Good news from around Europe
Aleph Alpha to be acquired by Cohere German AI startup Aleph Alpha is to be acquired by Canadian AI lab Cohere, creating a business that will position itself as a sovereign alternative to US AI labs. Cohere, founded in 2019 and valued at $7bn in 2025, builds AI models focused
EU–Ukraine launches €160M defence innovation programme to unlock €400M in financing This week, the European Commission and Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence launched a new cooperation initiative focused on investing in innovative and breakthrough technologies. Unveiled during the EU–Ukraine business summit in Brussels, the initiative is an important step toward strengthening
Verda raises $117M to scale AI cloud infrastructure built on clean Nordic power Helsinki-based AI infrastructure company Verda (formerly DataCrunch ) has raised $117 million in new funding. The round comprises equity funding led by Lifeline Ventures with participation from byFounders, Tesi, Varma, and other investors, alongside debt financing from
Sofia-based Quillon raises $1.5M for audit-grade AI in accounting Quillon, an AI platform for technical accounting and financial reporting, today announced the close of $1.5 million in pre-seed funding and its rebrand from Acclara AI. The round was led by 42CAP, with participation from angel investors affiliated with NVIDIA and
Wolt CEO and Slush chair Marianne Vikkula on building a superapp, leadership lessons and Slush’s secret sauce Powered by WPeMatico https://sifted.eu/articles/marianne-vikkula-wolt-podcast
Aleph Alpha strikes $20bn merger deal with Canada’s Cohere Powered by WPeMatico https://sifted.eu/articles/aleph-alpha-strikes-20bn-merger-deal-with-canadas-cohere
Verda raises €100m to build European hyperscaler, plans to hire 100+ people and launch in new markets Powered by WPeMatico https://sifted.eu/articles/verda-raises-e100m-to-build-european-hyperscaler
European spacetech mapped: 70+ startups reaching for the stars Powered by WPeMatico https://sifted.eu/articles/europe-spacetech-market-map
The European VCs hiring in spring 2026 Powered by WPeMatico https://sifted.eu/articles/european-vc-hiring-spring-2026
Steve Ballmer blasts founder he backed who pleaded guilty to fraud: ‘I was duped and feel silly’ Steve Ballmer wrote a fiery letter in the sentencing of disgraced founder Joseph Sanberg documenting all the harm that’s befalling him as an investor. Powered by WPeMatico https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/24/steve-ballmer-blasts-founder-he-backed-who-pleaded-guilty-to-fraud-i-was-duped-and-feel-silly/