Weekly TOP Startup / VC news of January 29, 2026

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Preply, the leading global language learning marketplace, recently closed a $150 million Series D funding round. This landmark investment, led by WestCap, pushes its valuation to $1.2 billion, officially establishing Preply as an EdTech unicorn. The fresh capital will drive significant advancements in AI and data capabilities. It also plans to expand product and engineering teams. This fuels accelerated global growth, reaching more learners and tutors worldwide. Preply’s model uniquely combines human instruction with AI-powered tools. This commitment to personalized, effective language acquisition targets a massive global market. The company also confirmed its EBITDA positive status.

Nvidia injected $2 billion into CoreWeave. This fuels the expansion of AI data centers. CoreWeave aims for 5 gigawatts of AI capacity by 2030. The investment boosts AI compute capabilities. It also solidifies a critical partnership. CoreWeave's stock soared. The deal highlights the intense demand for AI infrastructure. It also sparks debate on market valuations. Nvidia diversifies its hardware offerings. The AI industry builds its future.

SWISSto12 has secured over EUR 100 million in fresh capital. This investment vigorously propels its innovative HummingSat program forward. HummingSat represents a new generation: a compact, powerful geostationary telecommunications satellite. European Space Agency (ESA) member states committed EUR 73 million. This significant backing came via the ARTES HummingSat Partnership Project. European private investors supplied additional crucial funds. The total financing now exceeds EUR 100 million. This capital infusion accelerates HummingSat's development and industrialization. It significantly expands manufacturing capacity. It also advances cutting-edge phased-array antenna technologies. HummingSat promises smaller, faster, and more cost-efficient satellite solutions. It utilizes flexible, software-defined, reconfigurable payloads. The platform ensures agile and rapid deployment timelines. This critical initiative strengthens Europe's sovereign communication capabilities in space. The first HummingSat launch is firmly targeted for 2027. This move signals a profound transformation. It shifts the industry away from legacy, large, slow, and expensive systems. It embraces agile, multi-orbit satellite solutions. SWISSto12 positions itself at the forefront. The company addresses the escalating global demand for reliable satellite communications. It drives innovation across the space economy.

Mews secured $300 million in Series D funding, soaring to a $2.5 billion valuation. EQT Growth led the investment. This capital injection will dramatically accelerate AI and automation within Mews' cloud-based hospitality operating system. The company aims to expand its payments infrastructure and global market presence, particularly in North America and Europe. Mews technology is revolutionizing hotel operations, optimizing guest experiences, and boosting profitability across over 15,000 properties worldwide. It sets a new standard for modern hotel management.

AI video powerhouse Synthesia has closed a robust $200 million Series E funding round. This latest investment propels its valuation to an impressive $4 billion. The London-based startup nearly doubled its market worth in just twelve months. Google Ventures, Alphabet’s venture capital arm, led the substantial round. Nvidia’s NVentures also joined, alongside existing investors like Accel and Kleiner Perkins. The capital infusion targets a strategic pivot: advanced interactive AI agents. These agents promise to revolutionize enterprise learning, corporate communications, and workforce upskilling. Synthesia, founded in 2017, already serves over 90% of the Fortune 100. Its generative AI technology transforms static content into dynamic, conversational experiences. This funding cements Synthesia's position as a leader in the rapidly expanding AI market, particularly in the critical domain of human capital development. The investment also offers employee liquidity through a Nasdaq partnership.

Pennylane, a European financial operating system, secured €175 million in Series E funding. The valuation now sits at $4.25 billion. This capital injection accelerates AI development. It strengthens electronic invoicing infrastructure. It propels further European market expansion. The platform supports 6,000 accounting firms and 800,000 small- and mid-sized businesses. Pennylane prepares for mandatory e-invoicing starting in 2026. Governance remains founder-controlled. Product strategy continuity is firm. No price increases are planned. This solidifies its market position, enhancing financial management tools across the continent. Key investors TCV and Blackstone Growth joined existing backers in this strategic move.

TikTok secures its US operations with a new joint venture, averting a government ban. This major deal, involving Oracle and other investors, addresses long-standing national security fears. The platform's algorithm will become US-centric, altering user content feeds. Data privacy and content moderation raise new questions. Despite intense scrutiny, TikTok maintained market dominance in 2025, expanding its vital e-commerce business. Other Chinese digital platforms, including Temu and Shein, also flourished. They adapted to stricter trade policies. American consumers continue to favor these engaging, affordable apps. This transformation marks a pivotal moment for technology, trade, and digital sovereignty.

Sparkli, an innovative EdTech startup, has raised $5 million in pre-seed funding. Founded by former Google veterans, the Zurich-based company develops a multimodal AI platform. This platform offers personalized, interactive learning "expeditions" for children aged 5 to 12. It shifts education from passive content to active exploration, fostering creativity and problem-solving. A pilot program involves over 100,000 students across 100 schools. Sparkli aims to become the AI-native operating system for childhood development. A private beta launches early 2026, with consumer access planned for mid-2026. The company targets the vast global education market.

Upscale AI secured $200M in Series A funding, now a unicorn at $300M+ total. The Santa Clara firm builds AI-optimized networking infrastructure. Its SkyHammer platform unifies AI hardware with high-speed, low-latency interconnects. This tackles AI's critical network bottlenecks. Upscale focuses on open standards, aims for commercial deployment this year, and plans rapid expansion. This redefines AI data center architecture.

Germany's startup scene accelerates. Vanagon Ventures finalized a €20M deeptech fund, targeting transformative AI and B2B solutions. GetYourGuide prepares for a major IPO, demonstrating profitability. Renewable energy FinTech Cloover shows explosive growth, securing significant capital. A €1.6B EIF German Equity program fortifies the tech ecosystem. GreenTech innovator foom leads with bio-waste solutions. Other startups secure substantial funding, signaling a vibrant, yet challenging, European investment landscape focused on deep technology and sustainable innovation.

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