Mike Butcher
Editor At Large
The Latest from Mike Butcher
Can this startup solve the HR headache that is digital nomads? It just raised $12M to try
In the new era of remote and hybrid working, companies need to manage people who either relocate or work remotely. For obvious reasons, that has created a huge headache for HR directors. Back in 2014,
Runa Capital kicks off new fund as it joins the VC ‘Scramble for Europe’ by moving to Luxembourg
TechCrunch understands Runa Capital, which launched in 2010, has raised $55 million toward its fourth fund, aiming for a target of $250 million. The company is declinging to comment. However, after 12
Jobbatical raises €11.6M as worker migration goes paperless
Jobbatical — which specializes in relocating workers and whose business has seen an uplift in the post-pandemic work environments as so many workers become “digital nomads” — h
Just outside of Munich, a startup plans a new process to recycle Lithium-ion batteries
Companies like Redwood Materials (raised $792 million), Li-Cycle (Canada, raised $667.7 million) and Green Li-ion (Singapore, raised $15 million) have made a name for themselves in recycling batteries
One startup’s solution to the carbon-offsetting mess: Downgrade the ‘middle-men’ resellers
As well as the traditional carbon offset resellers and exchanges such as Climate Partner or Climate Impact X, the tech space has also produced a few, including Patch (U.S.-based, raised $26.5 million)
With schools increasingly focused on mental health, PsycApps raises seed round for US expansion
I’ve been tracking PsycApps, a startup that came up with a gamified mental health game called eQuoo, since 2016, and this company — and its founder — is nothing if not persistent in R
As our populations age, this startup is turning live-in care into a gig-economy platform
As developed-world populations increasingly get older, healthcare is being rapidly digitized and “platformized” in order to meet the huge scale of change heading our way. I recently covere
This new $100M fund plans to focus on startups accelerating the science around longevity
Longevity-focused startups have been proliferating in recent years as we become more focused on our health. However, it’s not just about apps to get you in the gym. Longevity startups can range from
Revolut to allow users to donate to the homeless via the Beam crowdfunding platform
The world is entering a huge cost of living crisis, which will inevitably result in a rise in homelessness. But donating to homeless people has yet to go fully digital. Challenger bank Monzo allowed t
Veterinary telehealth service Vetster launches in the UK post expansion in the US
Vetster, a veterinary telehealth service which has raised $40 million, is launching in the U.K. following expansion in the U.S. Vetster connects licensed veterinarians with pet owners via video, voice
Web3 giant Parity Technologies teams up with Watr over platform to track ethical commodities
As the U.S. and Europe bake in abnormal summer heat, the climate continues to climb up the world’s agenda. With everyone now talking about energy, how commodities are traded is also becoming a talki
Klarna founder to launch new ‘Nobel Prize for Impact’
According to BCG global assets under management are around $100 trillion, but only $715 billion, or less than 1%, goes on what you might term “impact” companies or projects to tackle the w
Digital pensions platform Penfold raises $8.5M Series A led by Bridford Group
Penfold, a digital pensions platform, has closed a £7 million ($8.49 million) Series A funding round led by Bridford Group, an investment group. Also participating in the round was Jeremy Coller, chi
A new ‘institutional angel’ fund is an example of the UK’s continuing ability to innovate in venture
The U.K.’s Enterprise Investment Scheme has been a powerhouse for startups out of the U.K. because it allowed angel investors to invest in a very tax-efficient manner. Launched in 1994, it was desig
With a €43M EU grant and €1.2M from a VC, this startup plans to turn CO2 emissions into gold
The global problem of an over-abundance of CO2 in the atmosphere is ongoing, and a huge area that needs to be addressed, given the amount pumped out by industry. It’s hoped that if carbon dioxide co
How an Armenian startup plans to use a new innovation to tackle the billion-dollar phishing industry
So-called “Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance,” or DMARC, is a technical standard that is designed to protect the senders and recipients of email from spam, sp
This startup just raised $320M to make long-term care inside hospitals obsolete
Cera, a U.K. provider of healthcare inside people’s homes augmented by a platform that allows carers to monitor a patient’s health and potentially flag problems, has raised $320 million (£260 mil
How a Romanian medtech startup helped US doctors treat refugee Ukrainian cancer patients
An innovative new medical startup in Romania helped doctors from three countries collaborate to treat Ukrainian cancer patients made refugees after Russia’s brutal invasion. The “Tumor Board” pr
Swvl’s $100M acquisition of Smart Bus startup Zeelo is off, amid tech stocks slump
All is not well with the proposed acquisition of U.K. start bus platform Zeelo by Mass transit group Swvl. Back in April, we covered how a possible $100 million acquisition was on the cards, and, inde
How the problem of hiring healthcare staff has become a fertile ground for startups
The healthcare crisis — more evident now as summer heatwaves put pressure on hospitals — is resulting in a staffing boom. But healthcare professionals in Europe can end up with bad terms and pay d