Jose Manuel Villanueva

🚨 BREAKING: HappyRobot just raised a $44M Series B to build the AI workforce for the real economy It is incredible to see European founders, and in this case Spanish founders, pushing the frontiers of AI, scaling from Silicon Valley, and competing on a global stage Pablo Palafox, Luis Paarup, and Javi Palafox are building AI workers that already power more than 70 enterprises including DHL, Ryder, and Werner. These agents take on the messy, mission critical work that keeps the supply chain moving, from booking and payments to recruiting and operations The round was led by Base10 Partners (Adeyemi Ajao) with participation from a16z, Array Ventures, Y Combinator, Samsara Ventures, Tokio Marine, WaVe X, WiL, and others Proud to be an investor in this journey. This is only the beginning and the future ahead is incredibly exciting. They are only getting started 🚀 Would you trust an AI workforce to run your operations? You definitely should:

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"ETH takes an equity stake in spin-offs, usually two percent." 👍 ETH Zürich now offers some of the best terms for spinoffs in Europe thanks to their new Equity and Licensing Policy. Very happy to have played a small part in this thanks to Vanessa Wood and Frank Floessel. 🇨🇭 Other European universities should take note. European deeptech would be much better off with universities creating less friction for spinoff founders, and a big way for them to create less friction is via offering healthier terms. https://lnkd.in/emdx87jp

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🔥 Europe’s startup scene just got a big reality check — and the results are impossible to ignore. At Nordic Tech Week, Norrsken VC dropped the largest impact pulse report to date, built on insights from 660 founders & investors. The verdict? ➡️ Impact-optimism is on the rise. Highlights that stood out: 🚀 60% of founders + investors say the future looks bright 📈 this optimism has increased in 2025. 💶 3 out of 4 investors are doubling down on impact bets ⚡️ Energy. Industrials. Healthcare. → The sectors to watch But let’s be real: Europe’s still holding itself back. The potential is massive — if we dare to unlock it. Reach out to us at Norrsken Evolve if you are a pre-seed founder building in resilience and sustainability. 👉 Full report in comments. Props to the team for putting this together: Per Frykebrant, David Frykman, Tove Larsson, Beata Enwall, Agate S. Freimane, Ludvig Bergstrom

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The Lightrock team are proud to have co-led Makersite’s €60M Series B, alongside Partech, with SE Ventures joining and continued backing from all the company’s Series A investors. Manufacturing accounts for more than a fifth of global emissions, and companies are under increasing pressure to reduce climate impact while remaining competitive. Makersite is meeting that challenge by making product design and manufacturing smarter – and, in turn, delivering resource, energy, and cost efficiencies in addition to positive climate impact. The company’s AI-powered platform helps manufacturers like Microsoft and Schneider Electric understand their supply chains by fixing fragmented and inconsistent product data, enriching it with one of the most comprehensive supply chain databases available, and enabling real-time analysis of cost, carbon, compliance, and risk – all throughout the product design process. With its scalable, technology-driven business model and proven impact, Makersite aligns perfectly with Lightrock's investment thesis: The company embraces sustainability not just as a trend or tick box, but as a strategic business advantage. Congrats to Neil D'Souza and the ‘Makernauts’ on this milestone success, which you can learn more about from Sifted’s coverage and the company’s announcement - both linked in the comments. The Lightrock team is excited to support Makersite’s next stage of growth. #Lightrock #AI #ClimateTech #Manufacturing #ProductDesign #SupplyChain

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𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍, 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 Lightbulb moment: Few observations that spark my "this-could-be-a-business" 1. Micro‑Mobility & Last‑Mile Access Cities and campuses often lack efficient, low‑cost ways to cover the last mile. Emerging ones: Yulu offers electric bikes and scooters via app-based rentals, easing last‑mile connectivity and promoting sustainability. #Bounce provides dockless electric scooters flexible, affordable, and convenient. RADBOARDS PVT. LTD builds eco‑friendly personal mobility vehicles, priced as low as ₹0.08/km. 2. Hyperlocal & Authentic Experiences Strangers want more than reviews, we crave curated, immersive local culture. While India’s scene here is still blossoming, initiatives like #LokSamvardhanParv showcase cultural diversity and artisan talent signaling fertile ground for platforms that connect travelers with local creators. 3. Digital‑Nomad Infrastructure Remote work is booming, but many destinations lack reliable coworking, Wi‑Fi, and suitable stays. Startups in this space are nascent, with a clear gap: anywhere you travel, a plug-and-work scenario with connectivity and comfort is still rare and this area is ripe for innovation. 4. Cultural Commerce & Artisan Marketplaces Local artisans need global visibility but also sustainable models and fair pay. Noteworthy ventures include: Zishta which brings heritage cookware and homeware crafted by rural artisans to modern homes, supporting over 650 artisans across 15 states. @Varnam, a social enterprise reviving Channapatna lacquerware through modern design, packaging, and fair-trade practices. 5. Eco‑Conscious Travel & Rituals From sustainable gear to green rituals, travelers increasingly demand eco-affirming options. Nirmalaya converts temple waste (flowers) into eco-friendly incense, providing mindful spirituality with less environmental harm. Meanwhile, Écosphère champions responsible adventure travel in the Himalayas even offsetting carbon emissions. #Why This Matters The world isn’t just a travel diary, it’s a laboratory of market gaps and emerging needs. Now, over to you: What patterns have you noticed on your journeys that brings you your “Lightbulb Moment”? #TravelInsights #Innovation #Startups #SustainableCommerce #DebopriyaWrites #entrepreneurship

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𝐏𝐄 𝐯𝐬. 𝐕𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞: 𝐀 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 Our latest data at Gain.pro highlights how PE and VC firms invest across Europe: ▪ PE-backed businesses are widely spread across the continent ▪ VC-owned assets are clustered in cities 📊 Sector focus drives this: – VC assets = 47% TMT (vs. 17% for PE) → drawn to innovation hubs – PE = 24% Services + 22% Industrials (vs. 13% & 7% for VC) → broader geographic reach beyond capitals 🌍 Top destinations: – Both: London & Paris lead – VC: 25% of assets in 11 cities (Berlin, Munich, Amsterdam next) – PE: 25% spread across 22 cities (Stockholm, Milan, Madrid stand out) ➡️ Same continent. Very different maps.

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