Fundraising Surge Spans AI, Defence and Payments Across US and Europe

Helsing plans to use the capital to build and integrate next-generation AI platforms into defence offerings for its expanding network of partner countries. The company's work also spans underwater surveillance capabilities and an AI system designed to sense and detect threats while supporting military personnel in demanding operational conditions.

Payments and Physical AI See Fresh Capital

In the Netherlands, Amsterdam-based Nopan has reached €7.2 million in total funding, EU-Startups reported. The latest round was led by Newion, with follow-on investment from Crane and Seedcamp and participation from angel investors experienced in merchant payments and FinTech. Founded by former Netflix payments leaders Konstantin Surkov and Nick Ryabov, Nopan describes itself as a merchant-native payment service provider focused on account-based and wallet payment methods.

The company intends to expand its payment-method coverage across Europe, develop its optimisation tools and strengthen its commercial presence among digital businesses and payment service providers. Newion partner Pieter Welten told EU-Startups that account and wallet payments represent a major opportunity but that the infrastructure needed to make them perform at scale is still emerging.

Meanwhile, Seattle-based Augmodo has raised $21 million to grow its wearable AI platform for physical workplaces, Ventureburn reported. The round valued the company at $350 million and was led by existing investor TQ Ventures, with participation from Lerer Hippeau, Jefferson River Capital, Arena Holdings, Chemist Warehouse, New Fare, Interlace and Webb Investment Network.

Augmodo's technology relies on Smartbadges worn by employees that scan shelves automatically, generating real-time digital layouts the company calls Realograms. Originally built for grocery retailers, the platform has expanded into warehouses, manufacturing, hospitals, automotive environments and maintenance operations. The company said the new funds will support international expansion, strengthen its computer vision and machine learning capabilities, and fund additional engineering hires.