Tom Nugent

Tom Nugent is Sifted’s managing editor. Follow him on X and LinkedIn

Solo GP Andreas Klinger raises €15m for European robotics, automation and AI
Interview
January 19, 2026
Solo GP Andreas Klinger raises €15m for European robotics, automation and AI
The fund will write first cheques of $200k-500k into 30-40 companies, with around one-third reserved for follow-on investments
Tom Nugent
Shift in global dynamics a ‘gift’ for the UK, says Cambridge Enterprise CEO
Interview
January 16, 2026
Shift in global dynamics a ‘gift’ for the UK, says Cambridge Enterprise CEO
One year into his job as head of Cambridge university’s tech transfer office, Jim Glasheen is backing the UK to capitalise on geopolitical headwinds
Tom Nugent
Parloa hits $3bn valuation with $350m Series D led by General Catalyst
News
January 15, 2026
Parloa hits $3bn valuation with $350m Series D led by General Catalyst
The AI agent startup has tripled its valuation in eight months
Tom Nugent
What will shape European robotics in 2026?
Analysis
January 8, 2026
What will shape European robotics in 2026?
Robotics has become one of European tech’s buzziest sectors this year. Here’s what could be in store in 2026
Tom Nugent
European AI predictions for 2026
Analysis
January 2, 2026
European AI predictions for 2026
After a whirlwind 12 months, VCs and founders pitch their AI predictions for next year
Tom Nugent
The roles startups will need to hire most in 2026
Analysis
December 24, 2025
The roles startups will need to hire most in 2026
From the next AI talent battle to the rise of new generalist roles, here’s where insiders think startups will need to hire most next year
Tom Nugent
These 33 robot startups raised over €10m in Europe this year
Sifted data
December 23, 2025
These 33 robot startups raised over €10m in Europe this year
AI advances have led to surge of interest in the field
Tom Nugent and Ruggero Di Spigna
Kibo Ventures hits €80m first close of new fund, doubles down on rest of Europe
Exclusive
December 15, 2025
Kibo Ventures hits €80m first close of new fund, doubles down on rest of Europe
The Spanish VC is looking beyond its home country for defence, space and AI deals
Tom Nugent
15 Spanish startups to watch, according to VCs
Investor survey
December 5, 2025
15 Spanish startups to watch, according to VCs
Startups in Spain are on a tear this year, already raising close to €1bn more than the whole of 2024
Tom Nugent
Exclusive: Atomico and Microsoft’s M12 back chip startup Lace
Exclusive
December 4, 2025
Exclusive: Atomico and Microsoft’s M12 back chip startup Lace
Lace is developing next-generation semiconductor technology
Freya Pratty and Tom Nugent
‘I hate that there’s still a big difference’: Neura Robotics CEO on chasing decacorn status, pursuing M&A and the China ‘blueprint’
The big interview
December 3, 2025
‘I hate that there’s still a big difference’: Neura Robotics CEO on chasing decacorn status, pursuing M&A and the China ‘blueprint’
The company is building so-called ‘Neura Gyms’ around the world in a bid to break the data bottleneck in robotics
Tom Nugent
Is Spain Europe's AI dark horse?
Analysis
November 21, 2025
Is Spain Europe's AI dark horse?
Spanish AI-native startups have raised €442m across 39 equity deals so far this year, compared with €56m across 11 deals in 2024
Tom Nugent and Maya Dharampal-Hornby
UK tops European spinout ranking — but US acquirers gain most from region’s exits
Exclusive
November 20, 2025
UK tops European spinout ranking — but US acquirers gain most from region’s exits
Deeptech and life sciences M&A reached new peaks while IPOs ‘disappeared’, report finds
Tom Nugent
UK’s biggest backer of VC funds eyes more defence deals
Interview
November 14, 2025
UK’s biggest backer of VC funds eyes more defence deals
The British Business Bank, which invests closely against the UK government’s industrial strategy, tells Sifted more defence fund pitches are landing on its desk
Tom Nugent
Startups are hitting $10bn valuations faster — is that a problem?
Analysis
November 10, 2025
Startups are hitting $10bn valuations faster — is that a problem?
Half of Europe’s decacorns were minted this year, with some hitting the milestone quicker than ever
Tom Nugent, Ruggero Di Spigna and Jonathan Sinclair
16 UK AI startups to watch, according to VCs
Investor survey
November 7, 2025
16 UK AI startups to watch, according to VCs
Companies on the list are working on everything from world models for robotics to refining Excel workflows
Tom Nugent
Europe rides the robotics wave: ‘The research here is crazy’
Analysis
November 3, 2025
Europe rides the robotics wave: ‘The research here is crazy’
Better AI models, data and cheap hardware are all converging to create a gold rush in European robotics
Tom Nugent
ETH robotics spinout Mimic raises $16m seed led by Elaia and Speedinvest
Exclusive
November 3, 2025
ETH robotics spinout Mimic raises $16m seed led by Elaia and Speedinvest
The company is running pilot programmes with customers in manufacturing, automotive, logistics and retail
Tom Nugent
OpenAI-backed startup aims to deliver in-home humanoid robots in 2026
News
October 28, 2025
OpenAI-backed startup aims to deliver in-home humanoid robots in 2026
Debut robot model ‘Neo’ has built-in bluetooth speakers in its pelvis and chest
Kai Nicol-Schwarz and Tom Nugent
An M&A goldrush is coming for European AI. Startups beware
Sifted View
October 27, 2025
An M&A goldrush is coming for European AI. Startups beware
AI companies are looking scoop up rival talent earlier in their journeys than ever before
Tom Nugent and Martin Coulter
Jack & Jill plots acqui-hire spree: ‘We are offering people a route out’
Analysis
October 24, 2025
Jack & Jill plots acqui-hire spree: ‘We are offering people a route out’
The London-based AI agent startup aims to double or triple headcount in the next year
Tom Nugent
14 robotics operators to watch in Europe
List
October 24, 2025
14 robotics operators to watch in Europe
Money is flowing into the robotics sector in Europe. But who are the brains behind the companies trying to win?
Tom Nugent
How to spend your funding round
How to
October 22, 2025
How to spend your funding round
Experts from Unfabled, Exein and JamJar Investments share their advice
Tom Nugent
Alexa creator William Tunstall-Pedoe: ‘Businesses still don’t fully trust AI’
Brunch with Sifted
October 21, 2025
Alexa creator William Tunstall-Pedoe: ‘Businesses still don’t fully trust AI’
UnlikelyAI is hoping it can crack the trust issue holding back the widespread adoption of AI in enterprises
Tom Nugent

