InDrive, a ride-hailing app, has secured $150 million in financing from General Catalyst to support its market expansion and product development plans. The company, which recently launched financial services for drivers, aims to expand into new markets and strengthen its presence in existing ones. InDrive, originally founded in Russia and now headquartered in the US, saw a 54% increase in net revenue in 2023. The new funding will aid inDrive's growth and innovation while maintaining financial stability. General Catalyst's investment underscores inDrive's mission to promote equitable access to mobility services.

Necture, an Austrian start-up specializing in car fleet and charging infrastructure management, has raised its Series A funding to over $7 million. The round was led by Smart Energy Innovationsfonds and Verbund X Ventures, with existing investors Speedinvest and smartworks innovation GmbH. Necture's platform aids car sharing and rental fleets in managing operations and transitioning to electric vehicles. CEO Christian Adelsberger highlighted the challenges and opportunities in expanding to business fleets, emphasizing the need for better connectivity and collaboration with car makers. The funding will support Necture's expansion into corporate fleets and its market presence in Europe and the Americas.

Aviant, a Norwegian drone delivery start-up, is expanding its services to Lillehammer, aiming to reach both residents and tourists with deliveries of food, groceries, and medicines. The company, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic, claims its drones can operate in harsh winter conditions and have significantly lower emissions than cars. Aviant's CEO, Lars Erik Fagernæs, emphasizes the viability and environmental benefits of drone delivery. The company plans to expand beyond Norway, competing with other European drone delivery firms like Manna and Wing.

Stuart, a last-mile delivery company based in London, is aiming for a quicker path to profitability following its acquisition by private equity firm Mutares from Geopost. CEO Cornelia Raportaru highlighted the company's financial runway and strategic focus on profitability rather than expanding its European market footprint. Stuart, which operates in 100 European cities and generated over $420 million in 2022, has not made significant job cuts unlike its competitors. The company is innovating in delivery services and customer support, and has partnered with UrbanPiper and Deliverect to enhance restaurant delivery operations. The delivery market in Europe is dominated by food, with grocery delivery being more mature in the UK and retail goods delivery lagging behind the US.

Starship Technologies, an Estonian start-up specializing in autonomous robot delivery, has raised $90 million in a new funding round led by Plural and Iconical. The company, founded in 2014, aims to expand its operations in the US, UK, and Europe. Starship's robots, which have completed over six million deliveries, are designed to be more energy-efficient than traditional delivery methods. CEO Ahti Heinla highlighted the company's decade-long development process and plans for further investment in AI and wireless charging infrastructure. The new funding brings Starship's total funding to $230 million, with other backers including Nordic Ninja, TDK Ventures, and Goodyear.

British last mile delivery start-up Fin, founded by former Google executive Rich Pleeth, has acquired rival Urb-It to enhance its operations in London. Fin, which raised $5 million last year, uses AI and machine learning to optimize delivery routes and aims to replace delivery vans with cargo e-bikes to reduce urban congestion and emissions. The acquisition provides Fin with access to Urb-It's partners, including Zara, Shein, and AliExpress, facilitating quicker integration and increased parcel volumes. While currently focused on London, Fin plans to expand internationally in the future.

Delfos, an AI energy software start-up based in Barcelona, has secured €6.3 million ($6.9 million) in seed funding to expand in Europe. The company's AI and big data-driven virtual engineer aims to enhance the renewable energy sector's efficiency and reliability. The funding round, led by Contrarian Ventures and Headline with DOMO.VC and EDP Ventures participating, will support European expansion and recruitment. Delfos' software monitors over 10GW of renewable energy, promising to reduce component replacement costs by 30% and increase energy generation by 3-5%. CEO Guilherme Studart emphasizes the technology's role in making renewable assets more profitable and appealing to investors, while Rokas Peciulaitis of Contrarian Ventures highlights the platform's importance for the resilience of renewable assets.

Cabify, a Spanish ride-hailing company, secured €15 million ($16.4 million) in venture debt from BBVA Spark to support its sustainability initiatives. The funding will aid Cabify's transition to an all-electric vehicle fleet by 2030, enhancing its operations in Spain and Latin America. BBVA Spark, a division of BBVA, aligns with the bank's vision of promoting sustainable urban mobility. Cabify's recent financial performance includes $688 million in gross revenue for 2022. The company faces challenges, including strike actions by drivers over pay and benefits, led by the Spanish union SLT.

