Buckle up – a MAMMOTH, but handy blog post awaits your reading! You might want to grab a cup of coffee because…here is our comprehensive list of the European startup media outlets you 100% should be following, or at least be aware of, to be in the know, to stay in the know or pitch if you’re a fellow PR personnel.
Of course, media from Forbes and Bloomberg to The Guardian and WIRED will talk about startups, and some outlets quite often do so. But here, we wanted to understand the outlets that look specifically at startups. Join us as we try to put together the big European puzzle!
Starting with our top three:
Sifted – Pan-European | English
Sifted is one of the most in-depth outlets for startups; they report ON startup Europe FOR startup Europe. Sifted journalists really sift through news and go further than the press release to find the nitty-gritty, nuts, and bolts of a story, get information from the right people at the right time and ask all the right questions. Far from focusing only on funding rounds, which admittedly are an important and exciting event in a startup’s life, Sifted is interested in exploring an assortment of startup tropes, with particular attention to diversity.
Sifted is backed by the Financial Times, so it’s no wonder their journalistic quality bar is set so high. Although Sifted prides itself on doing grownup reporting, their team reflects the youth and ambition of a startup – in fact, they have recently raised £4 million to continue scaling. Sifted has several leading startup newsletters and notable vertical strengths in fintech, sustainability, and corporate innovation. Sifted’s first in-person event was in December 2021 (keep an eye out for 2022). In October, they also launched a podcast that debuted by talking about sextech and psychedelics. Sifted has journalists working pretty clear beats or focusing on geographies, so check the team page before sending out any pitches. Their newly appointed and fantastic editor is Amy Lewin.
tech.eu – Pan-European | English
The tech.eu team is based all across Europe, offering first-hand insights and diverse content, so it stands to reason that it would call itself the premier online publication. tech.eu delivers a range of editorials focused on curated news in the dynamic European tech landscape, actionable info, and insightful interviews from up-and-coming and established Unicorns from across Europe. tech.eu says: “Our goal is to stay in the know, so you don’t have to.” And it’s true, they are the publication with the best coverage of new funding deals, and they have some of the best newsletters and news summaries out there!
tech.eu was started by Robin Wauters, an ex-TechCrunch journalist. The outlet was recently acquired by Webrazzi, a Turkish media company that also focuses on startups, and since the announcement, tech.eu has invested in expanding its coverage and capabilities, including some pretty amazing GIFs to go with article tweets. The tech.eu staff includes professional photographer and avant-garde writer Dan Taylor in charge of news – along with giving tech.eu a fresh edge, legend has it he can write over 20 stories a day with sufficient caffeine! Jill Petzinger, ex-Yahoo Finance, Handelsblatt, and Spiegel, recently joined the team to add data stories and profile pieces into the mix. They also have an awesome podcast, which you should definitely listen to on your morning commute! Oh, and the tech.eu Summit 2022 event will be held in Brussels; you’re gonna wanna get there if you can!
Also, check out our interview with Dan Taylor, tech.eu’s chief scribe, here.
TechCrunch – Global/Covers European startups | English
What does tech success look like? Well, for most, the holy grail would be an article in TechCrunch – and for good reason! Founded in 2005, TechCrunch quickly became the leading publication on the tech scene, providing breaking tech news, views, and breakdowns on tech companies globally.
In Europe, TechCrunch remains one of the most sought-after media outlets. Unlike Sifted and tech.eu, TechCrunch is based in the US, and their staff hugely reflects this. Events and podcasts are usually more reflective of the US startup scene, although occasionally, European stories get picked up. In Europe, Editor-at-large Mike Butcher is their most visible face, frequently traveling to events to interview the most prominent startups and organizing The Europas Awards (keep an eye out for the 2022 edition). If you want to pitch, Mike is increasingly looking at startups solving climate issues, so if you’re in the climate-justice game, this might be your time to shine! Romain Dillet is a senior writer for TechCrunch based in Paris, covering primarily but not exclusively French startups; he has written over 2,500 articles on technology and tech startups! Other European reporters are more industry and country-agnostic.
VentureBeat – Global/Covers European startups | English
VentureBeat provides in-depth, profound news giving context to business owners, helping them make wise choices. It was also identified as “the leading media authority in artificial intelligence and machine learning” by Techmeme data in 2019.
VentureBeat offers extensive knowledge and exciting perspectives to keep you informed, but we thought we’d let the data do the talking! With 6 million monthly uniques, 12 million monthly page views, 712,000+ Twitter followers, 432,000+ Facebook followers, 338,000+ LinkedIn followers, and multiple events including Blueprint, Transform, and GamesBeat Summit, you really want to make sure you keep up with VentureBeat!
