In a week characterised by advances in AI, sustainability, and healthtech, female-led startups throughout Europe and the UK showcased their rising impact by attracting more than $145 million in funding. Below, we outline their narratives, technological innovations, and future growth strategies.
Treefera (UK)
Founders: Caroline Grey, Jonathan Horn
Founded: 2022
Recent funding: $30M
Treefera was founded in 2022 by husband-and-wife team Caroline Grey and Jonathan Horn, who left senior roles at JP Morgan and UiPath to address a glaring lack of visibility in the “first mile” of global supply chains. Their mission was born out of a desire to bring transparency, accountability, and sustainability to industries where the environmental and social impact of sourcing has long been a blind spot.
Treefera uses adaptive AI, satellite and drone imagery, and financial-grade risk modelling to deliver real-time, plot-level insights into supply chains. Their platform tracks commodities and automates regulatory compliance and risk management, giving enterprises a powerful tool to meet sustainability targets and manage operational risks. Unlike legacy ERP systems, Treefera’s focus on granular, first-mile data and sustainability analytics provides traceability that competitors struggle to match.
The recent $30 million Series B round, led by Notion Capital, will accelerate Treefera’s expansion across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. The funding will also support the development of enhanced AI capabilities, geospatial analytics, and real-time commodity tracking, allowing Treefera to serve a growing roster of global clients in agriculture, finance, and beyond.
Skyral (UK)
Founders: Naomi Hulme, Jason Kennedy
Founded: 2023
Recent funding: $20M
Founded in 2023 by Naomi Hulme and Jason Kennedy, Skyral emerged from a vision to transform high-stakes decision-making for governments and enterprises. The company empowers defence, healthcare, and infrastructure decision-makers through AI-driven simulation and digital twin technology.
Skyral’s platform combines digital twin modelling with artificial intelligence, enabling users to simulate complex systems and test outcomes virtually before real-world implementation. This approach helps clients forecast impacts, optimise strategies, and reduce risks, distinguishing Skyral from traditional modelling tools that lack real-time, AI-powered adaptability.
With $20 million in Series A funding led by NOIA Capital and Accrete Capital, Skyral will accelerate R&D, expand its global team, and bring its advanced simulation solutions to more clients across the public and private sectors.
Fulfillmenttools (Germany)
Founders: Linda Kuhr, Björn Drösche, and Dr. Jürgen Brock
Founded: 2020
Recent funding: $17M
Fulfillmenttools, a company spun out from REWE digital in 2020, aims to revolutionise omnichannel logistics for major retailers. The company provides a distributed order management system (DOMS) that helps retailers optimise order routing and deliver a seamless shopping experience.
The platform uses AI-driven order routing to help retailers make better decisions using personalised criteria and real-time data. Fulfillmenttools stands out from competitors by offering deep integration, scalability, and extensive customisation, setting new standards for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in retail.
With $17 million in new investment from REWE Group, Fulfillmenttools will accelerate international expansion, enhance its technology, and further develop its product offering to support global retailers’ digital transformation.
ThreatSpike (UK)
Founders: Kate Blake, Adam Blake
Founded: 2011
Recent funding: $14M
ThreatSpike was founded by Kate and Adam Blake in 2011 to make enterprise-grade cybersecurity accessible to mid-sized businesses. After years of bootstrapping, they maintain their mission: providing transparent, flexible, and adequate protection against evolving cyber threats.
The company’s platform stands out by combining real-time detection, response, and unlimited penetration testing in a single managed service. The platform monitors endpoints, networks, and cloud assets through AI—powered automation and continuous threat hunting, delivering integration and visibility beyond what fragmented security tools can achieve.
The $14 million Series A round, led by Expedition Growth Capital, will fund the expansion of engineering, go-to-market, and security operations teams. This investment will accelerate innovation and support ThreatSpike’s global expansion, helping more organisations access robust cybersecurity without complexity or hidden costs.
Banxware (Germany)
Founders: Miriam Wohlfarth, Jens Röhrborn, Fabian Heiß, and Nicolas Kipp
Founded: 2020
Recent funding: $10M
Banxware, founded in Berlin in 2020 by fintech veterans Miriam Wohlfarth, Jens Röhrborn, Fabian Heiß, and Nicolas Kipp, is a leading embedded lending platform that transforms how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access financing. The company aims to revolutionise SME lending through fast, digital, and fully integrated financing solutions that are available directly through digital platforms, marketplaces, and financial service providers.
