BottleCap AI should be the highlight of Europe, rather than bottle cap memes. Sporting a playful name, this AI startup located in Prague is among the firms that venture capitalists recommend you should take notice of.

It’s not that European startups fail to stand out — companies like Lovable and Mistral AI demonstrate otherwise. Yet, numerous others still lack nine-digit annual recurring revenue and are closely monitored by insiders.

This is where our list becomes relevant. In recent weeks, we solicited advice from investors at some of Europe’s most prominent venture funds to suggest two startups each: one that they have invested in and another outside their portfolio, as these experts specialize in startups but cannot back every one. We included a few of our selections as well.

Ranging from pre-launch to unicorn status, these startups vary in their developmental phases and industries. While our selection process might not showcase where the region’s top hubs are located, it does highlight how deep tech talent could enable Europe to leverage its strengths in the AI competition.

Alta Ares

Recommended by Julien Codorniou, general partner, 20VC.

What it does: Alta Ares creates AI-driven counter-drone technology.

Why it’s worth watching: The defense sector has shifted from being marginalized to becoming a focal point, especially in Europe, where the Ukraine conflict prompted military modernization. Alta Ares’ interceptors fulfill the demand for more affordable solutions to monitor and counter drone threats.

Apron 

Recommended by Jan Hammer, partner, Index Ventures (investor).

What it does: Apron offers invoice management solutions tailored for small business proprietors.

Why it’s worth watching: Small and medium-sized businesses represent a potentially profitable market for fintech firms; owners are prepared to invest at least some of their funds to save time, and they number in the millions.

Botify 

Recommended by Claire Houry, general partner, Ventech (investor).

What it does: Botify assists brands in enhancing their visibility in AI-driven searches.

Why it’s worth watching: Businesses continue to scramble to transition from SEO to generative engine optimization (GEO) — yet this Disrupt NY 2016 participant has already welcomed the change. Botify faces competition in its emerging field, including rivals like Otterly.AI and Profound, but also boasts major clients such as Macy’s and The New York Times.

BottleCap AI

Recommended by Julien Codorniou, general partner, 20VC (investor).

What it does: BottleCap AI builds efficiency-centered foundational LLMs and applications.

Why it’s worth watching: Featuring a founding team that includes an entrepreneur who sold his previous business to Meta and two researchers in AI, BottleCap embraces a bifocal strategy. The company is not only building its own models but also developing applications based on them, such as Pulse, an AI-driven news application.

Cailabs

Recommended by Flavia Levi, investment manager, Join Capital.

What it does: Cailabs specializes in photonics tailored for aerospace, defense, and industrial uses.

Why it’s worth watching: Rooted in sophisticated research concerning light science, Cailabs now applies its findings to enhance the speed and reliability of data transmission. Supported by both public and private investors, it aims to install 50 optical ground stations to meet the rising demand for laser communication with satellites.

Cala

Recommended by TechCrunch’s Anna Heim.

What it does: Creates knowledge graphs for AI agents.

Why it’s worth watching: Cala aims to develop the knowledge infrastructure that AI agents currently lack. Its founder, Elisenda Bou-Balust, is a notable Spanish entrepreneur and AI specialist who sold her previous venture, Vilynx, to Apple in 2020. 

Flower

Recommended by Pär-Jörgen Pärson, partner, Northzone (investor).

What it does: Manages renewable energy resources.

Why it’s worth watching: As wind and solar energy inherently fluctuate, Flower utilizes AI and battery storage systems to enhance their predictability. The Swedish startup also recently raised over $60 million in bonds to facilitate its expansion.

Fundamental 

Recommended by Jonathan Userovici, general partner, Headline (investor).

What it does: AI foundation for extensive data analysis.

Why it’s worth watching: Fundamental’s foundation model, Nexus, is aimed at assisting enterprises in extracting insights from their data. The company just emerged from stealth mode in February but has already achieved a valuation of $1.4 billion following a $255 million Series A round. 

Gradium 

Recommended by Jonathan Userovici, general partner, Headline.

What it does: Voice models powered by AI.

Why it’s worth watching: Gradium’s AI technologies enable real-time text-to-speech functionality, granting AI agents multilingual capabilities. A spinout from the French AI lab Kyutai, this ElevenLabs competitor secured a $70 million seed round.

HappyRobot 

Recommended by Pablo Ventura, general partner, Kfund.

What it does: AI agents designed for intricate applications.

