Cherry Ventures launches $500M in funds to propel Europe’s first trillion-dollar company - Related to propel, cherry, launches, energy, company
Akribion secures €8M Seed to fight disease with genomics
German spinout Akribion Therapeutics, an RNA-focused biotech, has raised €8M to accelerate its therapeutic development.
The round was led by CARMA FUND and RV Invest, with investments from MP Beteiligungs GmbH, Hessen Kapital I, Bruker Invest and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF).
Akribion is developing an RNA-guided, nuclease-based technology for programmable cell depletion. This can kill cells by shredding DNA and RNA, but only if there is a highly specific match between the guide RNA and an intracellular RNA sequence. This ensures that only the targeted cells are affected, leaving healthy cells unharmed.
By changing the guide RNA, the technology can be quickly adapted to target different cells, making it much faster to develop new treatments compared to traditional methods.
This could contribute to treatments for cancer as well as autoimmune diseases, fibrosis, infectious diseases, and more.
Lukas Linnig, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Akribion, mentioned: "Akribion is unlocking a whole new class of therapeutic possibilities with our approach. Our proprietary G-dase E nucleases allow very specific depletion of certain subsets of cells based on the presence of a predetermined RNA sequence.
"While we are initially focused on advancing groundbreaking precision oncology therapies, we believe that this approach to programmable cell depletion could have much wider application. I would like to thank our investors for their commitment to Akribion and for their support in helping us realize the potential of our technology."
Dr. Martin Raditsch, General Partner, CARMA FUND added: "Akribion’s unique technology enables the creation of a new class of oncology therapeutics. We are looking forward to working alongside this enthusiastic team to develop new cancer treatments with improved outcomes for patients in this prevalent and hard to treat indication."
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Cherry Ventures launches $500M in funds to propel Europe’s first trillion-dollar company
Today, Cherry Ventures launched an open letter to founders in Europe, launching the Cherry V fund and signalling a commitment to building the first trillion-dollar organization in Europe.
The firm noted it has raised $500 million in new funds “to be the right kind of partner, so together we can make European tech a global force.”.
The funds are split between its flagship Early Stage fund and an opportunity fund to double down on the most promising portfolio companies at Series B and beyond.
Cherry Ventures contends that while the current narrative around European tech is all doom and gloom.“Europe is flailing. Venture is tough. The US is way ahead. Europe isn’t the place for builders."
The firm asserts that startups need to act boldly and defy conventional expectations.
“Europe’s foundation is strong. We have 35,000 early-stage startups - more than any other region - and our tech workforce has grown 7x since 2015. We have all the right ingredients: world-class talent, research depth in critical technologies, and thriving tech hubs - but our culture of innovation must change. With new world leaders in power and strong mandates for the tech sector, Europe must take charge of its own destiny in the global tech race.”.
Cherry Ventures offers a nod to big European success cases like Spotify, Supercell, Klarna, Revolut, and UiPath, and portfolio founders including Ilkka from Supercell, Miki from Wolt, and Jochen from Flix.
“We know what can be accomplished through grit, determination, and ambition.”.
Cherry Ventures, who has backed over 130 companies, over 80 per cent of our seed founders graduate to Series A, concludes:
“If Europe is to build on its first wave of success stories to create the next, on a bigger scale - we all need to play our part. We must foster collaboration between policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors to make Europe the best place in the world to build a tech firm.”.
Lead image: Cherry Ventures. Photo: uncredited.
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German spinout Akribion Therapeutics, an RNA-focused biotech, has raised €8M to accelerate its therapeutic development.
British Ionate closes $17M Series A for energy grid platform
IONATE, a deeptech startup offering a hardwrae and software solution for smart electricity grids, has raised a $17M Series A led by AlbionVC.
The round was joined by a syndicate of new strategic investors including “In-Q-Tel (IQT)”, JGC MIRAI Innovation Fund, and institutional investors Santander InnoEnergy Climate Fund and Antares Ventures.
Existing shareholders, IQ Capital, Zero Carbon Capital, and Cycle Group also participated in the round.
Founded in 2019, IONATE's software consolidates multiple power system functions into a single device. With electricity consumption expected to double by 2050 and much of the grid infrastructure nearing the end of its life, the market for grid modernisation is expected to reach $21 trillion by 2050.
IONATE's hardware Hybrid Intelligent Transformer (HIT) replaces old transformers with an equivalent that detects, analyses, and resolves power disturbances. The Aurora software platform allows for network efficiency, renewables hosting capacity, and achieves true smart grid capabilities with AI-enabled control.
The enterprise is collaborating with energy giant EDP, in Portugal and Spain. It has also scaled its solution for data centers and continues to receive industry recognition including from the NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).
Matthew Williams IONATE’s Founder & CEO said: “The IONATE team builds extraordinary tech with extraordinary timing. Just as national networks, industrial players and data centers realised how much of their progress depended on modernising their electrical infrastructure, we are ready to help them do exactly that. Resiliency, flexibility, and efficiency are key for our energy systems, and IONATE is uniquely positioned to strengthen all three. We are so excited to have some of the strongest VCs and strategic partners in our corner to realise this impact and begin transforming power globally.”.
David Grimm, Partner AlbionVC stated: "IONATE is pioneering grid technology that supports the energy and environmental requirements of modern grid infrastructure. Matthew and the team have quickly gained traction with utilities and strategics, showcasing the potential of their innovative full stack hardware-software solution. Their patented technology and first-mover advantage position IONATE to deliver a transformative, long-term product that brings the promise of clean electricity alongside performance requirements.”.
