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The European Space Agency has released the first major batch of data from its “dark universe” telescope Euclid. What’s inside could change our understanding of dark matter and the expansion of the universe. The data comprises just one week’s worth of deep field images from three points in space. They make up just 0.4% of the vast area Euclid will capture, which scientists say will be the largest 3D map of the sky ever created. With one scan of each region so far, Euclid has already spotted 26 million galaxies, each potentially containing millions of stars and billions of planets. The furthest of these galaxies are 10.5 billion light years away from Earth, meaning the images you see are almost as old as the universe itself. The Euclid map of the stars The Cat’s Eye Nebula, one of the most complex planetary nebulae ever seen in space, as captured by Euclid. Credit: ESA Hiding amongst all those millions of galaxies are rare phenomena called gravitational lenses or “Einstein rings,” named as such because they prove Albert Einstein’s prediction that gravity warps spacetime, causing light to bend as it travels through. Gravitational lensing occurs when a massive object, like a galaxy or black hole, bends the light from a galaxy behind it — forming visible distortions or arcs around the galaxy’s nucleus.   The 💜 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol’ founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! In this new batch of data, Euclid has more than doubled the number of gravitational lenses that have been captured from space. ESA estimates that Euclid will capture 100,000 strong gravitational lenses by the end of its six-year mission, around 100 times more than currently known.   Today’s data has also revealed an even rarer phenomenon: double gravitational lensing, also called double source plane lensing. This happens when light from two distant galaxies passes through the same galaxy, causing a double lensing effect. Finding double gravitational lenses A collage of gravitational lenses from Euclid’s first major data drop, released today. Credit: ESA Look at the image above and go to the fourth column, third from the bottom. The image is faint but you can make out two outer arcs and then two inner arcs close to the centre of the galaxy nucleus. That’s a double gravitational lens.  Double gravitational lensing could help scientists better understand dark energy and the expansion of the universe, because, in theory, an expanding universe will determine the angle of the arcs.  “Double-source plane lenses are extremely rare — only a few have ever been found,” said Euclid Consortium scientist Mike Walmsley at a press briefing. “But we think we’ve found four good candidates already from just a week’s worth of data covering a fraction of the night sky. We’re confident that Euclid will quickly capture enough of them to allow scientists to start measuring their effects.” To find such rare phenomena hiding amidst Euclid’s images, the European Space Agency (ESA) enlisted the help of thousands of volunteers — and AI algorithms.   Euclid’s AI-powered galaxy finder Launched in 2023, Euclid has observed about 14% of its total survey area so far. By the time its mission is complete, the telescope is expected to capture images of more than 1.5 billion galaxies, sending back around 100GB of data every day.  These images provide scientists with unprecedented opportunities — and huge problems when it comes to finding, categorising, and analysing all the objects within them.  To speed up the process, the Euclid consortium has developed an AI-powered galaxy spotter — called “Zoobot.” The algorithm was trained on decades’ worth of citizen science work, from volunteers who scan through images and identify each object.  A collage of galaxies identified by AI and citizen scientists. Credit: ESA From today’s data drop, Zoobot put together a detailed catalogue of 360,000 galaxies. Thousands of volunteers from the Space Warps citizen science project then sorted through the most promising candidates. That’s how the gravitational lenses were identified.  “We’re at a pivotal moment in terms of how we tackle large-scale surveys in astronomy. AI is a fundamental and necessary part of our process in order to fully exploit Euclid’s vast dataset,” said Walmsley, who has worked on astronomical deep learning algorithms for the last decade. A collage of Euclid Deep Field South, a portion of the night sky never previously captured in such detail. Credit: ESA The dark universe explorer Euclid launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida on 1 July, 2023. It returned its first images in August of that year, and in May last year released its first scientific data.  