Skip to main content
← Pulse
Pulse · Daily edition№ 075

Tuesday, 18 August 2026

European deeptech sectors, including robotics, space, and defence, attracted significant investment this week, alongside a new policy focus on EU trade regulations.

The number

€763M

European tech companies secured over €763 million in investment across more than 35 deals last week, reflecting sustained venture capital activity.

Listen — today's brief

Welcome to HEEU Pulse. This week, European deep tech sectors, including robotics, space, and defense, have seen significant investment alongside a new policy focus on EU trade regulations. Indeed, the capital flowing into European tech remains robust. Last week alone, companies secured over seven hundred and sixty-three million across more than thirty-five deals, reflecting sustained venture capital activity. That strong activity is certainly evident in robotics. Swiss firm Gravis Robotics has just secured a massive two hundred million dollars in Series A funding. That's a significant injection from SoftBank, highlighting international investor confidence in European deep tech, particularly in industrial automation solutions. This investment positions Gravis Robotics to advance its offerings. From automation to orbit, France is also making strategic moves in the space economy. Neebex has launched a one hundred million dollar fund to boost French space commercialization. This public-private partnership aims to convert global space expenditure into revenue for French startups. It's a clear strategic move to bolster France's position and accelerate commercialization within the European sector. And securing our future isn't just about space. Defense technology is also attracting considerable investment, with UK firm Gallos raising fifty million dollars. Gallos, a UK-based defense technology investor, secured this funding with notable involvement from former GCHQ director Sir Jeremy Fleming. It underscores the growing focus on national security capabilities through innovation. This trend aligns with broader European efforts to enhance digital resilience and defense infrastructure through technological advancements. Such initiatives are crucial for safeguarding digital environments and addressing vulnerabilities in mission-critical AI-based systems. Beyond these deep tech giants, AI platforms are also seeing strong interest. Amber, an AI-powered business platform, recently secured seven million dollars in Series A funding. Amber's mission is to empower small and medium-sized businesses by helping them leverage internal company knowledge more effectively. This funding will support its European expansion and technology development. So, a week of significant capital flow into European innovation, from robotics and space to defense and AI platforms. It certainly reflects a dynamic and growing European tech ecosystem, attracting substantial investment across diverse and critical sectors. That's all for today's HEEU Pulse. For more details on these stories and other European tech news, visit heeu.eu.

  1. Robotics Investment

    Swiss Robotics Firm Gravis Robotics Secures $200M Series A

    SoftBank has invested $200 million in Swiss robotics startup Gravis Robotics in a Series A funding round. This significant capital injection highlights growing international investor confidence in European deeptech, especially in industrial automation solutions.

    Read article →

  2. Space Economy

    France Launches €100M Space Commercialisation Fund

    Nebex has initiated a €100 million public-private partnership to convert global space expenditure into revenue for French startups, accelerating commercialisation within the European sector.

    Read article →

  3. Defence Tech

    UK Defence Tech Investor Gallos Raises $50M

    Gallos, a UK-based defence technology investor and builder, has secured $50 million in funding. The involvement of former GCHQ director Sir Jeremy Fleming highlights the strategic importance and growing investment in the national security sector.

    Read article →

  4. AI Platforms

    AI-Powered Business Platform Amber Secures €7M

    AI platform Amber has raised €7 million in Series A funding to support its European expansion and further technology development. The platform focuses on enabling small and medium-sized businesses to leverage internal company knowledge more effectively.

    Read article →

  5. Robotics Investment

    SoftBank Pours $200M into Swiss Robotics Startup Gravis Robotics

    SoftBank has made a record $200 million investment in Swiss robotics startup Gravis Robotics. This significant Series A funding round positions Gravis Robotics to advance industrial automation.

    Read article →

  6. EU Trade Policy

    Brazil Seeks Clarity on EU Antimicrobial Trade Curbs

    Brazil is seeking clarification from the EU regarding potential trade restrictions related to antimicrobial resistance, which could impact beef exports. This development highlights ongoing complexities in the EU-Mercosur trade negotiations and agricultural policy.

    Read article →

Get Pulse daily