Proteins, cleanrooms, AI factories: February in 4 investments
Each month, we list the investments that caught our eye the most.
Published on March 3, 2025
As editor-in-chief, Aafke oversees all content and events but loves writing herself. She makes complex topics accessible and tells the stories behind technology.
1. Animal-free proteins: €32.5 million for Vivici
Vivici, a Dutch protein startup, has raised a €32.5 million funding. Vivici's technology makes it possible to produce high-quality proteins without using animals. Precision fermentation – the method Vivici uses to make dairy protein – combines the process of traditional fermentation with modern biotechnology. They do not use animals. This enables the company to sustainably meet the protein needs of a growing world population without compromising on price, taste, or nutritional value. The investment will allow Vivici to expand internationally, launch a second dairy protein ingredient and build long-term production capacity.
Animal-free proteins: €32.5 million for Vivici
With a new investment, Vivici can expand internationally.
2. TU/e to invest €200 million for a new lab and cleanroom buildings
The Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is investing €200 million in constructing a new lab building and a state-of-the-art cleanroom, bolstering its semiconductor research and education leader position. Aimed at addressing the increasing demand for engineering talent in the Brainport region, this development includes a multifunctional building with 5,000 square meters dedicated to flexible laboratories, offices, and educational spaces, plus a cleanroom building featuring a 1,200 square meter facility.
These strategic investments align with Project Beethoven, a Dutch initiative to retain ASML, the semiconductor giant, within the Netherlands by enriching the local talent pool. The construction of these facilities will be phased, beginning in 2026.
TU/e to invest €200 million for a new lab and cleanroom buildings
The TU/e intends to retain its competitive edge in semiconductor, building two new research facilities.
3. EU announces massive investment of €200 billion in AI gigafactories
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the InvestAI initiative during the AI summit in Paris. This ambitious plan aims to mobilize €200 billion in AI investments. An essential part of this is establishing a new European fund of 20 billion euros, aimed explicitly at constructing AI gigafactories.
These facilities will be designed to train highly complex AI models that require enormous computing power. The applications will range from medical breakthroughs to scientific research. Each gigafactory will have around 100,000 advanced AI chips, four times as many as in current AI facilities. The goal is to make advanced computing power accessible to all companies, not just the most significant players.
EU announces massive AI investment of €200 billion
New EU investment will support the development of four AI gigafactories.
4. €10 million for Sirius Medical, a Dutch pioneer in tumor navigation technology
Sirius Medical, a spin-off of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, secures funding to advance its surgical marker navigation portfolio further and expand its global presence. As World Cancer Day is observed, the Dutch medical device company announced securing €10 million in additional scale-up funding. This investment round was led by Invest-NL and Nextgen Ventures.
The Sirius Pintuition® platform is highly praised by breast cancer surgeons worldwide, offering easy, wire-free localization for breast-conserving surgery in any hospital. This new funding will help improve the system and GPSDetect™ software, making them more user-friendly and expanding their uses. It will also strengthen sales and support growth in new markets.
Sirius Medical, a Dutch pioneer in tumor navigation technology, secures funding
Sirius Medical, a spin-off of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, secures €10 million funding.