News
Daily digest of all European digital development news
EU launches probe into Google’s use of online content for AI
Brussels launched a probe into Google, investigating the tech giant's use of online content to train its AI models. The European Commission is concerned Google may be using content without proper consent or payment.
KBC unveils €100M Start it Fund, targeting Belgium’s most promising startups from idea to IPO
KBC Group launches a €100 million Start it Fund to fuel Belgian startup growth, aiming to support early-stage companies from idea to IPO. The fund will invest up to €300,000 in the top 1% of applicants from their accelerator program.
Assaia raises $26.6M Series B to boost AI for airport operations
Zurich-based aviation tech company Assaia secured $26. 6 million in Series B funding to scale its AI platform globally....
“Our strategy is to build and control as much as possible”, says Nebius co-founder
Nebius, the Amsterdam-based AI infrastructure startup, plans to build and control its own data centers to provide compute power. The company has secured deals with Microsoft and Meta, collectively worth over $20 billion, to supply them with AI infrastructure.
Equixly raises €10M to tackle the API security crisis with agentic AI hackers
Italy's Equixly secured €10 million in Series A funding to scale its AI-powered platform that tackles API security. The platform identifies up to 80% more vulnerabilities than standard tools and maps API landscapes.
betacluster Ventures launches new early-stage fund to support AI-driven innovation
betacluster Ventures launched a new €19 million early-stage fund to support Polish AI-driven tech startups focused on the Smart Data Economy. The fund, backed by investors from Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland, will invest up to €1 million per company in areas like fintech and smart health.
Algori raises €3.6M to scale its AI shopper insights platform globally
Madrid-based Algori secured €3. 6 million in fresh funding to scale its AI-powered shopper insights platform globally....
Meta’s tweaked ad experience gets EU nod after DMA penalty
Meta's tweaked ad experience has received approval from the EU following a penalty under the Digital Markets Act. This marks a key development after Meta and Apple were the first to face DMA penalties earlier this year.
AI education trends for 2026: How European classrooms are shaping the future startup talent pipeline (Sponsored)
European classrooms are shifting towards AI entrepreneurship with the AI-ENTR4YOUTH program, backed by Intel and the European Commission. The initiative, active in 10 countries, helps students build AI projects, addressing the growing skills gap as 77% of European companies struggle to find AI-skilled talent.
Tekpon acquires TNW (The Next Web) brand from The Financial Times
Tekpon has acquired The Next Web (TNW) brand from the Financial Times, expanding its reach in SaaS and AI. This acquisition, Tekpon's largest investment in media and events, integrates TNW's digital platforms into their wider strategy.
DMA: Meta gives EU users more choices regarding targeted advertising
Meta will offer EU users Facebook and Instagram services with fewer targeted ads, following approval from the EU Commission. This change comes after the company's commitment to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Press Release: EU stands up to Big Tech with €120 million fine to X
The European Commission fined X €120 million for violating the Digital Services Act, a major win for digital regulation. This action underscores the EU's commitment to holding online platforms accountable for misleading users and undermining democracy.
In Finland, they already know how to deal with the excess heat from data centers: converting it into district heating
Helsinki is utilizing excess heat from data centers to warm homes, marking a shift in urban heating. This initiative, involving companies like Equinix, Telia, and Elisa, reuses heat from servers to warm tens of thousands of homes.
X shuts down European Commission ad account after €120M fine announcement
X pulled its advertising account from the European Commission following the announcement of a €120 million fine. The social media platform's decision comes amid increasing regulatory scrutiny.
Freepress raises €1M to make global news more accessible through AI
Freepress, an AI-powered news service, secured €1M in seed funding to expand globally and partner with local publishers. The Finland-based startup launched in 2023 curates global news, offering concise stories in multiple languages, and shares revenue with content providers.
Meta commits to give EU users choice on personalised ads under DMA
Meta will offer EU users a choice to see fewer personalized ads on Facebook and Instagram to comply with the Digital Markets Act. This move follows the European Commission's acknowledgement of Meta's commitment to the new regulation.
Corma raises €3.5M to advance software license and access governance
Paris-based Corma secures €3. 5M in seed funding to streamline software license governance for SMBs....
EU-Korea Digital Trade Agreement: Bridging digital markets for the benefit of consumers
The EU and Korea finalized a Digital Trade Agreement, aiming to strengthen consumer rights in online markets. The agreement focuses on consumer protection, data privacy, and product safety, creating a framework for cross-border digital trade.
X deactivates EU’s ad account after €120m DSA fine
X deactivated its EU ad account following a €120 million fine for violating the Digital Services Act. This action marks the first-ever fine under the new EU digital regulation.
Searching in government documents now easier
The Dutch Open Overheid website relaunches with a new search function, making it easier to find government documents. The updated site offers improved navigation and over 625,000 downloadable documents.