Two of Europe’s largest e-scooter companies, Tier and Dott, are merging, led by Mubadala Capital and Sofina with additional investments from M&G and Prosus Ventures. The merger, expected to close in two months, will create a combined entity with revenues of €250 million and will be headquartered in Berlin. The new company will be led by Dott’s Henri Moissinac as CEO, with other key leadership roles filled by executives from both companies. The merger aims to capture the next phase of growth in the e-scooter industry, which has faced financial viability challenges. The combined company will serve over 20 cities in Europe and continue to provide e-bikes in Paris. The merger follows recent industry consolidations, including Bird’s bankruptcy and Superpedestrian’s shutdown of its U.S. business.

Ride-hailing company inDrive is exploring financial services products to support drivers in developing markets, aiming to provide financial stability through small-term loans and other financial services. The company, which recently expanded into the U.S. market with a launch in Miami, differentiates itself with a bidding model for ride fares. President and deputy CEO Mark Loughran, who joined inDrive in July 2023, emphasizes the company's commitment to supporting drivers and ensuring stable earnings. InDrive is also investing $100 million in businesses in emerging markets to bolster its presence and support smaller enterprises.

Standab, a Swedish micromobility infrastructure start-up, is expanding its parking and charging racks for e-scooters and bikes across Europe. The new product, Marma, integrates charging technology into parking racks, addressing issues of reckless parking and battery swapping costs. Initially piloted in Stockholm with Dott, the solution aims to be compatible with various operators to meet city requirements. Standab plans to deploy Marma in multiple European cities in 2024, generating revenue from operators who pay for the electricity used. The company, largely self-financed, is considering external investment for further expansion.

Metafuels, a Swiss climate tech start-up, has raised $8 million in a seed round to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that is compatible with existing aircraft. The funding, led by Energy Impact Partners and Contrarian Ventures, will be used to build a pilot facility at the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland for technology validation and R&D. The company's SAF, known as 'aerobrew,' is produced by converting green methanol into electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) and is suitable for both short- and long-haul flights. Metafuels aims to address the aviation industry's carbon footprint, which accounts for around 2% of emissions, by offering a practical alternative to current fuels without the need for re-engineering or retrofitting planes.

Oxx, a London and Stockholm-based software investor, has closed its new fund at $190 million, targeting SaaS start-ups in Europe for Series A and Series B investments. The fund received contributions from British Patient Capital, Saminvest, KfW Capital, Argentum, Pool Re, and Coeli. Oxx's portfolio includes Goodlord and Funnel. General partner Richard Anton emphasized the firm's evidence-based investment approach and acknowledged the current challenges for European SaaS companies. Co-founder Mikael Johnsson highlighted the significance of AI in the next phase of SaaS. Oxx aims to invest with a long-term perspective, focusing on creating sustainable value.

Refurbed, an Austrian marketplace for refurbished electronics, has raised $57 million in a Series C funding round led by Evli Growth Partners and C4 Ventures. The company, which promotes sustainability and the circular economy, plans to expand its profitable operations in Austria and Germany to more European markets. The funding will support its mission to make refurbished electronics a mainstream choice. Despite a challenging fundraising environment, Refurbed has thrived, emphasizing sustainability in its growth strategy. Competitors in the sector include Grover and Circular.

Lime introduces its new Gen4 seated e-scooter, designed to cater to older users and those with reduced mobility. Initially piloted in select cities, the scooter is now available in San Francisco and Chicago, with plans for further expansion. The new model, accessible via the Lime app, features a more comfortable design and internal storage, addressing key user needs. Lime's leadership highlights the scooter's potential to make micromobility more inclusive and contribute to healthier, safer cities. The company reports significant growth in bookings and is rumored to be considering a public listing.

A study by Dott, a Dutch e-scooter rental company, using AI cameras from Irish start-up Luna Systems, found that poor road conditions are the main reason e-scooter riders use sidewalks, with 71% of pavement riding due to this issue. The study, which covered over 3,000 trips in Brussels, Grenoble, and Tel Aviv, showed that 93% of riders stayed off the pavement. Dott aims to work with city authorities to improve infrastructure, and the City of Grenoble sees AI cameras as beneficial for compliance. Dott plans further studies in Madrid, Lyon, and London.