Euclid’s mission is to shed light on two of the universe’s most perplexing mysteries: dark energy and dark matter —, thought to make up 95% of the cosmos. Scientists theorise that dark energy is responsible for accelerating the universe’s expansion and that dark matter acts as cosmic glue that holds the galaxies together. Yet the nature of these components is still unknown. To build its 3D map of the night sky, the telescope is deploying two high-tech cameras: VIS, which captures the cosmos in visible light, and NISP, which measures the distances to galaxies and the expansion speed of the universe.  Euclid is set to provide us with an unprecedented chronology of the history of the cosmos and help us unravel the mysteries of the universe – and our own existence. The three deep field previews can now be explored in the ESASky app. Euclid Deep Field South here, Euclid Deep Field Fornax here, Euclid Deep Field North here. source

German startup Isar Aerospace launched its Spectrum rocket from Andøya Spaceport in Norway today, marking the first-ever vertical orbital rocket launch in Western Europe. Spectrum blasted off at 12:30 PM CEST (11:30 BST) but lost control at about 25 seconds into the flight. A video from the launch shows the rocket wobble, pitch over, and then plummet back to the ground, where it collided with the ocean, causing a large explosion. The launchpad remains intact and no one was injured, Isar said. Drone and pad footage from Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum launch. You can see it avoided the pad when it came down. pic.twitter.com/NePozHqYad — NSF – NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) March 30, 2025 Despite a quick and abrupt end to Spectrum’s inaugural flight, Isar’s CEO and co-founder Daniel Metzler hailed the launch as a “great success.” Robert Doornbos (FR driver), Pernilla Sjöholm (Tinder Swindler survivor) & more Check out every speaker at TNW Conference including Hugging Face, ASML, OpenAI & Datasnipper “We had a clean liftoff, 30 seconds of flight, and even got to validate our flight termination system,” Metzler said. “With this result, we feel confident to approach our second flight.” Spectrum’s first flight carried no payload. Isar Aerospace said the aim of the launch was “to collect as much data and experience as possible.” The 28-meter (91-foot) Spectrum is a two-stage launch vehicle designed to propel small and medium-sized satellites into orbit. The company expects to produce as many as 40 rockets per year from its new factory, which is currently under construction outside its headquarters in Munich. Spectrum launch vehicles 2 and 3 are already in production, Isar said. Spectrum’s inaugural flight marks the first-ever vertical orbital rocket launch in continental Europe outside Russia. Virgin Orbit attempted an orbital launch from the UK in 2023, but the plan failed. Europe’s other rockets, Ariane 6 and Vega C, launch from Europe’s main spaceport in French Guiana, South America. Isar Aerospace is the first private space company to use Andøya Spaceport, which officially opened in 2023. The spaceport, located close to the Arctic Circle, offers easy access to polar and sun-synchronous orbits — ideal for Earth observation and spy satellites. Isar Aerospace signed a deal in February with the Norwegian Space Agency to launch its Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) program satellites until 2028. The company looks to launch up to 15 missions per year from Andøya, at a cost of around €10mn per flight. Opening up orbital launches from Western Europe promises to simplify logistics for European satellite operators by eliminating the need to ship payloads overseas. Access to smaller, cheaper launch vehicles that can place a single satellite in orbit could also offer a more flexible, fast, and precise alternative to ride-sharing. Then there are the geopolitical considerations. Launching from continental Europe would reduce reliance on foreign launch providers like SpaceX, enhancing sovereign access to space amid growing geopolitical tensions. Metzler touched on that point in a statement last week: “In today’s geopolitical climate, our first test flight is about much more than a rocket launch.” Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Technical University Munich, Isar Aerospace has secured €400mn to date, making it Europe’s most well-funded private space company. While Andøya is Europe’s first continental spaceport, others are underway, the most advanced being the SaxaVord spaceport in the Shetland Islands off Scotland. Rocket Factory Augsburg, a rival to Isar, was meant to launch from the site last year. However, the startup suffered a major setback after its rocket exploded during a static-fire test, pushing back its inaugural flight to later this year.   source

