?? Industrial AI Agents, AI x HR, AI x Web, Purchasing & Health (22.11.24)

Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Roundabout! ??? As Europe’s startup ecosystem continues to thrive, we’re spotlighting some of the most exciting early-stage rounds and innovations shaping the future. From AI-driven industrial optimization and at-home healthcare solutions to performance management tools and ethical web access for AI, this week’s lineup is packed with cutting-edge ideas and groundbreaking founders ????

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Rounds

1?? Linkup ???? (Tech / AI Web Access) Plugs your LLM to the Internet. This startup is transforming how artificial intelligence systems access online content by providing a fast, ethical, and efficient solution. Their platform offers AI companies seamless integration with a wide range of premium content sources, ensuring responsible and sustainable web interactions.

Founded in 2024 by Philippe Mizrahi, Denis Charrier, and Boris Toledano—who bring experience from Spotify, Lyft, and McKinsey—Linkup is dedicated to building new pathways for AIs to access the web efficiently and fairly. Their proprietary API enables AI companies of all sizes to benefit from fast and ethical access to online content through partnerships with a wide range of premium content sources.

?? Linkup secured €3 million in seed funding, supported by leading investors including Seedcamp, Axeleo Capital, Motier Ventures, and a network of prominent tech and media industry angels. This investment aims to further develop Linkup’s sustainable alternative to web scraping and address the challenges posed by AI-driven web traffic.

2?? Juna.ai ???? (Tech / AI for Industrial Optimization) is building "AI Agents to Run Your Factory" at the forefront of transforming industrial process control through advanced artificial intelligence. Their platform enables manufacturing facilities to become intelligent, self-learning systems, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

Co-founded by Matthias Auf der Mauer, Juna.ai focuses on reducing emissions and waste while enabling smarter decision-making. Their AI-driven solutions integrate seamlessly with existing industrial systems, providing real-time insights and predictive analytics to optimize operations.

?? Juna.ai secured $7.5 million in seed funding, led by Kleiner Perkins, with participation from Norrsken VC, ellipsis venture, and notable angel investors including John Doerr, Jürgen Matthias, and Thomas Yariv Bilge. This funding will accelerate the development of their platform and expand their reach across global heavy industries.

Juna.ai’s innovative approach not only addresses environmental challenges but also empowers manufacturers with cutting-edge AI solutions to drive automation, efficiency, and sustainability.

3?? Heim Health ???? (Healthtech / At-Home Healthcare Delivery) is building the digital infrastructure to revolutionize community-based care by moving healthcare delivery from hospitals to homes through scalable, efficient systems. The platform enables personalized, at-home healthcare, revitalizing access and improving outcomes for patients in their own environments.

Founded by Kelly Klifa and James Monico., Heim Health draws on their experience from the not-for-profit Testing For All initiative during the pandemic, focusing on addressing gaps in traditional healthcare systems and enabling sustainable, patient-centered care solutions.

?? In November 2024, Heim Health raised €2.65 million in seed funding, led by Heal Capital, with participation from Form Ventures, Portfolio Ventures, and Houghton Street Ventures. This funding will accelerate the development of its digital healthcare platform and expand services, particularly targeting community-based care providers.

With a mission to modernize and scale at-home healthcare delivery, Heim Health is poised to transform how healthcare is accessed and delivered, empowering patients and communities with better, more flexible care solutions.

4?? Taito.ai ???? (Tech / AI-Driven Performance Management) is transforming employee development by offering an AI-powered platform that automates continuous feedback, goal setting, and performance reviews. By integrating with tools like Slack, Google Calendar, and Jira, Taito.ai streamlines workflows and fosters employee growth.

Founded by former Smartly.io executives, Taito.ai addresses inefficiencies in traditional HR tools, providing a scalable solution for continuous performance enablement. The platform empowers managers and employees to take ownership of their growth and performance, moving beyond manual annual reviews.

?? In November 2024, Taito.ai secured €2.5 million in seed funding, led by Accel, with participation from angel investors including Eléonore Crespo (Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Pigment), Robert Gentz (Co-founder and Co-CEO of Zalando), Miki Kuusi (Founder and CEO of Wolt), and Ilkka Paananen (Co-Founder and CEO of Supercell). This investment will enhance Taito.ai’s platform and expand its market presence.

Taito.ai’s innovative approach is transforming how organizations approach employee growth and performance, offering a modern, AI-driven alternative to traditional performance management systems.

Freqens ???? (Fintech / B2B Cost Optimization) is helping companies "centralize suppliers, benchmark terms, and gain a negotiation advantage on every purchase."

Freqens is transforming how companies manage indirect expenses (opex) through a data-driven approach. Their cost benchmarking platform leverages real-time market data and peer comparisons to help businesses identify overvalued expenses and uncover significant savings opportunities, ensuring they buy at the best price every time.

Founded by Maxime Liebens (former CSO at MakiPeople and JobTeaser), Richard Gozlan (former CEO of Cleanio and COO of Agricool and Gopuff), and Alexandre Barreira (former CPTO at Ornikar), the team brings deep expertise in scaling tech-enabled solutions for operational efficiency. Freqens focuses on providing actionable insights that simplify and optimize B2B purchasing practices.

?? Freqens raised $3 million in seed funding, led by Seedcamp, with participation from Kima Ventures, ZEBOX, Motier Ventures, Financière Saint James, and notable angel investors such as Mark Ransford, Alexandre Berriche, and Roxanne Varza. This funding will fuel the development of its platform and accelerate its go-to-market strategy.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend! ??