TLDR:
– European venture capital investment has started to pick up again after declines from 2022.
– The most-funded start-up areas in Europe in Q1 2024 were energy, health, and fintech.
Venture capital investment across Europe has started to pick up again after sharp declines from the beginning of 2022, according to Dealroom. The analyst’s European update indicated start-ups around the continent raised $13.7bn (€12.8bn) in the first quarter of the year, up 5% from $13bn at the same point in 2023. European venture capital investment is tracking a similar path to 2023, showing better performance than 2019 and 2020, although lagging behind 2021 and 2022. The most-funded start-up areas in Europe were energy, health, and fintech, all bringing in significant investment in the first three months of 2024. The UK emerged as the top venture-funded country in Europe, attracting $3.9bn of investment, followed by Germany and France.
On a less positive note, a report from DWS suggested that Europe was undergoing an “uneven transformation” in achieving its climate change goals. The report identified several key performance indicators related to decarbonization and noted that some countries were falling short in their progress towards the 2030 targets. Sweden was highlighted as a leader in renewable energy and research and development, while countries like Spain, Poland, and Italy were noted for lacking a supportive regulatory environment for private investment.
DWS concluded that for Europe to be successful in its transition, it needed to adopt innovative technologies, create a supportive regulatory environment, and prioritize investment in research and development. The report emphasized the importance of tracking progress and keeping in line with the desired transformation goals for the continent.
