Five European startups reach unicorn status in January

January brought five fresh European startups into the “unicorn” category—a term used to describe private tech companies valued at over $1 billion. This surge highlights a resilient investment landscape for late-stage businesses, even amid the current market climate. To support these valuations, several of these companies secured later-stage venture capital financing, including Series B, Series C, and Series D funding rounds, which represent successive stages of growth capital.

Belgium-based cybersecurity startup Aikido reached unicorn status after securing a $60 million Series B funding round, which valued the company at $1 billion. The round was led by DST Global. The company, whose platform is used by more than 100,000 teams globally, reported five-times revenue growth and nearly three-times customer growth over the past year. In a statement, the startup team noted that “in an industry dominated by Palo Alto and Tel Aviv heavyweights, Aikido shows that Europe can build a world-class software security company and win globally.”

The remaining four new European unicorns span diverse sectors, ranging from cloud infrastructure to defense technology:

• Cast AI: Headquartered in Florida but with Lithuanian roots and a major office in Vilnius, Lithuania, the cloud optimization company saw its valuation exceed $1 billion. This followed an investment from Pacific Alliance Ventures, the U.S.-based corporate venture arm of Korean conglomerate Shinsegae Group. The company previously raised a $108 million Series C in April 2025.
• Harmattan AI: Founded in 2024, the French defense tech company reached a valuation of $1.4 billion following a $200 million Series B funding round led by Dassault Aviation. The company has already signed agreements with the French and British ministries of defense.
• Osapiens: The German ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) software firm raised a $100 million Series C led by Decarbonization Partners, valuing the company at over $1.1 billion. Founded in Mannheim in 2018, Osapiens now serves more than 2,400 customers worldwide.
• Preply: The 14-year-old language learning marketplace is now valued at $1.2 billion after securing a $150 million Series D round. Founded in the United States by Ukrainian founders, Preply maintains a team of 150 employees in Ukraine and operates across four offices in Barcelona, London, New York, and Kyiv.

Why it matters

The emergence of five new European unicorns in January signals continued investor appetite for tech startups at valuations above the $1 billion threshold despite the current climate.