Kota, an Irish insurtech start-up, has raised $5.2 million in seed funding to enhance its employee benefits platform. The funding round was led by EQT Ventures with participation from Northzone, Frontline Ventures, and angel investors. Kota aims to simplify benefits management for small to midsize companies and those with remote teams. The company is now focusing on sales and go-to-market strategies after developing its platform and API. Co-founded by Luke Mackey, Patrick O’Boyle, and Deepak Baliga, Kota has doubled its staff to 19 people and previously raised $2.6 million in a pre-seed round.

Laka, a London-based insurtech start-up, has raised $8 million in new funding led by Shift4Good and acquired French e-bike insurance broker Cylantro to expand its presence in Europe. The funding round included contributions from Autotech Ventures, Porsche Ventures, Creandum, Ponooc, and Elkstone Partners, among others. Laka's unique insurance model, which shares monthly claims among a collective of cyclists, aims to dominate the European micromobility insurance market. The acquisition of Cylantro will strengthen Laka's foothold in France, with Cylantro's CEO Thomas Arnou joining Laka to lead the French business. Laka plans further expansion into Denmark and Austria and may consider additional acquisitions to bolster growth.

Real estate software company HqO has raised over $50 million in a Series D round led by Koch Real Estate Investments, bringing its total funding to over $200 million. HqO's Real Estate Experience (REX) platform helps building owners and operators manage tenant and employee experiences, aiming to improve retention and operational efficiency. The funding will support HqO's growth and acquisition strategy, with recent acquisitions including Leesman and Office App. Justin Wilson from Koch Real Estate Investments will join HqO's board of directors, emphasizing the importance of innovative technology and customer-centric experiences in the evolving real estate industry.

Berlin-based VC fund Vireo Ventures has secured over $20 million from the European Investment Fund for its Vireo Electrification Fund, which aims to raise a total of €60 million to invest in early-stage climate tech startups. The fund will focus on areas such as energy supply, mobility, and transport, particularly on software startups with recurring revenue streams. Managing partners Mischa Wetzel and Felix Krause highlighted the importance of cooperation with incumbent players in the energy sector and expect to close the fund by early 2024. The EIF investment is part of the EU's REPowerEU program to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2030.

BXVentures, a New York-based climate venture studio, has launched a new fund of up to $250 million to support early-stage climate tech start-ups, particularly those emerging from universities. The studio, which operates in Montreal, New York, and Brussels, aims to commercialize promising technologies that are often difficult to launch. BXVentures has partnered with McGill University to finance and commercialize clean tech innovations, offering the university a mix of equity and royalties. The venture studio's approach includes creating companies from scratch and providing both capital and operational support, which has historically resulted in higher success rates. Notable investments include Fex Energy, focused on long-duration energy storage, and Thermo Power Systems, which addresses energy wastage in industrial settings.

Europe's e-scooter rental industry faces challenges following the Paris ban, with Bolt's president Jevgeni Kabanov highlighting the need for the industry to rebuild goodwill. Despite not operating in Paris, Bolt sees the ban as a setback but also an opportunity for improvement. The industry is urged to adopt more rational and profitable operations. Bolt, operating in 45 countries, aims to be IPO-ready by 2025, focusing on financial stability and compliance. Lime, a key competitor, reported EBITDA profitability and is also preparing for an IPO.

NordicNinja, a European-Japanese venture capital firm, has launched a new €200 million ($214 million) fund to expand its investments in Europe, targeting start-ups in the U.K., Ireland, and the Benelux countries. The firm, which previously focused on the Nordic and Baltic regions, aims to invest in Series A rounds with a focus on sustainability and deep tech, including AI and the fusion of hardware and software. Key backers include Honda, the Japan Bank of International Cooperation, BaltCap, and Swedbank Investment Funds. Managing partners Tomosaku Sohara and Marek Kiisa emphasize the firm's commitment to clean energy and deep tech investments.

Buycycle, a German online marketplace for second-hand bicycles, is expanding into the U.S. market due to a surprising uptick in organic sales and growing demand for pre-owned bikes. With over 15,000 bikes on its platform and operations in 30 countries, Buycycle has raised around €3 million from Cherry Ventures for its expansion. The company offers buyer protection and insurance for transactions on its platform and aims to attract both cycling enthusiasts and newcomers in the U.S.