Like TechCrunch, VentureBeat looks at startups globally but with more focus on AI, cyber security, gaming, and XR stories. This is what VentureBeat loves to cover and where it is best unpacked. In fact, they describe their mission as being “a digital town square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and transact.” Hang on…did someone say metaverse?
EU Startups – Pan-European | English
Founded in 2010, EU Startups has become one of the leading European startup publications with more than 300,000 monthly audience members! This outlet focuses on European startups, putting data under the microscope and providing interviews and information. EU-startups also publish news that has a commercial or cultural impact on European startups, a selection of ‘funding stories of the day’ and regular top startup lists, podcast episodes, and more. Oh, and host their own event – the EU Startups Summit!
Business Insider – Global | English
Business Insider is a much broader publication than the rest on our list. Still, with a team of tech-dedicated European journos that focus on startups and venture capital, we just couldn’t ignore them. Key people at Business Insider looking at startups are Shona Ghosh, the UK’s 2019 Tech Journalist of the Year and Senior Tech Editor at the UK bureau, overseeing the UK tech team’s coverage. Callum Burroughs, fintech and startups reporter. Martin Coulter, a technology reporter primarily covering Google and tech startups with a focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. And Tasmin Lockwood covers everything from fundraisers to startup culture, with a particular emphasis on climate change solutions and diversity.
While most Business Insider journalists covering startups in Europe are based in the UK, there is also considerable startup coverage by Business Insider Deutschland (though, in fact, Gründerszene). The Dutch, Polish and Spanish editions also pay attention to the marvelous world of startups, although this is not their primary focus.
Bootstrappers – Global | English
Many startups that don’t receive funding from venture capitalists can grow substantially and generate significant revenues in little time. But the startups with their “boots strapped” have it harder landing prestigious tech media attention – all eyes are on VC money. One day, MicroAcquire founder Andrew Gazdecki, known for tweeting startup advice all day and helping others get their bootstrapped startups acquired, decided he was fed up with startup media focusing almost exclusively on venture-backed startups. So, he started Bootstrappers to finally bring recognition to startups that bootstrap their way to success, motivating other bootstrapped founders in doing so. Someone had to do it! For Bootstrappers, the journey of a bootstrapped founder is one worth analyzing even more. What’s more valuable than insight into how to take a bootstrapped startup to its first million (and beyond) in annual revenue? The outlet for those tired of hearing about millions being raised in fundraising and wanting to learn how to keep all their equity.
OUTLETS COVERING MORE THAN ONE COUNTRY / REGION
Tech Funding News – US, Europe, Asia | English
The new kid on the block. Founded last year by Akansha Srivastava, previously Editor at Silicon Canals and UKTN, Tech Funding News covers some of the hottest startup regions in the world (although admittedly Latam is super hot right now). Despite their name, they don’t only focus on funding rounds. TFN, as it is also known, also encompasses advice for startups, industry opinions and commentary, scoops and exclusive news. While they grow to expand depth and breadth of coverage, the main industries they look at are fintech, AI, medtech, sustainability, IoT, mobility, and consumer tech. However, the team will make exceptions for diversity or especially interesting stories, so hit them up if you have a good pitch!
The Recursive – Southeast Europe and Balkans | English
The Recursive believes that “stories shape stories.” It is an independent, community-born online media focused on the emerging tech and startup ecosystems in Southeast Europe! Check out The Recursive for reporting on the development of local innovation and the creators who are inspiring and defining success for the next generation of unicorns, founders, CEOs, thought-leaders, and innovators. They believe in offering the best possible coverage of entrepreneurship in Southeast Europe to expand the possibilities in the region.
What The Recursive is building out of Southeast Europe is exemplary, with insightful and well-written articles and a professional-looking website that other regions without a dedicated startup outlet can look up to. We look forward to seeing this outlet grow further!
Arctic Startup – Nordics and Baltics | English
Leading English-speaking startup outlet with a Northern Europe focus. The key differentiating factor between Arctic Startup and any other outlet? Not just their friendly polar bear vibe, but also their intelligent collaboration! This is why they offer access to every possible opportunity to everyone they work with. Like the Stoics, their goal is to encourage entrepreneurship that makes the world a better place – championing well-meaning businesses and trailblazers not just with words but with actions. Find daily reporting on funding from the region and reporting that gives startup-thinkers space to express their views on any topics about the Nordic and Baltic startup scene.