Why it’s worth watching: HappyRobot, a startup backed by a16z and Y Combinator, stands out among those developing AI agents by ensuring that these can be deployed effectively to deliver ROI. While based in the U.S., its three co-founders and part of its team are of Spanish origin.

Inbolt 

Recommended by Claire Houry, general partner, Ventech.

What it does: Physical AI tailored for production facilities.

Why it’s worth watching: By merging AI with robotics, Inbolt enhances and broadens automation across manufacturing sectors, from automotive to electronics and home goods production lines. The startup reports active engagement in over 70 factories.

Legora

Recommended by Pär-Jörgen Pärson, partner, Northzone.

What it does: An AI platform designed for legal professionals.

Why it’s worth watching: With rising competition from mainstream LLMs, the legal tech landscape will increasingly rely on marketing strategies. Anticipate a showdown between Harvey and Legora after Legora secured a lead over its competitor by recruiting Jude Law as its brand ambassador. That’s a win for the Swedish-born startup, now based in New York but still emerging as one of Stockholm’s top AI talents.

Macrodata Labs 

Recommended by Floriane de Maupeou, principal, Serena Data Ventures.

What it does: Infrastructure for AI training data.

Why it’s worth watching: “Every formidable model begins with exceptional data,” Macrodata Labs asserts on its “coming soon” page. Rather than create that data itself, the startup plans to offer tooling for other businesses to develop high-quality training datasets. 

Multiverse Computing

Recommended by TechCrunch’s Julie Bort.

What it does: Provides compressed variants of publicly available weight models such as OpenAI, Meta, DeepSeek, and Mistral AI.

Why it’s worth watching: Multiverse Computing’s technology takes an established model and reduces its size and operating costs, particularly for use on a company’s hardware. Co-founded by CTO Román Orús, a professor at the Donostia International Physics Center, this Spanish company has raised $250 million.

Optics11

Recommended by Flavia Levi, investment manager, Join Capital (investor).

What it does: Systems for fiber-optic sensing.

Why it’s worth watching: Optics11’s innovation enables monitoring of equipment in underwater environments and other challenging conditions. Its capability to avert disruptions to subsea infrastructure and energy systems helped the startup obtain venture debt support from the European Investment Bank.

Pennylane

Recommended by Jan Hammer, partner, Index Ventures.

What it does: A platform for financial management aimed at SMBs.

Why it’s worth watching: Pennylane initially focused on accounting, but the company has broader ambitions. Like many growth-stage fintech startups, this French unicorn seeks to construct a unified financial operations system specifically for SMBs throughout Europe.

PLD Space

Recommended by TechCrunch’s Anna Heim.

What it does: Develops rocket launch technologies.

Why it’s worth watching: As part of Europe’s initiative for space independence, PLD Space recently achieved a successful launch of a suborbital rocket in 2023 and is now creating a reusable orbital launch system for small satellites. Last month, the Spanish company secured $209 million in a Series C funding round led by Mitsubishi Electric, bringing its total funding beyond $350 million.

Proxima Fusion

Recommended by Daria Saharova, general partner, World Fund.

What it does: Nuclear fusion technology.

Why it’s worth watching: The quest for a nuclear fission alternative is intensifying, and Proxima Fusion is among Europe’s leading competitors. This VC-backed company recently gained $460 million in funding from the Bavarian state to facilitate its plans for a fusion power plant in Europe, beginning with a demonstration stellarator in the Munich region.

Roofline 

Recommended by Floriane de Maupeou, principal, Serena Data Ventures (investor).

What it does: Software for deploying AI models on advanced chipsets.

Why it’s worth watching: This university spinout, Roofline, effectively connects AI with an increasingly diversified hardware landscape through its software that enables users to deploy models seamlessly across various chip types.

Space Forge

Recommended by Daria Saharova, general partner, World Fund (investor).

What it does: Manufactures semiconductor components in outer space.

Why it’s worth watching: The trend of in-space manufacturing is gaining momentum — particularly for pharmaceuticals and chips, which are the focus of Space Forge. With additional support stemming from geopolitical factors, the startup is making swift advances: it has recently produced plasma in low Earth orbit.

Theker 

Recommended by Pablo Ventura, general partner, Kfund (investor).

What it does: Robotics offered as a service.

Why it’s worth watching: Theker is among several startups funded by Zara owner Inditex through a dedicated initiative overseen by Mundi Ventures. Theker’s AI-powered robots could assist the retail giant in enhancing its logistics operations, while also exploring applications in waste management and the food and beverage sectors.