Just five months after surpassing ASML, German software giant SAP has overtaken Novo Nordisk to become Europe’s most valuable listed company. SAP’s shares rose 1.6% on Monday, bringing its market cap to €313bn. That was just enough to nudge Danish weight loss drugmaker Novo off the top spot.  SAP’s stock has risen more than 40% in the past year, amid booming demand for its AI-driven enterprise resource planning software (ERP). The cloud-based software centralises business data, allowing multiple departments to access and share information in one place. In contrast, Novo is having a tougher time on the stock market. Novo’s flagship product is Ozempic, a weight loss drug championed by celebrities and the ultra-wealthy, including Elon Musk. However, trials of the firm’s newest weight loss therapy, CagriSema, haven’t generated the same excitement. The drug was shown to be less effective than anticipated, causing shares to drop 50% from their 2024 high.  The 💜 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol’ founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! Novo isn’t the only company feeling the impact of SAP’s stock rally. In October, the software firm rode overtook ASML to become Europe’s most valuable tech company.  ASML, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, makes chip-making equipment for most of the world’s largest semiconductor companies. As the only firm that manufactures the EUV lithography machines required to produce the world’s most advanced computer chips, the Dutch business has become an investor darling.  However, ASML’s shares plummeted dramatically in in October, wiping €50bn off its market cap in one fell swoop.  The plunge came after the Dutch firm said it did not receive the expected number of orders for its lithography machines and expects fewer net sales for 2025 than previously estimated.  That news also sparked a global sell-off on chip stocks, as investors worried that demand may be faltering. However, analysts were quick to point out that weak orders at ASML were more a sign that chipmakers had been stockpiling chips than a longer-term problem.  Since then, ASML’s stock has soared, plunged, and risen again. In January, shares jumped as much as 12% — the largest increase in nearly five years — following a surge in order bookings. The company currently ranks as Europe’s fourth most valuable, with Paris-based LVMH in third place behind SAP and Novo.  The shifting fortunes of Europe’s biggest companies reflect the volatility of today’s global markets. In recent months, stock prices have been rattled by fluctuating interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and new technological developments. Many of Europe’s biggest tech companies will be at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale. To get 30% off, use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the check-out.  source

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has launched its first Bitcoin product in Europe, a move that industry experts say will help legitimise cryptocurrencies in mainstream finance.  “This is a landmark development for crypto, displaying confidence in Bitcoin for mainstream investments,” Meryem Habibi, chief revenue officer at London-based crypto payment gateway Bitpace, told TNW.  “Through this first in Europe, BlackRock is not only legitimising the asset class but also paving the way for increased institutional and retail participation,” she said. BlackRock’s product is called an “iShares Bitcoin ETP” (exchange-traded products). ETPs let investors buy and sell Bitcoin without directly owning the cryptocurrency. They are traded on stock exchanges and track the price of Bitcoin. 3 free tickets to TNW Conference? Get them now! For a limited time, groups can get up to three extra free tickets! Book now and increase your visibility and connections at TNW Conference This enables investments in Bitcoin’s price movements through a traditional brokerage account without needing a digital wallet or dealing with the complexities of buying Bitcoin directly. “ETPs offer institutional investors a way of accessing crypto without exposing themselves to the risks inherent in investing natively,” Anthony Yeung, CCO of Coincover, told TNW. This type of investment vehicle is gaining momentum globally. Investors have already poured a combined $50bn into BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETPs in the US.  “If BlackRock’s success in the US is anything to go by, this will generate significant inflows of institutional cash [in Europe] — positively impacting Bitcoin price and helping drive acceptance of crypto as an essential asset to hold in a balanced portfolio,” Yeung said.  Europe’s ETP landscape While Europe was slower to adopt ETPs than the US, it is now catching up. That’s partly thanks to the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation, which entered force late last year.  The legislation provides a clear and structured framework for launching new products. In the US, oversight is more fragmented. Last year, Europe had $12bn of ETP assets under management. While that still paled in comparison to the US ($57bn), it represents a tenfold increase from 2020 levels.  