Smart batteries and AI against cancer: April in 5 investments
Each month, we list for you investments that caught our eye the most.
Published on May 1, 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. Nowos secures €6M to boost battery repair in Europe
NOWOS, a Dutch battery repair and maintenance company, has successfully raised €6 million in equity funding to expand its operations across Europe. Backed by Impact Venture Fund and Shift4Good, NOWOS aims to address sustainability in micromobility by extending the lifespan of batteries, thereby reducing waste and resource consumption.
The company offers a wide range of solutions to extend the life of lithium-ion batteries. By repairing, providing maintenance, and second-life solutions, NOWOS partnered up with micromobility companies–such as Swapfiets and Felix. Having facilities in the Netherlands, France, and the UK, it offers its services across Europe.
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2. Astrape secures €7.9M to reinvent data centre traffic
Astrape Networks, a Eindhoven deep-tech startup optimising short-distance data network performance, today announced the successful completion of a €7.9 million seed round, which includes a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC). The funding reinforces Astrape’s mission to enhance data centre efficiency, which is essential for expanding AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure and Europe’s digital sovereignty.
Astrape’s technology enables networks to handle 50% more traffic while requiring fewer servers for the same computational load. It delivers 2x higher utilisation rates, expands hop capacity from 0 to 2, and scales to support over 16 million GPUs/xPUs per network—all while slashing energy consumption by 60%.
3. €27 million for smart batteries from Utrecht
Iwell, based in Utrecht, manufactures smart batteries. They have raised €27 million to continue their growth. The money comes from Invest-NL, Rabobank, and French investor Meridiam. Iwell plans to use this money to expand into other European countries, such as Germany and the United Kingdom.
Iwell's batteries store solar energy for businesses. They use their software to do this. This software predicts power consumption and selects the cheapest energy source.
4. New startup raises $50 million for cancer therapy
Avidicure, a new biotechnology company, has raised $50 million in an initial investment round. The money will be used for an innovative antibody-based treatment. EQT Life Sciences led the round. The startup's first product targets lung cancer, among others.
The new startup from the Netherlands is developing so-called AVC Boosters. These are antibodies that strongly and specifically activate the immune system against cancer. They use the power of both the innate and acquired immune systems. The boosters combine the best properties of existing treatments, such as checkpoint inhibitors and ADCs. Checkpoint inhibitors help the immune system attack cancer cells, while ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates) deliver drugs directly to tumor cells.
5. €5 million for startup that detects cancer using AI
The Ghent-based medtech startup Nuclivision has raised €5 million from investors, including LUMO Labs, Heran Partners, and the imec.istart future fund. They will use the funding for the commercial rollout of an AI software platform that enables faster, safer, and more affordable medical imaging based on PET scans.
PET (positron emission tomography) is an imaging technique that enables the visualization of physiological processes, such as cellular energy consumption, and any associated abnormalities. However, the radiotracers used involve costs and radiation risks, which currently limit accessibility.
