Hey there 👋
It's time for another 🛰️ FounderNest Flyby Newsletter 🛰️, where we help you stay sharp with innovation trends and insights.
In today’s newsletter:
- 💡 Thoughts from our blog
- 🗞️ Quick hits from this week’s news
- 📡 5 emerging trends from our industry radar
- 💼 This week’s defense deep dive
- 🤖 Market report: 10 companies focusing on the remote patient monitoring market in Europe
Thoughts from our blog.
- Why most innovation projects never scale, and how to fix it
- Top 7 AI tools for innovators in 2025
- Investing in the green frontier: Why Solarock, Terra CO₂, and AssetCool matter
- Winning internal buy-in for AI-driven innovation
Quick hits.
Short and sweet - news that caught our eye this week.
Venture capital and regional innovation: Midwestern regions like Columbus are gaining traction as emerging hubs for innovation, showcasing successful VC models outside traditional coast-centric markets. This signals increased regional investment activity that CVC and M&A teams should monitor for new opportunities.
Artificial intelligence for privacy and workforce automation: AI platforms like Pimloc and Perry are drawing investor interest, signaling a growing focus on security, compliance, and efficiency - areas likely to see more M&A and partnerships as AI demand rises.
The world’s 50 most innovative companies of 2025: Fast Company’s list of the world’s most innovative companies showcases bold leaders redefining industries and shaping the future, from AI and robotics to healthcare and creative brands.
Industry radar.
Stay ahead of the curve every newsletter we give you 5 of the hottest topics and trends across our reference industries.
1. Robotics and autonomous systems
Recent funding rounds highlight significant investment in robotics startups like Filics, focusing on autonomous load handling and logistics solutions. This indicates a growing interest in automation and intelligent systems across manufacturing and supply chain industries, with CVC and M&A activity likely to target scalable robotics platforms.
A sample of robotics and autonomous systems companies in FounderNest
2. Healthcare
Healthcare innovation continues with startups developing at-home EEG platforms, advanced wound treatment devices, and AI-powered clinical solutions. Funding rounds highlight growing interest in biotech, regenerative medicine, and AI-enabled diagnostics, pointing toward a digital, patient-centric shift in medical technology and healthcare services.
3. Clean energy and sustainability
An increasing focus on eco-friendly innovations is evident, with investments in vegetarian rocket engines, climate-neutral farming tech, and energy-efficient AI chips. Companies are exploring alternative fuels, sustainable data center power sources, and carbon-removing initiatives, signaling a shift toward reducing environmental impact across industries.
4. Fintech and digital assets
The UK is positioning itself as a potential leader in stablecoins with upcoming regulatory clarity, signaling increased institutional interest and capital flow into digital assets. This trend indicates a focus on establishing robust frameworks for crypto and stablecoin markets, offering opportunities for innovative blockchain financial services.
5. Defense
NATO recently pledged that member countries will spend at least 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, with 3.5% allocated to core defense and 1.5% toward critical infrastructure, creating a powerful tailwind for defense-tech startups.
Get in touch to see how we can help
Deep dive: Defense.
Comprehensive, personalized industry insights - straight from our platform.
TL;DR
- 🚀 Defense M&A accelerates: Surging deal activity as governments push for consolidation and private equity pours in
- 🤝 Next-gen partnerships: New alliances and joint ventures target AI, autonomous systems, and munitions
- 🔬 Tech arms race: Massive investments in lasers, hypersonics, quantum, and green defense reshape the battlefield
1. 🚀 M&A surges amid global security pressures
Facing rising geopolitical threats, defense giants and private equity are driving a sharp uptick in M&A. European deal value jumped 35% YoY in H1 2025, and global aerospace and defense transactions hit their highest level since 2021. Regulatory reforms are smoothing the way for consolidation, with governments eager to build scale and resilience.
2. 🤝 Strategic partnerships and cross-border collaboration
Major new alliances are forming across Europe and the UK, including a landmark EU–UK defense pact unlocking joint procurement and industrial cooperation. The UK’s new Defence Industrial Joint Council is uniting industry, labor, and investors to accelerate innovation and exports. These moves are designed to boost readiness and secure supply chains.
3. 🔬 Tech innovation: AI, lasers, and hypersonics
Defense tech investment is booming. The UK alone committed £5bn to autonomous systems and directed energy weapons (like the DragonFire laser). Across the sector, focus is on AI-powered platforms, quantum-secure comms, and hypersonic missiles. Green defense initiatives are gaining traction, with new funding for sustainable vehicles and energy.
Summary
Defense in 2025 is defined by rapid M&A, strategic partnerships, and a tech-driven arms race. Winners are those who scale fast, partner smart, and invest boldly in next-gen capabilities.
Find the full research here.
Market report.
10 companies focusing on the remote patient monitoring market in Europe
The remote patient monitoring (RPM) market has seen significant growth in recent years, especially in 2021 with over $10 Billion raised. This is primarily driven by advances in technology and the increasing need for accessible and efficient healthcare solutions. The industry is marked by strong investment, a growing number of startups, and a shift towards personalized and at-home care. Remote patient monitoring encompasses a range of technologies, including wearable devices, mobile health applications, and telehealth platforms that empower patients to take an active role in managing their health from the comfort of their own homes.
Space snapshot:
- Total companies analyzed: 560
- Total funding raised: $15.68 Billion
- Median number of rounds raised per company: 2 rounds
- Median amount raised per company: $2.6 Million
- Median headcount: 12 employees
- Median age (Maturity): 9 years
- CAGR in companies for the last 5 years: 4.5%
- CAGR in funding for the last 5 years: 28.6%
- Companies based in the United Kingdom: 20%
View the 10 companies that may catch your eye in this Space..
Thanks for reading! If you want to explore the space for yourself, or any others, you can run your own search directly in FounderNest.
Feel free to suggest a topic for us to dive into next! If you have any questions, feedback, or just want to connect you can get in touch or connect on LinkedIn.