In terms of investment options, though, Europe hosts 135 ETPs — far more than the US (35).  The largest ETP issuers in Europe last year were the US-based CoinShares, Switzerland’s 21Shares, and London-headquartered ETC Group, according to Track Insight. James Burnie, fintech expert at British law firm gunnercooke, told TNW that BlackRock’s entry into Europe’s maturing ETP market is an added boost for the sector. “It gets traditional finance comfortable with dealing in crypto assets,” he said.  “However, given that the crypto markets are now already considered a mainstay of finance, such moves are now becoming less impactful,” he added. “Soon the scrutiny will be more on any large traditional player not being in the industry.” Habibi echoes Burnie’s sentiments about the sector’s maturity. She argues that BlackRock’s move speaks to a wider trend of “blurring traditional finance with digital assets.”  “Crypto is becoming more aligned with everyday finance,” she said. source

Five high-flying scaleups from the Benelux region have made it into TECH5 — the “Champions League of Technology.” The classy quintet joins an exclusive group of Europe’s fastest-growing tech companies. Over the next two months, they will join six other regions — the Nordics, Southern Europe, France, the Baltic States, DACH, and the UK & Ireland — in a competition for the crown of hottest scaleup on the continent.  The contest will conclude on June 19-20, when the TECH5 champion will be announced on the main stage of TNW Conference. But first, the contenders have to win their regional title. The challengers from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg were selected based on an analysis of their growth, impact, and future potential. Our evaluation led us to the following five finalists, listed in random order: 1. DataSnipper The 💜 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol’ founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! DataSnipper has emerged as a shining star of Dutch tech. Over 500,000 audit and finance professionals across more than 125 countries now use the scaleup’s AI-powered software, which automates repetitive finance and audit procedures.  The company was profitable early on, scaled rapidly, and recently hit a $1bn valuation. Under the leadership of CEO Vidya Peters — one of the star speakers at this year’s TNW Conference — DataSnipper has be,en ranked by Deloitte as the fastest-growing tech firm in the Netherlands for two years in a row. After finding success in Europe, the company has expanded globally, opening new offices in New York, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Mexico City. “That’s been a huge component of DataSnipper’s growth,” Peters told TNW last month. “Another is investing in AI.” 2. Dexter Energy Dexter Energy plans to transform the renewable energy landscape. To achieve this grand ambition, the scaleup provides AI-driven forecasting and trading-as-a-service for the short-term trading cycle. By making renewables trading profitable, Dexter Energy wants to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more affordable energy future. “With our products, we empower energy companies across Europe to unlock the full potential of their wind, solar, and battery portfolios, maximising efficiency, profitability, and sustainability,” the company told TNW. These plans have progressed rapidly since Dexter Energy was founded in Amsterdam in 2017. Last year, the scaleup reduced emissions equivalent to those produced by 100,000 households — a figure that’s been doubling annually. 3. Gorilla Representing Belgium, Gorilla is reinventing the operations of energy retailers. The company supplies clients with real-time data and analytics, which lead to faster pricing, smarter decisions, and full visibility from sales to hedging.  “Our ambition is to become the commercial brain of energy retail,” Gorilla told TNW. “The impact? A more agile industry that can actually keep up with climate, policy, and consumer change.” Founded in 2018, the Antwerp-based scaleup has partnered with many of the world’s top energy providers, including Shell, ScottishPower, ENGIE, and Centrica Business Solutions. Investors have been impressed by the progress. Last year, Gorilla raised €23mn in a Series B round led by US VC firm Headline. 4. Eye Security Top-tier cybersecurity is often inaccessible to SMEs. Enterprise-grade solutions can be prohibitively expensive and complex. As a result, countless companies are left vulnerable to cyber threats.  