Marco Bianchi 
Thought Machine, a European fintech, has achieved $100m in annual recurring revenue (ARR). The company’s CEO plans to double this figure before pursuing an initial public offering (IPO).
Ubtech Robotics launched its humanoid robot U1, emphasizing its realistic appearance and emotional simulation capabilities. Despite high pre-orders, the robot faces technical challenges in performing complex household tasks. The company aims to expand into Europe, leveraging its status as a pioneer in humanoid robotics. The product’s high price and current limitations position it as a niche luxury rather than a mass-market item.
Bending Spoons, an Italian software company, achieved a $26 billion valuation after going public. The company specializes in acquiring mature applications (e.g., Evernote, WeTransfer) and transforming them through AI-driven optimization, cost reduction, and operational streamlining. It has identified over 1,000 potential acquisition targets, leveraging AI to automate development and reduce workforce redundancies.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence partnered with Intelic to adopt a software-first strategy for military drones, aiming to enhance interoperability and reduce deployment timelines. The three-year agreement focuses on integrating diverse drone systems using Intelic’s NEXUS command-and-control software, which has been tested in Ukraine.
Starling Bank, a UK challenger bank, announced plans to cut 130 jobs as part of a restructuring effort to streamline operations and accelerate AI-driven product development. The move follows a 3% decline in pre-tax profits to £217m and a revenue drop to £887m for the year ending 2025. The bank aims to enhance agility and reduce duplication while expanding its use of AI in banking services.
Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, definitively lost a legal case against the European Union’s highest judicial authority, marking the end of a multi-year battle.
Dawnguard, an Amsterdam-based startup securing cloud systems during design, launched its platform, raised $3.3 million in pre-seed funding, and opened a New York office. The funding includes participation from UK-based BNVT Capital, Dutch Curiosity VC, and German eCAPITAL.
Airway Shield, a Spanish startup developing a medical device to make endotracheal intubation safer, has launched a funding round to raise 800,000 euros. The company has already secured 320,000 euros in commitments.
Musthad, an Italian startup addressing textile waste in fashion, secured 1 million euros in funding led by Alante Capital (USA) and Style IT (Italy). The platform connects brands with global circular operators to recycle, resell, upcycle, and donate excess inventory, reducing costs and environmental impact. Funds will expand operations and support growth toward doubling 2025 revenue by 2026.
The article discusses two competing approaches in physical AI: data-driven methods and architecture-first strategies. FieldAI, a European startup, is spotlighted for its architecture-first model, which emphasizes real-world deployment, uncertainty quantification, and operational intelligence. This approach contrasts with data-first methods used by companies like Physical Intelligence and Generalist, and is positioned as more resilient for complex, safety-critical environments.