News
Daily digest of all European digital development news
Cohere buys Aleph Alpha to forge sovereign AI alternative to US Big Tech
Canadian AI firm Cohere buys Germany's Aleph Alpha to challenge US Big Tech dominance. The transatlantic deal aims to provide governments and regulated industries with a sovereign AI alternative.
Verda raises $117M, Aleph Alpha to be acquired, and solving the quantum bottleneck
Verda raises $117M for AI cloud infrastructure, while Aleph Alpha is to be acquired by Cohere. Europe saw over €632 million invested across 65 funding deals this week.
Aleph Alpha to be acquired by Cohere
German AI startup Aleph Alpha is to be acquired by Canadian AI lab Cohere, creating a sovereign alternative to US AI labs. The combined entity will offer AI services to European businesses and government agencies seeking data and infrastructure control.
Cohere and Aleph Alpha announce merger in Berlin, creating a $20 billion transatlantic AI company
Cohere and Aleph Alpha merge in Berlin, forming a $20 billion transatlantic AI company. The German government becomes an anchor customer, with both digital ministers attending the announcement.
Government concludes deal with European cloud platform STACKIT
The Dutch government inked a framework agreement with STACKIT, a European cloud platform. This deal allows state organizations to use EU-based cloud services, bolstering digital autonomy and reducing reliance on non-European providers.
Embarrassing blunder: Hannover selects wrong Microsoft 365 licenses
Hannover schools halt digitalization due to incorrect Microsoft 365 licenses, rendering over €300,000 in software unusable. Classes continue with alternative solutions amid the data privacy contract issue.
Berlin-based VREY raises €3.3M to unlock shared-roof solar
Berlin-based VREY secures €3. 3M to simplify shared-roof solar in multi-family buildings....
Data protection authorities ask European Commission to test Israeli registration requirement for aid workers
European privacy watchdogs urge the European Commission to examine Israel's mandatory registration for aid workers. This obligation forces organizations to violate GDPR or halt aid, jeopardizing aid workers and their families.
Nox Mobility raises €2M pre-seed to rethink Europe’s night trains
Nox Mobility raises €2 million to modernize Europe's night trains with private cabins. The startup aims to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency in overnight rail travel.
Germany should deliver on the EU Health Data Space, ePA, and EUDI Wallet
Germany must deliver on the EU health data space, ePA, and EUDI Wallet initiatives to connect Europe's health data. Unresolved questions regarding emergency access and governance remain key challenges.
London’s Passion Capital closes €46 million fourth Seed fund targeting AI and FinTech startups
London's Passion Capital closes €46 million Seed fund for AI and FinTech startups. The fund targets early-stage ventures across the UK and Europe, continuing a trend of robust pre-seed investment.
Unfulfilled promise of digital sovereignty: European payment service Wero uses Amazon servers
European payments service Wero, promising digital independence, uses Amazon AWS cloud infrastructure. This contradicts its stated goal of being a European alternative to US payment providers....
Seapoint raises €7.5M and opens to all UK and Irish founders
Seapoint secures €7. 5M seed funding to empower UK and Irish startups with AI financial operations....
Consultation on the Implementation Act of the AI Regulation has started
Netherlands launches consultation on AI Act implementation, establishing national oversight for the European Union's AI Regulation. This proposal ensures safe and reliable AI use while fostering innovation.
Logicc secures €2.5 million amid continued momentum in Germany’s secure AI market
Hamburg-based Logicc secures €2. 5 million for its AI platform designed for lawyers and doctors....
Embarrassing data protection risk: EU age verification app already cracked
The EU's planned age verification app suffers a major security flaw, allowing data breaches through simple configuration file manipulation. This expensive and error-prone app now poses a significant privacy risk.
Data Turbo for Research: How the GDPR Should Accelerate Innovations
Neue EU-Leitlinien klären den Einsatz von KI in der Forschung, beschleunigen Innovationen durch die DSGVO. Wissenschaftliche Einrichtungen erhalten mehr Klarheit bei Einwilligungen und Zweckbindung.
Google excludes Europe from Gemini's most advanced functionality
Google excludes Europe from its most advanced Gemini AI feature, "Personal Intelligence." This move comes as the EU tightens regulatory controls on big tech.
Europe is pouring tens of billions of public money into VC. The hard part is making it work
European Investment Fund launches €15B fund to unlock €80B for scaleups. Germany's WIN initiative targets €12B by 2030, while France's Tibi programme pledges €7B.
Stegra bags €1.4B rescue funding package, OpenAI to move to first permanent London office, and your guide to next week's Tech.eu Summit London
The Tech. eu Summit London is approaching, featuring insights into European tech and digital policy....