Eye Security plans to change that. The Dutch scaleup combines a 24/7 managed security operations centre (SOC), integrated cyber insurance, and expert-led incident response to streamline safeguards for SMEs. The company’s founders have deep experience with digital threats. Before launching Eye Security in 2020, all three of them were national security employees. They’re now focused on supporting the most vulnerable businesses. “Our approach simplifies protection — combining advanced threat detection with insurance in one seamless service,” the team told TNW. 5. Gain.pro In the lucrative world of private market intelligence, Gain.pro aspires to set the global standard. The Amsterdam-based fintech has developed a platform that unearths powerful insights to guide investment decisions.  Inside the platform, human curation and generative AI combine to find, understand, and track companies that matter to each user. The benefits have attracted an illustrious list of clients — including all the MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) and Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) advisory firms. “Our platform brings together verified public information and proprietary insights, empowering users to focus on high-value work that truly sets them apart,” Gain.pro told TNW. “In doing so, we’re making the world of M&A more transparent, efficient, and fair.” What’s next for the TECH5 scaleups? All five of these scaleups would make worthy winners for Benelux, but only one can triumph. The victor will be announced soon. Stay tuned next week to meet the next region’s challengers for the TECH5 title. TECH5 is part of a packed programme for TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam.Tickets for the event are now on sale. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the check-out to get 30% off the price tag. source

A coalition of European startups has urged swift action to slash burdensome EU regulations after a landmark declaration from the D9+ group of digitally advanced nations. The declaration stressed the need for “removing barriers” and “simplifying EU rules and procedures.” Ministers from all 13 countries in the D9+ — Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden — signed the statement. They emphasised the need for a “reviewed digital rulebook” that is “deregulated where possible” and “avoids unnecessary red tape.” A startup group has called for the ministers to back up their words with actions. The S9+ Coalition — founded to give startups a voice in the policy agenda of the D9+ — warned that Europe’s “excessive and fragmented regulation” has become a self-imposed barrier. 3 free tickets to TNW Conference? Get them now! For a limited time, groups can get up to three extra free tickets! Book now and increase your visibility and connections at TNW Conference “If this declaration is to matter, the next step is clear: D9+ countries must push their colleagues in the [European] Council to simplify, harmonise, and reduce the burden of EU digital regulation — and to make Europe more attractive for investment in innovation,” Peter Kofler, chairman of S9+ member Danish Entrepreneurs, told TNW. The S9+ argues that startups are the foundation of economic growth. The claim is based on solid ground. According to Dealroom.co, just 0.01% of companies create 34% of all economic value — and they all start as startups. Europe, however, has struggled to turn promising companies into big businesses. Not a single EU company started from scratch in the last 50 years has a market capitalisation over €100 billion. In the same period, all six US companies with a valuation above €1 trillion were created. Hopes and fears for EU startups In recent years, Europe has fallen further behind the US in productivity and suffered from a declining share of global tech revenue. The continent’s leading startups now often look overseas to scale. Between 2008 and 2021, almost 30% of European startups valued at over $1 billion relocated their headquarters abroad. The vast majority moved to the US.   Many of their issues in Europe are attributed to stifling regulation. GDPR, for instance, cost small IT companies over 12% of their profits, according to estimates by three Oxford University economists. In a declaration of its own, the S9+ warned that “Europe cannot regulate its way out of stagnation.” The declaration proposes concrete actions to tackle the problem. Among its recommendations are rapidly implementing the 28th regime — a proposed single set of rules for the entire EU — and providing tech-friendly zones, with regulatory “sandboxes” alongside a gradual increase in regulatory requirements. AI regulation is a particular concern for the S9+. The coalition urged the EU to develop a regulatory framework that fosters AI innovation while ensuring fair and open data access. New compliance frameworks, the S9+ stressed, should be restricted to what’s “absolutely necessary” — and only introduced after consulting startups. The S9+ also emphasised the need to focus on emerging companies, rather than prioritising the demands of traditional industry giants. “Startups are not asking for special treatment,” Kofler said. “We are asking for a level playing field — for access to capital, data, infrastructure, and markets. If Europe wants to close its €800 billion investment gap, it won’t happen by giving old subsidies to old players. It will happen by unleashing the capital and ideas that startups already bring.” European startups are the heartbeat of TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the check-out to get 30% off the price tag. source

