1,475 Startups applied to join ??

Hi there,

This week the EU-Startups team spent a lot of time and energy evaluating the?1,475 applications we received for the Pitch Competition, which will be part of this year's EU-Startups Summit. We're still not done, but we're already quite impressed by the quality of applications!

Equally impressive are some of the news and insights you'll find below. :)

? ULTRA.VC is about to close applications for its impact-driven Accelerator. The program offers tailor-made support for building sustainable traction and gives access to up to $170k. Reach out to the alumni for feedback and apply before 25 February!

?? AI-focused Panel Discussion:?To discuss the future implications of AI during this year’s EU-Startups Summit, we'll be joined by some of Europe’s most promising AI founders, like Anastasia Georgievskaya, the Founder & CEO of Haut.AI, Nicole Buttner, Founder & CEO of Merantix Momentum, Massimiliano Squillace, Founder & CEO of Contents.com, and Namrata Sandhu, the Co-Founder & CEO of Vaayu!

?? AI Funding Boom:?Barcelona-based WIVI Vision?just raised €4 million to improve visual health with gamified AI-based therapies,?Berlin-based promiseQ scored 7-figure seed funding to fuel up its AI-based video surveillance platform, and Tallinn-based Cognitiwe captured €1 million to spearhead AI-driven retail solutions.

???Norwegian Startups: This week we had a close look at Norway's startup scene with the goal to introduce you to 10 exceptionally promising Norwegian startups that are cooler than ice. :)

??? EU-Startups Podcast: This week our CEO Thomas joined as guest on the EU-Startups Podcast to reflect on the past 10 years of the EU-Startups Summit. And today we published episode 56 with Dr. Gesa Miczaika, General Partner at Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, to?discuss the initiatives for achieving gender equality in the venture capital industry.

?? Tech Layoffs: It looks like 33% of our LinkedIn followers (at least from 730 people who already took the poll) have been affected by tech/startup layoffs in the past 18 months. This is probably not super accurate, but even if it would be just 15-20%, that's already quite brutal...

?? Startup PR Insights:?Our guest contributor Clara Armand-Delille just shared some valuable tips on how to approach media exclusives and how to decide when not to offer one. By the way: Clara will also join us at this year's EU-Startups Summit! :)

? Join us as Volunteer: You're a student and/or a young startup enthusiast who would like to join the EU-Startups team at this year's EU-Startups Summit in Malta as part of our Volunteers team? Apply here!

? Last but not least, we'd like to hear your opinion/vote regarding the following panel ideas for the event. Thank you!

Have a nice weekend!

Your EU-Startups Team