Launch

Lake Como Venture Lab Opens Applications for Free Deeptech Accelerator in Italy

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Lake Como Venture Lab is a new accelerator program launched in Lecco, Italy, focused on deeptech startups in mechatronics and medtech. The program is coordinated by Confindustria Lecco and Sondrio in partnership with Politecnico di Milano and supported by the Chamber of Commerce Como-Lecco. The program is free and equity-free, offering 12 months of housing, laboratory access, scientific mentorship, business training, and direct access to the industrial ecosystem. Applications are open until June 30.

Italian Startup TackPay Builds Digital Infrastructure for Hospitality Tipping

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TackPay is an Italian startup that has developed a digital platform for sending, receiving, and managing tips transparently and customizably. The platform allows customers to leave tips via QR codes, NFC tags, email links, or WhatsApp without downloading an app, while providing businesses with end-to-end tip management infrastructure including digital tip jars, transaction monitoring, feedback collection, and staff distribution management. The company has expanded beyond Italy to serve customers across Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Romanian Travel Consultant Launches NOZOMI Travel Agency After Decade at Eturia

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Travel consultant Răzvan Pascu launched NOZOMI – Travel Society by Răzvan Pascu, a new travel agency in Romania. After 11 years with tour operator Eturia, Pascu obtained the official tourism license and is actively hiring staff. The agency focuses on group circuits to remote destinations, individual vacations in exotic beach destinations, and carefully planned travel experiences.

Polski Fundusz Rozwoju and Allegro Launch Space Technology-Focused Pioneers School Program

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Polski Fundusz Rozwoju and Allegro launched the 9th edition of Szkoła Pionierów PFR focused on space technology solutions. The program includes networking opportunities, a mission to Turin, and a prize pool of 160,000 PLN. The initiative was inaugurated at the Impact’26 congress.

Polish E-commerce Analytics Platform Reveals Shift Toward Rational Consumer Spending

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whenUbuy, a Polish application, has analyzed over one million receipts showing that Polish e-commerce consumers are purchasing more rationally and cautiously. Users are better utilizing platform features like returns and deferred payments. April showed a notable decline in average basket value and individual product prices while maintaining stable monthly purchase numbers.

Bolt Users in Romania Increasingly Taking 400+ km Intercity Rides on Ride-Sharing Platform

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Bolt announced that Romanian users are increasingly using its ride-sharing platform for long-distance intercity trips of over 400 km. The company clarified the legal framework allowing alternative transport operators to conduct both permanent services within their home locality and occasional services to other locations. Notable long-distance rides include a 469 km journey from Timișoara to Miercurea Ciuc.

Compari.ro Crowns GymBeam as Winner of Romania’s First Store of the Year Competition

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Compari.ro, Romania’s leading price comparison platform and part of Heureka Group, announced the winners of the first local edition of the ‘Store of the Year 2025’ competition. GymBeam won the grand prize. The company is transitioning toward a full e-commerce marketplace to unify Romania’s fragmented retail landscape and provide local merchants with a platform to reach wider audiences.

ARCO Lisbon marks decade of growth with 9th edition featuring 84 galleries across 18 countries

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ARCO art fair celebrates its 10th anniversary in Lisbon with the 9th edition taking place from May 28-31, 2026 at Cordoaria Nacional. The fair has grown from 45 galleries in 2016 to 84 galleries from 18 countries in 2026. The director emphasizes maintaining a human scale and distinct Lisbon identity separate from ARCO Madrid. The edition features 470 artists, seven acquisition awards, and includes special sections like ‘Opening Lisboa’ for new galleries and ‘Arquipélago de História de Arte’ exploring contemporary creation techniques.

German Construction Tech Startup brixl Focuses on Trust Over Technology to Help Builders Win Public Projects

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brixl is a German startup focused on helping construction companies win more and more profitable public construction projects. The team emphasizes that their biggest challenge is not technology, but rather building trust in a traditionally-minded industry. They aim to save precious engineering time for construction companies.