Finnish startup Distance Technologies emerged from stealth last year with a technology it claims can turn any transparent surface into a mixed reality (MR) display. Now, it has teamed up with Patria to trial the tech on the defence firm’s armoured vehicles. The partners will jointly develop a heads-up display for Patria’s six-wheel drive armoured personnel carrier. The system will display 3D tactical data, terrain mapping, and AI-driven military insights directly onto the windshield, allowing military personnel to see in low-visibility environments like darkness and smoke.  The MR technology promises to eliminate the need for additional screens or clunky headsets. The display also remains covert, preventing light leakage that could reveal vehicle positions, Distance said. Urho Konttori, the startup’s CEO and co-founder, claims it will give drivers “super sensing abilities.” “Creating XR heads-up displays that visualise mission-critical information on the windshield offers unprecedented speed, confidence, and decision-making ability on the battlefields of the future,” said Konttori, the former CTO of Varjo, another Helsinki-based XR startup. The 💜 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol’ founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! Unlike standard heads-up displays in cars, which project static or pre-determined information onto the windshield, Distance’s technology tracks the user’s eye movements and then displays the correct light field to match where they are looking. The “brain” behind the system is so-called contextual AI, a type of artificial intelligence that understands and reacts based on its situation. Distance can add its light field optics on top of most LCDs. When users look through the screen, they see a computer-generated 3D light field mixed in with the real world. This means virtually any transparent surface can transform into an MR window — whether that’s the windshield of a car, an F-18 fighter jet, or a 6×6 armoured vehicle. An early prototype of the MR windshield. Distance said the final version delivered Patria will be of significantly higher quality. Credit: Distance Technology Oy and Patria Distance claims the system is capable of “infinite” pixel depth, which means it should be indistinguishable from natural sight. Konttori no doubt drew inspiration from his work at Varjo, which in 2023 unveiled the world’s first retina-resolution XR headset.  The MR model for Distance Konttori left Varjo early last year. “I’ve started increasingly feeling that it’s time for me to move on,” he said in a LinkedIn post at the time. “I’m leaving Varjo and starting something new. Not anything Varjo does… but pretty mind-blowing.” Distance is that new venture. The company indeed takes a very different approach from his former employer While Varjo develops headsets with lenses, Distance offers glasses-free XR tech to the automotive, aerospace, and defence markets. In July last year, the startup emerged from stealth with a $2.7mn pre-seed investment. Three months later, it raised $11.1mn in a round led by Google Ventures. Now the company is looking to test its tech in the real world.   Distance’s collaboration with Patria is part of the defence firm’s government-funded eALLIANCE program, which seeks to support Finnish civil and defence tech companies.    The partnership comes as Europe rushes to increase defence spending amid cooling relations with the US. Just yesterday, Germany voted to create a massive €500bn ($545bn) fund for defence and infrastructure. source

Tesla’s sales in Europe have plummeted by 42% this year, according to the latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Tesla’s slip came despite total EV sales on the continent rising 28% over the same period. Analysts have linked the slump to Tesla’s aging model lineup and growing backlash against CEO Elon Musk’s increasingly polarising behaviour.   Whatever the reason, Andrew Fellows, an automotive and mobility expert at global tech consultancy Star, told TNW he thinks the recent sales slide has opened “a rare window of opportunity” for rival European carmakers to regain lost ground from Musk’s firm. Tesla’s Model Y has been the best-selling EV in Europe for two years in a row. But in February, both Volkswagen and the BMW Group (including Mini) overtook Tesla in total EV sales for the first time, according to data from Jato Dynamics.  