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Scaling Europe Daily - 18.8.

Daily · Substack · 18 Aug 2026

Scaling Europe Daily - 18.8.

Gravis Robotics raised €172m from SoftBank, the biggest Series A ever for construction robotics, making it Europe’s newest unicorn. Monzo’s chairman Gary Hoffman is also stepping down after nearly eight years, following a shareholder revolt that shook the board earlier this year.

Let’s dive in.


💰 Funding rounds

  • Zurich-based Gravis Robotics raised €172m to expand autonomous technology for heavy machinery becoming unicorn. Read more here.

  • Aachen-based amber raised €7m Series A to expand its AI-powered business knowledge platform across Europe. Read more here.

  • Bergen-based Birdsview raised €3.7m to scale its “MRI for concrete” technology and protect infrastructure. Read more here.

  • Zurich-based Aisot Technologies raised €2.13m Seed extension to bring agentic AI to portfolio management for institutional investors. Read more here.

  • UK-based Versatile RobotX raised €1.17m to commercialise its agricultural robots. Read more here.

  • Belgrade-founded Astute raised $1.2m and launched B2B new media platform. Read more here.

  • UK-based SpaceAM closed Seed round to scale AI-powered sensing technology for defence and space. Read more here.

💡 Other news

  • Monzo chairman Gary Hoffman to stand down after nearly eight years. Read more here.

  • Nebex launched €100m initiative to turn global space spending into revenue for French startups. Read more here.

    📣 Fund news

  • UK-based Gallos defence tech investor and builder raised $50m to expand portfolio. Read more here.

🤝 M&A

  • Portsmouth-based SubSea Craft made multi-million-euro investment in UK battery specialist LORILLION, acquiring 40% stake. Read more here.


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Originally published on Substack.