studying under the third co-founder Professor Manish Chhowalla. A fourth co-founder, Dr Sai Shivareddy (co-founder of Nyobolt) is a commercial advisor to the company.Since patenting the discovery, the team has demonstrated practical batteries with energy densities of 500Wh per kg approximately twice that of the typical Li-ion battery.Fuelled by fresh funding, Molyon will expand its team and work on its pilot facility. It will initially focus on making Li-S batteries for drones and robots, which could greatly benefit from the lighter weight and improved range. After that, the company plans to scale to electric cars, trucks, and planes.Molyons funding round its first ever was co-led by London-based deep tech investors IQ Capital and founder-led VC Plural, which back in January.The UK is uniquely positioned to lead in lithium-sulfur technology, wrote Carina Namih, partner at Plural, in a blog post. We are already one of the world-leading innovators in this emerging field, with the top labs and researchers based here.The UK also has the talent base and scar tissue from earlier failed attempts to commercialize this technology as is so often the case with technological progress, the lessons learnt from these failures will feed the second wave.Update (14:31 CET, November 27, 2024): Plurals fund closed at 500m, not 400m, as this article previously reported. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

The Dutch labour market is experiencing a persistent talent shortage, according to a new salary survey report.The research also flags that when it comes to hiring in 2025, artificial intelligence, automation, and machine learning are expected to be among the hottest functional areas companies are most likely to recruit talent for next year.In line with this, a recent study by Indeed found that over the past year, job postings mentioning generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) or related phrases have increased dramatically across the US and Europe.In Germany, for example, there has been a 3.9x increase, France has seen a 6.8x increase in jobs seeking generative and aligned AI skills, and Ireland has seen a 4.6x increase.5 software jobs to apply for nowWatch Back NowThese arent standalone requests. Data analytics was the sector where GenAI was most likely to be mentioned in job descriptions, Indeeds research states, adding GenAI is also prominent in software development.Further intel from BairesDev is of particular interest to software developers who may be job-seeking in 2025. The company recently conducted research across more than 500 companies to understand what the most requested skills are from clients.It found that machine learning was the fastest-growing skill, with a 383% growth rate, followed by Angular, Flutter, Kotlin, and Terraform.Rising interest in AI is also causing an increase in the need for core technical skills, which are essential for building AI platforms and applications. Those include technologies like React, .NET, Python, Node, and Java.The report also notes that this year there was a 77% rise in demand for skills related to data infrastructure.Over the past five years, weve seen a steady and sometimes steep increase in demand for developers who specialise in tools like Snowflake, MongoDB, and Databricks, amongst others, says BairesDevs CTO, Justice Erolin.If AI is a gold rush and youre a developer, you might want to be selling the pickaxes. In this case, the pickaxes are skills related to data because a well-maintained data infrastructure is the engine that drives a successful AI product.Skills gaps emergingThats all useful information for software professionals who are seeking career advancement in 2025. However, alongside these predictions is a warning about the urgent need for the right talent to satisfy growing demand, with a tech skills gap emerging as a blocker.Worryingly, in the EU, the European Digital Economy and Society Index found that every third person lacks basic digital skills. According to The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), the future employment growth average in the Netherlands for the period 2022-2035 is estimated at 0.3%, but in terms of ICT roles, this figure is far larger at 12.9%.However, this figure may be stymied by a perfect storm of factors that are contributing to the tech skills gap.Rapid digital transformation is one factor, and as organisations come under pressure to modernise their operations to remain competitive, this leads to a significant increase in the need for tech talent.Combine this with the fact that about 40% of adults working in Europe lack basic digital skills, and the fact that one-third of individuals employed in Europe do not possess adequate digital competencies, and the problem becomes more concerning.This deficit starts early with fewer younger people pursuing STEM subjects at school or university, a problem that then knocks into the workforce, with a limited talent pool available to meet industry needs.Despite these warnings, a recent report indicates that 35% of Dutch companies will expand their permanent roles in 2025, with 27% expecting to hire for flexible roles. When it comes to salaries, the report notes that salary adjustments in 2025 will primarily be driven by recognising outstanding employee performance and retaining top talent.The outlook for those with the right skills looks broadly positive. The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis predicts a 15% increase in tech job openings by next year. And amid those concerns around the tech skills gap, another piece of good news is that 30% of software engineers in the Netherlands hold a Masters degree in a specialised field related to software engineering.Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht, and Rotterdam are just some of the cities where software developers can look for jobs. Thats thanks to the home-grown giants of Booking.com, ING bank, Unilever, Philips, and Heineken.Additionally, many huge tech firms have locations in the Netherlands such as IBM, Microsoft, Netflix, and Amazon. If youre a software engineer with the right skills, then the Dutch job market represents a rich playing field of opportunities across cloud computing, data science, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, full-stack development, and more.Ready to find your next software job? Check out The House of Talent Job Board Story by Kirstie McDermott Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Content provided by Amply and TNWAlso tagged with

