News

Google faces €890 million in EU fines for Digital Markets Act breaches. The European Commission penalized Google for favoring its own services in search results and failing to inform Play store users about alternative app distribution channels.

Google fined €890M by the European Commission for violating the Digital Markets Act. Brussels penalised Google €460M for search self-preferencing, marking the first penalty under the new rulebook.

European AI startup kausable raises €12 million to develop reasoning-first frontier AI. This funding addresses the need for efficient AI adaptation amidst geopolitical instability and the push for European digital sovereignty.

EU regulators fine Google €890 million for Digital Markets Act violations. Brussels found the tech giant breached the DMA rules regarding search engine ranking and advertising practices.

Brite Payments CEO Lena Hackelöer discusses European payment sovereignty and the challenges of scaling FinTech across the EU. The company aims to reduce reliance on non-European infrastructure by building a pan-European instant payment network.

Microsoft and Mistral AI form an alliance to advance sovereign AI in Europe. This partnership bolsters Mistral's standing as a leading European AI vendor and expands Microsoft's European footprint.

European Commission launches three GenAI pilots for public administration. The Digital Europe Programme funds projects focused on trustworthy generative AI uptake across the continent.

Ireland stalls €1B Microsoft tender over digital sovereignty concerns and push for open-source alternatives. The cancellation follows questions about reducing reliance on US tech, with calls to explore European-regulated services instead.

European Technology Group (ETG) acquires UK fintech-for-good platform Lightning Reach. The acquisition aims to help over 1 million people access £25 million in financial support by 2028.

French AI startup Mistral seeks billions at a €20bn valuation, with Samsung in talks to invest. This funding round highlights significant backing for European AI ventures aiming for global competition.

The Dutch government signs a framework agreement with European cybersecurity firm ESET. This deal promotes secure, responsible use of EU-based cybersecurity services, reducing reliance on non-European suppliers and enhancing digital resilience.

The European Commission has found Meta's Instagram and Facebook designs to be addictive, potentially violating the Digital Services Act. Meta must change its addictive design elements and recommendation algorithms, facing a potential 6% global revenue fine if it fails to comply.

Humanoid secures €133M at €1. 1B valuation, becoming Europe's newest robotics unicorn....

Microsoft secures a multi-billion euro deal with French AI firm Mistral AI for European infrastructure usage. This partnership aims to bolster European AI capabilities amidst global competition.

EU debated domestic cloud capacity and Big Tech dependence as AI infrastructure demands surge. Europe's AI opportunity lies in selective ambition, focusing on areas where it has advantages rather than solely competing on US scale.

Airbus Defence and Space anchors a €500M European defence tech fund, E2D, backing European growth-stage companies. The fund's first investment is in French AI firm Alta Ares, developing counter-drone solutions.

EU regulators fine AliExpress a record sum for severe violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission imposed the penalty for the online marketplace's non-compliance with the digital service rules.

The EU fines AliExpress €550m over its failure to tackle illegal products. This move follows a similar Digital Services Act breach fine levied against Temu.

EU-Startups reveals the top 10 investors actively shaping Europe's startup ecosystem in 2026 so far. German investors show significant strength, with High-Tech Gründerfonds and Bayern Kapital featuring prominently.

The European Commission is partnering for Digital Talent EU Days in Dublin on October 15-16, 2026. The event will debate Europe’s digital skills challenges, aiming to drive action on talent, competitiveness, and inclusion.