The tech race is on - 40 European tech scale-ups ready to compete to become Europe’s most scalable tech unicorn

Brussels, 12 November 2026 – DIGITALEUROPE has unveiled the companies nominated for its 2027 Future Unicorn and Dual-Use Technology Awards, recognising innovators with the potential to shape Europe’s economy and strengthen its security.

The nominees come from 20 countries and compete across two tracks:

• the Future Unicorn Award, with 20 nominees, recognizing technology companies with the potential to become Europe’s next global leaders; and
• the Dual-Use Technology Award, with 20 nominees, recognizing technologies serving civilian and defence needs.⁠⁠

From semiconductor manufacturing to quantum computing, digital health, robotics and secure communications, the companies demonstrate the breadth of Europe’s technology capabilities. Their solutions address challenges ranging from energy efficiency and accessible services to protecting critical infrastructure and reducing risks to people in dangerous environments.⁠⁠

The announcement comes as Europe steps up efforts to help innovative companies grow at home. The European Commission has established the €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund intended to help promising technology businesses scale globally while maintaining their base in Europe.

DIGITALEUROPE also strongly welcomes the new competitiveness and tech-finding tools coming out of the Commission, EIF, EIC, the Competitiveness Fund, Tech Champion funds, the Defence facilities and Tech Equity Facility. Furthermore, advocating for two new 50 bn scale-up funds, crowding in private capital and pension funds: one for dual-use tech and one for critical technologies.

Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, Director-General of DIGITALEUROPE, said:

“Europe does not lack technology innovation. It does not lack entrepreneurs. What our companies need is the opportunity to scale – less regulation, more scalable funding. This year’s nominees are building solutions for better healthcare, secure infrastructure, space security and future defense technologies. Ukrainian innovators are showing us what speed and ingenuity can achieve under the toughest conditions. We have much to learn from them, as Defence Minister Barnik says, “The Soldiers know what they need – my role is to remove the barriers and get the funds for them to get it”.

But recognition alone will not build Europe’s next technology champions. We need to find them, fund them, and buy from them. The Scaleup Europe Fund is a welcome step. Now we need investment that reaches companies, customers willing to place orders and a European market that is easier to grow across. That is how we turn European innovation into European competitiveness and security.”

What happens next:

Following a shortlisting vote by the national trade associations’ CEOs, the shortlisted nominees will be assessed by a high-level jury of investors, public finance leaders, defence partners and policymakers.

The winner will be announced at DIGITALEUROPE’s flagship annual conference, Masters of Digital 2027, on 4 February 2027 in Brussels.

Meet the nominees for the 2027 Future Unicorn Award

• Ariadne Maps, 2019, Germany: Uses AI-powered analytics to help physical businesses understand visitor behaviour, optimise operations and improve customer experiences through anonymous, privacy-first insights.⁠⁠
• ATLANT 3D, 2018, Denmark: Connects AI-driven materials discovery with programmable atomic-scale manufacturing, turning new material ideas into physical reality.⁠⁠
• Autopay, 1999, Poland: Simplifies everyday payments, from online payment gateways and instant transfers to automatic payments for motorway tolls, parking, fuel and e-vignettes.⁠⁠
• carVertical, 2017, Lithuania: Uses automotive data to improve how people buy, own and trade vehicles.⁠⁠
• Colendi, 2017, Türkiye: Builds sovereign, AI-native financial infrastructure, combining a licensed digital bank with an AI platform running on local models within regulatory boundaries.⁠⁠
• Enchanted Tools, 2021, France: Develops Mirokaï, a people-facing robot combining AI, robotics and expressive design to support everyday life, starting with healthcare.⁠⁠
• ENERDAT-S, 2005, Slovenia: Provides smart metering and smart grid solutions that help utilities collect, manage and analyse energy data and optimise distribution networks.⁠⁠
• Epishine, 2016, Sweden: Prints thin, flexible solar cells that turn indoor light into power for connected devices, reducing disposable battery use and replacement costs.⁠⁠
• Genomics, 2014, United Kingdom: Combines genetic data with AI to predict common diseases before they develop and help pharmaceutical companies identify better drug targets.⁠⁠
• Lace Lithography, 2023, Norway: Develops technology to print chips with atoms rather than light, aiming to make semiconductor manufacturing more affordable, energy-efficient and accessible.⁠⁠
• Lightyear, 2021, Estonia: Provides an investment platform offering simple, low-cost access to global stocks, exchange-traded funds and money market funds.⁠⁠
• Migam, 2015, Poland: Develops sign-language translation infrastructure for seamless, two-way communication between Deaf and hearing people.⁠⁠
• Osavul, 2023, Luxembourg: Uses AI to detect, predict and disrupt threats across digital and physical environments, helping organisations protect against sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks and influence operations.⁠⁠
• Profile Group, 1990, Greece: Develops AI-driven banking, payments, wealth and investment management solutions to help financial institutions accelerate digital transformation.⁠⁠
• Qilimanjaro, 2019, Spain: Builds analogue and digital quantum computers using superconducting fluxonium qubits, developing a platform for useful quantum computation and future fault-tolerant systems.⁠⁠
• RePG, 2016, Türkiye: Develops technologies that produce water from atmospheric humidity and generate electricity from low-temperature waste heat and geothermal heat.⁠⁠
• Spore.Bio, 2022, France: Develops an AI-powered microbiology platform to detect, quantify and identify microorganisms, helping manufacturers move from lengthy quality-control processes towards real-time decisions.⁠⁠
• StoryToys, 2011, Ireland: Develops and publishes educational entertainment apps that bring familiar characters and stories to life, helping children learn, play and grow.⁠⁠
• ValkaAI, 2025, Czechia: Develops proprietary AI models for audio and video generation in real-time applications.⁠⁠
• Vispera, 2014, Türkiye: Uses AI and computer vision to turn shelf images into actionable insights, helping retailers improve product availability, monitor in-store execution and automate audits.⁠