Their founder Jan Ameri is a champion of the Nordic and Baltic startup space and is also involved with Arctic15, one of the top startup events in Finland and, notably, the most effective at connecting people. Arctic Startup is planning big things in 2022 together with its sister publication, CoFounder Magazine.
ITKeyMedia – Eastern Europe | English
A Polish-based but English-speaking and CEE-wide focused startup news outlet. ITKeyMedia covers many funding rounds from across CEE and regularly features Eastern European founders on its podcast, typically to dive into the details of their startup and its next steps following a round of funding. Sounds like the key to CEE success to us!
Netokracija – Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia | Croatian, Serbian, Slovenian
Netokracija describes itself as an outlet at the intersection of business and tech that follows startup culture. Netokracija was born in sunny Croatia and expanded its format to cover Slovenia and Serbia, providing critical coverage in these young startup nations.
Øresund Startups – Northern Denmark and Southern Sweden | English
Have you ever watched The Bridge? What they don’t tell you is that Copenhagen and Malmö have plenty to say when it comes to startups. That’s where Øresund Startups comes in. Also covering the important Swedish cities of Lund and Helsingborg, this media outlet collects the most important and freshest information and provides it to the community. With info on funding rounds, acquisitions, and co-working spaces (because, let’s face it, what startup gets an office straight away?) Øresund Startups has it all. An interesting feature here is a section dedicated to failed startups and bankruptcies, an often underreported story that can provide lots of valuable lessons, and perhaps, closure.
UNITED KINGDOM
UKTN – United Kingdom | English
Looking for the ultimate resource with the most up-to-date info on all things tech in the UK? Look no further than UKTN. Once Tech City News, UKTN re-branded in 2017 with a fresh new drive to write about progress in the tech industry throughout the United Kingdom. Head to UKTN for advice, inspiration, expert-led information, and networking opportunities!
Robert Scammell of the Verdict school of journalism is their new editor, so the publication is in good hands editorially. Also, check their newsletter for a roundup of the most important stories from the UK.
Startups Magazine – UK | English
Launched at an event in the heart of startup London in 2018, Startups Magazine has been an insightful publication from day one, providing both digital and print editions. These guys are on a mission to help startups connect the dots on their entrepreneurial journeys. Covering topics ranging from funding to founder wellbeing, Startups Magazine speaks to everyone in the startup world – engineers, investors, growth hackers, accelerators, marketing whizzes, aspiring innovators, and many more.
Just like on this blog, you can get recommendations for the best industry events and podcasts for UK startups via Startups Magazine. Cool fact about them? The magazine is free for public spaces to distribute to their members and can be received by individuals at only the cost of P&P.
Maddyness (UK) – UK | English
Maddyness (UK) is Maddyness’ (which we will get to a little later in this post) British little sister. The same ethos and spirit of the older French Maddyness and the same quality articles, but focusing on the UK. While Maddyness does track funding, most of their articles are not funding announcements; instead, they focus on trends, profiles, and other pieces that join the dots of the UK startup ecosystem. Their coverage is not only quality but provides a breath of fresh air in the startup media world; for example, there are articles helping founders with their personal lives outside of building their startups. A recent article informs founders on dealing with mortgages as business owners. Far from mad, Maddyness describes itself as forward-looking and driven by a desire to promote business and tech to help make tomorrow’s world a better place to live and work. We couldn’t agree more with their mission.
GERMANY
Gründerszene – Germany | German
Operated by Business Insider Deutschland and living in their URL, Gründerszene calls itself the magazine for founders, startups, and investors of the digital economy. You can find the latest news and profiles, and roundups from the German startup scene. Gründerszene takes pride in involving stakeholders in the startup industry beyond their article reporting. It runs a podcast that frequently features founders of some of the most exciting startups in the Bundesrepublik and organises two regular networking events: the after-work-vibe Spätschicht where startup folk can network, pitch ideas, and share insights, and the C-level dinners, where CTOs, CMOs, and CFOs can get together to exchange experiences and ideas.
Startbase – Germany | English
Startbase was born as a way of making sense of all the information that is out there about the German startup ecosystem. With more than 35 thousand companies participating in it, Startbase’s mission is to provide an English-language platform that gives more visibility and centrally maps the industry. There is a database for startups, investors, accelerators, ecosystem facilitators, and other industry participants. On the article side, you can find funding rounds, company updates, profile pieces, opinions, Startbase does it all (and more!) So, if you don’t know where to start in Germany? Start at Startbase!
