Techstars vs Venture Kick

Europeans in Japan Raise $1.2M for Modular Humanoid Robots

O-ID, a Tokyo-based robotics startup founded by Norwegian Stian Jakobsen and Dutch Simon Gormuzov, has raised $1.2 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Chicago-based TAWANI Ventures, with participation from Hustle Fund, Techstars, and angel investors. O-ID is developing modular humanoid robots for industrial manufacturing and logistics, designed to be easily repairable and maintainable through hot-swappable modules. The company aims to address Japan's labor shortage and leverages the country's manufacturing expertise. The funding will support moving from prototype to production, with factory pilots targeted for early 2027. O-ID has also signed a letter of intent with Sumitomo Electric Industries to explore applications in wire harnesses.

• O-ID raised $1.2 million in pre-seed funding.
• TAWANI Ventures led the round, with participation from Hustle Fund, Techstars, and angel investors.
• O-ID is developing modular humanoid robots for industrial manufacturing and logistics.

Five Techstars Portfolio Companies Make the 2026 Sifted 250

Five Techstars portfolio companies have been recognized in the 2026 Sifted 250, an annual ranking of Europe's fastest-growing startups based on percentage revenue growth over three financial years. Two companies, Flowpay (#5) and Yaspa (#7), ranked in the top 10. The other honored portfolio companies include Pack (#70), Kumulus Water (#121), and BioEsol (#225), representing industries from fintech and edtech to climate and energy tech.

• Sifted 250 ranks European startups by percentage revenue growth across the past three financial years, with list members generating a combined €5.8bn in revenue.
• Techstars portfolio companies Flowpay and Yaspa ranked inside the top 10 at #5 and #7, respectively.
• Three additional Techstars alumni ranked: Pack at #70, Kumulus Water at #121, and BioEsol at #225.

Inside Colorado Startup Week: A Conversation With Techstars Founder & CEO David Cohen

At the 2026 Colorado Startup Week, Techstars Founder & CEO David Cohen sat down with PBS12's Business of Colorado to talk about Boulder's comeback, the Give First philosophy, and what AI means for the next generation of founders.

Venture Kick invests CHF 150K in Apolarion's plasma seed treatment

Swiss cleantech startup Apolarion, a spin-off from EPFL, has received CHF 150,000 (€164,000) from Venture Kick to advance its chemical-free seed treatment technology. The company, founded by Jesus Poley and Luke Simons, is developing a modular device that uses cold atmospheric plasma to eliminate harmful microorganisms from seeds without chemical treatments. This method uses only air and electricity to generate reactive particles that neutralize pathogens while preserving seed germination. The funding will support first field trials and initial customer deployments, covering operational facilities, equipment, and personnel. Apolarion initially targets Swiss and European markets, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical and heat-based treatments for seed treatment companies.

• Apolarion received CHF 150,000 (€164,000) from Venture Kick.
• Apolarion is a spin-off from EPFL.
• The funding will support field trials and initial customer deployments.

Prismus Raises €163K From Venture Kick for AI Platform Lupa

Swiss deeptech startup Prismus has secured CHF 150,000 (€163,000) from Venture Kick to advance Lupa, its AI-powered platform that connects scientific research with industrial opportunities. Lupa transforms complex information from research, patents, and market activity into actionable insights, helping companies make strategic decisions about emerging markets, partnerships, research directions, and commercial opportunities. With AI agents analyzing connected sources, Lupa identifies and ranks relevant markets, companies, researchers, and potential partners based on technological fit. The startup has already acquired its first thirty paying customers. The funding will support scaling in deep tech markets and onboarding individual users. The team includes CEO Elisabeth Blyumin, CTO Timen van Gelderen, Chief AI Officer Gonçalo Hora de Carvalho, and Chief Revenue Officer Peter Kempin.

• Prismus raised €163,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick
• Funding will advance Lupa, an AI-powered scientific research platform
• Prismus has secured its first thirty paying customers

Venture Kick invests CHF 150K in CHD for pregnancy monitoring

Swiss medtech startup CHD (Connected Health Development) has received approximately €160,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to develop its digital solutions for remote maternal and fetal monitoring. The funding will support the development, testing, and validation of CHD's MONI2 solution, a smart textile belt that collects maternal and fetal ECG data, uterine contractions, fetal movements, and fetal position. CHD aims to improve access to maternal healthcare, enable earlier detection of complications, and reduce hospital visits for high-risk pregnancies. The company plans to launch consumer and medical versions of MONI2, targeting sales of over 30,000 kits and subscriptions within four years. CEO Laurent Vandebrouck stated that the Venture Kick support is part of CHD's initial seed fundraising, with other investors and a foundation committing or considering funding, aiming to close the round by October.

• CHD receives CHF 150,000 (approx. €160,000) from Venture Kick.
• CHD develops MONI2, a smart textile belt for remote maternal and fetal monitoring.
• MONI2 collects maternal and fetal ECG, uterine contractions, fetal movements, and position.