Zurich-based startup Poncho has officially launched its weather insurance platform and bagged some fresh funding to boot.Founded in 2023, the company aims to transform how the travel and hospitality industries handle unpredictable weather.Ponchos tech integrates with booking systems, allowing customers to opt for weather protection at checkout. If bad weather, such as heavy rain or wind, occurs during their scheduled event or trip, a refund is processed automatically. You dont need to file a claim.Maybe torrential rains turn your Alpine ski trip to slush or maybe youve splurged on a Mediterranean yacht adventure only to have rough seas keep you stuck at the dock sipping overpriced cocktails.Either way, it sucks. But with Poncho, at least your budget stays intact when Mother Nature doesnt play nice. Poncho uses real-time weather data and algorithms to predict conditions at specific locations and times. In this way, it can calculate a fair insurance price based on an accurate estimate of whether a certain event or activity will get cancelled or not, it said.Watch Back NowAfter months of hard work, we are thrilled to announce that Ponchos weather insurance solution is finally available! Our product allows travel and leisure businesses to seamlessly offer weather protection to their customers at the time of booking, said Omar Jerrari, founder and CEO of Poncho.Today, the startup announced it has raised 589,000 in seed funding. WeBuild Ventures, a finance-focused VC fund from Switzerland, led the round.Poncho, with a lean team of just three, will use the cash injection to refine its platform, scale operations across Europe, and build partnerships with insurers. It also plans to develop additional features, such as weather-triggered promotions.The startups initial focus is on the travel sector, where weather unpredictability often discourages bookings, but its vision extends to other industries, such as outdoor dining and events.The company says it has already signed up five leisure and travel businesses in its home stomping grounds of Switzerland. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Vertical Aerospace has been thrown a crucial lifeline, staving off potential bankruptcy at the cash-strapped air taxi startup.The UK-based company which makes electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft secured the fresh funds from its largest creditor, American debt investor Mudrick Capital.The agreement, announced Monday, includes a $50mn cash injection and a substantial debt-to-equity swap. Mudrick will invest $25mn upfront and guarantee another $25mn in future funding, offset by contributions from third-party investors.Mudrick will also convert half of its $130mn in outstanding loans into equity at $2.75 per share, taking its ownership stake in Vertical to just over 70%. This move reduces Verticals debt burden while extending the repayment date for the remaining $65mn to December 2028.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!Verticals founder Stephen Fitzpatrick whose stake will shrink from 70% to around 20% is stepping back from an operational role. He will remain on the board as a non-executive director. Despite the shift in control, Vertical will continue to operate from its headquarters in Bristol.The additional equity and stronger balance sheet will enable us to fund the next phase of our development programme and deliver on our mission to bring this amazing electric aircraft to the skies, said Fitzpatrick.The rescue deal comes at a crucial moment for Vertical, which has been burning through cash in a bid to get its VX4 aircraft tested, certified, and airborne by 2028.In September, Bloomberg reported that without additional funding, Vertical would risk running out of cash by March 2025. Stuart Simpson, the startups chief executive, said that Mudricks fresh backing will now extend its cash runway to the end of 2025.eVTOL startups have drawn huge investments in recent years, driven by the promise of revolutionising urban transportation with quiet, eco-friendly flights. Optimism and a fair bit of hype fueled early funding, but many underestimated the challenges of development, certification, and scaling production.As costs rose and timelines slipped, investor confidencesteadily waned, leaving many startups grounded. One of Verticals main competitors, German startup Lilium, filed for bankruptcy this month after failing to secure new funds.Vertical, which went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021, has lost 95% of its market value since the listing. While the bailout gives the company a lifeline for now, its future is far from certain. