As the European startup ecosystem rebounds from the summer slowdown, the first half of 2025 has witnessed a significant surge in companies reaching unicorn status—valuations exceeding $1 billion. This trend underscores the resilience and innovation within the continent’s entrepreneurial landscape, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, and aerospace.
July 2025
Lovable
Swedish AI startup Lovable achieved unicorn status in record time. Launched just eight months prior, the company secured a $200 million Series A funding round led by Accel, valuing it at $1.8 billion. Although Lovable Labs Inc. is registered in Delaware, the majority of its team and job openings are based in Stockholm.
Fuse Energy
British renewable energy firm Fuse Energy, founded in 2022 by two former Revolut executives, reportedly raised a funding round in July that valued the company at over $1 billion. This milestone highlights the growing investor interest in sustainable energy solutions.
June 2025
Mubi
Film-streaming service Mubi secured a $100 million funding round led by Sequoia Capital, elevating its valuation to $1 billion. Established in 2007 as a curated platform, Mubi has expanded its operations to include film production and distribution, positioning itself as a formidable competitor to mainstream streaming services.
Zama
French startup Zama raised a $57 million Series B round, bringing its valuation to over $1 billion. The company specializes in homomorphic encryption, a cryptographic method that allows data to remain encrypted even during processing, thereby enhancing data security.
Isar Aerospace
German space startup Isar Aerospace achieved unicorn status after securing a €150 million (approximately $173 million) convertible bond agreement with Eldridge Industries. Originating from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Isar Aerospace is among the 22 unicorns associated with the institution, reflecting TUM’s significant contribution to the European startup ecosystem.
May 2025
Tekever
Portuguese drone technology company Tekever raised a funding round in May that confirmed its unicorn status. Specializing in dual-use drone applications for both commercial and defense sectors, Tekever’s achievement underscores the increasing relevance of unmanned aerial systems in various industries.
April 2025
Wayve
UK-based autonomous vehicle startup Wayve secured a $200 million Series C funding round, elevating its valuation to $1.3 billion. Wayve’s unique approach to self-driving technology, which relies on end-to-end machine learning models, has attracted significant investor interest.
March 2025
Mistral AI
French AI research company Mistral AI raised a $150 million Series A round, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. Founded by former DeepMind researchers, Mistral AI focuses on developing advanced AI models for various applications.
February 2025
Hippocratic AI
UK-based healthcare AI startup Hippocratic AI secured a $120 million Series B funding round, bringing its valuation to $1 billion. The company specializes in developing AI solutions for medical diagnostics and patient care.
January 2025
Netradyne
Founded in 2015, computer vision startup Netradyne raised a $90 million Series D round, valuing the company at $1.35 billion. Netradyne focuses on developing AI solutions for driver and fleet safety.
Kikoff
Personal finance platform Kikoff achieved a $1 billion valuation after an undisclosed funding round. Founded in 2019, Kikoff offers credit-building solutions and has attracted investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners and basketball player Steph Curry.
Conclusion
The first half of 2025 has been a landmark period for European startups, with over ten companies achieving unicorn status across diverse sectors. This trend reflects the dynamic and innovative spirit of Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, signaling a promising trajectory for the remainder of the year.
