Leading European Cleantech Investments in the First Half of 2025
Europe's cleantech sector raised €1.1 billion in 112 deals during H1 2025, a modest share of the €33.7 billion total raised by European tech companies. This underscores growing investment interest in sustainable technology solutions.
Riff Raises $16M Series A Led by Northzone to Enhance Business-Ready Vibe Coding Platform
Riff, an Oslo-based platform formerly called Databutton, has raised $16 million in Series A funding led by Northzone, totaling $21 million raised. The funds will support the company's efforts in developing business-ready vibe coding technologies for high-impact application creation.
Rightcharge Secures £1.6M to Accelerate EV Charging Payment Solutions for European Fleets
Rightcharge, a London startup simplifying EV charging payments for fleet vehicles, raised £1.6 million in seed funding led by Soulmates Ventures and Blackwood Ventures. The funds will support the growth of their payment platform across Europe.
Estonian AI Energy Startup MarkeDroid Secures €300K to Advance Distributed Energy Platform Expansion
MarkeDroid, an Estonian AI-driven energy startup, secured €300,000 in bridge funding, including a €175,000 syndicate investment, to expand its distributed energy orchestration platform across Europe. This funding will accelerate the company's efforts to improve energy distribution through advanced AI technology.
WSense Secures €10 Million to Expand Subsea Wi-Fi and Underwater IoT Technology
WSense, an Italian ocean tech firm, has raised €10 million to advance its subsea Wi-Fi systems and grow its Internet of Underwater Things platform, aiming to improve underwater connectivity technology.
Exnaton Secures Series A Funding to Drive Europe's Digital Energy Transformation
Exnaton, a Swiss AI-powered utility software firm, raised Series A funds to expand in Europe and enhance customer collaborations, advancing digital energy transformation.
Google Research: Driving Scientific Advances Towards Real-World Solutions
Google Research is transforming scientific discoveries into impactful solutions addressing global challenges. Their innovative approach advances technology that benefits many, bridging the gap between research and real-world application.
Latest Enhancements and Expanded Access to Google Earth AI
Google Earth AI now offers enhanced capabilities and broader access, aiding enterprises and cities in environmental monitoring and disaster response to improve safety and sustainability.
Irish Fintech Startup Paygentic Secures $2 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
Paygentic, an Irish fintech startup co-founded by Susan O'Neill, who is also on the Fintech Ireland advisory council, has raised $2 million in a pre-seed round to advance its financial technology offerings.
Growing Demand for Engineering and Soft Skills Drives Hiring Expectations into 2026, Reports IrishJobs
According to an IrishJobs report, engineering roles have grown by 20% this year, and employers are prioritizing soft skills in recruits. Additionally, 25% of employers anticipate increasing hiring in 2026, signaling positive labor market trends.
Meta Announces 600 Job Cuts at Superintelligence Labs
Meta is laying off 600 employees in its Superintelligence Labs, impacting its AI infrastructure, FAIR, and product teams, signaling a shift in its AI division strategy.
Beware the Risks of Using AI for Transcribing Business Meetings
While AI transcription technology offers convenience by capturing business meetings verbatim, it poses significant risks to the confidentiality of company information. Businesses should implement robust security protocols before using such tools to prevent potential data breaches.
What Successful AI-Driven Companies Have in Common
Average businesses see only average results from AI, but when used strategically, AI can amplify growth and transform outcomes significantly. The difference lies in how companies leverage this technology to go beyond mediocrity.
Embracing AI in Education: Rethinking How Students Learn
The article discusses the trend of young people reading less and using AI bots for information, emphasizing the need for educators to adopt new strategies to foster critical thinking skills in students.
Reddit Accuses Perplexity of Illegal Data Scraping and Compares to ‘North Korean Hacker’
Reddit has taken legal action against Perplexity, accusing it of engaging in illegal data scraping and laundering activities. The complaint harshly compares Perplexity's actions to those of a North Korean hacker, highlighting serious concerns about data security and unauthorized use.
How Small Businesses Successfully Use AI for Advertising, Insights from a Google Executive
Google's Selin Song highlights how small businesses utilize AI to improve advertising effectiveness and unlock additional revenue streams, showcasing AI's transformative impact on small business marketing.
Microsoft Backs Cement Startup Transforming CO2 Into Sustainable Building Materials
Microsoft has invested in Fortera, a startup that retrofits cement plants to convert CO2 emissions into sustainable building materials, marking a significant step toward greener construction practices.
Amazon Web Services Faces Challenges as Senior Talent Departs
The departure of senior talent from Amazon Web Services could be a significant factor behind the company's struggles and technical setbacks, including an extended disruption affecting internet services.
Can OpenAI’s Atlas Browser Revive Interest in Web Browsing?
OpenAI’s new AI-driven browser, Atlas, aims to disrupt the web browser market dominated by Google Chrome. Despite innovative AI capabilities and OpenAI’s track record, changing entrenched browser habits is challenging. Performance issues with Chrome may open opportunities for Atlas, but concerns about AI’s environmental impact may affect user adoption.
Microsoft Introduces Mico, a New AI Personality for Its Copilot Assistant
Microsoft launched Mico, an AI character for its Copilot assistant, providing a friendly and interactive experience aimed at enhancing productivity without over-engagement. Designed to support users, including students, Mico reflects a balanced approach amid growing attention to AI's societal impacts, especially on youth.