Food delivery companies in Southern Europe, including Wolt, Glovo, and Deliveroo, have adjusted their operations in response to extreme heatwaves. In Greece and Cyprus, authorities have mandated pauses in delivery services during peak heat hours to protect couriers. Companies are also taking independent measures such as providing water and safety advice to riders. The Cerberus heatwave has significantly impacted countries like Greece and Italy, with temperatures exceeding 40°C.

Vianova, a mobility data analytics platform, has signed a one-year contract with Brussels, with the potential for an additional three years, to help manage the city's e-scooter fleets. The deal aims to address issues such as dangerous riding and reckless parking by providing data-led insights to city planners. This partnership is part of Brussels' broader strategy to enhance shared mobility options, contrasting with other European cities like Paris, which have restricted e-scooter usage. Key stakeholders include Vianova's CEO Thibault Castagne and Brussels Mobility's new mobility policy advisor Martin Lefrancq.

InDrive, a ride-hailing company originally founded in Russia and now based in California, is entering the U.S. market with a launch in Miami and South Florida. The company, which allows riders to negotiate prices, aims to test the market with 5,000 cars and will not charge drivers a commission until January 2024. This move follows its success in Latin America and is part of a broader strategy to expand its footprint, which includes recent launches in Jordan and Zimbabwe. InDrive has also diversified into last mile and freight delivery, supported by a $150 million funding round from General Catalyst. The company has ceased operations in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

European e-bike start-up VanMoof is facing an uncertain future after securing court protection to explore options including a sale. The Dutch company, known for its sleek e-bikes and retail stores, has temporarily closed its physical stores and is under administration following a court order in Amsterdam. The court has granted a two-month cooling period to assess the company's situation and find a solution to continue its activities. VanMoof, which has raised over $100 million from investors like Felix Capital and Balderton Capital, has been dealing with customer complaints and financial issues, leading to this protective measure.

Bolt, valued at over $8.4 billion, is preparing for an IPO as it aims for profitability within the next year. The company, which operates in 45 countries, has appointed Mikko Salovaara as its new CFO to lead the effort. Despite challenges in the tech sector, Bolt expects to list publicly in 2025. CEO Markus Villig emphasized the company's operational efficiency and scale as key factors in achieving long-term profitability.

Steadily, an online landlord insurance start-up based in Austin, has raised $28.5 million in a Series B funding round led by Zigg Capital, with participation from Matrix Partners, Koch Real Estate Investments, Clocktower Technology Ventures, and Nine Four Ventures. The platform, which serves 18 million rental property owners in the US, aims to simplify the insurance process for landlords by automating data entry and providing quick quotes. The funds will be used to expand current offerings and develop new products, including IoT devices for property damage assessment. Steadily has now raised a total of $59.5 million.

NoTraffic, an Israeli mobility platform, has raised $50 million in Series B funding led by M&G Investments, with participation from VNV Global, UMC Capital, and others. The company plans to use the funds for production, R&D, and sales, targeting markets in Europe and Japan. NoTraffic's AI-powered platform analyzes traffic flows to help city authorities make better planning decisions. The technology integrates with existing infrastructure and aims to improve traffic management and reduce emissions. The US remains a key market, driven by the government's infrastructure bill. CEO Tal Keisler emphasizes the platform's potential to revolutionize traffic management and support autonomous vehicles.

Bolt, the European micromobility firm, has introduced its sixth-generation e-scooter, the Bolt 6, designed for a longer lifecycle of eight years. The new model features a wider floorboard, larger front wheel, and advanced sensors for improved stability and safety. Initially deployed in Lisbon, Riga, and Tallinn, Bolt plans a broader rollout across Europe. The company emphasizes in-house design for better quality control and cost savings, which are passed on to customers. Enhanced software tools ensure safer riding and address issues like reckless use and improper parking.

