In 2024, AI startups in Europe attracted a total of $8 billion in investments. Just ahead of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, which will be held in France later this year, global leaders and tech executives are set to visit Paris, where significant investments and diplomatic agreements concerning AI’s safety and environmental impact are expected to be announced.
The growing number of startups in Europe has garnered attention, with AI companies accounting for 20% of the total investment in the region in 2024. This amounts to approximately $8 billion, and this figure is expected to rise further, as AI startups remain relatively young. In 2024, 70% of the capital invested in AI startups was allocated to seed and early-stage (Seed to Series B) rounds.
Among the top countries attracting investment in Europe are the UK, France, Germany, and the Nordic countries. These nations, despite their demographic sizes, have seen significant investment flows. Notably, in later-stage rounds, particularly Series C and beyond, approximately 50% of the investments come from U.S. venture capital (VC) firms.
In France, over 750 AI startups are operating, creating 35,000 new jobs. These startups are engaged in various fields such as medical treatment, drug discovery, and enhancing productivity through AI applications. Notably, the healthcare and climate sectors are the two areas seeing the most significant growth in AI developments in France.
These insights indicate that Europe is becoming a major hub for AI development, following the U.S. and China. The innovative approaches and future investments in this field suggest that Europe’s role in AI will continue to expand.