The nominees for the 2027 Dual-Use Technology Award

• Aliter Technologies, 2007, Slovakia: Develops advanced ICT solutions, tactical communications, mission-critical software and cybersecurity tools for defence, security and commercial applications.⁠⁠
• BlueBird Tech, 2024, Ukraine: Develops Ukrainian defence technologies that turn battlefield-proven innovation into solutions that protect lives.⁠⁠
• ChapsVision, 2019, France: Develops sovereign AI and data-intelligence solutions that help governments and enterprises turn large volumes of diverse data into actionable decisions.⁠⁠
• CTech, 2005, Türkiye: Develops satellite and line-of-sight communications technologies, bringing field-proven products and Turkish defence engineering capabilities to international markets.⁠⁠
• CybExer, 2016, Estonia: Develops cyber ranges using high-fidelity digital twins to test systems, strengthen civilian and defence cyber resilience and assess AI-enabled technologies without risking live operations.⁠⁠
• Equal1, 2018, Ireland: Develops compact, rack-mounted silicon quantum computers designed to integrate with existing data centres and high-performance computing infrastructure.⁠⁠
• Frontline Robotics, 2023, Ukraine: Develops aerial and ground robotic systems, integrating unmanned aircraft, ground vehicles and remote weapon stations to improve operational effectiveness and reduce risks to human life.⁠⁠
• Guardiaris, 2007, Slovenia: Develops military training and simulation technologies with civilian applications in traffic safety, disaster response and the development of AI and autonomous systems.⁠⁠
• Havguard, 2023, Norway: Develops intelligent systems that reveal maritime threats in real time.⁠⁠
• Motor-G, 2024, Ukraine: Develops and manufactures electric motors for unmanned systems, with potential applications across defence, transport, robotics and civilian industries.⁠⁠
• NestAI, 2024, Finland: Develops an adaptive AI operating system for defence, enabling intelligence to continue evolving after deployment.⁠⁠
• Odd Systems, 2023, Ukraine: Develops and manufactures thermal-imaging cameras and related components for battlefield applications.⁠⁠
• Origin Robotics, 2022, Latvia: Builds resilient, dual-use autonomous aerial systems engineered to operate where GPS and communications fail.⁠⁠
• PBS Velká Bíteš, 1991, Czechia: Develops and manufactures aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and environmental control systems for civilian and military aviation, including unmanned aerial vehicles.⁠⁠
• ReOrbit, 2019, Finland: Builds satellite networks for direct-to-device connectivity, sovereign communications and orbital intelligence.⁠⁠
• Rovertech, 2023, Ukraine: Develops and produces unmanned ground systems and robotic platforms for demining, logistics and combat missions.⁠⁠
• Titra Technology, 2019, Türkiye: Develops unmanned systems for military and civilian applications.⁠⁠
• Tykoflex, 1958, Sweden: Provides fibre connection platforms for critical civilian and defence infrastructure, supporting reliable communications, rapid repairs and the integration of new sensors and technologies.⁠⁠
• UMag Solutions, 2018, Denmark: Develops quantum magnetic sensing technologies for autonomous aerial and marine systems, supporting civilian, humanitarian and defence applications including infrastructure protection and mine countermeasures.⁠⁠
• Verda, 2018, Finland: Provides secure, sustainable European AI cloud infrastructure, giving innovators the computing power to train, deploy and scale AI.

About the awards

DIGITALEUROPE’s Future Unicorn Award recognises European technology companies with the potential to become global leaders. The Dual-Use Technology Award, developed in collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence and Brave1, recognises technologies addressing civilian and defence needs. Together, the tracks highlight Europe’s innovators and support connections to investors and the wider technology ecosystem.⁠

Both tracks recognise European tech scale-ups nominated by DIGITALEUROPE’s national trade associations and growing over 20% annually for at least three years.