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Amsterdam-based startup Skytree is set to deploy its carbon-sucking machines on a newly announced carbon capture and storage project in Texas, US.Dubbed Project Concho, the $100mn Direct Air Capture (DAC) plant aims to initially vacuum up 30,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere annually, eventually scaling to 500,000 tonnes. This carbon will be permanently stored underground, on site.The facility is set to enter operation in 2028, a Skytree representative told TNW via email.Project Concho is masterminded by carbon capture developers Return Carbon, from the Netherlands, and Verified Carbon, from Texas. They will generate revenue from the plant by selling carbon credits to companies looking to offset their emissions. The partners have chosen Skytree to do the carbon vacuum cleaning. Founded in 2014, Skytrees technology is based on the carbon scrubbers used aboard the International Space Station, which remove the excess CO2 produced from the breath of astronauts.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!Skytree makes two machines: Cumulus, for small-scale applications and an industrial-scale machine called Stratus. Project Concho will deploy dozens of these units in unison, to make one single hub.Project Concho is a first-of-its-kind collaboration that opens the door to even more ambitious and transformative carbon removal projects, said Elena Nikonova, VP of Skytrees recently opened offices in the US and Canada.The developers plan to power the hub using an onsite wind farm, built by Spanish energy firm Greenalia. This would make it the worlds first DAC project fully powered by wind energy, they said.A symbiotic relationship?Project Concho marks a rare collaboration between a DAC facility and a wind energy provider, but one that could become a blueprint for future facilities.The carbon capture plant guarantees it will consistently buy wind energy, giving the wind farm a stable customer and predictable revenue. In return, the DAC plant gets low-cost, renewable energy, which is crucial for reducing the high operational costs of large-scale carbon capture. This agreement also ensures energy price stability and flexibility, making it easier for both partners to plan and grow efficiently.Alexandre Alonso, SVP of Business Development at Greenalia, called this a game-changer for renewable energy projects.Projecto Concho comes amid a boom in carbon capture projects in the US, partly driven by generous government subsidies. Last month, the Biden-Harris Administration, announced plans to provide up to $1.8bn in funding to support DAC technologies. This builds on the 45Q tax credit laid out in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The incentive provides up to $180 per metric ton of CO2 captured and stored.The US continues to demonstrate growing demand for proven, cost-effective, scalable DAC technology driven by the needs of industry and with the backing by government, said Skytrees CEO Rob van Straten. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Candela is flying high and across the Atlantic.The Swedish startup has secured $14mn, marking the close of its Series C round at a cosy $40mn. This puts its total funding at just shy of $90mn.Candela has also sold its first P-12 ferry in the US, amid burgeoning demand for what is the worlds fastest and longest-range electric passenger vessel.FlyTahoe, the company that will operate the service, will use the P-12 to shuttle tourists and locals across Lake Tahoe. This massive freshwater lake straddles the border of California and Nevada and is best known for its clear blue waters and nearby world-class ski resorts.Watch Back NowCandelas ferry will run a north-south route across the lake at 25 knots (30 mph), halving travel times from an hour by car to just 30 minutes minus the emissions.Its ironic that while millions, myself included, drive around Lake Tahoe to admire its beauty, the road sediment we generate contributes to the largest threat to the lakes famous cobalt blue clarity, Ryan Meinzer, founder and CEO of FlyTahoe.Computer-controlled hydrofoils lift the P-12 above water, reducing drag and cutting energy use by 80% compared to regular boats. This also provides a smooth, silent ride unaffected by waves and winds.Attracting over 15 million visitors annually, Lake Tahoe suffers from road congestion, worsened in winter by heavy snow and road closures. However, since the lake never freezes over, the P-12 can operate year-round, providing a quicker, cleaner alternative to driving.Last month, Stockholm became the first city to adopt Candelas ferry as part of its public transport system. The P-12 runs a 15km route from the suburb of Eker into the City centre, cutting a 55-minute commute in half.Candela estimates 120 of its shuttles could replace Stockholms entire 35-strong fleet of diesel ferries. At $1.7mn (1.5mn) a piece, thats a big investment, but CEO Gustav Hasselskog is bullish on the returns.Unlike a lot of green technologies, the cost is lower, its cheaper to run, and cheaper to maintain, he told TNW when we visited the companys headquarters earlier this year.Powered by a fresh batch of funding, Candelas is rushing to fulfil orders from New Zealand, Berlin, Saudi Arabia and now the US, as it prepares for its biggest phase of growth yet.Our technology offers a strong economic incentive to switch to zero-emission fleets while unlocking the potential for waterways to ease road congestion and enable multi-modal urban travel. This investment comes at a critical time for the planet, said Hasselskog in a press release.SEB Private Equity, a global private equity investor, led the funding round, with participation from existing investors EQT Ventures and KanDela AB. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

