News - For Business
Daily digest of all European digital development news

Meta will allow rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp in Europe, but for a fee
Meta opens WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots in Europe for a fee, impacting messaging services. Pricing ranges from €0....

Ikea’s Matter-compatible smart bulbs are now available in the US
Ikea launches affordable Matter-compatible smart bulbs in the US, a month ahead of schedule. The new Kajplats bulbs offer smart home functionality at lower price points.

Iran is directing its attacks where it knows it hurts the West: energy and data centers
Iran targets Western energy and data centers with drone attacks, seeking to inflict maximum damage. This strategic shift leverages kamikaze drones like the Shahed-136, previously used in Ukraine.

Judge rules in preliminary injunction case Reddit v. AP
Reddit loses court battle with Dutch Data Protection Authority. The court rejected all of Reddit's requests against the AP, signaling a setback for the social media giant.

Apple Music adds optional labels for AI songs and visuals
Apple Music mandates voluntary AI labeling for music and visuals, impacting artists and labels globally. Transparency tags now cover AI-generated tracks, compositions, artwork, and videos on the platform.

Apply AI webinars sectoral deep dive - Agrifood, climate & environment
EU accelerates AI adoption in agrifood and climate sectors. Commission-led webinars will showcase AI's potential to shape European ecosystems.

Irish-founded startup Evervault raises €21 million to advance encrypted data orchestration
Irish startup Evervault secures €21M to advance encrypted data orchestration, fueling Europe's burgeoning digital trust sector. The funding bolsters expansion and product development for its sensitive data security platform.

The EU-Startups Podcast | Interview with Philipp Heltewig, Chief AI Officer at NiCE and General Manager of NiCE Cognigy
Cognigy, an enterprise AI platform, shares its journey from startup to $1 billion acquisition by NiCE. The company's AI automates customer service via conversational and agentic systems.

Slovakia’s rising tech scene: 10 of the most promising startups shaping the country in 2026
Slovakia's tech scene is accelerating with promising startups in AI and SaaS. AR virtual try-on firm AUGLIO secures €1....

From energy transition to deeptech growth: the Swedish tech ecosystem
Swedish tech secures €4. 1B as European investment hits €72B....

Antwerp-based Vectrix raises €1.15 million to build the automation layer for transport operations
Antwerp's Vectrix secures €1. 15M for its AI automation layer in transport operations....

FIRSTPICK raises €25M to find the Baltics’ next breakout founders
Baltic VC FIRSTPICK launches €25M fund targeting AI-first software founders, focusing on grit and ideas over traditional backgrounds. This accelerates investment in underpriced talent across the region.

FIRSTPICK launches €25 million fund to act as VC “fairy godmother” to Baltic founders before their Cinderella moment
FIRSTPICK launches €25M Baltic fund targeting AI-first software startups, backing founders beyond typical VC molds. This initiative aims to nurture undervalued talent and strengthen Lithuania’s innovation ecosystem.

February funding rebounds to €7.8B as UK startups capture the lion’s share of European capital
European tech funding rebounds to €7. 8B in February, driven by 296 deals and 11 mega-rounds....

Commission holds first meeting of Special Panel on child safety online
Brussels launches Special Panel on child safety online, pushing for expert recommendations and potential age restrictions. The initiative aims to mirror real-world child protection standards for the digital realm.

Dutch payments technology firm Silverflow closes €37 million Series B; plans to grow workforce by over 50%
Dutch fintech Silverflow secures €37M Series B for cloud-native payment processing. The funding accelerates global expansion and workforce growth by over 50%, aiming to replace outdated systems.

AP: AI Impact Barometer turns red, action is necessary
Dutch data watchdog warns of critical AI risks, urging swift regulation and enforcement. Urgent clarity is needed for organizations to avoid discriminatory algorithms, with no current means to address non-compliance.

Nvidia Takes on Telco Industry With Open Source Model
Nvidia launches an open-source model to empower telcos with autonomous workflows. This move challenges established network giants like Ericsson and Nokia in the European market.

We launch Xataka Xtra: your Xataka experience levels up with exclusive newsletters, giveaways, The Consulting Room, and more
Spanish tech outlet Xataka launches "Xtra," a subscription community offering exclusive content and perks. The initiative aims to foster a direct relationship with readers and provide an "extra" layer of value without a paywall for regular content.

MacBook Neo: Apple returns to the charge with the 'cheap' MacBook. This time it's really cheap
Apple launches MacBook Neo, targeting the budget laptop market with iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip. The device features a 13-inch display and 256GB storage.
