ArcticStartup

VeryU turns secondhand shopping into a scavenger hunt for sustainable fashion In a world where the rise of fast fashion has made clothing as disposable as single-use plastic, one company is fighting back with innovation and heart. Based in Lappeenranta, Finland, VeryU is reimagining secondhand shopping by bridging the gap between online consumers and local stores. Their mission is to combat the staggering levels of textile waste choking the planet and to make secondhand clothing as accessible and appealing as fast fashion. Every year, mountains of discarded clothing pile up in landfills, with only 15-20% of Europe’s textiles being collected for reuse. By 2025, EU regulations will require the remaining 80-85% to be collected. But where will these textiles go in a world where the secondhand supply chain remains shockingly inefficient? VeryU’s solution is a hyper-local platform powered by AI that connects shoppers with preloved treasures in their vicinity, preventing these items from embarking on unnecessary global journeys. For the founders, this isn’t just a business, it’s a deeply personal mission born out of a love for secondhand shopping and a desire to address the global clothing crisis. VeryU’s unique marketing strategy taps into the joy of discovery. Their scavenger hunt campaigns engage users by turning secondhand shopping into a playful adventure. Through social media, they drop hints about hidden gems in local stores, encouraging shoppers to explore their city while uncovering vintage treasures. This gamified approach not only drives foot traffic to secondhand shops but also fosters a sense of community and excitement around sustainable fashion. The founders believe that secondhand shopping should be as thrilling as it is meaningful. By gamifying the experience, they’re creating lasting memories and emotional connections with each purchase. Helsinki, renowned as a hub for innovation and sustainability, provided the perfect launchpad for VeryU’s journey. Looking to expand their impact, VeryU is partnering with Urban Tech Helsinki Partners, Helsingin kaupunki – Helsingfors stad – City of Helsinki, Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, and their affiliates to help scale their solution and further the city’s commitment to sustainable fashion and the circular economy. https://lnkd.in/diRJaDWA #nordicmade #finland #circulareconomy #urbantech #textilewaste #sustainability #saas #secondhand #community #ai #startups

Danish biotech startup names Veronica Gambillara Fonck as Chair of the Board during key expansion phase Minervax ApS, a Copenhagen-based biotech company focused on developing a vaccine for Group B Streptococcus (GBS), has appointed Veronica Gambillara Fonck as Chair of the Board. With extensive experience in vaccine development and leadership roles at companies like LimmaTech Biologics and GlycoEra AG, she has been a MinervaX board member since 2022. This appointment comes as the company prepares for Phase III trials of its maternal GBS vaccine, addressing a significant global health challenge. Gambillara Fonck succeeds Gerd Zettlmeissl, who transitions to an advisory role after overseeing the company’s progression from preclinical to clinical stages. https://lnkd.in/dqieVmXn #nordicmade #denmark #community #biotech #healthtech #deeptech #startups #trending

Norwegian startup gets $2M boost to bring collaborative mapping to climate & urban sectors Oslo-based startup Atlas has raised $2 million in a pre-seed round led by Pale blue dot, a European VC with a climate focus, joined by notable investors including Ben Lang, formerly of Notion, and Andreas Klinger, a founding team member at Product Hunt. Atlas.co offers a browser-based, collaborative mapping tool designed to simplify geospatial data analysis for industries such as renewable energy, urban planning, and real estate. With this new funding, Atlas.co plans to expand its engineering team and accelerate product development, enhancing its platform’s features to provide even more accessible and powerful GIS tools tailored to climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure needs. https://lnkd.in/dT_5K-Zy #funding #nordicmade #norway #startups #saas #trending

New partnership between Mapon and Schmitz Cargobull delivers integrated trailer management for smarter fleet oversight Riga-based Mapon and Germany’s Schmitz Cargobull AG are collaborating to make trailer management smarter and simpler for fleet operators across Europe. Through their partnership, Mapon’s fleet management platform will now integrate data from Schmitz Cargobull’s TrailerConnect® system, bringing critical trailer insights—such as temperature, humidity, and maintenance needs—directly to fleet managers in one interface. This streamlined access removes the need to switch between systems, making it easier to monitor and manage trailers with enhanced accuracy, particularly for businesses moving temperature-sensitive goods. By merging their technologies, both companies aim to create a more cohesive and efficient approach to fleet operations, cutting down on complexity while supporting safety, security, and sustainability. https://lnkd.in/d-RuG-VM #community #balticmade #latvia #startups #fleetmanagement #logistics #trending

Finnish startup raises €1.8 million pre-seed to scale sustainable, locally produced plant proteins Happy Plant Protein, an Espoo-based food technology startup spun out from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, has secured €1.8 million in pre-seed funding. The investment round was led by Nordic Foodtech VC, with additional support from Butterfly Ventures and Business Finland. The company has developed a patented process that uses existing extrusion technology to produce high-quality plant protein from legumes such as peas and lentils. This method significantly reduces production costs, energy usage, and waste, offering a more sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional plant protein manufacturing. The funding will be used to advance the technology and license it to food manufacturers, enabling local production of plant-based proteins and contributing to more resilient and sustainable food systems. https://lnkd.in/ddu8N5hy #funding #nordicmade #finland #startups #foodtech #trending

