AIN

Join us at START — a conference by AIN and Kyiv Academy of Media Arts that brings together innovation and creativity. Explore practical sessions across five key themes: investments, government projects, digital transformation, wartime economy, and the intersection of art and technology. Among our speakers are: ▪️ Serhiy Prytula – Volunteer and founder of the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation. ▪️ Dmytro Kuleba – Diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2020–2024). ▪️ Dmytro Sholomko – Former Director of Google Ukraine. ▪️ Kateryna Chernohorenko – Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for Digital Development. Please note: The conference will be conducted in Ukrainian. Tickets are available here: https://ain.media/Rrgl Become part of a future where technology and art create new possibilities!

🧱 How Sort a Brick brings new life for pre-loved LEGO® sets. Interview with co-founder Aurimas Slapšys 👉 https://ain.social/40HaI4F The toy industry generates tons of plastic waste annually. Sort A Brick, a Vilnius-based startup, is addressing this issue head-on by giving pre-loved LEGO bricks a new purpose. Their unique service transforms mixed LEGO collections into ready-to-build sets through a meticulous process of cleaning, sorting, and repackaging—offering families an affordable, sustainable way to enjoy LEGO all over again. 🌿♻️ In an interview for AIN, co-founder Aurimas Slapšys shares: “By reusing existing LEGO bricks, we can reduce their environmental impact while creating fresh play experiences without buying new sets.” The team is working tirelessly on both software and hardware innovations to automate sorting. With over 1.5 trillion LEGO bricks worldwide, Sort A Brick sees untapped market potential and is determined to make an eco-friendly mark in the toy industry. What’s next for them? A public launch, custom set restorations, and more sustainable play solutions! Read more on how they’re changing the game on our website. #Sustainability #LEGO #CircularEconomy #ToyIndustry #EcoFriendly #Innovation #SortABrick #Reusability

🚀 Estonian startup Miros secures €6M Pre-Series A to revolutionize e-commerce search 👉 https://ain.social/3YCJ6uP Exciting news for the e-commerce sector! Miros, an AI-powered search platform specializing in visually-driven categories like fashion and furniture, just closed a €6 million pre-Series A investment led by EBRD Venture Capital and Tera Ventures. Among the notable investors is former Estonian President Toomas_Hendrik Ilves, who joined as an angel investor. 💲 Founded in 2019, Miros is redefining online shopping with its language-agnostic, cookie- and tag-free "Wordless Search" feature, enabling customers to browse with a single click, guided by real-time AI enhancements. This approach makes complex searches feel intuitive, bridging the gap between human perception and technology. The funding will drive Miros' R&D, advance its technology, and support its aggressive US expansion. With partnerships that span top-tier AI and e-commerce players like Rakuten and Zalando, Miros is on track to set new standards in customer experience! #StartupFunding #Ecommerce #ArtificialIntelligence #InvestmentNews #Innovation #RetailTech #Miros #TechGrowth

🚀 Czech ZAKA VC co-leads a €1.4M round for Webel to fuel its international expansion 👉 https://ain.social/4hBgJFS Spanish at-home services platform Webel has secured €1.4M in new funding to support its rapid growth and international expansion. Backed by Goodwater Capital II LP, alongside Decelera Ventures and ZAKA VC, this funding enables Webel’s first international foray into London and further strengthens its presence across 20 Spanish cities. Webel’s app connects users with cleaning, handyman, and other at-home services, boasting a 650% growth rate last year and an impressive 99.5% satisfaction rate. With a model that is 50% cheaper than competitors, CEO Nacho Tejero Mancho aims to capture similar markets with unparalleled value and service. The new capital will fuel Webel’s cross-selling strategies, platform expansion, and internal software development to enhance service offerings and community engagement. #StartupFunding #AtHomeServices #Innovation #SpainTech #GrowthExpansion

📣 Latvian tech companies Printful and Printify announce their merger to accelerate global e-commerce growth 👉 https://ain.social/4fcGZoA Printful and Printify, two leading printing technology companies, have announced their merger, creating a powerhouse in the print-on-demand industry. Both platforms will continue to operate as separate brands, solidifying Riga's position as a hub for innovation and attracting strategic tech investments. Entrepreneurs and global companies alike can expect more top-quality products, innovative solutions, and opportunities for growth. This merger represents a significant step forward in supporting sustainable e-commerce, reducing overproduction, and boosting business growth on a global scale. #Ecommerce #PrintOnDemand #BusinessGrowth #LatvianTech #Sustainability