Hugging Face, ASML, OpenAI, Monzo & Datasnipper Check out the NEW speakers for TNW Conference 2025 on June 19 & 20. VW’s sales were up 180%, with its ID.4 beating out the Model Y to become the best-selling EV in Europe last month. Sweden’s Polestar sold 2,000 cars, representing an 84% jump. The company has been actively targeting disgruntled Tesla owners with special offers on its EVs.  Tesla’s public image is suffering under Musk, whose role in the Trump administration and endorsement of Germany’s far-right AfD party have drawn widespread condemnation in Europe.  Tesla’s dealerships have been vandalised. Its cars have been set on fire. In one of the more dramatic expressions of outrage, political campaigners beamed an image of Musk making a Nazi-like salute alongside the word “Heil” onto Tesla’s gigafactory in Berlin. With Tesla fighting fires, now could be the opportune moment for European automakers to strike. However, they’ll need to move quickly because Chinese car companies are looming large.  The EV challengers to Tesla “Chinese EV brands are entering the European market at pace, offering strong performance, advanced software and aggressive pricing,” said Fellows. “While they still lack the branding power of their European rivals, they’re moving fast and learning quickly.” In February, BYD’s EV sales in Europe almost doubled from the same month last year. Combined, Chinese-owned brands, including BYD, Xpeng, and Leapmotor, sold more electric cars than Tesla, according to Jato Dynamics. Dr Henning Dransfeld, an Austrian automotive expert and a director at software firm Infor, told TNW that the rise of Chinese EVs presented a “fundamental threat” to European carmakers.  “While all eyes are on Tesla’s stumble, Chinese manufacturers are reshaping our industry’s competitive landscape,” he said.  Bolstered by strong state subsidies, Chinese automakers could surpass European brands, even with the EU’s proposed tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.  The only way for European carmakers to stay competitive, said Fellows, is to build better EVs and lower prices.  “European manufacturers [need to] respond with more affordable models, smarter branding, and better software,” he said. “If they hesitate, Chinese brands will seize the opportunity created by Tesla’s decline and Europe’s carmakers may find themselves chasing from behind once again.” source

In the summer of 2018, a devastating fire tore through Greece’s Attica region. In its aftermath, four scientists from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London — including two Greeks — set out to answer a simple yet crucial question: why did some houses burn while others were left untouched? That question set off years of research into computer simulations for predicting wildfire risk and behaviour. In December 2023, the scientists founded Pinepeak to bring their idea out of the lab and into the market. Pinepeak’s wildfire prediction technology combines machine learning algorithms trained on satellite data with cutting-edge physics-based modelling originally developed for jet engine research at the University of Cambridge.  Just as turbulence and air movement dictate how fuel ignites in an engine, they also play a crucial role in the spread of wildfires. By modelling the chaotic nature of wildfire spread and how it interacts with other factors like terrain and weather, Pinepeak can arrive at more accurate forecasts.  “Catastrophic wildfires are escalating due to climate change, but current risk assessment methods fall short of predicting how fires interact with their environment and spread from an ignition point towards communities,” Dr Savvas Gkantonas, CEO and co-founder of Pinepeak, told TNW.  3 free tickets to TNW Conference? Get them now! For a limited time, groups can get up to three extra free tickets! Book now and increase your visibility and connections at TNW Conference Pinepeak COO and co-founder Dr Daniel Fredrich (left) and CEO and co-founder Dr Savvas Gkantonas. Credit: Pinepeak Pinepeak’s algorithms forecast the probability that a wildfire will occur with up to 90% accuracy. They also predict how fires will spread — where they will go, what they will impact, and when all that might occur. The tool can do all this at an extremely high granularity, delivering wildfire risk forecasts down to the level of an individual home located anywhere in the world. Gkantonas said that this kind of intelligence is “highly valuable” to everyone from property insurers to national governments and firefighters.  Now, Pinepeak is looking to scale up. The startup has just been admitted to an accelerator that might enable it to do just that. Turning wildfire predictions into a successful startup Pinepeak is one of eight startups to have been picked for the University of Cambridge’s second START Accelerator programme. Alongside a £40,000 upfront investment, the accelerator gives startups like Pinepeak access to mentorship from proven investors and founders.  