WUUD redefines wooden cladding for contemporary architecture Imagine walking through a city where wood patterns emerge in fluid, intricate designs on every wall, adding natural warmth and elegance to urban life. This vision of blending responsibly sourced, modern wood cladding into architecture is becoming a reality with WUUD. This Helsinki-based venture is on the brink of transforming how we see and use wood in construction. Unlike the limited options traditionally available, WUUD’s patented embossing technique allows for visually stunning, three-dimensional patterns on solid wood surfaces. By merging environmental care with artistic innovation, WUUD redefines how wood can be used in architecture, setting the stage for a more beautiful, harmonious urban environment. The wooden cladding industry has long been bound by convention, with few choices available for architects and designers aiming to create unique, textured surfaces. Typically, cladding options are restricted to the width and profile of panels, often leading to compromises in creativity or ecological responsibility. For those wanting patterned surfaces, the choice often shifts away from wood toward other materials, limiting wood’s presence in modern architecture. WUUD’s technology disrupts this stagnation, offering architects and builders new possibilities to craft striking, patterned wood surfaces without sacrificing durability or affordability. Since joining the Urban Tech Helsinki, WUUD has been guided by a supportive network of workshops, coaching, and valuable connections. The Urban Tech Helsinki program has offered crucial resources, helping WUUD navigate challenges such as team expansion and business development. Through Urban Tech Helsinki’s collaborative ecosystem—which includes Aalto University, Helsingin kaupunki – Helsingfors stad – City of Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, and other affiliates—WUUD envisions potential research partnerships and pilot projects. With these alliances, WUUD can scale its production and make nature-friendly wood cladding a mainstay of Helsinki’s cityscape. https://lnkd.in/dqcxNcXK Hemmo Honkonen #community #urbantech #greentech #sustainability #startups #trending

Danish startup raises €1.6 million to transform life science imaging Copenhagen-based startup Clair Scientific has raised €1.6 million (12 million kroner) from Export and Investment Fund of Denmark and Innovestor to advance its novel microscope technology. Clair Scientific’s ‘Z1’ microscope is designed to make advanced imaging more accessible. Unlike traditional models, the Z1 is both smaller and less expensive, incorporating a unique combination of imaging technology and cloud computing. With this funding, the company aims to expand its team and ramp up production to serve research groups and smaller life science companies in Denmark and the Øresund region, with future plans for Europe and the U.S. https://lnkd.in/dKGxWq-i #funding #nordicmade #denmark #startups #deeptech #lifesciences #biotech #trending

Lithuanian startup gains €3M to expand AI-driven echocardiography solution across global markets Ligence, a Vilnius-based startup focused on cardiac diagnostics, has secured €3 million in seed funding, with Simpact Ventures leading the investment. Other contributors include Coinvest Capital, the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, Lemonade Stand, and angel syndicate NGL Ventures. The company has developed AI-powered software that automates the analysis of cardiac ultrasound images, aiming to support cardiologists in making more accurate and timely diagnoses. The funding will help Ligence expand its reach and further its mission to improve diagnostic processes, reduce the workload on healthcare professionals, and enhance patient care. https://lnkd.in/dFnXtqgu European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) #funding #balticmade #lithuania #startups #medtech #healthtech #trending

The Baltic Startup Survey 2024 reveals pre-seed stage startups dominate Baltic startup ecosystem, but investment remains cautious The Baltic region, comprising Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, is becoming an increasingly important player in the European startup ecosystem. The Baltic Startup Survey 2024, conducted by BalticVC, provides a comprehensive analysis of the startup scene in these three countries, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities facing local entrepreneurs, as well as the overall investment climate. The primary aim of the Baltic Startup Survey 2024 was to capture the state and development trends of the startup ecosystem in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The survey sought to assess various aspects of the region’s startups, including business development, team dynamics, sales, and fundraising. The findings are based on the responses from over 280 startup founders, with 107 of them participating in a 23-question survey. By gathering data on the socio-demographic profiles of the founders, their professional experiences, and the current state of their businesses, the survey highlights not only the strengths and weaknesses of the Baltic startup ecosystem but also the region’s attractiveness to global investors. Katalista Ventures Startup Wise Guys BSV Ventures https://lnkd.in/d-qpSqjt #community #balticmade #estonia #latvia #lithuania #startups #trending

Danish startup secures €3.5M seed to bring green ammonia production directly to farms Copenhagen-based agritech startup NitroVolt has secured €3.5 million in seed funding to advance its development of sustainable, on-site ammonia production for agriculture. Investors include BackingMinds, Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, Breakthrough Energy Fellows, EQT Foundation, Satgana, and DivisionM, reflecting a strong collective interest in green innovations for farming. NitroVolt’s “Nitrolyzer” technology synthesizes ammonia using only air, water, and renewable electricity, bypassing the traditional, carbon-intensive production methods and supply chain logistics that contribute significantly to global CO₂ emissions. This localized approach aims to provide farmers with a consistent, low-impact supply of nitrogen-based fertilizers, reducing both environmental impact and dependency on global ammonia supply routes. With the funding, NitroVolt will create a demonstration unit to test the technology on farms and scale up production, marking a critical step in bringing sustainable ammonia directly to agricultural sites. https://lnkd.in/dg97_2h4 #funding #nordicmade #denmark #agritech #greentech #sustainability #startups #trending