Tom Nugent

Solo GP Andreas Klinger raises €15m for European robotics, automation and AI

Shift in global dynamics a ‘gift’ for the UK, says Cambridge Enterprise CEO

Parloa hits $3bn valuation with $350m Series D led by General Catalyst

What will shape European robotics in 2026?

European AI predictions for 2026

The roles startups will need to hire most in 2026

These 33 robot startups raised over €10m in Europe this year

Kibo Ventures hits €80m first close of new fund, doubles down on rest of Europe

15 Spanish startups to watch, according to VCs

Exclusive: Atomico and Microsoft’s M12 back chip startup Lace

‘I hate that there’s still a big difference’: Neura Robotics CEO on chasing decacorn status, pursuing M&A and the China ‘blueprint’

Is Spain Europe's AI dark horse?

UK tops European spinout ranking — but US acquirers gain most from region’s exits

UK’s biggest backer of VC funds eyes more defence deals

Startups are hitting $10bn valuations faster — is that a problem?

16 UK AI startups to watch, according to VCs

Europe rides the robotics wave: ‘The research here is crazy’

ETH robotics spinout Mimic raises $16m seed led by Elaia and Speedinvest

OpenAI-backed startup aims to deliver in-home humanoid robots in 2026

An M&A goldrush is coming for European AI. Startups beware

Jack & Jill plots acqui-hire spree: ‘We are offering people a route out’

14 robotics operators to watch in Europe

How to spend your funding round

Alexa creator William Tunstall-Pedoe: ‘Businesses still don’t fully trust AI’