Beyond Lovable and Mistral: 21 European startups to watch

TechCrunch spotlighted 21 European startups investors think are worth watching, spanning pre-launch to unicorn stage.

The list goes beyond headline AI names, highlighting applied AI and deep-tech companies in defense, fintech, search, photonics, and energy.

Notable picks include BottleCap AI, Lovable, Alta Ares, Apron, Botify, Cailabs, Cala, Flower, and others backed by firms like Index Ventures and Northzone.

The selection underscores Europe’s broader startup pipeline and its growing relevance to competitiveness, defense, and the energy transition.