European innovation still resists: the 15 startups that became unicorns in 2025

European tech innovation continues to show resilience despite a tougher funding environment. In 2025, fifteen European startups achieved unicorn status, surpassing a valuation of one billion dollars. This achievement highlights the enduring strength of European innovation, particularly in strategic sectors. These newly minted unicorns span various sectors, including health, artificial intelligence, defense, space exploration, and energy. The success of these companies demonstrates the capacity for European tech to thrive even amid more selective and politically influenced funding landscapes. This diversification also indicates the continent's commitment to developing technological solutions across a broad spectrum of industries. This development impacts both investors and the European economy. The emergence of these unicorns signals potential returns for investors and a boost to the continent's digital economy. The success also contributes to European digital sovereignty by fostering homegrown technological advancements, reducing reliance on external tech giants, especially from the US. The evolution of these companies will be critical to watch in the coming years. This will provide further insight into the broader implications of Europe's digital transformation strategy.