Deutsche Startups – Germany | German
As its name suggests, Deutsche Startups is a portal informing on all things German Startups. An oldie of the startup media has been providing daily information about the local scene since 2007. Interviews, profiles, market overviews, and news, as well as background information on investors and guest contributions from founders, make for another comprehensive range of information about German startups.
FRANCE
Maddyness – France | French
Okay, so this is the OG Maddyness! Before its British little sister was born, Maddyness paved the path to becoming the forward-thinking hub for all startup, entrepreneurship, and innovation news and media within France – distributed to 700,000 readers each month! This is pivotal in keeping up to date with current affairs, business, finance, media, new tech, and innovation. It also offers guidance, inspiration, and tricks of the trade for both professionals and novices in the form of practical sheets and tools. They say they are the media of the new generation economy and entrepreneurship but aimed at everyone, from startup newbies to battle-hardened founders and investors. La French Tech avance. We could paraphrase, but Maddyness says it best: “Beyond its role of information, Maddyness wishes to open a window on the future of companies and society as a whole by giving a taste of what our lives will be like tomorrow.
FrenchWeb – France | French
FrenchWeb has reported on France’s most relevant startups and innovations to inform and support the more than one million digital professionals in the hexagonal country. FrenchWeb brings together the largest community of French-speaking digital professionals, entrepreneurs, experts, and investors. Its journalists, international correspondents, and experts deliver some of the freshest, original information to startup decision-makers.
SPAIN
El Referente – Spain | Spanish
Based out of Madrid, El Referente describes itself as the leading information magazine on startups and innovation in Spain. Although it was founded in 2009, it was in 2014 that it began focusing on startups, positioning itself firmly as a startup outlet. Each year, El Referente publishes an investment guide with an update on all venture capital funds, angels, accelerators and incubators so that Spanish entrepreneurs can connect with the funding and skills that they need to scale a startup. El Referente has experienced and motivated journalists on its team with a desire to elevate Spanish startups and innovation and bring them closer to society. Startups Real (see below) is El Referente’s English-speaking sibling.
Startups Real – Spain | English
Startups Real is not a football club but the first Spanish startup publication in English dedicated to all things innovation in the land of tapas and siesta. Like its older sister publication El Referente, their core identity lies in the young and dynamic team stressing a neutral point of view. With the increasing internationalisation of startups and the arrival of more foreign VCs to Spain, the publication hopes to act as a conduit and foster a better understanding of the Spanish startup scene.
Dealflow – Spain | English
Dealflow delivers no-nonsense news about the Spanish tech and startup ecosystem. Created by Jaime Novoa, an investor who got tired of consulting with multiple publications to get his startup news fix, Dealflow is a one-stop-shop news outlet and newsletter to keep your finger on the pulse of funding acquisitions other essential startup news. Articles and emails drop once weekly on Mondays, 52 times per year.
REST OF EUROPE
Silicon Canals – Netherlands + | English
Silicon Canals is a Dutch startup outlet run in English, with a primary focus on startups from the Netherlands but does not shy away from reporting on interesting startups and happenings from other parts of Europe. Silicon Canals has something for everyone from funding deals to opinion pieces and contains an events schedule and job marketplace.
CzechCrunch – Czechia | Czech
The TechCrunch of Czechia? CzechCrunch wants to become the primary source of information for the modern man in Czechia, dipping also outside of startups to cover broader tech as well as lifestyle and travel topics that may help startup founders when they are not currently building. Another way CzechCrunch gives back to the ecosystem is with an education platform and a jobs portal. They have a podcast with two formats, a weekly pod discussing the latest news in startups and tech in Czechia, and a guest format where they help founders and others from the country’s hottest startups tell their story first-hand.
StartUP! – Hungary | Hungarian
StartUP! is Hungary’s first startup-dedicated print and online media. Content for those that already have a startup or are peeking into the startup world for various reasons, the outlet writes on numerous subjects and happenings with a lens to the Hungarian startup scene.
MamStartup – Poland | Polish
“I have a startup” – that’s English for MamStartup (at least according to Google Translate), the largest and most important Polish startup-focused outlet. The most significant source for funding rounds, interviews, opinions from the Polish startup scene, and how-tos and information about accelerators to get founders started with traction. MamStartup runs a newsletter rounding up all the successes, investments, pivots, and failures of the Polish startup market in one email. Dobre!
Startup Cafe – Romania | Romanian
Grab a cuppa for this one. Romania’s Startup Cafe aims to be the go-to place for Romanian startup news and inject a healthy dose of fun into its reporting. As well as the classic funding news, there are video interviews with key private and public sector stakeholders, studies and stats, and public grants opportunities.
