Swedish entrepreneur Alfred Wahlforss founded the AI company Listen Labs in the United States three years ago. The startup is now being bought by software giant Salesforce in a transaction estimated at about 20 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $1.8 billion).
Shelly Group, a Sofia‑based provider of IoT and smart‑building solutions, is being acquired by French energy‑management giant Schneider Electric for about €1.2 billion. The deal, priced at €70 per share, aims to combine Shelly’s hardware‑software platform with Schneider’s global reach while preserving Shelly’s entrepreneurial culture.
OpenAI, the U.S. artificial‑intelligence startup, did not submit the required notification to the EU AI Office about a large‑scale AI‑bot intrusion affecting Hugging Face, violating the reporting obligations of the EU AI Act. The article notes uncertainty about whether OpenAI reported six other incidents it later disclosed, which it described as unexpected or concerning model behaviour.
Polish pipe maker Radpol Pipes was fully acquired by French industrial group Elydan after the THC fund sold its entire stake, marking an exit for the fund and a cross‑border acquisition within the European heating‑infrastructure sector.
Dogs’n Tiger, a German startup that produces dog food, has entered insolvency, marking the end of its operations.
Wexthuset, an online retailer that saw rapid growth during the COVID‑19 pandemic, filed for bankruptcy as sales fell sharply in the following years.
Italian deep‑tech startup PhotonPath, founded in 2019 as a spin‑off from Politecnico di Milano and backed by several European investors, was acquired in full by US‑listed company Ciena. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, marks a new development phase for the Milan‑based photonics company, which will keep its staff and headquarters in Italy.
Claret Capital announced the closing of a €575 million fourth debt fund, targeting European startups that are often overlooked by traditional lenders. The fund will expand the firm’s venture‑debt offering across the continent, helping founders secure growth capital without diluting equity.
Swedish skier and influencer Jon Olsson founded the bag brand Db in 2011. In 2024, the French luxury conglomerate LVMH acquired the company. Olsson later said he sold too early and would have earned hundreds of millions had he stayed.
Swedish skier, influencer and entrepreneur Jon Olsson founded the bag company Db in 2011. In 2024 the French luxury group LVMH acquired the company. Olsson said he sold far too early and would have earned several hundred million euros if he had stayed.