After a challenging period for venture capital markets in Europe, 2024 saw some recovery with VC investments climbing back towards pre-2022 levels. According to Atomico’s State of European Tech report, the total venture capital investment across Europe was estimated at around $45B in 2024, with the UK maintaining its leadership position. Yet, when it comes to female founders, the statistics remain grim. In 2024, startups with at least one female founder received less than 2% of total VC funding in Europe, a figure that has remained stagnant despite mounting awareness.
The discrepancy runs deep as male-led startups are far more likely to secure larger funding rounds, even at similar stages and valuations. Several studies consistently show bias in how capital is allocated, often tied to pattern recognition among investors and a lack of diversity in fund leadership.
However, this week marked a refreshing change. A series of early to growth-stage startups, several with female founders, raised impressive funding rounds totalling nearly $107 million. From fertility innovation and maternal health to quantum computing, these startups prove the ecosystem can be more inclusive and still deliver innovation and returns. Mostly, Spanish startups raised investments among other regions. Here are some of the most exciting startups making headlines this week.
ReproNovo (Switzerland)
Founder/s: Jean Marie Duvall, Dr. Joan-Carles Arce, BingMei Hao
Founded year: 2021
Recent funding: $65M
ReproNovo is redefining fertility care with its integrated reproductive health platform. Based in Switzerland, the company combines advanced diagnostics, AI-powered analytics, and tailored patient pathways to support individuals and couples through fertility challenges. By centralising data and offering a continuum of care, ReproNovo aims to eliminate fragmentation in a growing market estimated to reach $46B globally by 2030.
Last week, ReproNovo secured a massive $65 million Series A round led by Jeito Capital, with AXA IM Alts joining as co-lead. Other investors include M Ventures, Ysios Capital and ALSA Ventures The funding will enable the company to scale its tech infrastructure, expand into new geographies, and deepen its R&D into personalised treatment protocols.
Quobly (France)
Founder/s: Francois Perruchot, Maud Vinet, Tristan Meunier
Founded year: 2022
Recent funding: €21M
This French startup is building Europe’s first fully quantum computer with CMOS-based quantum bits. Quobly is betting on silicon spin qubits to create scalable quantum processors that integrate with existing semiconductor technologies. This approach lowers production costs and accelerates commercialisation, making quantum computing more accessible beyond research labs.
In a major step forward, Quobly announced a €21 million Series A round to support its Q100T project, which aims to deliver a 100-qubit quantum processor. The round saw participation from Quantonation, Bpifrance, and the European Innovation Council. With the funding, Quobly will expand its cleanroom facilities, hire quantum engineers, and push forward its roadmap to become Europe’s top hardware quantum player.
Axmed (Switzerland)
Founder/s: Emmanuel Akpakwu, Sofia Radley-Searle, Felix Ohnmacht
Founded year: 2023
Recent funding: $5M
Healthtech startup Axmed is focused on maternal and child health in low-resource settings. Leveraging mobile health platforms, the company delivers vital maternal care, early childhood development monitoring, and AI-driven clinical decision tools to underserved populations. With a mission to bridge critical gaps, Axmed operates at the intersection of digital health and global development.
The startup recently received a $5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a strong endorsement of its scalable impact model. The funding will help expand operations across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, enhance AI capabilities, and strengthen field training programmes. Axmed’s tech-first approach aligns with global goals to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
MDA (Germany)
Founder/s: Dr Gunter Trojandt, Annett Christ, Daniel Bauer
Founded year: 2023
Recent funding: €3.3M
Medical Device Advancement (MDA) is a German startup blending surgical robotics with AI. The company is developing software that mimics surgeon decision-making during robotic procedures, aiming to enhance precision and reduce human error. Its system integrates pre-operative data with intraoperative visuals to support complex surgeries in real time.
MDA just raised €3.3 million in seed funding to advance the development and clinical validation of its technology. The round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds with participation from other health-focused VCs. The funding will accelerate hiring, product development, and early-stage partnerships with hospitals and medtech firms. With robotic surgery adoption rising, MDA’s innovation fills a crucial intelligence gap.
Regenics AS (Norway)
Founder/s: Karin Gilljam, Karl Rasmus Bryn
Founded year: 2005
Recent funding: $3.3M
Regenics AS is a regenerative medicine startup based in Denmark, focused on developing proprietary injectable cell therapy for cartilage repair. The startup combines biomaterials and stem cells to address chronic joint damage, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce surgical intervention in osteoarthritis treatment.
Last week, Regenics closed the second tranche of its seed funding, bringing total capital raised to $3.3 million. The two-tranche investment came from Nordic Blue hf., a newly formed Icelandic holding company focusing on investments in the Blue Economy. The funds will be used to complete preclinical trials and initiate a regulatory pathway in the EU. With aging populations and increasing demand for joint preservation therapies, Regenics is well placed in a growing orthobiologics market.
Augmented Hearing (Denmark)
Founder/s: Martin Bergmann, Mette Louise V. Carstensen, Christian Ravn
Founded year: 2020
Recent funding: €3M
Danish startup Augmented Hearing is developing next-generation hearing aids using bioinspired design principles. Their devices aim to replicate natural auditory processing using advanced signal processing and adaptive hardware. By focusing on spatial awareness and real-time noise filtering, the startup delivers superior sound clarity compared to conventional solutions.
The company secured €3 million in funding led by Crowberry Capital to bring its prototype to mass production. The round will support team expansion, certification processes, and market entry strategies. Augmented Hearing targets a rapidly growing audiology market that increasingly demands smarter, less obtrusive solutions for hearing loss.
Habitacion (Spain)
Founder/s: Oriol Valls, Anna Labarias, José Fernández
Founded year: 2023
Recent funding: €1.3M
Proptech platform Habitacion is focused on transforming Spain’s rental market. The startup provides a digital-first platform for room rentals, targeting young professionals and students. It facilitates verified listings, secure payments, and landlord-tenant matching, streamlining what is often a chaotic and outdated rental process.
Habitacion raised €1.3 million in seed funding led by Demium Capital, with participation from Ebisu Digital Venture Capital, Dozen Investments, and business angels like Fernando Cabello-Astolfi and Iván Peña. The investment will help the company scale operations across major Spanish cities and improve platform features. With Spain experiencing urban housing shortages, Habitacion’s tech-driven approach offers a scalable solution to increase housing accessibility and affordability.
Atomik AM (UK)
Founder/s: Kate Black
Founded year: 2022
Recent funding: £600k
Atomik Additive Manufacturing (Atomik AM) is a British startup specialising in advanced 3D printing techniques for metal and composite parts. Its proprietary atomic diffusion system improves part strength and speed of production, catering to aerospace, medical, and energy clients looking for lightweight, high-performance components.
The startup raised £600k in a new funding of £600k from NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, managed by Praetura Ventures, to grow its team in the Liverpool City Region by 40% and explore bigger office space as it plans to expand further in the area.