London-based startup Lighthouse just raised a hefty $370mn from American investment giant KKR at a valuation of over $1bn, making it Europes latest unicorn tech company.The funding will supercharge the companys ambitions to shake up the $15bn travel tech market. Whats on the to-do list? Refining its AI tools, expanding globally, and snapping up competitors through mergers and acquisitions (it has already made four).Lighthouses platform crunches over 400 terabytes of travel data every day, using AI to turn that ocean of info into bite-sized insights that help hotels make better business decisions. It includes data like how many people are booking rooms, when theyre booking, what theyre willing to pay, and how hotels compare to others in the same area. This data helps businesses understand the market, predict trends, and make decisions to increase bookings and revenue.The startup says its tools are used by over 70,000 hospitality providers in 185 countries, including big names like Holiday Inn, Radisson, and NH Hotel Group. It has more than 700 employees worldwide.Watch Back NowCEO Sean Fitzpatrick is pumped about whats next. I couldnt be more energized by what were working towards. Were just getting started in making hospitality data and tools more powerful, accessible, and affordable, he said, adding that KKRs investment will boost AI capabilities, pull in new data sets, and push the company deeper into the global market.Gino Engels and Matthias Geeroms founded Lighthouse in 2012. The company was originally called OTA Insight and started in Ghent, Belgium, before moving its HQ to London. Now, it has raised one of the largest rounds for any startup based in the British capital.For KKR, this is another notch in a long belt of tech growth bets. Since 2010, the firm has funnelled around $23bn into the sector. Stephen Shanley, KKRs head of tech growth in Europe, called Lighthouse the leading platform in this space, praising its ability to serve everyone from boutique inns to multinational hotel chains.Back in 2021, Lighthouse raised $80mn in a Series B, with backers like Spectrum Equity and F-Prime Capital sticking around for this latest buy-in. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

UK startup Surf Security has launched a beta version of what it claims is the worlds first browser with a built-in feature designed to spot AI-generated deepfakes.The tool, available through Surfs browser or as an extension, can detect with up to 98% accuracy whether the person youre interacting with online is a real human or an AI imitation, the company said.The London-based cybersecurity upstart uses military-grade neural network technology to detect deepfakes. The system uses State Space Models, which detect AI-generated clones across languages and accents by analysing audio frames for inconsistencies.To maximise its effectiveness, we focused on accuracy and speed, said Ziv Yankowitz, Surf Securitys CTO. The tools neural network is trained using deepfakes created by the top AI voice cloning platforms, he said.Register NowThe system has an integrated background noise reduction feature to clear up audio before processing. It can spot a deepfake audio in less than 2 seconds, said Yankowitz.The new feature is available for audio files, including online videos or communication software such as WhatsApp, Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet. You just need to press a button and the system verifies if the audio recorded, or live is genuine or AI-generated. Surf said it will also add AI image detection to the browsers toolkit in the future.Deepfakes are a growing problemDeepfakes, which use AI to create convincing fake audio or video, are a rising threat.Just this week, researchers at the BBC unearthed deepfake audio clips of David Attenborough that sound indistinguishable from the famous presenters own voice. Various websites and YouTube channels are using the deepfake to get him to say things about Russia, about the US election that he never said.This is just the tip of an ugly iceberg. Deepfakes have been used to enable large-scale fraud, incite political unrest through fake news, and destroy reputations by creating false or harmful content.Surf said it launched the new deepfake detector to help protect enterprises, media organisations, police, and militaries around the world from the growing risk of AI cloning. However, battling deepfakes is a continuous battle between humans using machines for good, against other humans using machines for nefarious means.AI voice cloning software becomes more capable by the day, admitted Yankowitz. So like all of cybersecurity, we are committing to winning an ever-evolving arms race.Surf expects to release the full version of its deepfake detector early next year. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Dawn Aerospace has flown its rocket-powered aircraft past the speed of sound, the latest milestone on its path to its first commercial flights.During the test, which took place on New Zealands South Island, the startups Mk-II Aurora aircraft reached Mach 1.1 and an altitude of 25 kilometres. Dawn said this marks the first time a civil aircraft has flown supersonic since Concorde.The feat comes after Aurora hit Mach 0.92 in August, which, at the time, was three times the speed and five times the height of its previous test conducted in 2023. Dawns aircraft just keeps on getting faster. The end goal is to go hypersonic (6,17312,348 km/h) and fly over 100 km above the Earth twice in one day.Register NowAs a company, we have been working for more than seven years to design, develop, test, and deliver supersonic flight. We are now achieving this and will start commercial payload operations in the coming