Gkantonas said the programme  is “helping accelerate our growth by connecting us with early customers, domain experts, and seed investors, enabling us to grow faster and smarter.” Last month, the company also nabbed $322,000 (£250,000) in pre-seed funding.  Other startups in the cohort include Podromic, which uses AI to predict dementia, and Trismik, which provides testing solutions for large language models (LLMs).  The startups are well located for success. Cambridge is the world’s third most valuable deep tech hub, only below Boston (Harvard, MIT, and Boston University) and the Bay Area, according to Dealroom data. Last year’s START Accelerator saw 11 companies participate, including lithium-sodium battery startup Molyon, which recently raised $4.6mn (£3.5mn), as TNW previously reported.  The search for Europe’s next big startups is the guiding mission of TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Check out out our initial list of speakers and our early agenda for a taste of what’s to come. Tickets for the event are now on sale. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the check-out to get 30% off the price tag. source

San Francisco-based 23andMe, which sells at-home DNA testing kits, has filed for bankruptcy in the US and is looking for a new buyer — heightening concerns about the personal data of millions of people.     23andMe experienced a major data breach in 2023, which exposed personal information like family trees, birth years, and geographic locations of approximately half of the company’s 15 million users.    Now, with the company sinking, 23andMe customers are considering deleting their accounts amid fears of another hack or changes to the company’s privacy controls under a new owner.  In the EU and the UK, 23andMe users are covered by versions of the GDPR. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Britain’s data privacy watchdog, stresses that despite the insolvency, customers remain protected by the same data privacy laws. The 💜 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol’ founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! “As a matter of UK law, the protections and restrictions of the UK GDPR continue to apply and 23andMe remains under an obligation to protect the personal information of its customers,” said Stephen Bonner, the ICO’s deputy commissioner.  However, the ICO has previously ruled that 23andMe may have violated its privacy rules.  The 23andMe track record After the 2023 breach, the ICO and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada launched a joint investigation into 23andMe. Earlier this month, the ICO issued a notice of intent to fine the company £4.59mn ($5.93mn).   “Genetic information is among the most sensitive personal data that a person can entrust to a company[,] and organisations handling such data are required to uphold a very high standard of security and governance in accordance with [the law],” Bonner said in response to the bankruptcy filing.  In the US, meanwhile, the legal protections vary. While users in the UK and EU have GDPR protections, data privacy laws in the US are less comprehensive and vary considerably from state to state.  23andMe claims that the company does not share the personal or medical information of any of its customers without consent. Yet with 23andMe’s track record, neither the company’s assurances nor legal protections may quell customers’ fears. During bankruptcy proceedings, the company may also have fewer resources at its disposal to fight off hackers. And under new ownership, things look even more uncertain. According to 23andMe’s own privacy statement, if the company undergoes bankruptcy, merger, acquisition, reorganisation, or sale of assets,  “your Personal Information may be accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction.”  How to delete your 23andMe data Given the sensitivity of the data people have shared with 23andMe, the previous breach, and the company’s financial problems, customers may decide to just delete their data entirely. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has urged them to do just that.  “I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company,” Bonta said. Users in Europe, meanwhile, have the “right to erasure,” which allows individuals to request that 23andMe deletes their personal data and destroys any medical samples in the company’s possession.   Here’s how to do it:  Log in to your account and go to “Settings,” then scroll to “23andMe Data” and click “View.” From there, select “Delete Data,” confirm your request, and your data will be permanently removed. You can also download a copy of your genetic data before deleting it. To delete your test sample, go to “Settings,” then “Preferences,” where you can manage your options.   Europe’s tech regulations will come under the microscope at TNW Conference, Tickets for the event are now on sale. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the check-out to get 30% off the price tag. source