Banxware’s technology enables platforms to offer instant, seamless business loans to their merchants using AI-driven underwriting, real-time data, and deep integration with partner ecosystems. The platform handles loans ranging from €1,000 to €5 million, helping SMEs across industries access capital quickly and efficiently. What sets Banxware apart is its highly scalable, lender-agnostic infrastructure that connects digital platforms to a network of banks and alternative lenders, making the entire financing process smoother.
In June 2025, Banxware reached a significant milestone by securing a €10 million strategic investment from UniCredit. This funding supports Banxware’s shift to a capital-light “forward flow” model, where UniCredit and other banking partners fund 100% of the loan book. This transition allows Banxware to focus on scaling its operations, enhancing its AI-powered underwriting, improving user experience, and expanding internationally.
Flank (Germany)
Founders: Lili Breidenbach, Charlotte Kufus, and Jake Jones
Founded: 2022
Recent funding: $10M
Flank, headquartered in Berlin, was co-founded in 2022 by Lili Breidenbach, Charlotte Kufus, and Jake Jones. The company aims to free legal teams from repetitive tasks by using autonomous AI agents to handle high-volume legal work, including NDAs, vendor contracts, compliance forms, and routine reviews. This enables lawyers to focus on strategic, high-value activities.
The company’s AI platform integrates with enterprise tools like email, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. Unlike traditional chatbots or copilots, Flank’s agents can independently review, draft, and redline legal documents while answering legal and compliance questions in real time—all without requiring new interfaces or employee retraining. By automating entire workflows, the system helps legal departments operate more efficiently and direct human expertise to where it’s most valuable.
Beyond its technological innovations, Flank distinguishes itself through its team composition and culture. Women comprise two-thirds of the founding team, half of the leadership positions, and 60% of the board. The company embraces a remote-first culture with hubs in Berlin and London, while maintaining a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
In June 2025, Flank secured $10 million in funding led by Insight Partners, with ongoing support from Gradient Ventures, HV Capital, and 10x Founders. The company will use this capital to enhance product development, grow its engineering and commercial teams, and strengthen its global enterprise partnerships.
AUAR (Automated Architecture) (UK)
Founders: Mollie Claypool, Gilles Retsin
Founded: 2019
Recent funding: £5.1M
AUAR (Automated Architecture), co-founded by Mollie Claypool and Gilles Retsin in 2019, is a London-based construction technology company reimagining how homes are designed and built. AUAR’s platform uses robotics and AI to create modular timber building blocks like “Lego for real homes,” produced in compact, mobile robotic micro-factories. This approach enables local, fast, cost-effective production of sustainable housing components assembled on-site to create various home designs.
AUAR aims to make housing affordable, beautiful, and sustainable by rethinking construction technology and business models. Their “No Capex” Hardware-as-a-Service and Design-as-a-Service model lets homebuilders, developers, and manufacturers access robotic micro-factories and AI-powered design software without significant upfront costs. The system can cut construction costs by 40%, reduce on-site labour by 75%, and build a complete timber structure in 12 hours.
The £5.1 million funding round in June 2025, led by Planet A Ventures and joined by Shadow Ventures, Common Magic, Concrete VC, and several angel investors, will help validate AUAR’s technology, build a global partner network, and expand operations in the US and beyond. AUAR’s technology is already assisting mid-sized homebuilders scale timber housing production efficiently, sustainably, and with greater design flexibility.
Vegdog (Germany)
Founders: Tessa Zaune-Figlar, Valerie Henssen
Founded: 2015
Recent funding: €9M
Vegdog, headquartered in Munich, was founded by Tessa Zaune-Figlar in 2015 when she discovered that a plant-based diet dramatically improved her dog’s severe allergies. Seeing a market opportunity for nutritionally complete vegan dog food, Zaune-Figlar began developing recipes. After Valerie Henssen joined as co-founder, Vegdog became one of Europe’s leading vegan pet food brands.
The company offers a comprehensive line of nutritionally complete, 100% plant-based wet and dry foods, snacks, and supplements. All products are developed with veterinarians and meet rigorous scientific and nutritional standards. Their hypoallergenic, gluten-free recipes use plant-based proteins such as peas, lentils, lupin, and amaranth, making them ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. While some products incorporate upcycled ingredients, their main recipes do not contain insect protein.
