Europe's New Unicorns: 5 Tech Startups Hit $1B in January

January 2026 proved to be a landmark month for the European tech scene, as five innovative startups across the continent officially joined the coveted "unicorn" club, each achieving a valuation exceeding $1 billion. From Belgium's cybersecurity prowess to Ukraine's resilient edtech sector, these companies secured significant funding rounds, signaling robust investor confidence in diverse European innovation.

Before diving into the specifics, it's worth noting two important distinctions. Firstly, our count includes companies with strong European roots or a substantial team presence on the continent, even if their official incorporation is elsewhere – a common practice in the absence of a unified pan-European corporate structure. For instance, Lovable, incorporated in Delaware, is deeply embedded in Stockholm's startup ecosystem. Secondly, while a $1 billion valuation is a significant milestone, it primarily reflects investor appetite and potential, not necessarily immediate commercial success or profitability. Nevertheless, in the current economic climate, these investments highlight key areas of growth and trust from venture capitalists.

Aikido Security: Belgium's Cybersecurity Unicorn

Belgium-based cybersecurity startup Aikido Security officially reached unicorn status this January following a successful $60 million Series B funding round. The round, which valued the company at $1 billion, was led by DST Global, with additional participation from PSG Equity, Singular, and Notion Capital, among others.

Aikido Security's platform unifies security across the entire software lifecycle and is already utilized by over 100,000 teams globally. The company reported impressive growth over the past year, including "five-times revenue growth and nearly three-times customer growth." In a blog post, the startup emphasized its achievement as a testament to Europe's capability to build world-class software security companies that can compete on a global scale, challenging the dominance of traditional tech hubs.

Cast AI: Lithuanian Roots, Global Cloud Optimization

Cloud optimization firm Cast AI, though headquartered in Florida, boasts strong Lithuanian roots and a significant operational presence in Vilnius. This connection has led many to recognize it as Lithuania's fifth unicorn, with its valuation now surpassing $1 billion.

The company secured this milestone following a strategic investment from Pacific Alliance Ventures (PAV), the U.S.-based corporate venture arm of the Korean conglomerate Shinsegae Group. This latest funding builds on its $108 million Series C round in April 2025, which had already propelled Cast AI close to the unicorn threshold. Coinciding with its new funding, Cast AI also launched OMNI Compute for AI, an innovative solution designed to optimize AI workloads on fewer GPUs and overcome regional capacity limitations.

Harmattan AI: France's Rapid Rise in Defense Tech

Founded as recently as 2024, French defense tech company Harmattan AI has quickly achieved a remarkable valuation of $1.4 billion. This rapid ascent comes after its latest funding round, a $200 million Series B, which was led by Dassault Aviation – the renowned manufacturer of Rafale fighter jets. This investment also signifies a broader strategic partnership between the two entities.

Harmattan AI's swift growth is fueled by a surging demand for autonomous defense aircraft. Prior to this pivotal partnership, the company had already secured agreements with both the French and British ministries of defense, as well as with Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton, underscoring its significant impact in the defense sector.

Osapiens: German ESG Software Innovator

German ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) software firm Osapiens has joined the unicorn ranks after successfully raising a $100 million Series C round. This funding, which valued the company at over $1.1 billion, was led by Decarbonization Partners, a joint venture between BlackRock and Temasek.

Established in Mannheim in 2018, Osapiens has rapidly expanded its global footprint, now serving more than 2,400 customers worldwide. Its platforms and tools are crucial for large multinational corporations, assisting them with sustainability reporting, data compliance, and effectively mitigating supply chain risks.

Preply: Ukrainian Resilience in Edtech

The 14-year-old language learning marketplace Preply has achieved unicorn status with a valuation of $1.2 billion. This milestone not only marks a significant business achievement but also symbolizes Ukrainian resilience. Although founded in the United States, Preply's founders are Ukrainian, and the company maintains a dedicated team of 150 employees in their home country.

According to CEO Kirill Bigai, a strong advocate for AI-enhanced learning, the proceeds from the $150 million Series D round will be strategically invested in recruiting more AI talent across its four global offices, now located in Barcelona, London, New York, and Kyiv.