AIN.UA – Ukraine | Ukrainian, Russian, English
AIN.UA is Ukraine’s premier publication about the startup world, covering happenings in the country and beyond. Founded in 1999 and covering the wider tech world, in 2018, it made parts of its reporting available in English. Describing its country as a terra incognita for foreign markets, it aims to be the central hub of information for the national scene and connect Ukraine to the rest of the world via quality reporting. All the news about funding rounds, foreign companies entering or investing in Ukraine, and important happenings outside the country.
The AIN.UA team is highly professional and takes their journalism seriously. The coverage of the local market is top-notch, with several investigative-style articles that see its journalists turn stones to find answers. Opinions, research, interviews, profiles, and even Ukrainians abroad all have a place in their own section.
Webrazzi – Turkey | Turkish
Well, Turkey does have a European piece of land, including one side of Istanbul; therefore, it makes it into our post. Thankfully, because Webrazzi is a top startup publication. In fact, so successful that it made the bold move of acquiring the pan-European startup media outlet tech.eu to inject it with some of the same energy with which it conquered Turkey. Webrazzi is typically the first to break news in the startup world and has cracked the code for monetising startup media. It hosts various events for key industry verticals and a Summit event, has job postings, and even provides insights and reports for a fee, effectively making it a market intelligence provider.
Shifter – Norway | Norwegian
Founded by journalists from Norway’s most prestigious newspapers, Shifter follows the Norwegian world of innovative businesses. Not just a cheerleader of the local ecosystem, Shifter reports successes and failures, good and bad about the companies building the new Norway, but always with analysis and insight. Shifter’s mission is to allow entrepreneurs to understand the stories behind how others seized the opportunities to succeed and where others failed.
Startupper – Greece | Greek, English
Startupper is the largest dedicated media for the Greek startup and tech scene. It was founded in 2014 as a spinoff of EMEA, the Greek business publication. All the classic startup news, opinions, interview articles, and advice. Startupper also includes English coverage.
Breakit – Sweden | Swedish
Someone once said if you want to move fast, you will inevitably have to break things. To help Swedish startups succeed, former journalists of Dagens Industri started Breakit; a new media outlet focused on better covering the historical stage of digitisation and high-growth tech startups. Leveraging a mix of curiosity, integrity, and heart, their team brings transparent and no-nonsense journalism. Breakit itself has raised venture capital and even won national awards for its investigative reporting. They’re killing it!
Silicon Republic – Ireland | English
Ireland has exploded as a destination for foreign investment and tech companies, reflecting on their startup scene. Silicon Republic, Ireland’s tech and startup publication, also punches above its weight, being one of Europe’s leading publications in the category with over half a million views monthly. Award-winning journalism on startups and beyond since 2001, focusing on STEM and diversity.
Italian.Tech – Italy | Italian
You might have heard that Italy has been a bit of a laggard when it comes to startups. But you might have also heard that things are beginning to take off, and that in 2022 its first two unicorns were born. So where can you get a fix of the latest in the beautiful boot-shaped country? The answer would probably be Italian.tech, which covers the latest developments and trends in (as the name and URL already hint at) Italian tech. Part of GEDI group and La Repubblica, one of Italy’s most important newspapre, Italian.Tech provides in-depth reporting on innovation, startups, venture capital, and the impact of technology on society and the economy.
Just like a digital version of a Roman forum, Italian.Tech also provides a platform for thought leaders and experts in the technology industry to share their perspectives and opinions, but there are of course a range of formats including features, interviews and advice.
Oh, and did we mention they power Italian Tech Week? Read more about them in our guide to European events.
Notable mention for various startup blogs
Some countries don’t have large media markets or dedicated startup journalism outlets. Their startup associations and development agencies play a significant role in spreading news and covering the latest happenings, including funding rounds, accelerators, and other opportunities. In other countries, some blogs are great resources for startup news, but not independent journalism. If the country still doesn’t have independent startup media, try to see if their startup association or business promotion agencies run any news blogs.
Did we miss out on any of your favourite startup media outlets? Can you help us complete the European puzzle?
We’re also planning many more roundup articles on startup media. Up next – different regions and verticals – consumer tech, fintech, and business. Latin America, Africa. What would you like to see – which regions, which verticals?
Let us know by writing to the team!
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The definitive guide to European startup events in 2023
How to choose the right fit PR agency for your startup
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Top podcasts for European startup peeps in 2022