months, said Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace.The company, headquartered in the Netherlands and New Zealand, claims that during the test last week the Aurora also broke the world record for the fastest aircraft to climb from ground level to 20 km. The spaceplane made the ascent in just 118.6 seconds, beating the previous record set in the 1970s by a highly modified F-15 fighter jet.This milestone sets the stage for Aurora to become the worlds highest and fastest-flying aircraft and paves the way for the first operational hypersonic aircraft, redefining whats possible in aviation, said Powell.Cheaper access to spaceKiwi Stefan Powell and his brother James founded Dawn Aerospace in 2016 alongside Dutchman Jeroen Wink, and the two Germans Tobias Knop and Robert Werner. The team hopes to unlock cheaper, quicker access to space for applications such as microgravity research, atmospheric science, Earth observation, and testing high-speed flight.Dawn has spent just $10mn on its flight programme to date and looks to complete it using just $20mn pennies for an aerospace company. One can assume that these low production costs will also translate into cheap flights for customers.Dawns lean approach to tech development stands out in an industry dominated by billionaire-funded startups and deep-pocketed governments. The company generates some additional revenue from its other business line, which builds low emissions propulsions systems for satellites. Nevertheless, its looking to do something quite remarkable given its limited cash runway.The startups ultimate vision is to build an orbital stage aircraft, dubbed Mk-III, that could transport satellites into low-Earth orbit, putting it in direct competition with Elon Musks SpaceX. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

For the past few months, Meta has been sending recipes to a Dutch scaleup called VSParticle (VSP). These are not food recipes theyre AI-generatedinstructions for how to make new nanoporous materials that could potentially supercharge the green transition.VSP has so far taken 525 of these recipes and synthesised them into nanomaterials called electrocatalysts. Metas algorithms predicted these electrocatalysts would be ideal for breaking down CO2 into useful products like methane or ethanol. VSP brought the machines predictions to life using a nanoprinter, a machine which vaporises materials and then deposits them as thin nanoporous films.Electrocatalysts speed up chemical reactions that involve electricity, such as splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, converting CO2 into fuels, or generating power in fuel cells. They make these processes more efficient, reducing the energy required and enabling clean energy technologies like hydrogen production and advanced batteries.The problem is that it typically takes scientists up to 15 years just to create one new nanomaterial until now.Weve synthesised, tested, and validated hundreds of nanomaterials at a scale and speed never seen before, Aaike van Vugt, co-founder and CEO of VSP, told TNW. This rapid prototyping gives researchers a quick way to validate AI predictions and discover low-cost electrocatalysts that might have taken years or even decades to find using traditional methods.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!VSP put each batch of the new materials in an envelope and shipped it to a lab at the University of Toronto for testing. The findings were then integrated into an open-source experimental database, which can now be used to train AI models to become more better at predicting new material combinations.Larry Zitnick, Research Director at Meta AI, said the research is breaking new ground in material discovery. It marks a significant leap in our ability to predict and validate materials that are critical for clean energy solutions, he said.The Alphafold of nanomaterial discovery?But to really crack the code for material discovery, AI models need to be trained on much larger datasets. Not hundreds but tens or even hundreds of thousands of tested materials.Van Vugt said that VSPs machine is the only technology available today that could synthesize such a large number of thin-film nanoporous materials in a reasonable time frame about two to three years, said the founder. This could create an AI that is the equivalent of Google Deepminds Alphafold, but for nanoporous materials, said Van Vugt. Hes referring, of course, to the breakthrough algorithm that cracked a puzzle in protein biology that had confounded scientists for centuries. If thats true, then it puts the company in a pretty sweet position. The worlds tech giants think Google, Microsoft, Meta are all racing to build bigger, better forms of artificial intelligence in a bid to find solutions to some of the worlds greatest challenges, including climate change. Ironically, these models could also think up solutions for their endless appetite for energy. For companies like Meta, investing in material discovery using AI is a win-win.VSP is working with many other organisations to build out its dataset and mature its technology. These include the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, the San Francisco-based Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) in the Chicago area, and the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER).The Dutch firm is also fine-tuning its nanoprinters to be faster and more efficient. The current machines are powered by 300 sparks per second, but the team is working on a new printer that would increase this output time to 20,000 sparks per second. This could supercharge material discovery even further. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with