The European startup ecosystem is buzzing with excitement as the funding season kicks off once again after a summer hiatus. If the trends continue, we could witness a significant increase in the number of unicorns—startups valued at over $1 billion—emerging from the continent. Despite a decline in mega-funding rounds compared to 2021, the first half of 2025 has already seen 12 startups in Europe reach this prestigious valuation.
While it’s important to remember that past successes do not guarantee future outcomes, the current momentum is promising for the remainder of the year. This trend also highlights the sectors that are attracting investor interest, particularly in areas such as biotechnology, defense technology, and artificial intelligence.
Let’s take a closer look at the new unicorns that have emerged in Europe this year:
IQM, a pioneering Finnish company specializing in quantum computing, has made headlines by achieving unicorn status after securing over $300 million in a Series B funding round. With a total of $600 million raised to date, IQM is now recognized as a leader in the quantum computing space, with its 54-qubit chips already operational in various research and enterprise settings. The company is also preparing to launch its first 150-qubit systems, further solidifying its position in the market.
Framer, a no-code website development platform, has reached a remarkable valuation of $2 billion following a $100 million Series D funding round led by prominent investors. This influx of capital will enable Framer to enhance its enterprise offerings and expand its focus on artificial intelligence, positioning itself as a strong competitor against established players in the design and website building industry.
Lovable, a rapidly growing Swedish startup in the AI coding space, achieved unicorn status in record time, raising $200 million in a Series A funding round just eight months after its inception. With a valuation of $1.8 billion, Lovable is set to make waves in the tech industry, despite being registered in Delaware, most of its team operates out of Stockholm.
Fuse Energy, a British renewable energy startup founded by former executives from a well-known financial technology company, has also joined the unicorn club after raising significant funding that valued the company at over $1 billion. This achievement underscores the growing importance of sustainable energy solutions in today’s market.
Film-streaming platform Mubi has successfully raised $100 million, led by a major venture capital firm, bringing its valuation to $1 billion. Originally launched as a curated film platform, Mubi has evolved into a competitor to major streaming services, now producing and distributing its own films.
French startup Zama has made headlines by raising $57 million in a Series B funding round, pushing its valuation above $1 billion. Zama specializes in homomorphic encryption, a cutting-edge technology that ensures data security through advanced cryptographic methods.
Isar Aerospace, a German space technology company, became a unicorn after securing a €150 million convertible bond agreement. This funding will support its ambitious plans to enhance launch capabilities in Europe, further contributing to the continent’s growing space industry.
Tekever, a dual-use drone technology firm from Portugal, confirmed its unicorn status after a successful funding round that valued the company at over £1 billion. The investment will facilitate its plans to expand operations and enhance its technological offerings in the defense sector.
Quantum Systems, another German startup focused on dual-use technology, achieved unicorn status after raising €160 million in a Series C funding round. This funding will enable the company to scale its production and advance its autonomous drone systems.
Parloa, a German company specializing in conversational AI for customer service, secured $120 million in Series C funding, reaching a valuation of $1 billion. This funding will help Parloa enhance its platform and expand its market reach.
Isomorphic Labs, an AI-driven drug discovery platform that emerged from a well-known tech giant, raised $600 million in its first external funding round, placing it firmly in unicorn territory. This funding will support its innovative research in the pharmaceutical sector.
Dublin-based Tines, which focuses on AI-powered workflow automation, became a unicorn after raising $125 million in Series C funding, bringing its valuation to $1.125 billion. The company has expanded its applications beyond security, demonstrating the versatility of its technology.
Finally, Verdiva Bio, a London-based biotech startup, raised an impressive $410 million in its Series A funding round, instantly achieving unicorn status. The company is developing innovative treatments, including an oral GLP-1 drug, showcasing the potential of biotechnology in addressing health challenges.
Neko Health, co-founded by a notable figure in the tech industry, raised $260 million in Series B funding, achieving a valuation of $1.8 billion. The startup focuses on preventative health through full-body scans, aiming to revolutionize health monitoring and early detection.