July funding: European startups secure €8.6B as exit activity accelerates

European tech startups successfully raised €8.6 billion in July, despite a decrease in the number of funding rounds, according to recent data. The total number of deals dropped from 293 in June to 267, marking a 9 per cent decline. However, the sum of money raised remained higher, amounting to €8.6 billion, slightly above the €8.3 billion collected in June.

Out of the 267 deals announced in July, 14 companies managed to secure investments surpassing €100 million each. The figures for 35 deals remain undisclosed. The Helsing, a Germany-based company, led the market with a massive $1.8 billion Series E round, valuing the startup at $18 billion.

Artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the investment landscape in European tech startups in July, accounting for 21.2 per cent of the month's total funding, totaling €7.7 billion. Germany emerged as the leading fundraising nation, raising €3.5 billion through 48 transactions.

The month also saw a surge in exit activity, with 51 transactions recorded, an increase from 39 in June. The diversification of exit activity was evident, with sectors such as software, AI, fintech, healthtech, and HR tech all taking part in the increased exits.