🌍 Lithuanian startup Broswarm raises further €800k investment to develop X-Ray Eagle sensor 👉 https://ain.social/3NSrh63 Lithuanian defense tech startup BROSWARM has secured €800,000 from ScaleWolf to advance the development of its groundbreaking X-Ray Eagle sensor, designed to revolutionize landmine detection. This technology uses advanced radio waves to create 3D images of buried objects, enhancing accuracy and depth perception for demining efforts up to 0.5 meters underground. With recognition as a top innovator at NATO's 2024 Innovation Challenge, Broswarm’s sensor offers critical support for mine clearance, aiming to make conflict zones safer. The fresh funding will fast-track R&D, refine the technology, and move towards a field-ready prototype within the year. #DefenseTech #Innovation #MineDetection #DeepTech #SaferFuture

🚀 Finnish deeptech pioneer Quanscient secures €5.2M to advance cloud-based quantum multiphysics simulation 👉 https://ain.social/3NUiFf3 Finnish deeptech company Quanscient has raised €5.2M in growth funding to drive innovation in cloud-based multiphysics simulation and quantum algorithms. Led by Crowberry Capital with support from SPEEN HOLDING AG, Maki.vc, and First Fellow Partners, this funding will help Quanscient integrate quantum computing with its cutting-edge engineering simulations platform. Founded in 2021, Quanscient’s platform offers a hundredfold increase in simulation throughput, enabling fully digital R&D for complex fields like fusion energy, 6G/7G, biomedical, and aerospace. With plans to release its first quantum product pilot by 2025, Quanscient is set to transform engineering solutions and push the boundaries of innovation. #DeepTech #QuantumComputing #EngineeringInnovation #SimulationTech #StartupFunding

🌍 Romanian printing business Grafoprint is acquired by Prime Label Group 👉 https://ain.social/3UCTrFE Prime Label Group, a leading label manufacturer in Central and Eastern Europe, has acquired a 100% stake in GRAFOPRINT SL, a pioneering Romanian printing business. This acquisition enables Prime Label to strengthen its position in the Romanian market and helps the Group exceed its €100M sales target by the end of 2024. Founded in 1991, Grafoprint provides high-quality flexographic and digital printing services for major FMCG brands, specializing in self-adhesive labels for the cosmetics, household chemicals, and food & beverage sectors. As part of Prime Label, Grafoprint will benefit from enhanced purchasing synergies and an expanded product range. With this sixth acquisition in five years, Prime Label continues its strategic growth under the private equity fund Innova/6 by Innova Capital, cementing its position as a regional leader in label production. #Manufacturing #LabelIndustry #Acquisition #CEE #GrowthStrategy

🚀 Latvian-founded startup Finfra partners with Tyme Group following its $2.5M funding to boost lending in Indonesia 👉 https://ain.social/3YTNrdh Finfra, a Latvian-founded lending infrastructure provider for Indonesia, has raised $2.5M in a round led by Cento Ventures, joined by Accion Venture Lab, Z Venture Capital, and Hustle Fund. Founded in 2022, Finfra provides a comprehensive platform for white-labeled lending solutions, empowering underbanked MSMEs with credit products and compliance-ready loan management. The fresh funding and strategic partnership with digital banking leader Tyme Group will support Finfra’s mission to drive financial inclusion and sustainable financing options in Indonesia. With this backing, Finfra is on track toward profitability and further expansion in Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing digital SME ecosystem. #Fintech #FinancialInclusion #LendingTech #Indonesia #StartupFunding

🚀 Finnish company Builderhead secures new funding to drive international growth and innovation 👉 https://ain.social/4htRaXe Finnish real estate project management platform Builderhead has secured new funding with backing from both existing and new investors, including Korpun Siemen Oy, Digital Heart Capital II (Sofokus Ventures), and Teemu Jokinen. Founded in 2018, Builderhead focuses on elevating collaboration in construction projects, empowering real estate owners and developers with advanced tools and streamlined workflows. With this fresh investment, Builderhead is set to accelerate growth and expand internationally, having already secured its first customers in the UK and France. Co-founder Julius Tuomikoski shared that the company is close to reaching break-even, laying a strong foundation for future growth. #RealEstateTech #ProjectManagement #FinnishStartups #ConstructionInnovation #GrowthFunding