Vegdog distinguishes itself in the growing plant-based pet food market by focusing on hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly formulations. The company takes a science-driven, inclusive approach to improving animal welfare and sustainability, without pushing a strict vegan agenda.
In June 2025, Vegdog secured €9 million in Series A funding, led by the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF VC) and Green Generation Fund, with backing from angel investors and existing shareholders. Following 66% sales growth in 2024, the funding will support European expansion, product innovation, and operational scaling.
Atmen (Germany)
Founders: Flore de Durfort, Quentin Cangelosi, Erika Degoute
Founded: 2023
Recent funding: €5M
Atmen, founded in Munich in January 2023 by Flore de Durfort, Quentin Cangelosi, and Erika Degoute, automates sustainability certification for industrial companies. The founding team met while working at E.ON. It recognised that manual certification processes, relying on paperwork and spreadsheets, were outdated and couldn’t keep pace with modern supply chains’ complexity and data requirements.
Atmen’s flagship platform, Automate, is a data infrastructure layer for industrial supply chains. It integrates directly into operational workflows, collecting real-time data from production processes to enable continuous, automated verification of product origins, composition, and environmental attributes. This approach replaces periodic sampling and yearly estimates with detailed, auditable data, streamlining compliance for energy-intensive products like hydrogen, renewable fuels, steel, chemicals, and fertilisers.
Automate is currently deployed at industrial sites in nine countries and collaborates with five leading certification bodies, including TÜV NORD and CertifHy. The platform enables companies to prepare for audits, manage documentation, reconcile data, and generate audit-ready reports in one centralised location. Through digital certification, Atmen simplifies processes, improves traceability, and helps companies comply with evolving decarbonisation regulations and market access requirements.
In June 2025, Atmen secured €5 million in seed funding led by Project A, with participation from Revent, Vireo Ventures, and several prominent angel investors. This funding will support Atmen’s expansion across Europe, the development of new tools for certifying a broader range of energy-intensive goods, and deeper integration with regulators and certification schemes.
Samphire Neuroscience (UK)
Founders: Emilė Radytė, Alex Cook
Founded: 2021
Recent funding: $5M
Samphire Neuroscience, co-founded by neuroscientist Emilė Radytė and Alex Cook in 2021, is pioneering non-hormonal, drug-free neurotechnology for women’s health. Based in London, the company’s flagship product, Nettle™, is the world’s first CE-certified neuromodulation device designed to treat mental and physical menstrual symptoms, including pain, low mood, and brain fog, without medication or hormones.
Nettle™, a wearable headband, uses transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to target brain regions associated with mood and pain regulation. When worn for 20 minutes daily in the five days before menstruation, Nettle™ has shown remarkable results in clinical trials: pain reduction of over 50% for most users, improved mood, and enhanced daily functioning within just one month. The Class IIa CE-certified device is regulated in the UK and EU and is available online and through select clinics and NHS-affiliated pilot programs.
Samphire Neuroscience’s approach is rooted in rigorous clinical research, supported by ongoing trials and partnerships with leading academic and medical institutions. The company aims to advance women’s health through accessible, scientifically validated technology and comprehensive educational resources.
In June 2025, Samphire Neuroscience secured a $5 million seed round co-led by Inventure VC and Fortify Ventures, with participation from APEX, SOSV, Afterwork Ventures, Firstpick Ventures, Ayuh Ventures, Seaside Ventures, and others. This funding will accelerate commercialisation, expand clinical research, support US market entry, and broaden access to Nettle™ for millions of women underserved by traditional healthcare.
Valla (UK)
Founders: Danae Shell (CEO)
Founded: 2022
Recent funding: $2.7M
Valla, founded by CEO Danae Shell in 2022, is an Edinburgh-based legal technology startup aiming to democratise access to justice for millions of UK workers. The platform serves 12.4 million workers affected by employment law violations each year, many of whom cannot afford traditional legal support. Shell’s vision for Valla stems from her personal experiences and dedication to making legal help accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial means.
The company’s AI-powered platform simplifies employment law processes by helping users collect evidence, generate legal documents, and receive fixed-price expert coaching at a fraction of traditional costs. Its AI engine functions as a legal secretary, streamlining case administration, coaching briefings, and call documentation for users and legal experts. Since launching, Valla has helped over 12,000 workers file complaints, negotiate settlements, and navigate tribunals. Services start at £10 for templates and extend to £250 for three hours of expert guidance.