LANCH, a Berlin-based virtual kitchen and food delivery start-up, has raised €2.5 million in a pre-seed round with investments from German soccer star Mario Götze, rapper Luciano, TV personality Jens ‘Knossi’ Knossalla, YouTuber Trymacs, and former soccer player André Schürrle. The company partners with restaurants to create meals under brand names devised by creators, aiming to leverage their fan bases. LANCH, which operates over 70 locations in Germany, is backed by HV Capital and founders of Gorillas and FlixBus. It has launched a pizza brand called Happy Slice and plans to introduce a chicken brand with Luciano. The start-up takes a percentage of deliveries and offers a digital brand experience, including fan articles and exclusive events. Co-founded by Jonas Meynert, Kevin Kock, and Nono Konopka, LANCH is currently operating in Germany and plans to expand internationally.

Berlin is not following Paris's lead in banning e-scooters, according to Natascha Spörle of Bolt. Despite Paris's recent referendum to remove e-scooters, Berlin's authorities are not considering a similar ban, focusing instead on integrating e-scooters into the public transport network. Bolt, along with competitors Voi, Tier, and Lime, operates in Berlin, where the concept of 'verkehrswende' is pushing for greener transportation. Spörle suggests regulating the number of e-scooters rather than operators to maintain healthy competition. Bolt expects its German operations to be profitable by the end of the year, despite market consolidation challenges.

Delivery Hero's CEO, Niklas Östberg, announced that the company will not pursue new investments in grocery delivery start-ups due to poor performances from previous investments, such as Gorillas. Instead, the company will focus on improving the profitability of its own q-commerce business, which operates around 1,000 delivery centers. Despite challenges in the Asian market, Delivery Hero reported first-quarter revenues of €2.5 billion, with growth in Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. The company aims to demonstrate profitability to investors before further expansion.

E-bike subscription start-up Whizz has secured $3.4 million in a seed funding round led by Joint Journey and TMT Investments, along with angel investors. The New York-based company offers e-bike subscriptions to couriers and delivery riders, including maintenance and repair services. With 2,000 delivery workers using its bikes for platforms like Uber Eats, Doordash, and Grubhub, Whizz aims to expand its Whizz Automation Platform and establish new locations in New York. Despite economic challenges, the company has achieved $2 million in annual recurring revenue and plans to focus on the New York market before expanding to other US cities in 2024.

E-scooter operators Lime, Dott, and Tier will exit Paris after residents voted to ban rental schemes, with nearly 90% in favor of the ban despite low voter turnout. Paris City Hall will respect the non-binding vote and impose the ban, affecting 400,000 monthly users. The decision, driven by safety concerns, could impact the e-scooter industry across Europe. Voi, a Swedish operator, criticized the ban, arguing it undermines sustainable transport efforts.

Cabify, headquartered in Madrid, has raised $110 million in a new funding round led by Orilla Asset Management and AXIS. The funds will be used to expand its presence in Latin America and invest in sustainability initiatives, including electric vehicle fleets. The company, which operates in seven countries and 40 cities, plans to expand into 25 more cities. Despite a significant revenue drop during the 2020 pandemic, Cabify's 2022 turnover increased by 32% compared to 2021. CEO Juan de Antonio highlighted the company's commitment to sustainable mobility and its strategic growth plan.

Manna, an Irish drone delivery start-up, is expanding into the US market with an investment from Coca-Cola HBC. The company will trial its service in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in partnership with Hillwood, pending FAA approvals. This move marks Manna's first step towards international scaling. The investment from Coca-Cola HBC will also lead to further collaborations. Manna faces competition from companies like Flytrex, Alphabet, and Amazon, with the latter facing regulatory challenges. Manna has previously raised $40 million from investors including Dynamo Ventures and Molten Ventures.

Facial recognition technology is not considering the accessibility needs of the visually impaired, which includes 285 million people worldwide. Research from the University of Surrey and others found that visually impaired individuals struggle with taking selfies for biometric verification due to camera positioning issues. The study suggests more inclusive design, such as 'alignment-free' algorithms. Companies like Cognitec, Daon, and FacePhi acknowledge the gap in accessibility but have yet to implement solutions. The article emphasizes the importance of considering all users when designing technology.

Researchers have used anonymous mobile phone records to map population density in Portugal and France, demonstrating the method's accuracy. This approach, involving institutions like the University of Southampton and Flowminder, could be particularly beneficial in low-income countries for improving censuses and tracking diseases like malaria. The study's success in Europe suggests potential applications in Africa, starting with Namibia. Despite challenges such as convincing phone companies and governments, the method offers a complementary solution to traditional censuses, especially in regions with outdated or incomplete data.