Slovenian genomics and laboratory company GenePlanet secured a strategic investment from Lauxera Capital Partners. The deal also saw early investor BlackPeak Capital partially exit while staying on the cap table, providing GenePlanet with additional capital to expand its genetic testing and next‑generation sequencing services across Europe.
Catawiki has broadened its live‑auction platform, Catawiki Live, by adding four new categories that reflect rising collector interest: fashion items, minerals, coins and toys. The move follows strong demand growth in Q1 2026 for these segments and builds on the platform’s existing livestream auctions, which have already attracted tens of thousands of users and sold thousands of items.
Drivalia, a Rome‑based mobility rental company, secured €48 million financing from the European Investment Bank to deploy about 2,900 electric vehicles in Italy and Finland, supporting its fleet electrification and EU climate goals.
London‑based responsible‑lending fintech Plend obtained a €58.3 million senior revolving credit facility from specialist investment manager Triple Point, aiming to refinance current debt and expand its affordable credit offering to underserved UK borrowers.
Znext, a venture‑builder platform backed by Italian publisher Zanichelli, is launching its first overseas market in Spain. The company has hired Marco Parente as Head of M&A to oversee the scouting, negotiation and integration of deals and to coordinate the international growth strategy. The move aims to create a stable presence in Spain’s dynamic ecosystem and to identify opportunities aligned with Znext’s focus on training, work and wellbeing technologies.
Dutch‑US medtech startup Xeltis secured an additional €20.5 million, led by Horizon 3 Healthcare, to push forward its living‑tissue vascular implants, complete a pivotal US trial, and scale European commercialization and manufacturing.
Swedish sunglasses brand Chimi, after a costly restructuring with almost SEK 100 million in debt, secured a SEK 45 million capital increase to lower its liabilities, resulting in significant write‑downs for several creditors.
Romanian fertilizer maker Norofert secured a financing agreement with US fund GEM Global Yield that allows the fund to purchase up to $15 million of shares from major shareholder Vlad Popescu over three years, with the proceeds earmarked for scaling production and expanding into the US and Brazilian markets.
Nothing, the London‑based consumer electronics startup founded by Carl Pei in 2020, is restructuring its global team and cutting over 100 jobs to improve efficiency after a period of rapid expansion. The cuts affect marketing staff in the UK and other regions, while the company reorganises into regional hubs and introduces an AI‑native business unit. Nothing has raised more than $450 million from investors such as Tiger Global, GV and EQT and reached a $1.3 billion valuation.
Candela, a Swedish mobility startup focused on commercial public transport, appointed a new CEO and secured 320 million SEK in a recent large share issuance. While the latest figures show rising losses, the fresh capital is aimed at supporting the company’s expansion plans.