TheNde
Business· · 2 min

AI Takes Center Stage.

Today’s tech scene is buzzing with innovation and disruption. From groundbreaking AI tools to significant funding rounds in niche markets, startups are pushing boundaries. It's a pivotal moment with potential shifts in industries from film to finance.

In brief
  1. AI Takes Center Stage
  2. The Battle for Payment Innovations
  3. Hollywood's Shake-Up
01 · Business

AI Takes Center Stage

AI funding skyrockets in Europe.
AI funding skyrockets in Europe.

AI is on fire, driving a surge in funding across Europe. In Q1 2026, AI startups claimed over 50% of total venture funding, totaling $9.2 billion. Heavyweights like Nscale and Wayve led the charge, showcasing the sector's momentum.

Meanwhile, new tools like Softr and CatDoes are making app development accessible to everyone. No-code platforms are booming, allowing businesses to build custom solutions without heavy lifting. This shift could democratize tech development and spur even more innovation.

02 · Business

The Battle for Payment Innovations

Newfund aims to revolutionize brain tech.
Newfund aims to revolutionize brain tech.

Fintechs across Europe are gearing up to challenge giants like Apple Pay. With a growing ecosystem, startups are looking to reshape how consumers transact, reducing reliance on big tech.

In parallel, Newfund is launching a €60m fund to back brain tech, tapping into a rapidly growing market. This dual focus on payments and brain technologies shows how diverse the fintech landscape is becoming.

03 · Business

Hollywood's Shake-Up

Hollywood protests merger as AI creeps in.
Hollywood protests merger as AI creeps in.

Hollywood is in an uproar over the potential Paramount-Warner merger, with over 1,000 creators voicing their opposition. Concerns center around fewer releases and job losses, highlighting the industry's fragility.

In a tech twist, Meta is developing a photorealistic AI version of CEO Mark Zuckerberg to enhance employee interaction. This could change the way companies communicate internally, blurring the lines between human and AI.

Key numbers
$17.6B

European venture funding reached $17.6 billion in Q1 2026, up nearly 30% year over year.

Source
€60M

Newfund has launched a €60 million fund specifically for brain technologies.

Source
€15M

Kelluu raised €15 million to advance its fleet of autonomous airships.

Source
Top stories
TechCrunch

Inertia Moves to Commercialize Fusion Power

Fusion power startup Inertia has forged critical agreements with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to commercialize laser-based fusion technology. This could position them ahead of competitors in a rapidly evolving energy sector.

Sifted

Kelluu Raises €15M for Autonomous Airships

Kelluu, a startup specializing in autonomous airships, has secured €15 million in Series A funding led by the NATO Innovation Fund. Their airships aim to fill Europe's defense gaps with advanced surveillance capabilities.

Quick links
  1. Softr AI Co-Builder LaunchesSoftr's new AI Co-Builder enables users to create custom business apps without code. — Product Hunt
  2. CatDoes v4: AI App BuilderCatDoes introduces an AI agent that autonomously builds apps in the cloud. — Product Hunt
  3. Open Agents: Open Source Coding AgentsOpen Agents is a reference app for building and running coding agents on Vercel. — Product Hunt
  4. FC Tactix Launches Coaching PlatformFC Tactix is a connected platform for football coaching with AI-driven tools. — Product Hunt
  5. Gastos: Private Expense TrackerGastos offers a private expense tracker for managing spending at home and abroad. — Product Hunt