Investors are buzzing about these 10 startups at Web Summit

A record 2,600 startups are exhibiting at Web Summit 2023 – but what do tech VCs want? These are the top startups they are keeping an eye on.

Over the past few months, investors attending Web Summit have been using our app to interact with exhibiting startups. From AI-powered anonymisation software and digital identity verification to eco-friendly cooling systems, these are the 10 most-selected.

1s1 Energy

Industry: Sustainability & cleantech

Location: California, US

Founded in December 2019, with the opening of a Portuguese subsidiary following in 2020, 1s1 Energy is a material technology startup developing water electrolysis systems for green hydrogen production. The European Commission approved 1s1 Energy’s IPCEI Hy2Tech project in 2022, and a pilot programme began in 2023.

Bex Technologies

Industry: Mobility, transportation & logistics

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Bex Technologies is a logistics service provider specialising in last-mile delivery for the construction sector. It offers courier services for materials and machinery, aiming to streamline the supply chain process for construction projects.

Faaren Group

Industry: Mobility, transportation & logistics

Location: Würzburg, Germany

A provider of car subscription software, Faaren Group enables businesses to offer car subscriptions under their own brand. The software includes a fully integrated commerce system with a performance dashboard for monitoring all subscription-related processes.

Banxware

Industry: Fintech & financial services

Location: Berlin, Germany

Banxware is a fintech company specialising in embedded lending solutions, enabling online platforms to offer fully digital business loans to their sellers. The company’s tech integrates via an API for a customisable white-label service. It handles all financial aspects, including credit checks and regulatory compliance.

Brighter AI Technologies

Industry: AI & machine learning

Location: Berlin, Germany

Brighter AI creates AI-driven image and video anonymisation software. Its products – Precision Blur and Deep Natural Anonymisation (DNAT) – have the ability to redact faces and licence plates, and to assist companies in complying with data protection laws including GDPR and CCPA. The Selective Redaction interface allows the user to selectively anonymise personal information in videos (ie blur some faces but not others).

Inzmo

Industry: Fintech & financial services

Location: Berlin, Germany

Inzmo is a fully digital insurance platform designed to simplify insuring personal valuables. There are individual plans for phones, bikes, laptops, tablets and e-scooters, with plans to introduce rental insurance​​. The platform uses AI-driven chatbot tech alongside personal support for timely customer service​​.

Nect Wallet

Industry: SaaS

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Nect is a digital identity verification provider. Flagship product Nect Ident offers fully automated online identification, and is used in Germany across various sectors – including insurance, banking and telecoms – and in some government organisations​​. The product is designed to provide a fuss-free and user-friendly ID experience via smartphone.

Digip

Industry: SaaS

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Digip aims to simplify the process of trademark registration and protection for businesses and entrepreneurs by providing a streamlined application process enabling clients to search for trademark availability, apply for registration in less than 10 minutes, and receive a tailored proposal. Its subscription model includes a trademark-monitoring system that notifies clients of any infringements.

Optio Incentives

Industry: Fintech & financial services

Location: Oslo, Norway

Optio Incentives provides an equity management software suite designed to help businesses at all stages – from startups to public companies – to incentivise their employees using equity-based compensation. Aside from managing equity, the platform ensures compliance, helps with reporting costs, and offers advisory services​​.

Magnotherm

Industry: Sustainability & cleantech

Location: Darmstadt, Germany

Magnotherm is a startup developing sustainable and efficient cooling systems using magnetocaloric technology. Instead of relying on climate-damaging refrigerant gases, as traditional AC units do, its systems use a temperature-sensitive metal alloy in combination with water. Flagship product Polaris is an energy-efficient and eco-friendly magnetocaloric beverage cooler.

Curious about more of the 2,600 startups exhibiting at Web Summit 2023? Check out our Startup Showcase.

Main image: Web Summit