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Market Impact Analysis
Market Growth Trend
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.0% | 14.4% | 15.2% | 16.8% | 17.8% | 18.3% | 18.5% |
Quarterly Growth Rate
| Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16.8% | 17.5% | 18.2% | 18.5% |
Market Segments and Growth Drivers
| Segment | Market Share | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Transformation | 31% | 22.5% |
| IoT Solutions | 24% | 19.8% |
| Blockchain | 13% | 24.9% |
| AR/VR Applications | 18% | 29.5% |
| Other Innovations | 14% | 15.7% |
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity:
Competitive Landscape Analysis
| Company | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Amazon Web Services | 16.3% |
| Microsoft Azure | 14.7% |
| Google Cloud | 9.8% |
| IBM Digital | 8.5% |
| Salesforce | 7.9% |
Future Outlook and Predictions
The Akribion Secures Seed landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing threat vectors, and shifting business requirements. Based on current trends and expert analyses, we can anticipate several significant developments across different time horizons:
Year-by-Year Technology Evolution
Based on current trajectory and expert analyses, we can project the following development timeline:
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity, influencing adoption timelines and investment priorities:
Innovation Trigger
- Generative AI for specialized domains
- Blockchain for supply chain verification
Peak of Inflated Expectations
- Digital twins for business processes
- Quantum-resistant cryptography
Trough of Disillusionment
- Consumer AR/VR applications
- General-purpose blockchain
Slope of Enlightenment
- AI-driven analytics
- Edge computing
Plateau of Productivity
- Cloud infrastructure
- Mobile applications
Technology Evolution Timeline
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
Expert Perspectives
Leading experts in the digital innovation sector provide diverse perspectives on how the landscape will evolve over the coming years:
"Technology transformation will continue to accelerate, creating both challenges and opportunities."
— Industry Expert
"Organizations must balance innovation with practical implementation to achieve meaningful results."
— Technology Analyst
"The most successful adopters will focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake."
— Research Director
Areas of Expert Consensus
- Acceleration of Innovation: The pace of technological evolution will continue to increase
- Practical Integration: Focus will shift from proof-of-concept to operational deployment
- Human-Technology Partnership: Most effective implementations will optimize human-machine collaboration
- Regulatory Influence: Regulatory frameworks will increasingly shape technology development
Short-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)
In the immediate future, organizations will focus on implementing and optimizing currently available technologies to address pressing digital innovation challenges:
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
These developments will be characterized by incremental improvements to existing frameworks rather than revolutionary changes, with emphasis on practical deployment and measurable outcomes.
Mid-Term Outlook (3-5 Years)
As technologies mature and organizations adapt, more substantial transformations will emerge in how security is approached and implemented:
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
This period will see significant changes in security architecture and operational models, with increasing automation and integration between previously siloed security functions. Organizations will shift from reactive to proactive security postures.
Long-Term Outlook (5+ Years)
Looking further ahead, more fundamental shifts will reshape how cybersecurity is conceptualized and implemented across digital ecosystems:
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
These long-term developments will likely require significant technical breakthroughs, new regulatory frameworks, and evolution in how organizations approach security as a fundamental business function rather than a technical discipline.
Key Risk Factors and Uncertainties
Several critical factors could significantly impact the trajectory of digital innovation evolution:
Organizations should monitor these factors closely and develop contingency strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts on technology implementation timelines.
Alternative Future Scenarios
The evolution of technology can follow different paths depending on various factors including regulatory developments, investment trends, technological breakthroughs, and market adoption. We analyze three potential scenarios:
Optimistic Scenario
Rapid adoption of advanced technologies with significant business impact
Key Drivers: Supportive regulatory environment, significant research breakthroughs, strong market incentives, and rapid user adoption.
Probability: 25-30%
Base Case Scenario
Measured implementation with incremental improvements
Key Drivers: Balanced regulatory approach, steady technological progress, and selective implementation based on clear ROI.
Probability: 50-60%
Conservative Scenario
Technical and organizational barriers limiting effective adoption
Key Drivers: Restrictive regulations, technical limitations, implementation challenges, and risk-averse organizational cultures.
Probability: 15-20%
Scenario Comparison Matrix
| Factor | Optimistic | Base Case | Conservative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementation Timeline | Accelerated | Steady | Delayed |
| Market Adoption | Widespread | Selective | Limited |
| Technology Evolution | Rapid | Progressive | Incremental |
| Regulatory Environment | Supportive | Balanced | Restrictive |
| Business Impact | Transformative | Significant | Modest |
Transformational Impact
Technology becoming increasingly embedded in all aspects of business operations. This evolution will necessitate significant changes in organizational structures, talent development, and strategic planning processes.
The convergence of multiple technological trends—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and ubiquitous connectivity—will create both unprecedented security challenges and innovative defensive capabilities.
Implementation Challenges
Technical complexity and organizational readiness remain key challenges. Organizations will need to develop comprehensive change management strategies to successfully navigate these transitions.
Regulatory uncertainty, particularly around emerging technologies like AI in security applications, will require flexible security architectures that can adapt to evolving compliance requirements.
Key Innovations to Watch
Artificial intelligence, distributed systems, and automation technologies leading innovation. Organizations should monitor these developments closely to maintain competitive advantages and effective security postures.
Strategic investments in research partnerships, technology pilots, and talent development will position forward-thinking organizations to leverage these innovations early in their development cycle.
Technical Glossary
Key technical terms and definitions to help understand the technologies discussed in this article.
Understanding the following technical concepts is essential for grasping the full implications of the security threats and defensive measures discussed in this article. These definitions provide context for both technical and non-technical readers.
IoT intermediate
platform intermediate
API beginner
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