In June 2025, Valla secured a £2 million ($2.7 million) seed round led by Ada Ventures, with Active Partners, Portfolio Ventures, Techstart Ventures, and the Resolution Foundation participating. This funding will support expansion plans, AI feature development, marketing initiatives, and stronger partnerships with UK unions and insurers. Additionally, Valla received a £75,000 Innovate UK award for its innovative approach to expanding justice access.
Lendorse (Germany)
Founders: Bjoern Christian Wolf, Hannah Sharpe, Evgenii Avdeev
Founded: 2022
Recent funding: €1.75M
Lendorse, founded in 2022 by Bjoern Christian Wolf, Hannah Sharpe, and Evgenii Avdeev, is a Berlin-based fintech company working to remove financial barriers for international students pursuing higher education in Europe. The company grew from the founders’ personal experiences, particularly Avdeev’s challenges moving from a developing country to study in Switzerland. At its core, Lendorse believes that ambition and talent, not financial means, should determine access to opportunity.
Through Income Share Agreements (ISAs), Lendorse offers a “Study Now, Pay Later” model that covers tuition and living expenses for talented students from developing and emerging countries. Students only begin repaying a fixed percentage of their income after graduation and once they reach a certain income threshold. This makes education more accessible than traditional loans requiring collateral or credit history. Beyond financing, Lendorse supports students with mentorship, career guidance, and integration tools to help them succeed in the European job market.
The company employs a data-driven selection model that assesses academic performance, motivation, and career prospects to ensure funding reaches those most likely to succeed. Lendorse has partnered with leading institutions, including Expatrio, HSG St. Gallen, Stockholm School of Economics, and INSEAD.
In June 2025, Lendorse secured €1.75 million in growth capital, co-led by LUMO Labs and Soulmates Ventures. This funding will help scale its platform, grow its team, and meet increasing demand. The company aims to expand its impact across Europe while building a fairer, more inclusive education finance system.
Zenior (France)
Founders: Antoine Bonin, Alix Zeitlin
Founded: 2024
Recent funding: €1.5M
Zenior, co-founded in 2024 by Antoine Bonin and Alix Zeitlin, is transforming elder care in Europe. After experiencing the challenges of navigating senior care firsthand, the founders created Zenior to help families find, understand, and finance optimal care solutions for their elderly loved ones. Their mission is simple: ensure access to quality elder care based on need and dignity, not financial means or background.
The platform serves as a trusted, free guide for families by connecting them to a vetted network of care providers while offering clear guidance on funding options and care pathways. Zenior simplifies the entire care journey, enabling families to make informed decisions and secure compassionate, high-quality care for their elders.
Zenior addresses the pressing needs of Europe’s ageing population through technology and social impact. Their recent €1.5 million funding round will help scale the platform, expand their care partner network, and develop more resources to support families across France and Europe.
GRIDDLE (UK)
Founders: Ella Harland & Sophie McGregor
Founded: 2022
Recent funding: £500K
GRIDDLE is a London-based frozen bakery brand founded in 2021 by friends and former flatmates Ella Harland and Sophie McGregor. Motivated by their shared love of breakfast and frustration with the lack of high-quality, convenient bakery options in UK supermarkets, the duo set out to reinvent the frozen breakfast aisle. Their mission is to create delicious bakery products that are better for both people and the planet, while tackling food waste, a significant issue in traditional bakeries.
GRIDDLE launched the UK’s first frozen toaster waffles in early 2022, quickly securing listings in Whole Foods, Ocado, Dunnes Stores, Amazon Fresh, Asda, and Morrisons. Their plant-based, vegan waffles are high in fibre, HFSS-compliant, and contain up to 40% less sugar than conventional ambient waffles. Made in Belgium, the waffles contain no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives, providing a convenient, nutritious breakfast or snack straight from the freezer.
The brand has continued to innovate, introducing a high-protein waffle range in 2024 and expanding its presence in the frozen bakery category. GRIDDLE is also the first — and currently only — carbon-neutral bakery brand available at major UK supermarkets. The company achieved B Corp certification in September 2023, demonstrating its social and environmental responsibility.
GRIDDLE secured nearly £500,000 in funding to support a comprehensive rebranding, new product launches, and retail expansion across the UK and Ireland. The funding has also enabled team growth and marketing initiatives, helping GRIDDLE become the second-largest brand in its category on Ocado.
